Black female travelers, use caution when traveling to these 3 countries

Traveling is an exhilarating experience, filled with the discovery of new cultures, cuisines, and breathtaking landscapes. Yet, for many Black female travelers, the journey can also unveil a layer of challenges that other tourists simply don’t face. While the globe is speckled with destinations that welcome travelers with open arms, there are places where Black women may need to exercise caution.

Drawing insights from the shared experiences of multiple black female tourists across the globe, here's a closer look at three destinations you may want to rethink.

Italy

Italy, a country celebrated for its rich history, stunning architecture, and divine cuisine, unfortunately, doesn't always roll out the warmest welcome mat for everyone. TikToker @mybreakingviews highlighted the discomfort, saying she received “lots of stares” and locals were rude when she asked for directions. Another who goes by @ncolalexandria said she grew up in the south in the US and says she’s “never experienced the overt disrespect and racism” that she faced in Italy. 

“I’m talking assault,” she explains. “I’m talking people avoiding me in the street, I’m talking people acting like I was there to rob them because I was asking for directions”.

While Nicole is one of many black women to experience this treatment during her Italian travels, many have had positive experiences. 

During her visit to Italy with her mom and sister, a traveler who goes by @fineartbykendallrobinson said, “we felt absolutely fine walking around at night…I never felt uneasy about any of my surroundings at all.” When asked if they faced any racism, she said, “No. The Italian people were very kind and everyone was minding their own business for the most part. We had a great time in Italy and I can’t wait to go back.”

Another traveler adamantly encouraged solo black female travelers to come to Rome specifically, saying, “This city is so beautiful, even if you’re a solo traveler, if you’re black, it doesn’t matter.” She even specifically addressed the growing warning against black women not visiting Italy and simply responded with, “[Italy] is heaven. Y’all should come.”

Morocco

Morocco is a popular destination for its mesmerizing souks, historic cities, and vibrant culture, but it’s also notorious for street harassment toward tourists, something that certain black female travelers have also struggled with. One traveler said she and her girl friend who is also black were shocked by how “rude, unfriendly, and aggressive” towards them. From the Moroccan airline staff, vendors, and Marrakesh locals, people were overtly rude. Her advice for other black women was to not visit alone and not to go out late at night.

For another black female tourist named @road2culturedom, the experience was “super stressful” for her and her friends. They almost got turned away by a spa because a woman who worked there accused Jess and her friends of “purposely bringing Moroccan men there so they’d have to pay her for leading us there”. She reports that they were called many kinds of names as they walked around, typically having to do with their skin tone. 

But just like in Italy, some black women love Morocco. In her TikTok video, travel influencer @laurenthelolife said, “If Morocco wasn’t on your travel list before, I guarantee y’all by the end of this video, it will be.” She proceeds to show off some of the gorgeous places she visited and highlights the tasty food with no mention of negative experiences from the locals or harassment.

Egypt

Egypt is bucket-list material for pretty much everyone, from the pyramids to its ancient history to the country’s amazing food.

But despite being an experienced traveler, one black female travel influencer who goes by @rayven_sumone said her experience was dampened by too much haggling, “every single interaction is someone trying to take your money and take advantage of you”. She also felt objectified by the men even though she dressed modestly. She was warned before coming of the need for a tour guide to enjoy the trip properly and that she shouldn’t leave her hotel without being accompanied by a man. But she also spoke about a scary situation in which a “fake taxi driver” took her to the wrong location on purpose and held her “hostage” in the car while demanding 4 times the agreed-upon amount to let her go. She got out of the situation in one piece thankfully, but she said the driver also broke her suitcase.

Another traveler’s enchantment with the pyramids and Egyptian cuisine was marred by excessive catcalling, being followed, and unwarranted attention tied to her skin tone. “I got followed for several blocks by men,” she said in a TikTok video, adding, “There seemed to be a certain fascination with darker skin tones, as a lot of the terms I was getting called had to do with my skin”. She also said other tourists would gawk at her and invade her personal space at times, but overall, she’d advise other black female travelers to proceed with caution.

However, a traveler named Kenisha Allison spoke about her positive experience in Egypt, saying in her caption, “I will 1000% return here. I’ve fallen in love.” She did mention some of the names she was called by local men in the markets, namely “brown sugar”, “my sister”, and “my cousin”, but she took them as terms of endearment. Kenisha also recounted taking lots of selfies as the local men “love our hair”. She ended her video with a message of encouragement, writing, “Overall they love seeing black women tourists in Egypt so please visit. They’re very kind and ready to welcome you home!”

So, what does this all mean for you?

It's important to note that travel experiences are deeply personal and vary widely. For every story of discomfort or prejudice, there are tales of warmth, acceptance, and unforgettable adventures. The decision to visit these countries—or any destination—should be informed by a broad spectrum of experiences and an understanding of one's own comfort levels and desires. 

The world is vast, and for every place that might require caution, there are countless others ready to welcome travelers with open arms. By staying informed, connecting with fellow black travelers, and approaching the world with an open heart and mind, you can continue to explore the globe and create new narratives for the diaspora along the way.