Carryonqueen

26/06/2024

It was my pleasure to sit down for a conversation with Nicole Mohoney, the host of "Destination on the Left" podcast, servicing the US travel industry through her company, Travel Alliance Partnership (TAP).

It's always fun when interview preparation meets the serendipity of an experienced host, who pulls summary points for listeners and strategically dives deeper, while allowing the conversation to evolve naturally into sometimes unexpected places.

I shared with Nicole the history of fiveminutemarketing.com and carryonqueen.com, and how I now work at the intersection of these two brands as a marketing consultant and speaker, plus a travel writer and content creator.

Our conversation dove into understanding target audiences, their preferred channels, and the "rule of three" for marketing with parallels to packing a bag efficiently for a trip, knowing what goes into your marketing plan, is just as important as what gets left out. We unpacked how to select and implement three primary tactics, making sure they all work together to drive sales, while walking through samples and different combinations of this at work in the travel industry.

But it was when our conversation turned to the notion of giving without expectation of return as a marketing philosophy, and the power of volunteering with purpose, where Nicole pulled out unexpected insights that I was able to articulate, following her thoughtful prompts.

Have a listen, I think you'll enjoy this episode. The interview delivers on many levels. Link here for Nicole's detailed show notes, plus options to listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify or Amazon. https://travelalliancepartnership.com/podcasts/mary-charleson/

10/06/2024

Raised in Ontario with one parent a teacher, restricted to March break for sunny escapes, and the other parent with a sister just out of Tampa, the Florida holiday escape was familiar territory. Yet in all the times we had previously visited the sunshine state, I'd never ventured further south than Miami.

This past February, my husband and I decided to change that. With a one week booked layover, returning to Vancouver from the Dominican Republic via Miami, we based ourselves in Key Largo, and set off exploring the Florida Keys.

Highlights included a tour to Key West and the southern most point in the US, poking around in the hoods of creatives - Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, checking out the Green Parrot Bar (est 1890) "a sunny place for shady people", and exploring various other keys by bicycle. We ventured into Everglades National Park, with its marine estuaries, freshwater marsh and cast of wild creatures - alligators, crocodiles, panthers and tropical birds. But we also revisited cold war history there at the decommissioned Nike Missile Base, formerly housing nuclear war heads to fend off a Russian attack from Cuba. We boated on reefs, checked out how the other half lives at oceanfront estates, snorkeled, and tried to not think too hard about how threatened the area truly is by intensifying storms and rising sea levels due to climate change.

Get the full run down on exploring the area, and a suggested itinerary in this CarryOnQueen blog post "Things to do in Florida Keys." I've also summarized our take on affordable places to stay, dine and be entertained in this piece.

Curious what to see and do in the Florida Keys? This 4-5 day itinerary covers a lot of ground, will keep you active, and well fed!

28/05/2024

I had the pleasure of getting to know the state of Tennessee and its people a little better during a recent trip for business, while attending the Uprising - a retreat for marketing thought leaders hosted by Mark Schaefer. Being a travel writing and content creator for carryonqueen.com, I also made sure there was some pleasure travel "packed" into the trip. Traveling light of course! This post shares a little of what is to be discovered in this diverse and friendly state.

There are many places to visit in Tennessee, a state that keeps time in both the eastern and central zones, plus shares a border with eight states: Kentucky and Virginia in the north, North Carolina in the east, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi in the south, and Arkansas and Missouri in the west.

With a tangled historical past that involves colonization and forced removal of native Americans, the War of 1812, slavery, the Civil War, prohibition, the Ku Klux Klan, the civil rights movement, and a lesser known contribution to developing the first nuclear bomb in the hills of eastern Tennessee, the state of Tennessee has played a pivotal role in US history.

Add to that its reputation as the birthplace for much of American music, and the fact that Tennessee hosts a major leg of the Appalachian Trail - a 2,140 mile hiking trek through 14 states from Georgia to Maine, and it’s easy to see how pivotal the state is to American history and geography, once you start digging deeper into its roots.

This post focuses on the Knoxville and Great Smoky Mountains region, with an emphasis on active adventure, plus Nashville – areas all accessible in a one-week visit renting a car, flying in and out of Nashville, or on a road trip in the region using your own vehicle.

Here's a link to the post: https://carryonqueen.com/places-to-visit-in-tennessee/

22/05/2024

The big wind that barrelled through North Vancouver last night got me thinking about wing foiling. That, and the carnage in my back yard that used to be the patio umbrella. Note to self, when there's a NW gale forecast out on the Strait of Georgia, and the dramatic swing goes from over 25 knots SE to gusting to 45 knots NW in less than an hour around 11pm, it might be a good idea to fold up the umbrella before going to bed! Thankfully we have a fence, or I might have been retrieving it from a couple houses down...

But back to fair winds, and warmer water than the Strait of Georgia in the Pacific North West...

In February, we visited Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Although the primary activity was learning to surf, I was determined to get some more hours in trying to master wing foiling. Cabarete is unique, in that it has predictable consistent afternoon winds, warm water, and is protected by a reef, leaving the entire massive bay the playground of wind sport enthusiasts.

Come along for the ride and learn about this fun new sport - a dash of windsurfing without the mast, using a free form light "wing" for power, fused with a mix of surfing, skateboarding, and OMG "I can fly on top of the water" carving through waves, suspended on a foil board.


Article link: https://carryonqueen.com/learning-to-wing-foil-in-cabarete/

11/04/2024

"I came from Australia to hear you speak. Do you do private consulting?" Boom.

"Has anyone ever told you that you look and sound like Martha Stewart? You have the same low velvet voice." Um, yes. More often than I care to admit, given the age difference.

Ok, so I'm not naive enough to think the first fellow didn't have a few other things on his agenda while in Vegas for the Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum two weeks ago. But when someone thrusts their card in your hand immediately following a speaking engagement, and then follows up later, they get your attention.

And the Martha comments? I lost count after the presentation, speaking with people at the front of the room, walking the trade show floor, and hanging out socially at evening events with attendees. I'm hoping it has more to do with Stewart's photo being plastered all over Vegas and the Paris Hotel, than any similarities I might beg to someone who has done time! Jokes aside, these comments were given as compliments, and were accepted graciously.

In the end, my keynote "Unpacking marketing strategy for travel agents" delivered on its promise to attendees: Like packing a bag efficiently for a trip, what goes into your marketing plan is just as important as what gets left out. Using parallels between packing light for travel and creating an effective marketing strategy, as the "carry-on queen" I unpacked my top five marketing tips for travel agents, emphasizing the strategic use of social media and email marketing. The presentation was informed by travel agent research, interviews and case studies, plus my observations on five big marketing trends in 2024.

It was a pleasure to be invited back to speak for a fourth year at this conference, and to also moderate an industry panel on social media later that morning. It was an exhausting but rewarding day, with lots of learning and laughter - the way it should be!

Thanks Travel Show Marketing Group for putting on an outstanding event! A special shout out to Eric Cooper, Chief Operations Officer who remained incredibly calm yet resourceful as he sent sound technicians scrambling to resolve an unexpected last minute audio issue minutes before I took the stage.

Thanks also to Angel and Daniel, the event photographers who captured so many memorable moments for the conference recap video!

10/04/2024

What a fabulous recap video of the Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum by Travel Show Marketing Group, the conference presenter. The is one of the largest conferences for travel agents in the US, bringing agents together with their peers, host agencies, suppliers and DMOs to learn and network.

It was my pleasure to not only present my "Unpacking marketing strategies for travel agents" keynote to this group, but to also moderate a panel on social media with industry suppliers.

Well done Travel Show Marketing Group. This is a fine piece of marketing for all your future events. Who wouldn't want to attend something like this? The FOMO will be real!

It's our official Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum recap! Please enjoy a look into our flagship event. Relive it if you joined us, or get to know more about it...

22/03/2024

It's going to be a busy week in Vegas...

Moderating this panel of travel industry social media rock stars at the upcoming Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum is going to be a blast! The pre-conference call synergy was amazing, plus the stories and examples shared are going to make this a must attend session.

Maximize your social media and online strategies with tips from top industry partners – business development manager! From social media insights to partner platforms and tools, this session will cover actionable ways to innovate your offerings while increasing your earnings with proven tips!

Panelists include:
- Keli Washburn, Business Development Manager, the Globus family of brands & Avalon Waterways
- Luke Majewski, Regional Director Of Business Development - TX, OK, AR, LA, AIC Hotel Group
- Drew M. Santiago, ACC, Director of Business Development & CIAT Mayor of Funville, Carnival Cruise Line
- Joe Vanderhoff, Manager of Training and Development, Sandals & Beaches Resorts


Session link in comments below if you are attending. See you in Concorde A at the Paris Hotel, Tues March 26, 11:00 - 12:00

22/03/2024

I'm looking forward to delivering this keynote presentation at the Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum next Tuesday morning. The session is called "UNPACKING Marketing Strategy for Travel Agents".

Like packing a bag efficiently for a trip, what goes into your marketing plan, is just as important as what gets left out. Using parallels between packing light for travel, and creating an effective marketing strategy, Mary Charleson, also known as the “Carry-on Queen” will unpack her top marketing tips for travel agents, emphasizing the strategic use of social media and email marketing. Informed by travel agent research, interviews, and case studies, plus Mary’s observations on marketing trends, this session will both educate and entertain.

08/01/2024

I'm a huge fan of traveling light, but this takes packing to a whole new level! Japan Airlines have introduced a service where they will rent you clothes at the destination, eliminating the need to pack a bag altogether. Prices range $28-48 to rent a wardrobe for 2 weeks. You select by gender, size, season - summer, winter, spring/fall, and occasion - casual, smart-casual, or a mix of both. Clothes will be delivered to you at the destination.

With fewer bags and weight to transport, there's obviously cost savings for the airline on fuel, as well as a sustainability story at play here. But this service also eliminates the potential of lost of bags. For the chronic over packers, I sense anxiety...

But, what do you think? Would you be willing to stuff your toothbrush in a hip pocket and board a flight with little more than what's on your back?

Let me know - YES or NO, and why!

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/japan-airlines-renting-clothes-to-passengers?

The airline's new wardrobe rental service helps reduce luggage weight and carbon emissions.

19/12/2023

10 Travel trends for 2024 - and the marketing opportunities they present. That's the title of my latest blog post.

As a marketing strategist by trade, and a travel writer by passion, I’ve spent considerable time since 2019 at the intersection of these two interests. Sometimes as a speaker and consultant to the travel industry, and other times as a travel writer and content creator.

My post on Travel Trends for 2024 certainly reveals marketing opportunities for companies in the travel industry. But these trends also touch other industries, since trends by their very nature, are based on shifts in human behavior, and the markets response to it.

Take trend #2 around deep and meaningful travel. To quote Bruce P**n Tip, founder of G Adventures “What we’re seeing is that people want to stay longer and go deeper into a destination. They’re traveling less frequently; instead of taking three one-week trips a year, they’re staying longer in a single destination. And while they are there they want to connect with local people and their cultures, and to experience community tourism in its purest form.”

This trend towards valuing authenticity and appreciating deeper meaning, is also spilling over into entertainment, and consumer goods purchases such as clothing, with consumers increasingly voting with their wallets based on shared values.

Trend #3 around dry tripping speaks to the rise in interest towards sober vacations. Call it the sober curious traveler, with a desire to go places with a non-alcohol emphasis. But this travel trend also taps a larger societal movement towards less alcohol consumption. To quote Scott Galloway (known as Prof G) to many through his podcast, “Gen Z drinks 20% less alcohol per capita than millennials did at the same age, which in turn was 20% less than Gen X.”

As you can see by these two examples, the top 10 travel trends for 2024 will have an impact far beyond a single industry, as they ripple out through society.

Curious to know what the other 8 trends might be? And most importantly how they will impact not only the travel industry in 2024, but other industries and businesses as well? Check out my post shared here.
https://fiveminutemarketing.com/2023/12/10-travel-trends-for-2024/

26/09/2023

Zion National Park, Oct 1, 2021. Having had my travel wings clipped for 1.5 years back then, dutifully obeying travel restrictions, and keeping limited close contact, this is the trip I broke free. The photo captures the essence of that moment perfectly.

After speaking at a travel industry event in Las Vegas at the end of September, I ventured to Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon, for some outdoor fun. I had always wanted to hike the famously challenging (and very scary) “Angel’s Landing” at Zion. Pictured here just over my shoulder, is the final terrifying stretch over a bread knife narrow landing, with sheer cliffs to either side, and the final scrambling ascent to the peak, at the very top of the photo.

To say it was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done in my life would be an understatement. But at the time, many friends and colleagues in Canada considered my decision to travel to the US, and Vegas no less, as a cauldron of germs and non-compliance, an even more risky endeavor.

When this photo popped up in memories recently, it caused me to pause. Mostly about what we had all collectively been through at that time. But more so, the grit and determination to get out there and do something challenging again.

It was also a psychological reset. At the time I had a sense that media influence was beating me down with the same message of compliance, over and over again. While Canada certainly got many things right during the pandemic, and arguably America fell on the wrong side of history in taking care of the collective, the spirited nature of its citizens was exactly the anecdote I was seeking during this trip. I needed to step out of the bubble, in order to see what was going on inside it. The healing power in those serendipitous moments and conversations with Americans throughout the day on this hike, is etched into the grin on my face in this photo.

I wrote about hiking Angel’s Landing when I returned in several publications, and of course on my travel writing Carryonqueen.com site. And this summer, I updated the piece to reflect the lottery and ticketing system they have put in place to make scaling this incredible hike, much safer. There are also numerous other hikes at Zion covered in the article. Autumn is an amazing time to visit this magical area of the US. Temperatures for hiking are reasonable, and the destination less crowded, with kids and families having returned to school. If you’ve got a Las Vegas holiday on your horizon, and you’re seeking the healing powers of nature after being in crazy town, be sure to check out Zion National Park.

And if you really want to give yourself a fright, watch the YouTube video embedded in the article - sitting at 2.2K views!

Article link in comments: “Is Angels Landing Really That Scary?”

In addition to travel writing, I’ve been having a blast, speaking, marketing consulting and online course creation for the travel industry - at the intersection of my two brands. This trip started it all!

21/08/2023

It's hard to believe that the hottest, driest, and lowest place in North America (282 feet below sea level in Death Valley, CA), is currently closed due to flooding, with Badwater Basin at risk of becoming a shallow lake, rather than a salt flat. So are the times we are now living in...

Hurricane Hilary has temporarily closed Death Valley, as well as Joshua Tree National Park, as its projected trail after hitting the south coast of California, put roads and valleys at risk of flooding. Indeed as I write this, Palm Springs is completely shut off, due to highway closures. It all seems a bit surreal. And that's before I even contemplate the forest fires currently raging in my home province of British Columbia. Without a doubt we need to do better and be willing to make big changes to preserve our future. "The water is getting hot," said the frog.

It's hard to imagine the salt flats (pictured in the distance from Zabriskie Point in this image) as a lake. But I can certainly imagine road and trail washouts, since we saw evidence of what just 2" of rain could do when we visited this past spring, the wettest on record in California. Note the washed out trail portion along the Gower Gulch Canyon hike in the second photo, and "Devil's Golf Course" in the third - expected to be a water hazard today. Not that anyone would normally play a round there, but the name evokes the harshness of the climate, with normally extreme temperatures.

Can we do better in facing the climate crisis? We must. In the mean time, we can visit and cherish these amazing places to ensure we never lose the motivation to do just that.

09/08/2023

"There’s something about a leather jacket and a Harley with a blinding amount of chrome, that can turn a working professional into a badass biker gal – and make her feel at least 10 years younger."

I'm catching up sharing travel writing from earlier this summer. This piece, "A Harley Davidson Road Trip Adventure Out of San Diego" is near and dear to my heart, since it marked a milestone birthday, and was one of the most empowering things I've done in awhile.

From California beaches, the historic Coastal Hwy 101, to border towns, mountains, lakes and wine country, our 4-day circle route out of San Diego offered a truly diverse taste of all that the state has to offer. Plus it's not a bad run down on the most fun and least busy roads to ride, while taking it all in on two wheels!

Link to the full article in comments below.

14/06/2023

Manitoulin Island vibes with TMAC media crew pre-conference. Hiking Cup and Saucer Trail, Ojibwa Cultural Foundation tour, Bridal Falls and Gore Bay, Purvis Fish and Chips, good eats, good times, fun friends and beer flights!

The weather was challenging yesterday, but the sun gods returned today. Looking forward to an early morning return to Cup and Saucer trail for the lookout over the Niagara Escarpment - minus the fig now that weather has cleared. Although, it was eerily beautiful to stand inches from the ledge with nonsense of depth!

27/04/2023

Part 4 of "Canada: powered by tourism" celebrating April 24-30, with an emphasis on local, and in my home province of British Columbia.

In the pursuit of global travel it can be easy to forget the beauty right out your own back door. In this case, literally out my back door from North Vancouver up the Sea to Sky corridor to Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.

This post features what people travel from all around the world to experience - one of the finest scenic drives on the planet. But in this article it is taken in on two wheels. https://carryonqueen.com/motorbiking-the-sea-to-sky-highway-from-vancouver-to-whistler/

I've yet to license my motorbike this season for a variety of reasons, but reliving through this content gives me inspiration until that happens.

If you're a biker, sit back and enjoy the ride through the YouTube video embedded in the article. And if you're from away, and curious about putting this drive and destination on your list of things to do - in the words of Nike, just do it! (It's also pretty fun on 4 wheels too)

Did you know that Whistler receives 3 million overnight and non-overnight visitors each year? 45% are during the summer and 55% are during the winter.

Did you know that the tourism sector for Squamish generates $35.5 million in employment income, $20.5 million in taxes, and $95.2 million in direct visitor spending? That's some turn around from being largely a mill town just a couple decades ago.

There's no question that tourism is a key economic driver and one of BC's competitive strengths in the world economy.

Motorbiking the Sea to Sky Highway is a fabulous ride. Join Mary Charleson (aka The CarryOnQueen) for a quick preview of what to expect. And if you want to learn more, check out this post: https://carryonqueen.com/motorbiking-the-sea-to-sky-highway-from-vancouver-to-whistler/ Learn what to see and d...

26/04/2023

April 24-30 is . As a part 2 in the series featuring from my home province of British Columbia, I bring you Desolation Sound by video. This two minute break to your day features highlights of exploring the area by sailboat.

But first a few fun facts:

- Did you know that tourism-related businesses in BC employ over 84,400 people and paid $3.5 billion in wages and salaries in 2021?
- Tourism contributed $5 billion to BC's GDP in 2021, higher than any other primary resource industry other than mining.
- And drum roll please... BC's total tourism revenue in 2021 was $13.5 billion.

That's a lot of mula tied up in delivering memorable experiences!

One of the tourism businesses contributing to that revenue, wages paid and experiences delivered was Desolation Sound Yacht Charters, the company we chartered this 45' Bavaria from.

If you're feeling inspired, apparently "Starfall" still has a couple random weeks open during peak season July & August, according to Christine in their head office, but I'm sure that won't last long.

If you'd like to get the details of this itinerary, and my top 10 tips for planning a boating trip to Desolation Sound, check out the article link in the comments below.
Tourism Industry Association of Canada-

24/04/2023

"Canada: powered by tourism"

Since we're celebrating April 24-30, I thought I'd add a shout out beyond the national campaign, to my home province of British Columbia and by sharing this inspirational blog post article about sailing in the beautiful waters of Desolation Sound, along with some impressive stats about the importance of tourism to Canada and BC.

Did you know that tourism is a key economic driver and one of BC's competitive strengths in the world economy? 2021 tourism revenue was $13.5 billion, a 22.7% increase over 2020. And BC has over 16,600 tourism businesses across the province. Together they employ over 84,400 people in BC.

One of those tourism businesses is Desolation Sound Yacht Charters, the company we chartered this 45' Bavaria from, featured in the article "What to see and do in Desolation Sound: 10 pro tips to plan your trip this summer." https://carryonqueen.com/what-to-see-and-do-in-desolation-sound-10-pro-tips-to-plan-your-boat-trip-this-summer/

The article is a must read if you plan to visit Desolation Sound, by charter or with your own boat this boating season. Be sure to check out the YouTube video within the article too, now with over 16,000 views!

If you're curious, "Starfall" (the gorgeous 45' Bavaria) still has about two weeks during prime summer sailing July & August, where she is available, according to Christine in the booking office, as of today. Other sailboats and powerboats are pretty solidly booked, but there are a few gaps still to be found. And if you're looking for a spring deal, they're offering 15% off charters in May. Just tell Christine that the "carryonqueen" sent you!

Charting a sailboat in Desolation Sound is an amazing experience. Come along for the ride aboard a 45' Bavaria, and explore sailing in Desolation Sound, off the coast of beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Mountainous fjords are the magical backdrop as you explore anchorages, the exceptionally warm....

09/03/2023

Just in time for that March break getaway. If you’re headed to Jamaica, be sure to check out one of my Jamaica series posts - Dunn’s River Falls: 10 tips for how to avoid the crowds.
Yes, it’s possible to do the climb solo without a guide, and to do it safely. Yes, it’s possible to do it without the crowds - in fact without ANYONE else, if you really want to, just follow my tips!
Check out this post for full details, or watch the video below for a quick summary!
https://carryonqueen.com/dunns-river-falls-10-tips-for-how-to-avoid-the-crowds/

02/02/2023

This article is spot on, in terms of observing trends and opportunity in the adventure travel category. The 50+ solo woman traveler is an empowered, physically fit and financially secure target segment. It's growing in size, and yet overlooked as an opportunity market by many in the industry. Whether it's male dominated management with outdated impressions, an infatuation with youth, or simply a case of traditional pricing economics which doesn't favor solo options, there's definitely a gap here.

This article written by Claudia Laroye for Adventure.com is both well written and well researched. Definitely worth a read if you work in the travel industry, or are/aspire to be a female traveler.

As much as I love to travel with girlfriends, my husband, or savor the opportunity to travel 1:1 with my adult children, some of the most memorable experiences have been solo. There's something empowering about venturing out into the unknown solo, but also the chance encounters with locals, the conversations, and the serendipitous moments which can be seized, without the need to consult with others.

As the article notes, "A table for one please" is not something to be pitied. And it's neither strange nor perilous to journey on one's own. These women are playing hard, and having the time of their lives!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!


https://adventure.com/over-50s-solo-women-travelers/

Solo women’s travel is exploding. And no more so than in the 50+ age group—and in the adventure travel segment.

14/12/2022

This travel article about Belize features a long anticipated, Covid delayed, girlfriend getaway. Originally booked for April 2020 with a group of women I play hockey with on the "Stanley Cupcakes", we finally regrouped in March 2022 with travel credits being honoured by Island Expeditions

Read more about what to expect in an action packed Belize adventure which included snorkeling, kayaking, SUP and yes - fishing! It was the perfect holiday for a group of active friends who were willing to forgo resort comforts in exchange for an off grid remote island experience.

This article ran in the travel section of the Sat Dec 3 Vancouver Sun, and the Sun Dec 4 issue of The Province. Unfortunately, it missed getting an electronic link at the time, a situation the travel editor rectified once back from holidays this week. So, sharing it out now!

I'm really not the sport fisherman that this photo would lead you to believe. That title belongs to my friend Di Wilson, pictured over my shoulder in this photo. She was the "fish whisperer" on this outing, hauling in catch after catch to the amazement of the rest on board. But my dumb luck catching a barracuda made the editors photo pick for the article. If I decide to get serious about salmon fishing in BC, I know who I'll call!

I've shared out group kayak photo in the comments too, since it didn't make the print issue.
https://vancouversun.com/travel/off-grid-with-island-expeditions-in-belize

"This is not a holiday for the five-star resort crowd, but for us it was nirvana," says Mary Charleson