Travel Professionals of Color Association

11/19/2024

TPOC Board Members and Heritage Team visited the International African American Museum during our visit to Charleston, S.C. for our annual Fall board meeting.

The International African American Museum tells the unvarnished stories of the African American experience across generations, the trauma and triumph that gave rise to a resilient people.

Click on pictures for additional information.

11/01/2024

Day of the Dead, or Día de los Mu***os, is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated November 1- 2. On this day, it is believed that the souls of the dead return to visit their living family members. Many people celebrate this day by visiting the graves of deceased loved ones and setting up altars with their favorite foods, drink, and photos.

History of Day of the Dead
The ancient indigenous people of Mexico have practiced rituals celebrating the lives of past ancestors for around 3,000 years. The celebration that is now known as Day of the Dead originally landed on the ninth month of the Aztec calendar and was observed for the entire month. In the 20th century, the month long festivities were condensed to three days called The Days of the Dead: Halloween on October 31, Day of the Innocents on November 1, and Day of the Dead on November 2.

La Catrina is one of the most recognizable figures of Day of the Dead, a towering female skeleton with vibrant make up and a flamboyant feathery hat. The Lady of Death worshipped by the Aztecs protected their departed loved ones, guiding them through their final stages of the life and death cycles. La Catrina that we know today came to be in the early 1900s by controversial and political cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada. Artist and husband of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, included José’s La Catrina in one of his murals which depicted 400 years of Mexican history. His mural, “Dreams of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park”, includes himself and a young child holding hands with La Catrina, who is dressed in sophisticated garb and a fancy feathered hat.

Plans for Day of the Dead are made throughout the year. Toys are offered to dead children and bottles of alcohol or jars of alote (grilled corn) get offered to dead adults. Most families decorate their loved ones’ graves with ofrendas, which often includes marigolds. It’s said that these specific flowers attract the souls of the dead to the offerings, and the bright petals and strong scent guides the souls from the cemetery to their family’s home.

Since the 1960s, when the Mexican government declared it a public holiday based on educational policy initiatives, Dia de Mu***os has been observed throughout Mexico. The tradition was added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s Representative List of Humanity’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.

10/15/2024

Shout out to all women small business owners! You go girl!

Growth of women-owned businesses
During the period of the pandemic and beyond, the growth of women-owned businesses has been impressive. According to statistics from the Wells Fargo report:

From 2019 to 2023, women-owned businesses’ growth rate outpaced the rate of men’s by 94.3% for the number of firms, 252.8% for employment, and 82.0% for revenue.
Nearly half a million women-owned businesses with revenues between $250,000 and $999,999 grew their aggregate revenues by about 30%.

Between 2019 and 2023, Black/African American women-owned businesses saw average revenues increase 32.7% and Hispanic/Latino women-owned businesses 17.1% compared to all women-owned businesses’ 12.1% rise.

10/14/2024

10/09/2024

The ORIGINAL Taste of Louisville celebrates 50 years, showcasing some of Louisville's most talented and hardworking food and beverage rock stars. Join us in the Da Vinci Room at the Melwood Arts Center on Wednesday, October 16th, from 6-9 p.m., where 50+ restaurants and beverage companies will showcase their talents in the kitchen. Your admission includes all food and beverage samples, live music on the patio, and an unforgettable evening with friends and foodies.

10/08/2024

If you are in NYC this weekend.

Amistad Opera by Anthony Davis

October 12, 2024 7:00pm

Opera Composed by Anthony Davis, Pulitzer Prize Winner

Free Preview and Conversation

This special preview showcases the evocative story of the 1839 Amistad Uprising, a historic slave rebellion that led to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision affirming the rights of enslaved individuals.

More Info: https://bit.ly/4dz8B5t

Location
Church of the Intercession
550 West 155th St. and Broadway
New York NY US

www.WelcomeToHarlem.com

09/29/2024

Effective immediately, please be aware of the following guidelines concerning the import of electronic devices for travelers to Mexico.

Each traveler is permitted to bring ONE portable computing device (e.g., laptop, notebook, or iPad) without incurring an import fee.

If passengers bring multiple devices, such as a laptop and an iPad, each will be treated as a separate item, which may result in additional fees.

Allowed Items:
• 1 laptop or similar portable computing device (e.g., iPad)
Limited Items:
• Up to 3 cell phones
• 1 GPS
• 2 cameras
• 1 pair of binoculars
• 4 fishing poles

⚠️ Exceeding these limits may result in customs duties starting at 19% of the item's estimated value, with some cases reporting fees as high as 200%.

To avoid these potential charges, please advise your clients traveling to Mexico to adhere to these guidelines.

08/18/2024

TPOC NCA Chapter enjoying lunch.

Great gathering for lunch.

07/23/2024

Carnival's 2025 Return to Norfolk, Virginia.

As renovations get underway at the Half Moon Cruise and Celebration Center this summer, Norfolk eagerly anticipates the return of Carnival Sunshine, which will offer 6-8 day sailings to the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Exotic Eastern Caribbean.

Carnival Cruise Line is a TPOC Partner. Thank you Carnival for your continued support!

07/16/2024

From mailboat crew to Captain!

Congratulations to Captain Ivanna Seymour on becoming the first Bahamian captain of the brand new massive Royal Caribbean Cruise ship the Utopia of the Seas which is the second largest cruise ship in the world holding 8000 passengers and crew and will set sail for the first time on July 19th 2024! Captain Ivanna will be sailing Utopia of the Seas’ into her home country Nassau, Bahamas on Sunday, July 21st, 2024 from Port Canaveral in Florida.

Royal Caribbean International is a TPOC Partner. Thanks RCCL for your continued support.

07/12/2024

TPOC Partner Highlight

Welcome AMAWaterways!

AMAWaterways believes in partnership!
"PARTNERSHIP
One of our company mottos is: “Be extraordinary – together.” We are all a part of the same AmaWaterways family and our success depends on working closely with our travel partners, our shoreside colleagues and onboard crews all around the globe. Our willingness to collaborate and work together as a unified team – a family – is key to our continued success."

07/04/2024

07/02/2024

TPOC Partner Highlight during the TPOC 2024 Conference.

Shelley Williams of Great Exploration Tours.

Great Exploration Tours provides services on all three U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. They have over 20 years of experience working with groups big and small. Your clients can experience personalized cruise and holiday concierge services tailored to fit their needs.

07/01/2024

Day 2 & 3 of Travel Professionals of Color 2024 Conference.

Respecting the Past, Honoring the Present, and Preparing for the Future.

Focusing on Ecological Tourism and Afro-Mexican Culture.

06/29/2024

Day 2 of Travel Professionals of Color 2024 Conference.

Respecting the Past, Honoring the Present, and Preparing for the Future.