Traveling While Black: What You Need to Know

At GoldWing Getaways, we flag certain destinations not to discourage travel, but to empower Black travelers — especially Black Americans — to make informed choices.

The reality? Some places still treat Black skin with suspicion, exoticism, or outright hostility. We don’t ignore that — we build travel plans around it.

If you're heading somewhere with a known track record of anti-Blackness, we:

  • Vet hotels, hosts, and guides for inclusivity and respect

  • Avoid police-heavy zones or “tourist traps” known for profiling, scamming, or harassment

  • Recommend Black-owned businesses and safe, welcoming communities when possible

  • Tell the truth — not sugarcoated brochure talk

Places Where Traveling While Black Deserves Extra Caution

These countries have documented issues with anti-Black racism, over-policing, or racial discrimination. Some are still worth visiting — but only if you go prepared and protected.

High Risk or High Friction Destinations:

  • China – Racial profiling, public harassment, and anti-Black sentiment (especially in Guangzhou)

  • Russia – Open racism, violent far-right groups, and reported assaults on Black travelers

  • Italy – Especially in the North: verbal harassment, microaggressions, and deadly incidents like the murder of Alika Ogorchukwu in 2022

  • France – Police profiling, systemic racism, and colonial microaggressions

  • Greece – Rise in far-right groups, discrimination in nightlife and rural towns

  • Japan – Colorism and foreigner bias; treated as a novelty, followed in stores

  • South Korea – Microaggressions, stares, rude curiosity; more intense outside Seoul

  • Mexico – Shakedowns by corrupt police, colorism, and class-based bias

  • Brazil – Deep racial inequality; Black tourists often mistaken for locals and targeted by police

  • Argentina & Chile – Very white-presenting societies; Black travelers report feeling alienated or exoticized

  • Germany – Rise in nationalist hate groups, border/police profiling

  • Australia – Casual racism toward Black people, alongside a deeply racist legacy toward Indigenous people

  • Spain – Subtle racism in nightlife and customer service; Afro-Spanish folks still fighting visibility

These aren't always “do not go” countries — but they are “know before you go”.
Because when you travel Black, the world doesn’t always treat you like a guest.
We do.

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