by stacey jackson
October 28, 2023
Deirdre Mathis, a Black travel expert, has traveled to 48 countries around the world, 19 of them solo.
Mathis, who is proficient in all things travel, believes that black women should not be held back from traveling due to fear and that they should view travel as a necessity rather than a luxury.
“Get on the plane, go to a new countryAnd you eat new foods, hear new languages, and meet new people,” she said. fox 26. “Black women need a break. They need a break. They deserve to have fun.”
Mattis said traveling gives you access to all of those things and the excitement of experiencing something different.
The world traveler spoke about the benefits of traveling and experiencing other cultures as a black woman. She rejected negative stereotypes and rumors that black women are not accepted or welcomed elsewhere. Even though she has traveled all over the world, Mathis says she has never felt so welcomed.
“People love to see people who look different than them abroad. They can learn from you,” she said. “People are really paying attention to us and are very appreciative that we are visiting their places, their countries.
The first step for many is to overcome fear and discomfort. Starting small can help you overcome the habit of not venturing outside of the United States. Mattis recommended nearby destinations like Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, before jetting across the world to New Zealand, which she said was a great option for U.S. citizens who didn’t need a passport. Group travel is perfect for people who don’t have many friends or who don’t like traveling alone. It’s important to do your research before booking.
To black women who feel it’s unsafe to travel, she assured them, “It’s okay.” She said: “People all over the world have been really welcoming to us.”
Her advice to Black women who think traveling is too expensive is to travel on a budget and use hostels and Airbnb. The travel expert, currently the owner of one hotel and his one hostel, was once on a tight budget and finding affordable ways to travel.
Using airline credit cards for everyday transactions is one of the tips she shared. The hotel owner was using her Southwest Chase card when she was on a budget trip. This method allowed her to accumulate thousands of points, which in some cases allowed her to earn free round trips to places like Mexico. Travelers should pay off their credit cards frequently at the end of each month to avoid additional charges.
“This not only helps you pay for… your daily necessities, but it also helps you accumulate mileage. So when you’re ready to travel, you can use your mileage to fly for essentially free. Masu.”
According to Mattis’ website, Established Wonderstay Hospitality Group The Houston-based million-dollar hotelier made history as the first Black woman to own and operate a hostel in the United States.
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