While family-friendly cruises and cultural outings will dominate travel for African-Americans this year, 2005's sleeper demographic may be the single black woman.

"The overall consumer buying power of African-Americans has gone up," said Thomas Dorsey, founder of Soul of America, a minority travel resource. "Where there's more money, people travel."

EMAIL THIS PRINT THIS MOST POPULAR
GO GUIDE 2005 Wilderness awaits just 80 miles north  Wilderness awaits just 80 miles north  Metro-area shuttle services                       There's a casino close to home  bet on it     Michael Whaley  Mary Anne Payne  Mark DuCharme  Lisa Stauffer  Themed rooms let you check into fantasy  Gene Poland  European Travel: ADVICE FROM SAVVY TRAVELERS  Europe to go         Go Guide 2005 home

Popular cruises for blacks include Celebration at Sea, Festival at Sea and the National Professionals Network cruises.

For travelers who want more time in a country than cruises allow, popular destinations this year may be Aruba and Barbados, surpassing the usual Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Domestic travel also is expected to be strong for African-Americans in 2005. Of course, cities like Atlanta, Washington and Las Vegas are perennial favorites. But several other cities are set to take off, Dorsey says.

Here's his list for the culture-conscious black traveler:

• Cincinnati: "They just opened the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, just a tremendous facility that commemorates the Underground Railroad," Dorsey said. The museum drew Oprah Winfrey, Angela Bassett and first lady Laura Bush to its opening.

• Baltimore: The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture is set to open soon. "This is going to be an immaculate facility," said Baltimore native Dorsey, "that is going to give Baltimore just an incredible combination of centerpieces of attraction for African-American travelers." The city already has restaurant-filled Pennsylvania Avenue; Orchard Street Church, a stop on the Underground Railroad; and the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum.

• New Orleans: For food, jazz and nightlife, but also for the largely unnoticed African American Museum, the Big Easy is a must. The Bayou Classic already draws tourists and partygoers, and, combined with the Jazz Festival, "they're just solid and continuing to promote that," Dorsey said. The city also has a casino and has extended streetcar lines to run through black districts.

• Memphis: The city's a top destination for those looking for the heart of black music. "Memphis is just dripping with soul," Dorsey said. In 2003, the city opened the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, an ode to Stax Records, which signed Isaac Hayes and Otis Redding, among many others. There are monuments to John Handy and B.B. King and several other museums dedicated to rock 'n' roll and soul. "It's the fulcrum of black music," Dorsey said.

• Philadelphia: The city's tourism marketing group is making a really strong push to remind people of its black history sites, which are designated with placards, Dorsey said.

2005 may be the year the single black woman makes the international scene. "I think that black women are striving ahead against the odds, and finding their rhythm," said Elaine Lee, a lawyer and editor of "Go Girl: The Black Woman's Guide to Travel and Adventure."

"We have to look for creative ways to take care of ourselves and de-stress," she said.

Lee, who has taken two trips around the world, suggested these destinations:

• Paris: A nice first step for someone who's just starting to travel. "There's a large African-American expatriate community that's quite embracing and accessible," Lee said. Learn the basics of the language before you go.

• New Zealand: Safe, beautiful and user-friendly. There is a network and history of independent travelers in the country.

• South Africa: For the gutsier traveler, the country is culturally rich, with beautiful art, crafts and clothes. There are plenty of opportunities to expand your knowledge of race relations. Establish some contacts before you go.

• Egypt: "I thought it was a must-do," said Lee, who was there alone for a month. A tense political climate may deter some, but "don't let that stop you." Most activities are done in groups and are well-guarded. Go in August to find other single black women, many of whom are schoolteachers on summer break.

• Barbados: An "easy out" for a traveler, but a scenic, English-speaking country with plenty of resorts and activities.