Why I Call Myself a Professional Tourist— Ep 32

Embrace the Professional Tourist Mindset for a Perfect Hawaii Vacation

In this bonus episode of 'Hawaii Travel Made Easy,' host Marcie Chung explains why she considers herself a professional tourist and how adopting this mindset can transform your family’s Hawaii vacation. She discusses strategic planning, continuous learning from each visit, and sharing valuable information to help others. Marcie provides practical tips on purposeful planning, in-depth research, documentation, flexibility, respecting local customs, and prioritizing quality experiences. She also introduces free email planning courses and comprehensive travel guides available on her website. Gain insights to make your next trip to Hawaii more intentional, enjoyable, and memorable.

00:00 Welcome to Hawaii Travel Made Easy
00:51 Defining a Professional Tourist
02:22 The Professional Tourist Mindset
03:55 Lessons from 40+ Visits to Hawaii
05:28 Tourist vs. Traveler Mindset
06:53 Tips for Family Travel
09:22 Resources for Planning Your Hawaii Trip
11:11 Conclusion and Farewell

Who this episode is for: Anyone wanting a mindset shift for how they approach planning and experiencing a Hawaii trip, not just a checklist of tips.

What you'll learn: What the "professional tourist" mindset means, how continuous learning from repeat visits shapes better trip planning, and the difference between a tourist and traveler mindset.

Marcie's recommendations:

• Approach trip planning purposefully, with real research and intention rather than defaulting to generic checklists
• Document your trips so each one teaches you something for the next
• Stay flexible rather than rigidly attached to a plan
• Respect local customs as a core part of how you travel, not an afterthought
• Prioritize quality experiences over trying to check off the maximum number of activities
• Adopt a "traveler" mindset over a pure "tourist" mindset — engage with a place rather than just visiting it
• Use free resources like email planning courses and guides to plan more intentionally

Related Hawaii Travel Made Easy episodes: 

• The Comparison Trap: When Other Families Look Like They're Having More Fun— Ep 111
• How Slowing Down in Hawaii Creates the Trips You'll Actually Remember— Ep 106

Related articles: 

• Why I Call Myself a Professional Tourist: My Journey to Becoming a Real Hawaii Expert
• Hawaii Travel Consultant vs DIY Planning: When You Actually Need Help

Additional resources:

• Hawaii Travel Guides
• Free Email Planning Courses
• Etsy Shop

About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories.

Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com

Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation

🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now!
https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/

Transcript

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Aloha and welcome to Hawaii Travel Made Easy. I'm your host Marcie Chung, and I'm absolutely thrilled to kick off this bonus podcast episode with something that's been on my mind for years. Why I call myself a professional tourist. Now I know what you might be thinking. Professional tourist. Isn't that just a fancy way of saying you take a lot of vacations? Well stick around today because I'm going to share exactly what separates a professional tourist from your average traveler. And more importantly, how this mindset can completely transform your family's Hawaii vacation experience. Whether you're planning your very first trip to the islands, or you're a repeat visitor looking to level up your Hawaii game, this episode is going to give you a fresh perspective on how to approach travel, especially when you're bringing the whole family along. So let's start with the big question. What exactly is a professional tourist? When I use this term, I'm not talking about someone who just travels frequently, though that's certainly part of it. Being a professional tourist means approaching travel with the same level of intention, preparation, and expertise that you'd bring to any professional endeavor. Think about it this way. If you're a professional chef, you don't just throw random ingredients together and hope for the best. You understand flavors, techniques, timing, and how to create an experience that delights people. As a professional tourist, I apply that same systematic approach to travel. Here's what being a professional tourist means to me. First, it's all about strategic planning. I don't just book a flight and figure it out when I get there. Every trip has a purpose, whether that's discovering a new side of an island I've never visited before, testing out family friendly activities for my blog readers, or diving deep into a specific aspect of Hawaiian culture. Second, it's about continuous learning. Each of my 40 plus visits to Hawaii has taught me something new. I'm constantly taking notes, literally what worked, what didn't. How did my kids react to different activities? Which restaurants were worth the splurge and which ones were tourist traps. Third, it's about sharing knowledge. A professional tourist doesn't hoard information. The whole point is to help other families have better experiences. That's why I became a certified Hawaii destination expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority and why spend so much time creating content for Hawaii Travel with kids. Now, let me share how this professional tourist mindset plays out in practice, especially when it comes to Hawaii. The research phase before every trip I spend weeks researching. I'm not just looking at the pretty pictures on Instagram, though. Those are fun too. I'm scouring recent reviews, checking for seasonal conditions, looking at weather patterns, and yes, reading the not so glamorous stuff like parking situations and bathroom availability when you're traveling with kids. These details matter, the documentation process. During every visit, I'm constantly documenting. I take photos, but more importantly, I take notes. How long did it take to get to that beach? Were the facilities clean? Was there shade for the kids? How is the snorkeling for beginners? All this becomes valuable information for future trips. Mine and yours. The testing mindset. As a multi island Hawaii expert, I approach each island like a researcher. I'm not just checking off a bucket list. I'm evaluating experiences. Is this luau worth the money for families? Is this hike doable with a 5-year-old? Can you really see sea turtles at the speech, or is it just marketing hype and building relationships? Over 40 plus visits, I built relationships with local guides, restaurant owners, and activity operators. This isn't about getting special treatment, it's about understanding the real Hawaii beyond the tourist facade. These connections help me recommend authentic experiences that support local communities. So how did my 40 plus visits shape my expertise? Let me be honest with you. My first few trips to Hawaii were pretty typical tourist experiences. We stayed in Waikiki, we did the standard tours, ate at the hotel restaurants and called it a day. And you know what? We had a great time, but I knew we were barely scratching the surface. those first visits taught me some hard lessons, like the time we showed up to Pearl Harbor without reservations and couldn't visit the USS Arizona Memorial, or when we planned a full day at the beach without bringing enough water and snacks for the kids. These failures became my best teachers. After about 10 visits, I started noticing patterns. Certain beaches were consistently better for families. Some restaurants always delivered while others were hit or miss. I began to understand the rhythm of the islands when to avoid crowds, which activities work best for different age groups, and how to read the signs that locals use to navigate their own home around visit 20 something shifted. I wasn't just visiting Hawaii anymore, I was studying it. I started focusing on specific aspects. Maybe one trip would be all about the best snorkeling spots for kids, while another would focus on cultural experiences that actually respect Hawaiian traditions. Now, after 40 plus visits across all the major islands, I've become someone that friends families, and now thousands of blog readers turn to for Hawaii advice. That's when I realized I had truly become a Hawaii travel expert and professional tourist. So tourist versus traveler mindset. What's the difference? Here's where things get interesting and maybe a little controversial. There's this idea in travel circles that being a tourist is somehow inferior to being a traveler. I completely disagree. There's a tourist stigma. Somewhere along the way, tourist became a dirty word. People started associating it with being superficial, disrespectful or inauthentic. But here's the thing, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a tour. Tourism when done thoughtfully supports local economies and creates connections between cultures. I proudly call myself a professional tourist because I believe in owning what you are. When I visit Hawaii, I am an outsider looking in. I'm not pretending to be a local or acting like I'm discovering some secret that no one else knows about. I'm a visitor who happens to be really good at visiting. What makes me a professional tourist is the intentionality behind my travel. I'm not just passively consuming experiences, I'm actively learning, testing and documenting so I can help other families have better trips. While some travelers might focus on finding the most Instagram worthy, hidden spot, I focus on finding experiences that actually work for families. Sometimes that means recommending the touristy beach because it has lifeguards, bathrooms, and snack bars, things that matter when you have kids in tow. So what are some tips for families to become better travelers? Let's talk about how you can apply some professional tourist principles to your own family travel, even if Hawaii isn't your main destination. Tip number one, plan with purpose. Before your trip, sit down as a family and talk about what you actually wanna get out of the experience. Are you looking to relax, have an adventure, learn something new? Connect as a family, your purpose will guide every other decision you make. Tip number two, research beyond the highlights. Yes, look at the must see attractions, but also research the practical stuff. Where will you eat lunch? Where can the kids run around if they get restless? What's the backup plan if it rains? this is especially important in Hawaii when weather can change quickly. Tip number three, documenting your experience. You don't need to become a travel blogger, but take notes during your chip. What worked? What would you do differently? What restaurant was a hit with the kids? This information will be gold for your next trip or for helping friends plan theirs. Tip number four, embrace flexibility. Professional tours plan thoroughly, but stay flexible. Kids get cranky weather changes, and sometimes the best experiences are the ones you didn't plan for. Build buffer time into your schedule and be willing to pivot. Tip number five, think like a local. This doesn't mean pretending to be a local. It means respecting local customs, supporting local businesses, and understanding that you're a guest in someone else's home in Hawaii. This is especially important given the complex relationship between tourism and native Hawaiian culture. In tip number six, quality over quantity. Rather than trying to see everything, focus on really experiencing a few things. Well, this is especially true with kids. One amazing morning at the beach is better than rushing through five mediocre activities. Okay, as we wrap up this first episode, I want you to think about your own approach to travel. You don't need 40 plus trips to Hawaii to become a professional tourist. You just need to start approaching your travels with more intention. Whether you're planning your first family trip to Hawaii or your fifth, ask yourself, how can I make this experience better? What can I learn? How can I share what I discover with others? Remember, being a professional tourist isn't about having the most stamps in your passport or finding the most obscure destinations. It's about being thoughtful, prepared, and genuinely curious about the places you visit. Okay, before we actually wrap up, I want to share some resources that can help you start planning your Hawaii trip like a professional tourist right away. First, if you're feeling overwhelmed about where to start, i've created several free email planning courses that walk you through everything step by step, whether you're trying to choose an island or deep dive into planning for specific destination, I've got you covered. If you're not sure which island to visit start with my How to travel to Hawaii, like a Pro five day email course. It covers all the basics and will help you think through the big decision. For budget conscious families and honestly, who isn't these days, check out my how to save money in Hawaii five day course. I share all my professional tourist secrets for cutting costs without sacrificing the experience. And if you've already chosen your island, I have specific seven day planning courses for Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the big island. Each one is tailored to that island's unique personality and family friendly offerings. Plus, if you're considering Disney's Alani Resort, I have a dedicated planning course just for that experience. You can find all these free courses at Hawaii Travel with kids.com. Just look for the email courses section. I've also put together comprehensive Hawaii Travel Guides that go way beyond what I can cover in a single podcast episode. These guides are the result of all those 40 plus visits I mentioned, packed with detailed recommendations, maps and insider tips that you won't find anywhere else. You can check those out on my website as well. And for those of you who love having physical planning materials, I've got printable travel guides and planning resources in my Etsy shop. Sometimes there's just something satisfying about checking things off a real paper list. You know, all of these resources are designed with the professional tourist mindset, thorough planning, tested recommendations, and family focused advice. Until next time, start thinking like a professional tourist, your future self, and your family will. Thank you. Thanks for joining me on Hawaii Travel Made Easy. I'm Marcie Chung, your professional tourist. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a review. It really helps other people find this podcast and I'll see you on Wednesday for another episode. Mahalo.