Visit Jacksonville is Florida’s first destination management organization to earn the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation. This designation, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), recognizes organizations that have undergone staff training to better understand and meet the needs of autistic visitors and their families. Visit Jacksonville president and CEO Michael Corrigan welcomed the designation, saying, “We’re proud to be the first destination marketing organization in the state of Florida to achieve the Certified Autism Center™ status, but we’re most proud to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all who visit Jacksonville.” Visit Jacksonville operates three Visitor Centers: Jacksonville International Airport, Downtown Jacksonville at 100 North Laura Street, and the Beaches Museum in Jacksonville Beach, and also deploys a mobile Visitor Center that travels to various events state-wide. Many autistic individuals and their families want to travel yet may worry they will not be understood, welcomed, or have access to accommodation needs. A recent survey of parents, families, and autistic individuals conducted by IBCCES discovered that 94% of respondents would take more vacations or visit more new places if they had access to autism-trained and certified options. Through community designation as a CAD, a selection of the city’s attractions, hotels, recreation, and entertainment organizations will complete autism and sensory training and certification, as well as onsite reviews, and have long-term access to other supports through IBCCES. For a closer look at all there is to see and do in Jacksonville, go to http://www.VisitJacksonville.com.

Alexandria, VA— From a self-taught mathematician who mapped out the nation’s capital to abolitionist sisters who partnered with Frederick Douglass to the first Black athlete to play in the NBA, African American changemakers have shaped the history of Alexandria, VA, and the United States. Throughout Black History Month, participate in a range of activities including a Manumission Tour Company Black History bus tour and film screenings of African American cinematic classics, explore the just-launched southern route of the African American Waterfront Heritage Trail and attend additional events below. Plus, look for the reopening of the Alexandria Black History Museum in 2023. Explore more ways to celebrate Black history and culture throughout February and year-round on Visit Alexandria’s Black History and Culture landing page.

Multicultural Travel News – News from New-York Historical Society, MMGY, Boston, Expedia, New York and Ft. Lauderdale

News Briefs:
New-York Historical Society Showcases Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite
The Biggest Barriers for Travelers With Disabilities (MMGY Global Report)
Boston All Inclusive campaign encourages residents and visitors alike to see Boston as diverse
Expedia Debuts First Ad for New Campaign Focusing on U.S. Latino Travelers
NYC & Company Launches Arabic-language Guide to Halal Travel in New York City During Middle East Sales Mission
Visit Lauderdale Unveils New Brand Campaign “Everyone Under the Sun”
Black Pioneers: Legacy in the American West

Multicultural Travel News – News from Washington, D.C., New York, Albuquerque, Wisconsin, Tennessee, California and the Rockies

News Briefs:
NMAI | National Museum of the American Indian: Visit the Many Nations of America From Home, Washington, D.C., and New York
Great Ways to Honor Native American Heritage Month – Albuquerque
Great Ways to Honor Native American Heritage Month – Wisconsin
Great Ways to Honor Native American Heritage Month – Tennessee
Visit Native California Platform will Inspire Travelers to Discover Wonders of Golden State’s Native Lands and Cultural Heritage Experiences
The YMCA of the Rockies Is Working to Diversify the Outdoors

MMGY Global released its latest report on the travel industry, called Portrait of Travelers with Disabilities: Mobility and Accessibility, reporting that the top two barriers for travelers with disabilities remain, as ever, accommodations and transportation. The report aims to showcase to the travel industry the needs of millions of individuals across the globe who find that their mobility impairments can also impair their ability to travel. The numbers are indicative of the truth: 96 percent of all respondents have faced a problem with accessible accommodations while traveling; 86 percent have faced difficulties with air travel, and 79 percent have also experienced transportation problems while in their destination. These are startlingly high percentages, considering travelers with mobility impairments spend about $58.2 billion annually on travel and consistently take about the same number of trips annually as an able-bodied individual. The research found that 54 percent of respondents had been given a room upon check-in to their accommodation that didn’t match the room they booked, which can cause accessibility issues to occur. The research found that 81 percent of travelers who were surveyed struggled with inaccessible showers or tubs. Fifty-two percent have also experienced having beds that were too high for them to easily access. Transportation issues continue to occur among travelers with mobility issues, too. Six in ten respondents have experienced extended wait times at the airport before or after their flight waiting for mobility assistance, while forty percent have had their mobility aid lost or damaged during air travel. The report also asked travelers what could benefit them in the future. Over eighty percent of respondents all agreed on three key things: increased promotion of accessible accommodations increased maintenance of ramps, sidewalks and mobile lifts and increased accessibility information on a destination’s website. The report surveyed 2,375 adults with disabilities who utilize mobility aids, as well as 414 caregivers or companions of someone with a mobility impairment. 1,761 had traveled in the past twelve months. MMGY Global worked with a committee of disability advocates, senior business leaders of travel companies who serve and support disabled travelers, destination marketing organizations and more. MMGY Global will be donating all proceeds from sales of the report to the United Spinal Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including veterans, to live successful and fulfilling lives.

Beginning August 19, 2022, the New-York Historical Society is the exclusive New York City venue for the traveling exhibition Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite, the first major show dedicated to this pivotal figure who helped launch and popularize the “Black Is Beautiful” movement of the 1960s. On view through January 15, 2023, the exhibition features 40 large-scale color and black-and-white photographs that document how Brathwaite helped change America’s political and cultural landscape during the so-called Second Harlem Renaissance, using his art to affirm Black physical beauty, celebrate African American community and identity, and reflect the vibrancy of Harlem’s jazz scene, local businesses, and events. “We are thrilled to bring this exhibition to New York City, Kwame Brathwaite’s hometown and the location of many of his most powerful images,” said Dr. Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of New-York Historical. “His work is a testament to the power of a visual medium to impact the movement towards racial equity. We hope Kwame Brathwaite’s photographs inspire a deeper understanding of the Black empowerment movement and how its legacy resonates today.” The exhibition chronicles Brathwaite’s evolution as an activist and artist. Born in Brooklyn in 1938, and raised in the Bronx, Brathwaite was still a teenager when he saw the horrific photographs of Emmett Till in his open casket published in Jet magazine in 1955. For Brathwaite, as for so many people, the impact of those photographs was decisive. As the son of a Caribbean American family, Brathwaite was also greatly influenced by the ongoing Pan-Africanist legacy of the Jamaican-born activist Marcus Garvey. With his brother Elombe, Brathwaite founded the African Jazz-Art Society & Studios (AJASS) and organized concerts featuring jazz luminaries such as Miles Davis, Abbey Lincoln, and Max Roach. In addition to promoting musical events, the group advanced a message of economic empowerment and political consciousness in the Harlem community, emphasizing the power of self-presentation and style. “Think Black, Buy Black” became a rallying cry. In the 1960s, Brathwaite and his collective also sought to address how white conceptions of beauty and body image affected Black women and culture. To do so they popularized the transformative idea “Black Is Beautiful” and founded Grandassa Models, a group of Black women of varying backgrounds from the community who embraced natural hairstyles and their African ancestry. The modeling troupe sought to counter both the slight, androgynous figure made famous by 1960s British supermodels Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy and the ubiquity of lighter-complexioned, straight-haired Black models in Black-owned publications such as Ebony. Alongside striking photographs of Grandassa models, the exhibition features several dresses and pieces of jewelry worn by the women. Special to New-York Historical’s display of the exhibition is a new audio guide available on the Bloomberg Connects app. The audio provides context about the “Black Is Beautiful” movement, the African Jazz-Art Society & Studios, and the Grandassa Models. The audio guide also explores other topics explored in the exhibition including jazz, Black activism, natural beauty, fashion, and Harlem during the time period depicted in Brathwaite’s photographs. Organized by Aperture in partnership with Kwame S. Brathwaite, Brathwaite’s son and director of the Kwame Brathwaite Archive, the photographs—mostly shot in Harlem and the Bronx—tell a story of a movement and a time. Following its presentation at New-York Historical, the exhibition travels to the University of Alabama at Birmingham for the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts in February 2023. The exhibition is accompanied by the first monograph dedicated to Kwame Brathwaite. Featuring essays by Tanisha C. Ford and Deborah Willis and more than 80 images, Kwame Brathwaite: Black Is Beautiful (Aperture, 2019) offers a long-overdue exploration of Brathwaite’s life and work and is available from the NYHistory Store. For more info, visit nyhistory.org.

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority has announced the appointment of Mia Lange as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). This is a new role at the Tourism Authority, created to further strengthen the destination’s presence in key international source markets. Lange will oversee the strategic direction and implementation of all global marketing and branding efforts and will manage St. Kitts’ various international agencies. She will also lead the on-shore public relations and marketing team in St. Kitts to ensure the seamless promotion of the island to citizens and residents. “Ms. Lange brings more than two decades of Caribbean destination messaging and marketing experience. She has proven success in launching key advertising and branding strategies that in turn have increased tourism and tangible economic development,” said Nick Menon, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “Mia Lange’s experience working within the Caribbean and truly understanding our target audience will allow her to create destination campaigns that will keep St. Kitts top-of-mind among travelers,” added Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “Her distinctive insights and approach will bring St. Kitts to the forefront as travelers plan their long-awaited vacations.” Lange will lean on her knowledge, global experience, and her passion for the tourism industry and the region to build brand awareness for the island of St. Kitts. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with destinations to create branding and external messaging with the intent to increase awareness among key audiences, in addition to navigating multiple channels including digital, social and traditional media to drive consumer engagement. “I am eager to continue immersing myself in the island, getting to know the people and experiences while embarking on this new challenge,” said Lange. “St. Kitts has a strong foundation and is poised for continued growth. I look forward to showing the world the destination’s exceptional offerings.” Most recently, Ms. Lange served as Executive Director of Global Communications for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. In this role, she managed the Ministry’s key agencies of record, strategic planning, budget management, crisis communications, organizational messaging, and leadership of the Communication teams.  She served several roles for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism such as Senior Director of Global Communications, Senior Manager of Advertising and Branding, Manager of Cruise Development, Sales and Marketing Executive and more, and worked in The Bahamas, England, Germany, France and the United States. For more information about St. Kitts, visit www.stkittstourism.kn

As travelers are looking to make up for lost time, wellness on vacation is no longer a splurge – it’s a must-have. According to a survey by Expedia, 38% of travelers are prioritizing relaxation as they plan their next trip. This summer, vacationers can enjoy specialized Baja-inspired treatments at Milagro Wellness Spa at Vista Encantada Spa Resort & Residences and Amura Spa at Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa. Located at the Vista Encantada Spa Resort & Residences, the Milagro Wellness Spa has a variety of offerings based on Mexican rituals. Guests can book treatments named after the beautiful flowers of Mexico, including the dahlia, amaranth, sunflower, and cempasuchil. After a treatment, spa-goers can head to the spa’s open-air pool for views of the ocean and mountains. Treatments include a lava shell massage, an agave and tepezcohuite peel-off mask, an energizing xocolatt (chocolate) body wrap, and tequila & salt exfoliation. Another guest favorite is the Mayan Massage, a deep massage incorporating ancient Mayan techniques to heal the mind, body and energy. The Ancient Mayan practice of temazcal is another wellness ritual available through the Milagro Wellness Spa. The temazcal, a traditional steam house, can be found on the premises of Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences. Guests can experience this ritual, led by a temazcalero, or shaman, that features singing, herbs, steam, and intentions, combined with the power of the four elements, to purify the body, mind, and spirit. Guests staying at Marina Fiesta Resort can visit the new Amura Spa, inspired by the Sea of Cortez. Visitors looking to immerse themselves in the sand and sea of Cabo San Lucas can schedule the Seashells of the Desert ritual. The innovative experience features a massage with warm seashells, filled with minerals, sea salt, and essential oils, all inspired by the gorgeous Mexican landscape. Amura Spa offers a range of other facial and body treatments ready to fit the needs of all guests. After a day by the pool, guests can enjoy the rejuvenating After Sun Facial to soothe, hydrate, and restore the skin. For more information and reservations, visit www.mexicograndhotels.com or call (624) 163-5555.

The City of Alexandria, VA announced that the Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street reopened in May, with three new exhibitions showcasing Alexandria’s Black history and the Black experience in America. The museum is open to the public Friday through Monday. Due to high demand and limited capacity, it is highly recommended that guests reserve tickets in advance online. The National Historic Landmark is what remains of a large complex dedicated to trafficking thousands of Black men, women and children between 1828 and 1861. The museum honors the lives and experiences of the enslaved and free Black people who lived in–and were trafficked through–Alexandria. This museum seeks to reframe white supremacist history and provide visitors opportunities to learn, reflect and advocate for change. The exhibits depict the roles of the historic site and Alexandria in the domestic slave trade, and share inspiring stories of African Americans in the community on three floors of the museum: 1315 Duke Street highlights the stories of those who were brought from the Chesapeake Bay area, moved through 1315 Duke Street, and forced into slave markets in the deep South; Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equality, a traveling exhibition from the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, traces four centuries of Black history in Virginia through stories of extraordinary individuals who struggled for equality and, in the process, profoundly shaped the nature of American society and the meaning of our collective ideals. Determined in Alexandria is a companion exhibition about Black Alexandrians who built the foundations of our community while fighting for equality; Before the Spirits Are Swept Away is a series of paintings of African American sites by the late Sherry Z. Sanabria. The third floor also includes a reflection space with a bronze model (or maquette) of Alexandria’s well known Edmonson Sisters sculpture by artist Erik Blome, a gift to the Office of Historic Alexandria from former City Manager Mark Jinks and his wife, Eileen Jinks. The Freedom House Museum site is integral to the understanding of Black history in Alexandria and the United States and is part of Alexandria’s large collection of historic sites, tours, markers and more that depict stories of the Colonial era, through the Civil War and Civil Rights eras, to today. Visit alexandriava.gov/FreedomHouse for more information.