Last updated on March 27th, 2024
Now in its third year, our Women’s Travel Council helps women prepare for post-pandemic travel
by Carolyn Ray, CEO, JourneyWoman
In August 2020, it was clear that our world was about to change forever. I invited a group of dedicated, passionate women to help me create our first Women’s Travel Advisory Council. Designed to help women prepare for post-pandemic travel, this group is comprised of long-time JourneyWoman readers, experienced solo travellers, women’s tour operators, travel agents, and entrepreneurs, all of whom share a mindset of service to other women.
For almost two years, this group of women has met monthly—discussing ideas, trends, and actions we can take as leaders in women’s travel. They have participated in our editorial, webinars and courses, sharing their expertise in areas such as solo travel safety, animal tourism, health and wellness. They have also provided destination-specific counsel on India, Africa, New Zealand, Europe, the Caribbean, and other markets.
Thank you to our original Council members: Doni Belau, Marillee Carroll, Dr. Mary K. Clark, Nancy Drolet, Joy Fox, Cathy Gotfried, Linda Higdon, Amit Janco, Nora Livingstone, Brenda McCrank, Rosemary Neave, Dr. Nekessa Remy, Shawna Robins and Libby Wildman for your unwavering support and desire to be of service to other women.
There is something very special about a world where women stand ready to support other women. This year, I am thrilled to introduce you to the newest members of our Women’s Travel Advisory Council—Mariellen, Tonya and Amina—who offer you new skills and capabilities, all in service to you, our readers.
Mariellen Ward: Mariellen Ward lives in Rishikesh, India and runs the award-winning travel site Breathedreamgo, inspired by her extensive travels in India and South Asia. She also offers custom tours to India through her company India for Beginners. In 2019, Mariellen received a National Tourism Award for Best Foreign Travel Journalist & Blogger from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
Tonya Fitzpatrick: An expert in transformational travel, Tonya Fitzpatrick, Esq. is the co-Founder of World Footprints, a socially conscious travel media platform that includes the award-winning World Footprints podcast. She is a 3x TEDx and international speaker, lawyer, author and Explorers Club member, and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers.
Amina Mohamed: An entrepreneur and photographer, Amina Mohamed is the founder of Triple F Photo Tours, which leads photography tours to Uganda, Tanzania and India. She is also the founder of Cameras for Girls, a charity that empowers females to change the lives of girls and women in Africa through the power of photography.
Meet Mariellen Ward from our Advisory Council on March 11, 10 am ET
More from our Advisory Council
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The Top Once-in-a-Lifetime Travel Experiences Every Woman Should Have, Including the Northern Lights, Camino de Santiago and More
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Women Share Their Best “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Solo Travel Experiences
Once-in-a-lifetime travel isn’t just about the destination, it’s about adventure, learning, and journeys of the soul.
5 Things Women Travellers 65+ Know That Make Them Ageless
Women Travellers 65+ share their wisdom and show us how they embrace life – and travel – to the fullest.
How Women Find Healing and Renewal in Solo Travel
When faced with loss or grief, we intuitively turn to travel for wellness and healing, as shown in these inspirational stories of renewal.
Rediscover Toronto with the Honourable David Crombie, Former Mayor of Toronto
Former Toronto Mayor, the Honourable David Crombie, shares his insider tips to rediscover Toronto’s ravines, waterfront and green spaces.
Lessons from Petra, Jordan: What Hiking the Back-Door Route Taught Me
A back-door hike to Petra, one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, gives you precious time away from the crowds.
JourneyWoman Webinar: How to Save Money on Travel with Skyscanner
Join us on Tuesday, February 11 for a webinar with Skyscanner to bust open some myths about booking travel and ways to save money.
2025 JourneyWoman Solo Travel Webinar Series: Cultural Immersion and Connection
JourneyWoman’s 2025 Webinars will focus on cultural immersion through culinary, festivals, and art, hosted by our own expert travel writers.
Carolyn Ray
In 2023, Carolyn was named one of the most influential women in travel by TravelPulse for her work advocating for women over 50 in travel. She has been featured in the New York Times, Toronto Star and Conde Naste as a solo travel expert, and speaks at women's travel conferences around the world. She leads JourneyWoman's team of writers and chairs the JourneyWoman Women's Advisory Council, JourneyWoman Awards for Women 50+ and the Women's Speaker's Bureau. She is the chair of the Canadian chapter of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), board member for the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHEA) in support of Black and Brown businesses, a member of Women's Travel Leaders and a Herald for the Transformational Travel Council (TTC). Sometimes she sleeps. A bit.
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