Listen, we need to talk about how you’ve been travelling.

I’m not coming for you: I promise: but if your last Caribbean trip involved an all-inclusive wristband, a buffet line that never ends, and zero conversation with anyone who actually lives there? We’re having a different conversation now.

Because there’s a new travel series premiering March 1st that’s about to change the way you see the Caribbean. And if you’ve ever felt like something was missing from your vacation: like you were there but not really present: this is the shift you’ve been waiting for.

What Is Beyond the Resort?

Beyond the Resort is a Canadian-produced travel series hosted by travel journalist and TV host Natalie Preddie and beloved on-air personality Kayla Marie Williams. Directed by multi-award-winning filmmaker Tristan Barrocks, and Producer Natanya Barrocks, the first season was filmed entirely in Saint Lucia: but not the Saint Lucia you see in glossy brochures.

This isn’t postcard travel. This is purposeful travel.

The series takes you past the resort gates and into the communities that shape Caribbean life. You’ll meet the people behind locally owned Black businesses. You’ll hear stories rooted in history and culture. You’ll experience the island the way locals do: with respect, curiosity, and intention.

And here’s the thing: this matters more than you think.

Traditional Travel Content Isn’t Cutting It Anymore

Let’s be real. A lot of travel content: especially around the Caribbean: feels shallow. It’s all sunset shots and piña coladas. Beautiful? Absolutely. But complete? Not even close.

Traditional travel programming rarely asks: Who benefits from my visit? Whose stories am I hearing? Am I supporting the community or just passing through?

Travellers today are craving something deeper. We want connection. We want to understand the places we visit: not just photograph them. We want our dollars to support the people who make these destinations extraordinary.

That’s the gap Beyond the Resort was created to fill.

“It asks viewers to reflect on their motivations for travel and consider how their choices impact the places they visit,” says Natalie Preddie. “We’re exploring how tourism can support local communities, celebrate culture, and build connection.”

Meet the Powerhouse Team Behind the Series

Let’s talk about who’s bringing this vision to life, because the crew matters just as much as the content.

Natalie Preddie – Host & Travel Journalist

Natalie isn’t new to this. She’s a seasoned travel journalist and TV host who’s built her career on telling stories that go beyond the surface. For her, this series is deeply personal.

“We’re exploring the Caribbean from a place of respect, curiosity, and lived connection, and inviting viewers to experience the region the way locals do,” she says.

Q: Beyond the Resort is described as “deeply personal” — what personal experiences or connections to the Caribbean shaped how you approached the storytelling in this series?

NP: “My relationship with the Caribbean has always been layered: personal, cultural, and emotional, not just professional. I’ve experienced the region both as a visitor and through deeper heritage and community connections, and I’ve seen how often its stories are simplified or flattened. I approached this series wanting to tell stories with proximity and care, not just about place, but about people. That meant slowing down, listening more, and letting community voices lead the narrative instead of treating them as background to a destination.”

Q: The show encourages “intentional travel.” How do you personally define intentional travel, and what were some moments during filming that really captured that idea for you?

NP: “Intentional travel means understanding that your presence has impact, economic, cultural, and human, and making choices with awareness. It’s asking who benefits, who is represented, and who is missing. During filming, hiking with guides from the Fons Gens Libres community (descendants of a historic free settlement at the base of Gros Piton) really embodied that idea. What could have been just an adventure activity became an experience rooted in history, stewardship, and legacy. That’s intentional travel in action.”

Q: You talk about seeing the Caribbean “from a place of respect, curiosity, and lived connection.” What was the most surprising thing you learned after spending time within local communities in Saint Lucia?

NP: “How much innovation and forward thinking is happening at the community level— in food, sustainability, agriculture, and small business. There’s a misconception that cultural preservation and modern innovation are opposites, but I saw them working together everywhere. Local entrepreneurs weren’t just maintaining tradition, they were evolving it. That shifted my lens from preservation to momentum.”

Q: How does Beyond the Resort challenge the stereotypes or postcard imagery that often define Caribbean travel media?

NP: “Postcard travel focuses on scenery without context. We keep the beauty but we add voice, history, and ownership. Instead of ‘look at this place,’ we ask, ‘who makes this place what it is?’ The series shows the Caribbean as lived space, not leisure space only. It replaces the single story with many voices. That alone breaks stereotype.”

Q: As a Black Canadian travel journalist, how important is it for you to lead conversations that centre Black ownership, community narratives, and representation in global travel storytelling?

NP: “It’s essential… and it’s practical, not just philosophical. Representation affects where attention goes, where money flows, and whose businesses grow. When Black ownership and community narratives are absent from travel storytelling, the economic benefits of tourism become uneven. Centering those voices isn’t niche coverage, it’s accurate coverage. With BTR, I wanted to help widen the frame so travel media reflects the full reality of who builds, sustains, and defines destinations.”

Kayla Marie Williams – Co-Host & On-Air Personality

Kayla brings warmth, energy, and authenticity to every conversation. As a beloved on-air personality, she knows how to connect with people: and that’s exactly what this series is about. Real conversations. Real community.

Tristan Barrocks – Director & Producer

Tristan is a multi-award-winning filmmaker known for his cinematic, human-centred narratives. He’s the visual storyteller making sure every frame honours the people and places at the heart of this series.

“The Caribbean is rich with stories that deserve to be told with care and nuance,” Barrocks says. “This series honours the people who make these islands extraordinary.”

Natanya Barrocks – Producer

Natanya Barrocks is the Producer, Co-founder and Chief People Officer of Mid-Career Productions. She oversees business strategy, project management, and the operations of our most important asset: Our People.

In 2022, Natanya co-produced her first short film, Mother to Mother, offering an intimate perspective on motherhood through the stories of six diverse mother figures. Most recently, Natanya was the Associate Producer on a web series called “Wallflower,” which had its world premiere at the 2023 International American Black Film Festival and is scheduled to be streamed in fall 2023.

This is a Black Canadian-led production, and that matters. The lens through which the Caribbean is seen shifts when the storytellers come from lived experience, respect, and a commitment to accuracy and dignity.

You’ll Actually See in the Series

Here’s what to expect when you tune in:

• Locally owned Black businesses shaping Saint Lucia’s cultural identity
• Food, music, adventure, and community: told by the people who live it
• Rich history and cultural heritage that tourism brochures skip over
• Cinematic visuals that capture the island’s dramatic landscapes
• Intimate conversations that reveal the depth and complexity of Caribbean life

This isn’t a “10 Best Beaches” listicle. This is storytelling that invites you to show up differently. To ask better questions. To be a better visitor.

This Series Matters for Content Creators and Travellers

If you’re a content creator in the travel space: or even if you’re just someone who loves to explore: this series is a masterclass in how to tell stories with intention.

Here’s what you can learn from Beyond the Resort:

1. Centre the Community

The best travel content doesn’t just show a place: it shows the people who make that place meaningful. Prioritize locally owned businesses. Amplify community voices. Ask for permission and context before you post.

2. Challenge the Narrative

What stories aren’t being told? What assumptions are you making? Beyond the Resort challenges traditional tourism narratives by centering Black-owned businesses and cultural truth. You can do the same in your content.

3. Create with Care

Tristan Barrocks didn’t just film Saint Lucia: he honoured it. Every shot, every story, every frame was crafted with respect. That’s the standard.

4. Make It About More Than You

The shift from “look where I went” to “look who I met and what I learned” is powerful. It turns your content into something that educates, inspires, and uplifts others.

Watch and Support

The official trailer is live right now on YouTube. The first episode premieres March 1, 2026, with three additional episodes rolling out through the month.

Here’s how to stay connected:

• Watch the trailer: Search Beyond the Resort on YouTube
• Follow on Instagram: @BeyondTheResort.TV
• Visit the website: BeyondTheResort.TV for episode details, stills, and behind-the-scenes content
• Share the series: Tag your travel-loving friends and let them know this is what purposeful travel looks like

Your Turn: How Will You Show Up?

Here’s my question for you: the next time you travel, how will you show up?

Will you stay behind the resort gates, or will you step into the community with curiosity and respect? Will you support locally owned businesses? Will you listen to the stories that don’t make it onto TripAdvisor?

Beyond the Resort is asking us to rethink what it means to travel well. And honestly? That’s a conversation we’ve needed for a long time.

If you’re a creator, a traveller, or just someone who believes stories matter: this series is for you. Watch the trailer. Mark your calendar for March 1st. And let’s start showing up for the places we visit in a way that actually honours them.

Want to spotlight your own travel content or creative work? Submit your story to Black Canadian Creators and let’s amplify the voices that deserve to be heard. And if you’re looking for more content on intentional storytelling and purposeful creation, check out our blog and upcoming events.

Let’s travel better. Let’s create better. Let’s be better.

Now go watch that trailer. Your next trip depends on it. 🌴✨