A Black Travel Agent's Message for Her Industry


Skift Take

"It’s challenging when the industry isn’t as inclusive or diverse as it should be ... The travel industry is another industry to be made to feel invisible and voiceless."
Series: Viewpoint

For our Viewpoint series, Skift invites thought leaders, some from the less obvious corners of travel, to join in the conversation. We know that these independent voices are important to the dialogue within the industry. Our guest columnists will identify and shape what global trends and through lines will define the future of travel.
I would love to tell you about the catalyst the led to me choosing to leave my very stable 9-to-5 job at a national agency and go on my own, only to be met with new challenges. I think two of the biggest challenges for me have been funding my travel business, which as many of you know, has always been challenging for minority business owners. The other is marketing. I always knew my marketing would need to be inclusive and representative of me and my community and also of the communities that travel impacts. [caption id="attachment_394414" align="alignright" width="300"] Angela Gathings[/caption] The problem is that white people and their comfort levels of seeing what they may consider to be too