Hartford Courant

Black Travel Expo coming to Atlanta in October

- By Lacy Pfalz Travelpuls­e

The first-ever Black Travel Expo is set to be held Oct. 14-17 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta. It’s an important event for people of color to learn more about the travel industry, plan their vacations and meet travel leaders and influencer­s.

According to a report by the Black Travel Alliance and MMGY Global, Black leisure travelers from the

U.S. spent $109.4 billion in the industry in 2019, which shows a larger need for accommodat­ing diversity within the travel industry.

That’s why Maurice Foley, the Black Travel Expo’s founder and CEO, created the expo. The event is the only one of its kind held in the U.S. this year. The main sponsors include the city of Atlanta, Delta Airlines and the Marriott Marquis Atlanta.

“The Black Travel

Expo is important for the

Black traveling public to learn how travel began for people of color. It is the place to hear amazing travel stories, receive great travel advice, learn how to travel on various budgets, and find out who’s who in the Black travel industry. Most importantl­y, (they will) support Black travel entreprene­urs, products, services, and brands over one weekend and under one roof,” said Foley.

Keynote speakers include Kellee Edwards, adventurer and Travel Channel host; Evita Robinson, founder of Nomadness Travel Tribe; and Stephanie Jones, founder of the National Black in Travel and Tourism Collaborat­ive

Individual­s who love to travel or who are part of the travel industry are welcome to register for a $99 early bird fee. To see the full schedule, speaker and panelist profiles, exhibitors, live entertainm­ent and more, visit blacktrave­l expo.co.

 ?? DREAMSTIME ?? People of color who love to travel are invited to learn more about the travel industry, plan their vacations and meet travel leaders at the first-ever Black Travel Expo.
DREAMSTIME People of color who love to travel are invited to learn more about the travel industry, plan their vacations and meet travel leaders at the first-ever Black Travel Expo.

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