JuneBug
Member
Hi all
I'm most interested in learning how to travel for free, which I take to mean that someone (say a resort) would pay me to come visit them and then write a travel article about them. But what if my article doesn't get published? Would they ask me to reimburse them for my stay? Sorry if this question seems dumb, but I don't understand how that works if you're brand new to travel writing. Do you have to be a well-known, published author to get free travel perks?
Hi JuneBug - welcome to the Forum!
You ask a very good question - this is an issue that is often misunderstood, especially by people new to travel writing who think that the moment they decide to be a travel writer, all their travel will be free from then on. Not true.
Even Travel Writers who have been published for years and have made a "name" for themselves to still pay for (some even if not all) of their travel expenses.
Generally speaking you do have to have some published articles under your belt - whether that is online or offline (print), however if it's online it is better if it is for reputable websites with a decently significant amount of traffic (visitors). This makes it easier for you to get invitations for what is called "Media Trips" - when a destination sponsors a trip for writers to do just what you ask about - write a travel article about them that will get published.
But that shouldn't stop you from approaching a destination to ask them if they are open to what you propose. My suggestion would be to start where you live - first, write a few articles about local resorts or attractions and submit them to your local newspapers. Once you have something published, you'll have more clout when you contact a local hotel or resort and speak to the person in charge of their PR department about doing an article about them in exchange for a free weekend.
Start small and work your way up to trips elsewhere. As our own site grows, we'll be adding a section for Media Trips also, so stay tuned! And good luck!
Hello JuneBug...
Trisha...great job on answering this question. I agree that you could start with your "own backyard." Remember, where you live is a destination spot for someone, somewhere.
Consider going online and checking out your state's tourism website. Call or visit the offices and make your proposal for an article. If you write and publish an article for your state's tourism office, this will help you when you approach local hotels and resorts. They are probably listed in one or more tourist brochures. Writing an article for the state is a step in the right direction. Before you know it, your travel writing will earn you free travel. Hope this helped... 
Hey everyone, are you taking advantage of travel opportunities? Hotels & resorts would love to fill their rooms. If you would like to take a vacation, call your choice hotel and see what they can do for you. They would rather have the hotel and resort full of people vs. an empty establishment. Tell them that you're a travel writer. You could score extra incentives.
Excellent point, Rebecca!
Now really IS a great time to travel - many hotels and resorts could really use the boost in business that comes from a great travel article getting published somewhere prominently. If you have a travel blog that has a good quantity of site visitors (at least a few thousand monthly) or can get your articles published through a good outlet, call around to a few places to see what they might offer - now's the time!
ALSO, as Rebecca has also pointed out in a few posts, consider working in the travel industry while you're building your reputation and portfolio - there are always free travel opportunities for travel agents, cruise line employees, and airline employees.....
I agree with the suggestions made by Trisha and Rebecca. Although I've had quite a few things published, I have yet to have a free vacation. I have, however, mentioned that I'm a travel writer before and received upgrades, better views, free city tourist cards, and one offer for a free lunch (while I interviewed the tourist office public affairs agent).
It takes time and you absolutely have to be professional if you want to be taken seriously--I have a website, a business card, and a separate e-mail address just for my travel writing.
It definitely helps if you're professional. That's a great idea to have a separate website & business cards just for travel writing. I'm contemplating starting another website, but have to narrow down my ideas...
I've thought about researching my ancestry. I would like to go back to the UK this year. I figure since I'll be on that side of the pond, I may as well cruise to Bohemia (see Czechoslovakia), Hungary and Poland. Who knows -- I could have relatives in these countries. That would be totally cool. I could have a place to "crash" while I peruse the countries!
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