One of the most rewarding parts about travel is connecting with people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities. It's important to remember that both your tourmates and locals may have varying levels of exposure to different races, cultures, and communities, influenced by where they live and their personal experiences.
Before you depart, we recommend researching the countries you'll be visiting to better understand their cultural dynamics. Additionally, we encourage you to visit the U.S. Department of State's travel safety page on Race and Ethnicity.
Some individuals may come from diverse backgrounds, while others may be meeting people who look different from themselves for the first time. Travel often forms connections that bridge cultural differences, and it's crucial to show awareness and respect for diversity. Understanding the distinctions between race, ethnicity, and nationality can help to create respectful and informed interactions.
Race refers to the physical characteristics that define a person as a member of a specific group, such as skin color, hair color and texture, eye color, facial features, and physical build.
Ethnicity is the cultural characteristic that defines a person as a member of a specific group, including language, accent, religion, styles of dress, hairstyles, social customs, and food preferences or restrictions.
Nationality represents the legal sense of belonging to a specific political nation-state, typically through citizenship, whether by birthright or naturalization.
We're here to support you and discuss the topic of race, ethnicity, and nationality further. If you have questions, please send us a message and a specialist will be in touch.