In recent years, the term “Passport Bro” has circulated widely, initially embodying a movement of men dissatisfied with their local dating scenes in Western countries and seeking relationships overseas. On the surface, this concept is one I truly relate and identify with. The underlying idea that unified the group wasn’t inherently negative; many sought genuine connections, long-term partnerships, and authentic love while dating abroad.
However, as with many movements, the perception and reality of what it means to be a Passport Bro have shifted significantly. Today, a large portion of the community has been overtaken by immature men interested in sex tourism, overshadowing the original intent of the Passport Bro movement. And in foreign countries, I’ve noticed, that both governments and locals have become well aware of the Passport Bros, almost universally in a negative way.
Also, it’s crucial to emphasize that this conversation isn’t about race or ethnicity; it’s a holistic view of the Passport Bro movement’s present state. In my brief stint inside the Passport Bro social media communities, I can attest that the immaturity and hedonistic tendencies of the men is not isolated to any particular race or ethnicity, it is shared evenly across all. Now, as a well-seasoned world traveler, let’s take a look at why I think it’s a bad idea to be a Passport Bro, or at least refer to oneself publicly as one.
Reason #1: The Community Is Toxic and Immature
Being naive to the Passport Bro community, I’ll never forget my initial excitement when I joined one of the Facebook groups, eager to learn travel tips and see success stories of men who had found quality girlfriends while dating overseas. Unfortunately, I learned quickly, that today’s Passport Bro community often displays toxic and immature behavior in its social media circles.
Public forums and Facebook groups are filled with negative, demeaning banter among men, some of whom boast about their conquests in a manner that disrespects the women involved. I could feel my disappointment each time a member displayed “his catch” publicly, by boasting of his conquests and sometimes even showing a particular woman’s face.
This environment isn’t just off-putting; it’s harmful and not something you’d want to be associated with, especially publicly where your digital footprint can last forever.
Also see: What Is A Passport Bro? Here Are 5 Key Attributes
Reason #2: It Carries A Terrible Reputation
The broader, global perception of the Passport Bro community is overwhelmingly negative. Unfortunately, this was magnified by a few bad apples who’s content went viral on social media platforms via TikTok and YouTube. One notable example is when a YouTuber called “Brazilian women easy”, sparking an uproar among Brazilians and rightfully so.
Mainstream media coverage have not been kind, often painting members as exploiters rather than explorers of new cultures and connections. This bad press not only affects the individuals in the movement but also potentially harms one’s personal and professional reputation by association.
Reason #3: Foreign Governments Know About It and Don’t Like It
The negative aspects of this movement haven’t gone unnoticed by the governments of popular Passport Bro destinations, including Federico Andrés Gutiérrez, the mayor of Medellin, Colombia, who issued a warning against sex tourists.
Countries aware of their status as a hotspot for sex tourism type activity are quick to disassociate from the label of a sex tourism destination, regardless of their laws on prostitution. It’s a stain on their global image, one they’re actively working to clean, making it increasingly difficult for those involved in the movement to travel freely without scrutiny.
Also see: The 5 Most Popular Countries That Passport Bros Go To
Reason #4: Racial Bickering and Stereotyping
Did I mention immaturity already? Though the Passport Bro community has diversified to include all ethnicities, the truth is that it was originally founded by black men that catered primarily to black travelers. Nowadays, for black men, a new branch from the original Passport Bro tree was developed, called “BMT Travels”. I still watch some of the BMT Travels videos on YouTube and the host of the channel is quite mature and offers some quality traveling and dating advice.
As the Passport Bro movement has become more inclusive to all races, there is still some debate inside the social media communities, with some immature members labeling other members by ethnicity in a derogatory manner. A few examples I witnessed:
- Passport Bro (black)
- Passport Joe (white)
- Passport Jose (Mexican or Latin)
When one poster wrote to me “You are not a Passport Bro, you are a Passport Joe”, I knew it was time for me to leave the community. I prefer to associate with communities that are inclusive rather than exclusive, and groups that foster support and unity rather than divisiveness. Not everyone in the group is causing problems, but again, a few rotten eggs can spoil the bunch.
Also see: Why Do Women Hate The Passport Bros? Here’s 7 Reasons
Reason #5: The OGs Distanced Themselves From The Community
Notably, the original figures who popularized the Passport Bro culture have largely distanced themselves from its current iteration, mostly because of the negative attention the group has gathered in mainstream media, foreign governments, and local communities abroad. Their withdrawal and silentness from the movement speaks volumes about the direction in which the movement has headed. Essentially, the movement has attracted individuals that those pioneers no longer wish to be associated with due to the immaturity and the negative attention.
Reason #6: It’s Hollow, Short-Term Gratification
The dream sold by the Passport Bro narrative often doesn’t match reality. Many aspiring Passport Bros find themselves restricted by finances or job obligations, limiting their overseas adventures to short, unsatisfying spurts of sex tourism, usually for two weeks or less. Such fleeting visits rarely allow for the meaningful connections with local women that many profess to seek. Quality relationships require time—something that short vacations can rarely provide.
Reason #7: Instead Focus On Long Term Travel
Long-term travel offers a richer, more fulfilling experience than the quick trips Passport Bros are often limited to. This approach not only allows for deeper cultural immersion but also opens the door to forming genuine relationships. Furthermore, distancing oneself from the negative echo chambers of Passport Bro social media and focusing on building a circle of positive, inspiring friends can transform one’s travel and dating experiences abroad.
Therefore, one of my missions with Roaming Romances is to help Western men learn how to travel abroad for the long-term. That is why I wrote a free, downloadable e-book called Travel The World: 7 Financial Paths To Supporting Yourself Monetarily that can assist you in picking a path forward for long-term travel.