Solo Traveler’s Negative Experience Leads to Avoidance of Saint Kitts.

Malikah Kelly, an African-American travel blogger and influencer, recounted a deeply unsettling experience of perceived racism during a solo trip to St. Kitts. While the exact date of the trip remains unclear, Kelly asserts it occurred prior to her establishing her online presence as a travel influencer, likely before 2018. In a TikTok video that garnered over a million views, she detailed a series of incidents that left her feeling unwelcome and discriminated against, primarily by Black Kittitians. From the moment she arrived, she felt ignored by hotel staff who seemed dismissive of her, struggling to locate her reservation and seemingly judging her for not opting for the more expensive all-inclusive package.

This perceived indifference continued throughout her stay. Kelly described difficulties in receiving service at the hotel’s beach and pool areas, alleging that servers often bypassed her to attend to white guests. Basic housekeeping services were also neglected for two days, requiring repeated calls to management. Beyond the confines of her resort, Kelly’s experience extended to interactions with local market vendors who she found distant and unhelpful. This pervasive sense of exclusion left her feeling isolated and unwelcome. She did, however, find some solace in connecting with another solo Black female traveler who reported similar experiences.

A glimmer of positivity emerged towards the end of her trip when she befriended a group of American travelers attending a corporate event. Their camaraderie provided some respite from the isolation she had felt. Despite this brief reprieve, the overall experience left a lasting negative impression. Kelly vowed never to return to St. Kitts, labeling it the most racist place she’d ever visited. Her recounting of the events sparked significant reaction among her TikTok followers, with many expressing shock and sadness at her experience.

While Kelly declined to identify the specific resort in question, stating she preferred not to add further details to her story, or engage with the press beyond what she originally placed online, the information she provided offers some clues. Her mention of the corporate group suggests a larger resort capable of hosting such events, narrowing down the possibilities within St. Kitts’ limited selection of such establishments. This detail, along with the description of the property as a “resort,” could potentially aid those curious to pinpoint the location. However, without the resort’s name, obtaining their perspective on the events remains impossible.

The incident raises complex questions about the intersection of race, travel, and perception. While Kelly’s experience is undeniably her own, it aligns with broader conversations about the subtle and overt forms of discrimination that travelers of color, particularly Black travelers, can face. Her experience also highlights potential challenges that solo female travelers encounter, especially those who don’t necessarily appear affluent. While there is no suggestion that this occurred in Kelly’s case, it is a possible part of the travel experience that some experience. It should be noted that hotels sometimes implement policies aimed at identifying potential trafficking or other illegal activities, which could inadvertently lead to increased scrutiny of individuals traveling alone – especially women.

This situation underscores the importance of ongoing dialogue about diversity and inclusion within the travel industry. While Kelly’s intention in sharing her experience was not to ignite controversy but simply to recount a personal travel experience, it serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done in creating truly welcoming and inclusive environments for all travelers, regardless of race, gender, or travel style. The lack of specifics about the resort and the timing of the trip makes it challenging to investigate the claims further or obtain alternative perspectives. However, Kelly’s experience provides a valuable lens through which to examine broader issues of diversity and inclusion within the travel industry and beyond.

The lack of further details from Ms Kelly makes it difficult to determine the precise timeframe or investigate further and any claims made related to this cannot be clarified further. SKN Vibes remains committed to reporting impartially. It should also be noted, that from recent changes Ms Kelly made to her social media she appears to be changing her name to Malikah Kelly-Pitts.