Biography

Lori Henry on the train from Winnipeg to Churchill, Manitoba. Photo by John Zada (www.JohnZada.com).

When I was seven years old, I told my parents that I would live in a hotel one day. I loved walking in and out of the lobbies, saying “hello” to the hotel staff like I owned the place and filling out the comment cards like they actually cared what a seven-year-old kid thought.

It took me over 20 years, but I now live part time in hotel rooms as a travel writer. So far I have explored a tiny portion of the world, with much more to go! I currently work as a travel writer and author based in Vancouver, Canada.

I began my creative career as a Polynesian dancer (at four years old I led my group out onto the stage at Expo ’86, which was pretty amazing); added tap, jazz, ballet and modern to the mix; threw in a ringette career (with the “hockey card” to match); trained as an actor in theatre and film; and now freelance as a writer for whoever will hire me.

My focus is not just on travel for travel’s sake, though. I focus on accommodation that has a thorough eco model (in particular those that are vying for self-sustainability), businesses that give back to the local communities they work in, learning about indigenous cultures around the world, and voluntourism projects.

My work has appeared in this select list of publications:

• up! magazine (WestJet’s inflight)
• Reader’s Digest Canada
• Flare magazine
• Western Living
• Spa magazine
• British Columbia Magazine
• VIA destinations
• USAToday.com
• West magazine
• Gateways (Carnival Cruise Lines)Vancouver Explorer: The Complete Residents’ Guide (guidebook)
• Best Places Northwest (guidebook)
• Fodor’s Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada (guidebook)

Editorial Positions
I am currently working on the first book in a series about cultural dance. I am also the Editor of Massage Matters magazine for massage therapists.

Charity
I am also dedicated to bringing about awareness of eating disorders and was a founding director of Shelley’s Angels Society, a non-profit organization that raises money for those who can’t afford treatment or counselling. This work has led me to publish a book about my own struggle and recovery from bulimia, titled Silent Screams, and become the Founding Editor of the now-defunct youth magazine, Beauty: You Define It.

Follow along with my adventures in my travel blog and make sure to sign up for my quarterly newsletter. I can also be found on Twitter @lorihenry.

Professional Membership: SATW (Society of American Travel Writers)