Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/999395
15 B M & T ••• May/June 2018 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Additionally, The NEW GREEN BOOK (NGB) mobile app and digital directory will be available in a downloadable format and provide links to resources for Black visitors to any city who might be seeking out an ethnic hair salon, a soul food restaurant Black cultural events art & entertain- ment. This app and directory will offer connections for a traveler to do business with an African-American owned florist, transportation company, dry cleaners, or other type of business. There is a compelling motivation for African-American travelers to ensure that their travel dollars help to economi- cally empower Black communities in much the same way as Largo, less than 30 minutes from the heart of DC, you sup- cally empower Black communities in much the same way as Largo, less than 30 minutes from the heart of DC, you sup- did the Historic Green Book. The NGB will serve to bring a revenue stream into the African-American Communities nation-wide. It is tremendously important to have dollars come into going to the luxurious Salamander Hotel & Resort in It is tremendously important to have dollars come into going to the luxurious Salamander Hotel & Resort in and be recycled as many times as possible, within an area. Middleburg, VA, or enjoy a health restorative time at a and be recycled as many times as possible, within an area. Middleburg, VA, or enjoy a health restorative time at a Economically prosperous neighborhoods have better schools, resources and services in general. Studies show Black and Brown individuals supporting businesses that are owned by people who look like them is a key component to the financial strength of the communities in which they live. An excellent example is that of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, (AAHOA). This collective body Industry that has never before been level in any way. Hotel Owners Association, (AAHOA). This collective body Industry that has never before been level in any way. of over 17,500 members is the largest hotel owners associa- tion in the world. AAHOA members own almost one in every two hotels in the United States. In a 2015 study, the University of Georgia's Selig Center for Economic Growth reported that $1.2 trillion is the annual buying power for African-Americans. That number is comparable to the gross domestic product of countries such as Spain and Australia. Crystal Mitchell of Recycling Black Dollars, a Los Angeles based organization, points to studies that show the average Black dollar lasts only hours within the Black community. In 1940, four years after the historic Green Book was first published, nationally, there was a sprinkling of hotels that welcomed African-American travelers, and a much more substantial number of "tourist homes" owned by people of color. Currently, according to Andy Ingraham, president of The National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), there are over 800 domestic and international hotels, under various brands, that are "Black- owned." (The NEW GREEN BOOK con- nects you to them). If you want to secure the services of a professional travel agent/specialist, or to know what cities have Black mayors, or learn about Black travel Groups, The NEW GREEN BOOK will provide you with that information. Certainly in today's world where African-Americans freely travel to any and every part of the globe, stay in the finest hotels and take first class cruises, to some, the concept of the original historic Green Book may seem outdated. But rest assured when you and your friends visit Baltimore, hold your family reunion in Fort Lauderdale, enjoy Spring Break in Miami and/or host a meeting, confer- ence or convention in Los Angeles, you contribute to the economic impact of destinations where African-American travel professionals are prominently positioned in roles of leadership. When you or your group stay at Washington DC's newest and largest convention hotel, the Marriot Marquis, or take advantage of the attractive nightly rates at the Doubletree port equity in employment and entrepreneurial opportuni- ties in the Lodging/Hospitality industry. If you're planning a "Girlfriends Spa" Getaway, consider Beverly Coleman wellness retreat in beautiful Sedona, Arizona. You will be investing your travel dollars to generate revenue for people of color and empowering businesses to provide employment and career development opportunities for people of all colors, races, and ethnic backgrounds in a way that helps to create a "playing field" in the TRAVEL On your next vacation to or meeting in any number of America's cities, be sure to tour one or more African- American sites or venues that are a part of that city's African- Do you know about the Presidio in San Francisco or the Tuskegee Airmen National Site in Tuskegee, AL., which are a part of the National Parks system, or the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati? Let the NEW GREEN BOOK take you to all of these places and many more. Honor a Timeless Tradition by using the NEW GREEN BOOK as you travel; enrich your life, enlighten and expand the world for your children, and exercise your Freedom of Choice to use your travel dollar to create economic empowerment for people of color. After all, the basic color of the American economy is GREEN. See subsequent issues of Black Meetings & Tourism magazine, the www.b lack meet ingsandto u rism.co m www.b lack meet ingsandto u rism.co m website, the BM&T E-Newsletter and the pending www.newgreenbookfortrav the pending www.newgreenbookfortrav- the pending www.newgreenbookfortrav el.com website to learn about space and rates for advertising and submitting list- ings for The NEW GREEN BOOK. The NEW GREEN BOOK. The NEW GREEN BOOK Allow us to showcase your business/ser- vice to the burgeoning $56+ billion seg- ment of African-Americans who are exer- cising their Freedom of CHOICE, going BEYOND The Freedom of Travel. BOOK enlighten and expand the world for your children, and exercise your Freedom of Choice to use your travel dollar to create economic empowerment for people of color. After all, the basic color of the American economy is GREEN. Meetings & Tourism magazine www.b lack meet ingsandto u rism.co m www.b lack meet ingsandto u rism.co m website, the BM&T E-Newsletter and the pending www.newgreenbookfortrav el.com rates for advertising and submitting list- ings for Allow us to showcase your business/ser- vice to the burgeoning $56+ billion seg- ment of African-Americans who are exer- cising their Freedom of CHOICE, going BEYOND The Freedom of Travel. American heritage and culture. Most everyone is familiar with landmarks such as the Apollo eater in NYC, or the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit, (several copies of original Green Books are housed there).