Many of us, at one time or another, have dreamed of being paid to travel. When we are sitting on a beach during our vacation from the daily grind with our toes in the sand, it can be easy to let our minds wander to the fantasy of packing a bag and hitting the road permanently.
Gabby Beckford of travel inspiration and transformation platform Packs Light, has turned that fantasy into her reality. Her award-winning travel blog has inspired thousands to explore the world around them and have the confidence to go “where their hearts desire and their wallets allow”.
Travel and empowerment
Having moved around the world as part of a military family, Beckford has always had an affinity for travel. “I think the beauty of the human experience is in the joy we have and the moments of play we get. I see so many different expressions of those moments when I’m traveling,” explains Beckford. “But travel is also important to me because of the way it has drastically expanded my ‘possibilities’ bubble.”
Those possibilities lying just on the other side of her next plane ticket purchase have led to a travel influencer empire for Beckford that has exploded. To date, Packs Light has amassed over 700,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. “Travel reminds me that we don’t know what we don’t know,” says Beckford. “I was introduced to different religions, ways of life, food, and perspectives that I may never have been otherwise without getting on a plane. And now I’m obsessed!”
One of the main goals of Packs Light is the empowerment of solo-women travelers, especially minority women. “The considerations that the normal person may have while traveling — particularly about comfort and safety — are practically doubled as a woman,” explains Beckford. “A simple meal or excursion comes with questions of cell phone connectivity in case of emergency, reading the energy and intentions of those around you to secure your safety, and constantly planning for a worst-case scenario.”
Even with the special safety considerations that women — especially minority women — must undertake, Beckford still firmly believes in the power of travel to enrich lives. Travel has sparked “digital nomadic” careers and broadened the scope for understanding other cultures.
Through Pack Light, Beckford helps those interested in following her well-traveled footsteps to budget for their trips and find PTOs, or “paid travel opportunities,” through travel-specific scholarships and grants. With Beckford’s insights guiding them, many who may have believed they couldn’t travel have found a way.
“Society tells women that we are weak,” says Beckford. “It tells us that we are defenseless and need the protection of men and communities to survive, let alone enjoy our life. Society tells us this story so often — in TV shows, movies, and terrifying news stories — that we women have come to accept it. But this is precisely the myth that solo female travel disrupts.”
Beckford wants solo women travelers to feel empowered to explore, blaze their own trails, and find their own way — just as she has.
Travel on a budget
One of the cornerstones of Pack Light is traveling on a budget. Beckford is a large proponent of paid travel opportunities. She coined the phrase “PTO” and has been leading workshops and talks on how to seek out and land these opportunities that pay you to travel. “By applying for these opportunities, you’re allowing the sponsoring organizations to fund your dream trip and saving yourself from having to break the bank,” she explains.
When PTO isn’t in the cards, Beckford encourages travelers to tackle their big expenses — such as accommodations and flights — first, suggesting that travelers book these expenses one to three months in advance. Sticking to a budget for food, entertainment, and other travel expenses is critical if one wants to be able to afford to continue to travel. Beckford also encourages having food on hand at the hotel so you’re not tempted to overspend in pricey restaurants or while you’re out on the town.
Additionally, Beckford suggests booking travel during the off-season, otherwise known as “Shoulder Season.” “About two months before and after the tourism rush, the weather may not be as perfect, but you’ll still get some good days. And best of all, the price of flights, accommodations, and experiences can be half as low as they normally would be,” she explains.
Hitting the road
Beckford cannot possibly nail down her favorite country that she’s ever visited, but that is to be expected of someone who has been fortunate enough to travel to over 50. She praises the cuisine in Japan and the beaches of Australia. She has expressed love for the culture in the Middle East and the landscapes of Mexico. All of this exposure has been made possible through savvy budgeting, authentic online engagement, and a whole lot of moxie.
To Beckford, the future of travel holds a lot of promise as she watches travel become increasingly more accessible and more sustainable. She is seeing younger and younger generations embrace travel as a way to understand the world and facilitate lifelong learning. Beckford hopes that with remote work opportunities becoming more commonplace, more people will follow her lead and jump at any travel opportunity they can.
Beckford has big plans for Packs Light in the near future, including more digital products, launching the first Packs Light travel grant for her audience, and even hopes of hosting a solo, travel-centric TV show to inspire and empower women across the world. She is thrilled that her message is reaching so many and hopes to be a beacon of inspiration for others. “Nothing is more rewarding than to have inspired so many other travelers of all backgrounds to get out there and pursue their dreams in spite of the roadblocks of life. We all deserve joy, and we all benefit from growth, so I think we all deserve to travel!”
