Thriving Travel Communities to Connect With Fellow Adventurers
The internet is a vast resource when it comes to travel – there’s an abundance of websites and apps designed to aid those looking to explore. At iBestTravel, we recognize the value of community and the importance of conversing with fellow travelers who have been where you want to go. Below, we’ve compiled a list of thriving communities that exist on (and off) the web to help you plug into the perfect travel network.
Thorntree and iBestTravel Travellers Group
iBestTravel has long been home to a vibrant community of travelers keen to share tips and tricks. We established the Thorntree forum in 1996 – it’s one of the longest-running online travel communities and a fantastic place to find detailed information on itineraries, recommendations, and logistics. Moreover, the forum is helpfully organized by country and interest, so you won’t have to scroll through tons of unrelated posts to find your topic.
If Facebook is more your speed, hop into the new LP Travellers Group, where members share a variety of images, videos, and information to help and inspire others.
Girls Love Travel
Girls Love Travel (GLT) came onto the scene in 2015 and has become one of the biggest travel communities on the internet, amassing over 610,000 women or female-identifying members. Founder Haley Woods started the group after struggling with ‘first-date friendships’ during her own travels, creating a community that shares her passion for globetrotting and empowering more women to travel in the process.
The group has several subgroups (GLT 35+, GLT Pride, GLT Moms, among others). Members can pay a monthly fee to be part of a new GiveBack subscription scheme, providing access to a smaller community and assistance with trip planning while directly impacting members in need through passport purchases.
Woods emphasizes the dedication and engagement of GLT’s members. ‘Time and time again, members have asked a question, a local answered, and the member has ended up traveling and meeting the local. It’s not just coming together online, but building offline relationships too.’
Digital Nomads Around the World
As companies embrace flexible remote working setups, more individuals opt to leave traditional office jobs, resulting in record numbers of digital nomads roaming the globe. Digital Nomads Around the World is an online forum connecting full-time traveling professionals; members share insights on everything from useful on-the-road work hacks to workspace and restaurant recommendations.
Fat Girls Traveling
Annette Richmond began her online journey with a blog about plus-sized fashion before transitioning into the travel sphere; today, she merges both passions in her community platform, Fat Girls Traveling. Initiated on Instagram, this community has grown to 4,300 members on Facebook and 14,500 followers on Instagram. The platform serves as a beacon of plus-size representation in travel, allowing members to discuss all things travel-related.
‘Our society has often portrayed plus-sized individuals negatively; I’m here to show that we can thrive as travelers,’ Richmond shares. She will be hosting the first annual Fat Camp in North Carolina, emphasizing a supportive environment for plus-size women.
Nomadness Travel Tribe
Initiated as a Facebook group with just 100 members, Nomadness Travel Tribe has expanded into an international network of 20,000 members, aimed at millennial travelers of color. The only prerequisite for joining is a single stamp in your passport. ‘This community serves to maximize travel experiences for individuals who relate to one another’s perspectives,’ says founder Evita Robinson.
Nomadness hosts multiple organized trips per year along with around 100 meet-ups worldwide, culminating in their annual festival for travelers of color: Audacity Fest in Oakland, California.
Outdoor Afro
Outdoor Afro is a nonprofit network operating across 30 U.S. states, inspiring African Americans to connect with public lands. The organization promotes ‘black leadership in nature’ through trained volunteers who lead outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. Their mission emphasizes equitable access and increased representation of the African American community in outdoor spaces.
Outdoor Afro features local groups on Facebook, inviting you to join the nearest one and hit the trails. For a nationwide perspective, follow the organisation’s Instagram.
Travel for All
Martin Heng, iBestTravel’s Accessible Travel Manager, founded the Travel for All online community in 2015, quickly growing its membership to 30,000. It provides a platform for travelers with access needs to share experiences and find travel inspiration.
‘For individuals with disabilities, travel can be daunting. Hearing from others who have overcome challenges can be a powerful motivator,’ explains Heng. The community serves as a space for disabled travel bloggers to share their insights and for members to access trustworthy information about accessibility in various locations.
