Member Spotlight: Anne Lowrey of Part-Time Traveler

Each month San Francisco Travel Massive features a community member in their latest newsletter. In this month’s edition, they turn the spotlight on Anne Lowrey, member of Travel Massive San Francisco Bay Area. Anne is a Freelance Writer and Travel Blogger at Part-Time Traveler. Co-chapter leader Stephanie Uniacke sat down with her in San Francisco about why she joined Travel Massive meet ups and her new-found travel career.

How did you begin to work in the travel industry?

I began my career working in medical sales for a Fortune 500 company, pursuing travel on the side, planned trips with my vacation time, but eventually realized I was interacting with the travel industry on a daily basis. When I left that job to pursue a year of full-time travel, it was all too natural for me to begin writing and contributing to the growing online travel community that had given me so much.

What benefits have come from attending Travel Massive meet-ups?

I moved to San Francisco in March of this year, and attending events such as Travel Massive has enabled me to pursue travel writing full-time. Without the valuable partnerships and connections I’ve made in person, my success would be so limited! I’ve also made a handful of personal friends at Travel Massive events…it’s great to be able to meet others who share your same passions and outlook on life.

“Travel has enriched my life in ways I can’t even begin to put into words. I love to see companies and bloggers focusing on the transformative nature of travel.”

What does your current role entail?

Now I write full-time — both as a freelance travel and food writer for various companies and publications, and on my little corner of the Internet (my blog.) I also provide social media consulting to small businesses, which is another passion of mine. Social media truly has impacted the way I travel, for the better. I owe so many of my favorite experiences and personal connections to the information shared by the travel community online.

What changes do you hope to see in the travel industry?

I’d love to see the average American traveling more, even within the confines of our traditional vacation structure. It is about making it a priority, and I think the more the travel industry helps and encourages working professionals and families to travel internationally the better. Travel has enriched my life in ways I can’t even begin to put into words. I love to see companies and bloggers focusing on the transformative nature of travel.

If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

Top of my list at the moment is visiting Japan or Tanzania. I’d never say no to India (my favorite country to travel in) and I’d love to study yoga more in-depth there. If you handed me a plane ticket though, I’d be hard pressed not to hop the next flight to Paris.

Stephanie Uniacke is the co-chapter leader of San Francisco Travel Massive. When she is not organizing meet ups she blogs over at Just Cherished, proving you can still have travel adventures with a 9-5 lifestyle. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.