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70 percent of black millennial travelers (black people between the ages of 20-36 who consider travel a priority and who are involved in booking their own travel) would pay more to travel with a brand that understands them and their identity.
Debbie is a London based travel blogger and sometimes vlogger, shares her first travel memory dating back to travelling with her family even if it was just a few days in Manchester or a day trip to a city in Europe, her wanderlust was ignited at an early age. Today, Debbie takes any opportu1nity to travel, even to the point of once travelling to 15 countries in 10 months!
TES: Why do you like travelling?
Debbie: There are so many reasons why I love to travel. I love to try new food, experience different cultures and to explore the beauty of this world.
But one of the biggest reasons I love to travel is because of how it has changed me. It has forced me out of my comfort zone, it has increased my confidence and it has made me realise that I am capable of a lot more than I ever could’ve imagined. Travel is empowering!
TES: Your best travel tip/advice?
Debbie: Don’t put yourself into financial difficulty because it seems like everyone is out here catching flights. Travel within your own budget! You don’t have to go far and you don’t have to go where everyone else is going. Just use the many tools out there to make travel as cheap as possible for you.
TES: Top 3 travel essentials
Debbie: My phone, my powerbank and my camera (which has my tripod attached for them bomb ass shots).
TES: The best place you have travelled to and why?
Debbie: This is a hard one! My answer will probably be different if you asked me tomorrow (laughs). But today my answer is Thailand. Thailand will always have a special place in my heart, it’s my 25th country and also where I turned 25. It’s such a beautiful country, with a rich culture and amazing food. I don’t know what it was about Thailand or my time there, but I left feeling happy and optimistic about the future (hella cheesy but true).
TES: Window or Aisle seat?
Debbie: Window seat every single time! I’m not trying to wake up midway through the flight with my head on a random stranger’s shoulder!
TES: Where have you been inspired to travel to lately and why?
Debbie: Africa! If I was to start listing all of the countries in Africa that I want to visit, we’d be here a while. But my top three at the moment are Nigeria, Ghana and Namibia. I haven’t seen much of Africa yet, but I can’t wait to explore the natural beauty, the vibrant cultures, to learn more about the history and to eat, eat and eat some more!
TES: What have you done while travelling to push your boundaries?
Debbie: While on a solo trip to Bucharest, I asked my readers to set me tasks that would force me out of comfort zone. They told me to do things like go to a club or bar, take pictures with strangers and ask a guy for his number. They really forced me to push my boundaries. I might do something similar this year, but hopefully with less crazy tasks.
TES: Ever felt vulnerable during your travels? How did you overcome it?
Debbie: As a black female traveller, there are many times when I have felt vulnerable while travelling. On my longest and furthest solo trip to date, a 2-week trip to four countries in Asia, before I had even left the country I was already feeling vulnerable. I let the doubts and fears of others get to me and I started to question myself.
How did I overcome it? I just did it! I travelled alone halfway across the world and I enjoyed it. Of course, I took precautions and I did my research, but I believed in myself and I didn’t let fear stop me from living my best life.
TES: Things that annoy you about travelling?
Debbie: Planning group trips! I love travelling with my friends, but the planning is so stressful and long! And most of the time, things never even go to plan anyway.
Keep up with Debbie and all her travel adventures via her blog