EDITOR ’ S NOTE
As we started work on this issue of The Compass
Magazine with the theme of “ travel is for everyone ,” I soon realized that though the industry has made some great strides toward inclusivity , we still have so much to do . I saw the reality that there are so many communities of travelers , travel advisors and travel �n��ence�� ��o a�e �t��� �nde��e��e�ented �n the industry .
“ I was always only one of four or five Black agents at awards shows , and it was always the same ones and I would wonder , ‘ How do we get more people who look like me here and not just here at the event , but onstage ?’” — Veranda Adkins , co-founder of the Association of Black Travel Professionals
“ If you don ’ t live this life , or if you don ’ t know somebody that does , you just don ’ t think about it because you don ’ t have to .” — Jamie Santillo , owner of Adventures by Jamie , a travel agency specializing in accessible travel , referring to accessibility and accommodations
“ In this current day and age as a travel agent , we always get this question from our consumers : ‘ How will we be treated there ? Do they like Black people there ? Do Black people go there ?’ To this day , we still have that DNA , that residue of ‘ We ’ re not sure we ’ re going to be welcome in a place where we travel .’” — Gai Spann , co-founder of the Association of Black Travel Professionals
We need to do better , within the industry and outside of it .
This issue only begins to scratch the surface of the complete fabric of the travel industry and all the different types of people that make it diverse , wonderful and beautiful . We are dedicated to continuing to represent diverse industry perspectives in every issue going forward , and on VAX VacationAccess .
In the following pages , we ’ ll hear from the Black Travel Alliance and the Association of Black Travel Professionals , two organizations that are working to elevate and support BIPOC travelers and travel advisors . We ’ ll explore inclusivity in terms of travel budgets , and we ’ ll talk about accessible travel and how you can create comfortable and
Andrea Sedlacek
MANAGING EDITOR Andrea believes the best way to gain perspective is to travel .
welcoming vacations for clients with accessibility needs . And don ’ t forget about single parents . Learn how to ensure smooth sailing for parents traveling solo with their kids , because if anyone can help with that , it ’ s a travel advisor .
Also in this issue , we take a deep dive into the data behind the industry ’ s recovery ( it ’ ll be good , I promise ), meet a travel advisor who got bit by the travel bug in Bulgaria , check in on newly refreshed resorts and a lot more .
I want this issue to be for everyone because I want travel to be for everyone . We all deserve to have incredible travel experiences and to feel safe and welcome while doing it , and it ’ s very clear that we are not there yet . But the more we connect with , talk about and choose images of BIPOC travelers , LGBTQ + travelers , travelers with accessibility needs and other communities of travelers and travel advisors , the more inclusive the industry will become .
“ This issue only begins to scratch the surface of the complete fabric of the travel industry and all the different types of people that make it diverse , wonderful and beautiful .”
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