The ballots are in and after tallying nearly 20,000 votes from our loyal and beloved Travel Noire readers, we’ve finally determined the winners of Travel Noire’s inaugural Travel Noire Awards.
Nominations kicked off in May with readers being asked to nominate their favorite travel influencers, businesses, and creatives across 15 distinct categories. In total, 75 nominees were chosen and readers like YOU have narrowed the list down to five chosen winners.
Thanks to everyone who voted and congratulations to everyone who was selected as the best in class in the Black travel space. Check out your 2022 Travel Noire Award winners below.
Dopest Male Traveler
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Congrats to Dopest Male Traveler winner, Cheikh Moustapha Diakhate!
The best way to describe Cheikh’s Instagram is style with a dash of wisdom. Every image is memorable and each caption is translated from English to French. His fashion sense clearly shines through on his account and he’s always well dressed for any occasion.
Dopest Female Traveler
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Congrats to Dopest Female Traveler winner, Kiitan A!
You’re guaranteed a good time when tuned into one of Kiitan’s trips. We love that she shows us the process of preparing for a trip. From packing to the airport and touchdown, Kiitan takes her followers along for the ride.
Best Black-Owned Hotel/Airbnb
Congrats to Best Black-Owned Hotel/Airbnb winner, Higher Level JA!
Located in St. Thomas, Jamaica, Airbnb Higher Level JA is a social enterprise, a family run business, an eco-retreat, a call to nature, a place for people to escape to, collect themselves, to learn about how to grow food and live sustainably, and ultimately to learn about real Jamaican culture.
Best Black-Owned Restaurant
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Congrats to Best Black-Owned Restaurant winner, Villa Maasai!
Located near the famous Boulevard Haussmann and the Place de l’Opéra, Villa Maasaï is located in the 2nd district of Paris at 9 boulevards of Italians. With 300 seats, it is the largest African restaurant in the capital and is proudly Black owned by four Beninese siblings.
Best Black-Owned Tour Operator
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Congrats to Best Black-Owned Tour Operator winner, Broke & Abroad!
The concept of this Black-owned Paris-based travel agency is very simple. Broke and Abroad works to let everyone discover the wonders of the world without having to spend much money on travels. From the most famous tourist spots in the world to the most improbable places, Broke and Abroad helps travelers to find affordable travel packages free of charge.
Best Black Travel Group
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Congrats to Best Black Travel Group winner, Black Girls Travel Too!
Black Girls Travel Too aims to elevate Black women and destroy the notion that they are “undeserving of a life filled with jet-setting and pages of passport stamps.” It was founded by Danielle Rivers- Mitchell, whose passion for travel goes back to childhood. Her passion would give rise to her business years later.
Event of the Year
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Congrats to Event of the Year winner, Afrochella!
Afrochella, the continent’s answer to Coachella is a favorite Black event amongst travelers. It is described as a celebration of ‘Africa’s diverse culture and the vibrant work of African entrepreneurs and creatives.’
Best Insta-Vibes
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Congrats to Best Insta-Vibes winner, Sandy Abena!
Abena gave up her past life as an executive in France to travel the world. The solo traveler started a project, “10 months, 10 countries,” which puts the spotlight on the Afro world: Africa, the Caribbean, South America. She takes us along for the ride with her travel content and has us ready to explore the Afro world.
Best Travel Photographer
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Congrats to Best Travel Photographer winner, Abdoulaye (@Layepro)!
Abdoulaye takes, “telling stories through my third eye” almost literally. His effortless framing and unblemished eye for timing feels more intuitive than learned. Take time going through Abdoulaye’s images as each one is more beautiful than the last.
Travel Media Of The Year
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Congrats to Travel Media of the Year winner, Jey Xplore!
With more than 34,000 followers on Instagram, Jey has built a platform that not only gives you travel tips and advice, but he is the founder of Jey Xplore. Through his platform, he customizes trips tailored to your travel group, wants, and needs.
Most Popular Destination For Black Travelers
Congrats to 2022’s Most Popular Destination winner, Senegal!
African Americans have been flocking to Senegal, and for good reason. The nation is one of the warmest and most welcoming destinations for diasporans, allowing us to learn about our history and get in touch with our roots.
Black Expat of the Year
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Congrats to Black Expat of the Year winner, Jane Jaquin!
Jane Jaquin worked in Paris for luxury ready-to-wear houses for years before heading back home to live in her home islands of Mayotte and Reunion along the Indian Ocean. She now resides in Zanzibar, Tanzania where she opens up about her move abroad and beauty tips.
Best Online Travel Community
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Congrats to Best Online Travel Community winner, Black & Abroad!
Created in 2015 by founders Eric Martin and Kent Johnson, Black and Abroad stands on the principles of explore, embrace, and empower as they work to build more community and representation of Black travelers in the travel industry.
Travel Bae of the Year
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Congrats to Travel Bae of the Year winner, Karelle & Olivier V!
Karelle and Oliver’s instagrams are full of fun and adventure. There is so much to look forward to with their travel documentary, we can’t be the one ones who look forward to their glorious travel posts. Whether celebrating Black love or spending time by the sea as a family, this is a travel couple to take note of.
TN Inspire Award
Congrats to 2022’s TN Inspire Award winner, Babacar Thiaw of Surfrider Senegal!
With surfing typically being represented by non-Black faces, Babacar Thiaw wanted to shine a light on surfing in Africa. Now, Thiaw owns Copa Cabana Surfing Village in Dakar.
Congrats To All Travel Noire Award Winners
Congratulations to all Travel Noire Award winners and thanks to all of our loyal readers for your participation in this inaugural event. See you back here in 2023, where we hope to do it bigger and better!
