Women’s Travel Fest 2023 Debuts “Solo Women Over 50” Panel

by | Jan 26, 2023

Friends enjoy vacation in the nautre with mini van - Mature women on a road trip with camper

Last updated on March 25th, 2024

Trafalgar Tours sponsors women over 50 panel to showcase adventurous mature women

Women’s Travel Fest is the largest conference in the world for solo women travellers united by a common passion: traveling the world. Founded by Kelly Lewis and Mickela Mallozzi, Women’s Travel Fest is celebrating its 10th anniversary in New York City on March 3-5, 2023. Learn more here.

Keynotes this year include host Samantha Brown and hiker Lei Wang, the first Asian woman to summit all 7 summits. With two full days of inspiring speakers and workshops, over 400 women who love to travel will come together to inspire, support, and encourage one another in adventure.

From awe-inspiring stories to travel hacking, family travel to solo travel, and saving money to making money, there are almost 30 incredible women sharing the stage! Take a look at the full speaker list! 

2023 Women’s Travel Fest Panel:  “Kickass Solo Women over 50”

At this year’s Women’s Travel Fest, Trafalgar Tours is sponsoring a panel on Saturday, March 4 that features mature solo women travellers.

Moderated by JourneyWoman CEO Carolyn Ray, panelists include:  Melissa DaSilva, President, TTC Tour Brands, North America; Solo traveller and author Diana Eden; and Dawn Booker, Travel Curator, Pack Light Global.  These women will share their life lessons, how they blaze their own trail and embrace the freedom and adventurous spirit that solo travel allows.

Kelly Lewis, the co-founder of Women’s Travel Fest says: “We are so excited to gather in community as we celebrate our 10th year anniversary! The Women’s Travel Fest has a mission to inspire, support and connect women who love to travel — and when we say that, we don’t just mean the young gals! Sharing diverse experiences is how we grow and connect. We can’t wait for our panel featuring kickass women over 50, and all the inspiration that’s sure to come from them!”

Read more:  “This is our Moment: Celebrating Women Over 50 in Travel.” 

womens travel fest

Photo:  “Travel at Any Age” panel at Women’s Travel Fest in March 2022 with Timathea Workman, Carolyn Ray and Sherry Ott.  Watch the video here.

Join us at Women’s Travel Fest 2023

We’ve set up a special code for JourneyWoman readers so that you can join us! Use code “Journeywoman” for 15% off tickets. There are two options:

  • Weekend Pass: Including Friday Kickoff party + Day 2 & 3 programming
  • Watch from Home – not live streamed (files delivered one week after event)

Event Details

Friday, March 3, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Kickoff party takes place at The DL Rooftop & Lounge. Address: Corner of Delancey St. & Ludlow St., 95 Delancey St., New York City, NY 10002

Saturday and Sunday, March 4 and 5, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm. Angel Orensanz Foundation. Address: 172 Norfolk Street, New York City, NY 1000

The conference hotel is the Rivington, or you can find a hotel in the city here.

Women's Travel Fest 2023 panelist Melissa DaSilva

Melissa DaSilva

President, TTC Tour Brands, North America

Women's Travel Fest 2023 panelist Dawn Booker

Dawn Booker

Travel Curator, Pack Light Global

Women's Travel Fest 2023 panelist Diana Eden

Diana Eden

Author + Solo Traveller, Diana Eden Designs

Carolyn Ray

CEO + Editor, JourneyWoman

trafalgar logo women

Special thanks to The Travel Corporation (TTC) and Trafalgar Tours for supporting the topic of mature solo women travellers and sponsoring this panel at Women’s Travel Fest. Trafalgar is also the sponsor of our recent study “The Influence and Affluence of Solo Women 50+ in Travel”.  You can read more about Melissa and her commitment to mature solo travellers here. 

More on Women Over 50

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.

6 Comments

  1. Sedi

    I like travelling and would like to know about your program I live in Toronto Canada please let me know more about journey women

    Reply
  2. Bonnie Redish

    great article and the event is something I want to sign up for (the online after the event video) but despite combing through the article 3 x I do not see a link to sign up! What did I miss?

    Reply
  3. Annelies Vogels

    WOW‼️ Hello, My name is Annelies & I live in Perth , West Australia.
    Your programs sound Mouth watering‼️
    I’m a very fit over 55 & I like a challenge. I’ve walked d BibbilumTrack, down south of Perth. Lara Pina in d Northern Territtory of Australia & d SanDiagoCompastela in Spain.

    Reply
  4. SUZIE SIMS-FLETCHER

    I shared this article with a few other mature wanderers.
    – about the EVENT – so much about how to travel on the cheap – and yet the women travel fest is so very expensive – for me, at least. disappointing.
    I know it is a lot to put on this sort of event with the quality you want.
    I wish there were sponsorships or other ways to access in person.

    Reply
    • Carolyn Ray

      Discounts were offered but next year please email us in advance – we can make this happen for you on your budget. There is also an option to view online.

      Reply

We always strive to use real photos from our own adventures, provided by the guest writer or from our personal travels. However, in some cases, due to photo quality, we must use stock photography. If you have any questions about the photography please let us know.

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