Tarsha Richardson & Black Travelers International On How To Create A Travel Experience That Keeps People Coming Back For More

Apart of my series about “How To Create A Travel Experience That Keeps People Coming Back For More”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tarsha Richardson.

Tarsha Richardson is the founder of Black Travelers International ®, a travel company dedicated to curating unique and enriching experiences for mature Black women seeking to embrace life through adventure. Driven by her passion for travel, she established Black Travelers International ® to eliminate barriers and simplify international exploration. Through expert guidance, she educates and prepares travelers on country-specific norms, culture, and safety, ensuring a seamless journey. Black Travelers International ®’s curated tours empower women to travel with confidence and embrace the lifestyle they deserve.

Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Like many, I wanted to travel and see the world. However, I was unsure about traveling alone, and I couldn’t count on my immediate circle to travel for various reasons. I decided to start a travel group in search of like-minded individuals who also had the desire to travel. In the past, I experienced traveling with more mainstream vendors. However, there was always something missing. I decided to create Black Travelers International, where we infuse culture, art, adventure, history, and giving all in one voyage.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

My first time visiting Ghana was a life-changing experience. I visited Ghana on a 10-day tour. This was my first time on the continent, and during our stay, we traveled across several regions of Ghana. Some visits were emotional; some were celebratory; while others were sombering. We received our tribal name through a naming ceremony, in addition to visiting villages, attending a cooking class, and visiting both the slave river and dungeons. After returning from that experience, it forced me to dream bigger. I realized the many opportunities I had at my disposal and the strength that is in me to make all of my dreams a reality. This has allowed me to push further in my career and to achieve more.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

As I pen this, I think of something so simple — packing! In my earlier traveling days, one of the funniest mistakes I made was packing too much luggage. I packed three suitcases and a single bag for a nine-day trip to Italy. My journey started in Rome, then Naples, and then off to the Amalfi Coast. Given the excess baggage I deemed necessary to tote, I had to hire someone to assist me with my bags as I moved from hotel to hotel. Given that many of the cars in this country are small, I also had to use a small van for transportation. It was a tiring experience, not less the wait time for my bags to arrive in my room. The learned lesson that I can pass along to others is to pack light and limit yourself to no more than 2 bags.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

I give credit to my son, Ronald, who I am grateful for joining me on many excursions. His support and participation not only served as comfort when exploring the uncomfortable but also served as a beacon that illuminated the path to becoming a more seasoned traveler. As a travel professional, I travel around the world to secure services and to meet potential vendors. In the beginning, Ronald was my companion who traveled with me to explore a host of countries. He helped me to alleviate many of the fears that I had in regard to traveling. His presence gave me a sense of peace as I learned how to navigate in new places, and I knew he always had a watchful eye out. Confidence is key, and now I can travel alone and feel secure whether I travel with or without others. More importantly, I want to pass along my learnings to others, so they are not limited in their travel aspirations.

Thank you for that. Let’s jump to the core of our discussion. Can you share with our readers about the innovations that you are bringing to the travel and hospitality industries?

The travel and hospitality industry continues to evolve and can also suffer due to economic disruption; however, the possibilities are endless when it comes to exploring new locations or going back to beloved sites that were memorable during our very first time. At Black Travelers International, our trips cater to professional women who are looking for dynamic trips. They want luxury; however, they also want adventure, culture, and experiences. Our travelers experience activities such as African Tribal Naming Ceremonies in Senegal, Shea Butter classes in Ghana, and Safaris in Zimbabwe. We discover what is unique about a location and incorporate it into our itinerary. We curate a well-rounded trip that allows them to experience it all.

Which “pain point” are you trying to address by introducing this innovation and how do you envision that this might disrupt the status quo?

Often, we hear from women who want experiences that will impact their lives. Some are solo travelers who are searching for community, some want to explore a country they’ve never been to, and others want the experience of leaving home for the first time. We provide this for them. Many travelers build new friendships and make new besties while on one of our trips.

As you know, COVID19 changed the world as we know it. Can you share a few examples of how travel and hospitality companies will be adjusting over the next five years to the new ways that consumers will prefer to travel?

The health and well-being of all travelers are most important. We always encourage our travelers to wear masks while on the airline and in areas where large crowds of people are gathered. We also encourage everyone to wash their hands often, and we provide them with hand sanitizer to help avoid germs.

You are a “travel insider”. How would you describe your “perfect vacation experience”?

We all have an ideal vacation experience, and when I think back, my perfect vacation experience includes moderate activity. I enjoy connecting with the culture and community wherever my travels take me. Also, it is important that I have downtime for myself that allows me to recharge and focus on myself. I want others to know there is no right, wrong, or indifferent option, but instead, over time, you will learn what brings you the most joy — indulge in that experience as best as possible!

Travel is not always about escaping, but about connecting. Have you made efforts to cultivate a more wellness driven experience? We’d love to hear about it.

In traveling, I’ve learned to build upon experiences as they relate to the people, culture, norms, and the abundance of each given destination. Wellness embodies the mind, body, and spirit, so I like to take a holistic approach to my travels and ensure that others engage in the experience, opening themselves up to embracing their surroundings from a new perspective. Connecting with people, nature, and the land itself can be most rewarding if we allow ourselves that very moment to experience the very forces of nature that may seem distant if not for the opportunity to travel to a new destination.

Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your experience and success, what are the five most important things one should know in order to create a travel experience that keeps bringing people back for more? Please share a story or an example for each.

The five most important things that I feel one should know to create a travel experience that keeps bringing people back for more are:

• Allow individuals to make connections — many of our travelers join our trips not knowing anyone on the trip. We cultivate pre-trip mixers, games, and ways for them to connect before the trip.

• Include a sense of adventure in our itineraries — Our travelers have been able to experience game drives, boat rides in Togo, to even camel riding in Morocco.

• Include Luxury & Wellness Experiences — We select top hotel accommodations that have a spa. This allows our travelers to sleep in comfort and enjoy the hotel’s amenities during their downtime.

• Connect with the culture — Our travelers connect with the culture by learning about their history, enjoying the cuisine of the land, and experiencing life in their communities.

• Giving back to the Community — Our trips allow our travelers to give back to the community by donating time and supplies. From donating supplies in Cuba to donating books to schools in Ghana or providing food for an orphanage in Senegal.

Can you share with our readers how you have used your success to bring goodness to the world?

Through authenticity and humility, my goal is to bring goodness to the world through my love of travel. It goes without saying that “people do make the world go round’ and I have the pleasure of empowering women of color to navigate the globe without any limitations or fears of the unknown. I want to educate, influence, and advance others’ mindsets as it relates to global tourism so that we can learn about something which is different yet very similar — set in a different locale. When I visit a remote village where currency itself doesn’t solve a problem yet creates a barrier I am forced to think bigger, harder, more intellectually as to how we can make a positive contribution. Supplies, goods, provisions, materials, stock, inventory, or food may be of more importance than the actual currency. I strongly encourage others to take the leap of faith and bring goodness to the world by showing up, embracing, and leaving a carbon footprint that will be everlasting.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I would encourage everyone to travel to a new country annually. This experience would be life-changing. It would change the way we view other countries. I believe it would also strengthen relationships with other countries. Having a world-view of different cultures and communities can truly impact a person’s life both here and abroad.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blacktravelersint

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blacktravelersint/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMsH1SE8XsbM4z8EWa2kTZQ

TikTok: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMsH1SE8XsbM4z8EWa2kTZQ

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!

About The Interviewer:Savio P. Clemente, TEDx speaker and Stage 3 cancer survivor, infuses transformative insights into every article. His journey battling cancer fuels a mission to empower survivors and industry leaders towards living a truly healthy, wealthy, and wise lifestyle. As a Board-Certified Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC, ACC), Savio guides readers to embrace self-discovery and rewrite narratives by loving their inner stranger, as outlined in his acclaimed TEDx talk: “7 Minutes to Wellness: How to Love Your Inner Stranger.” From his best-selling book to his impactful work as a media journalist covering resilience and wellness trends with notable celebrities and TV personalities, Savio’s words touch countless lives. His philosophy, “to know thyself is to heal thyself,” resonates in every piece