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Travel journalist salary in the united states.

How much does a Travel Journalist make in the United States? The salary range for a Travel Journalist job is from $41,039 to $52,593 per year in the United States. Click on the filter to check out Travel Journalist job salaries by hourly, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly, and yearly.

• Per semimonth
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• New Hampshire
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia
• San Francisco, CA
• Washington, DC
• Chicago, IL
• New York, NY

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Highest Paying Cities for Travel Journalist in the United States

States with higher salaries for travel journalist, how much do similar professions get paid in the united states, how much should you be earning, what does a travel journalist do.

Also Read :- Top Benefits of Pursuing Journalism and Mass Communication Degree What it takes to be a Good Travel Journalist Travel journalism can be fun to pursue but is pretty demanding too.

A travel journalist needs to travel every now and then, depending on the requirement of a story, or in the case of any event to be covered.

So many people think that because they are passionate about travel and can string a sentence together, that qualifies them to be a travel journalist.

The job of a Travel Journalist involves researching and writing about the places, their heritage, culture, food and people.

If you’re looking for a steady-paycheck type of job, it can make a difference, as typically when a job opening for a travel journalist is announced, often the majority of applicants are those with journalism degrees and many years of experience that qualifies them.

View Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles, 18 Industries, and 26 Job Families.

Most Common Benefits for Travel Journalist

Related companies for travel journalist in the united states, frequently asked questions, do i receive fair pay as a travel journalist currently, what are the responsibilities of a travel journalist, how much do similar jobs to travel journalist make.

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Where can I get a higher Travel Journalist salary in the United States?

What is the travel journalist's salary range in the united states, career insights.

TrekFunTrek

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In 2023, Discover How I’m Earning the Best Salary in Travel Journalism!

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Updated on 29 Nov 2023

Reviewed by amarjeet barnwal.

Hey friends! Have you ever thought about getting paid to explore amazing places around the world? Let’s dive into the exciting world of travel journalism salaries – it’s where awesome adventures meet cool paychecks!

Travel Journalism Salaries

Quick stats on average salaries:.

So, here’s the thing: I learned that travel journalists in the U.S. make about $71,789 a year on average. That’s a lot of money for travelling and writing stories, don’t you think? But remember, this is just an average. Some travel journalists earn more, and some earn less.  Wave Accounting  has a great list of travel writing jobs for beginners, which is a good starting point for understanding the pay range.

Hourly Rates and Annual Trends

If we talk about hourly rates, it’s around $34.51.  Imagine making that kind of money while you’re having fun in a place like Paris or exploring the mountains ! But these numbers keep changing, especially with all the cool stuff happening in digital media. Travel journalists are always finding new and exciting ways to make money. For more on this, check out  Goats On The Road , where they list 99 travel publications that pay up to $4,000.

What Factors Influence Salaries?

Experience, location, and skill level, experience counts:, starting out.

When you’re just starting as a travel journalist, like me, the pay isn’t huge. But that’s okay because we’re just beginning our adventure, right?  That Travel Blog  offers insights into publications that pay for travel writing, which is perfect for beginners.

As you travel more and write more stories, guess what? The money gets better! It’s like levelling up in a game. More experience means a bigger paycheck.

Related Travels

Seasoned Pros

The travel journalists who have been doing this for a long time? They make really good money. It’s like a reward for all their amazing adventures and stories .

Location Matters:

High-cost cities.

Ever noticed that people in big cities like New York or San Francisco seem to have more money? That’s because it’s more expensive to live there, so they get paid more.

Global Variations

Travel journalism is a worldwide thing. Salaries change a lot from one country to another, depending on how much things cost there and how many stories people want to read.

Remote Work Impact

Nowadays, lots of people work from wherever they want, even from their homes! This is changing how much travel journalists make, and it’s pretty cool.  Location Indie  shares some companies that hire travel writers and gives you an idea of how much they pay.

Skill Level and Specialization:

Niche expertise.

If you’re really good at writing about a special kind of travel, like adventures in the jungle or luxury resorts , you can make more money.

Multifaceted Skills

Can you take awesome photos or make cool videos while writing your stories? That can help you earn even more!

Language Skills

If you can speak more than one language, that’s a huge plus. It means you can write stories for more people and, yes, get paid more for it.

And that’s what I found out about how travel journalists make their money. It’s all about where you are, what you can do, and how long you’ve been exploring and writing. Isn’t that exciting?

Top Paying Cities for Travel Journalists

Spotlight on san jose, ca, and oakland, ca.

Hey guys! Did you know some cities are like treasure chests for travel journalists? Take San Jose and Oakland in California. These cities are amazing for travel writers. They pay a lot because it’s pretty pricey to live there. So, if you’re writing stories in these cities, you’re in for a good treat!

Salary Differences Across Major Cities

But here’s the thing – not all cities pay the same. In some big places, travel journalists make a lot of money. In others, not so much. It’s like every city decides how much to pay us adventurers who write.

Breaking Down the Salary Range

Understanding the common salary range.

Okay, so most travel journalists earn an amount that’s somewhere between ‘okay’ and ‘wow, that’s awesome!’ The pay can vary a lot. It really depends on how skilled you are and your experience level.  Glassdoor  gives a good idea of the different salaries out there.

What Top Earners in the Field Make

The really experienced travel journalists, the ones who’ve been doing this for years, earn big bucks. We’re talking about a super impressive salary. It’s like being a superstar in the world of travel writing.

Related Jobs in Journalism with Higher Salaries

Exploring similar fields with better pay.

Now, if you’re curious about other journalism jobs that pay more, there’s a lot to explore. Some journalists who report big news or work on TV, earn more than us travel writers. It’s like having different kinds of yummy ice cream – some flavours are just more popular. For more on journalism salaries, check out  the Bureau of Labor Statistics .

How These Roles Compare to Travel Journalism:

Sure, these jobs might offer more money, but travel journalism has its awesome perks. It’s about choosing between a bigger paycheck and experiencing amazing adventures around the world. For me, getting paid to write about my travel experiences ? That’s living the dream!

And that’s the inside scoop on the best cities for travel journalism pay, what we can expect to earn, and how it compares to other journalism jobs.

Future of Travel Journalism Salaries

Trends and predictions.

Guys! Ever wonder what’s next for travel journalists like us in terms of money? It’s super exciting! People are saying that as more folks read our stories online, we might start making more dough. It’s like our adventures and words are getting more valuable because everyone’s hooked to their screens, reading and exploring the world through us.

How Digital Media Impacts Salaries

Let me tell you, digital media is totally changing the game. We’ve got websites, blogs, and social media – so many cool ways to share our journeys. And the best part? This could mean more cash for us travel writers! It’s like having a bunch of new doors to open, each leading to awesome opportunities. The better we get at using these digital platforms, the more we can earn. For more on this, check out  Pew Research Center’s Journalism & Media  for insights on digital media trends.

Conclusion:  Is Travel Journalism Worth It?

Balancing passion and pay.

Okay, so is being a travel journalist all worth it? It’s not just about the paycheck, you know. Sure, earning money is cool, but it’s also about loving the journey. It’s choosing a life where you get to see amazing places, meet incredible people , and share their stories. And if you can earn some cash while doing what you love? That’s like hitting the jackpot!

Final Thoughts on Career Prospects

In the end, being a travel journalist is more than a job – it’s a lifestyle. If you’re super into travelling and sharing stories , this could be your dream career. The money might go up and down, but the experiences you’ll have? Totally priceless. It’s all about finding that perfect mix of adventure and storytelling. And with the way digital media is growing, who knows how bright our future could be! For more on career prospects in journalism,  The Balance Careers  offers some great insights.

And that’s my take on the future of travel journalism salaries and wrapping up thoughts on this adventurous career path. It’s a world filled with endless stories and thrilling experiences.

Travel Journalism – Your Curious Questions

Do travel journalists make a lot of money.

Well, it depends! Some travel journalists make a pretty sweet amount, especially if they’ve been doing it for a long time or work in high-paying cities like San Jose or Oakland. But when you’re just starting, it might not be a lot. It’s kind of like levelling up in a video game – the more you play (or, in this case, write and travel), the more you can earn!

How do I become a travel journalist?

Becoming a travel journalist is like starting an adventure . First, you must love travelling and writing. You can start by writing a blog or articles about your travels , then maybe study journalism or writing. It’s also super helpful to learn about photography or making videos. And don’t forget, practice makes perfect!

What is the highest-paid type of journalist?

The highest-paid journalists are usually those who work in big news, like covering major events or working for large TV networks. They’re like the big players in the journalism world. But remember, while travel journalists might not always make as much, they get to explore the world and share amazing stories, which is pretty cool, too!

What is the salary of a travel journalist per month?

The monthly salary of a travel journalist can vary a lot. On average, in the U.S., it might be around $6,000 a month, but this can change based on where you are, your experience, and how skilled you are. Just starting, it might be less, but as you get better and more known, that number can go up!

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Travel Journalists

We’re often asked “what’s the difference between travel writing and travel journalism ”.

The answer is …..not a lot. But it IS more than just semantics!

While they are similar in many ways, often overlap, and both sometimes share the narrative essay format, there are key differences .

So what IS travel journalism? The difference between Travel Writing and Travel Journalism

• …a travel writer generally writes about a place , and does so in a way that allows the reader to visualize the experience. Travel Writing can — and frequently does — serve as a ‘review’ of sorts (aka “service pieces”) intended to encourage travel and tourism, to make readers want to go visit that place , whereas…
• … a travel journalist generally tells a story involving people that is unique to that place , and does so in a way that relays the facts. The intent of most Travel Journalism is to encourage a broader view and wider understanding of the world we live in, to make readers want to meet those people .

When a story takes on elements of creativity that have no basis in fact , then it’s still Travel Writing , but definitely NOT Travel Journalism!

How to Become a Travel Journalist

Before Diving In – Key Factors to Consider:

• If you want to become a travel journalist, first and foremost you must love to write . You must be articulate and skilled at communicating. And — obviously — you must enjoy traveling, meeting people, researching facts, and crafting a compelling story from what you learn.
• It’s also important to know that most media outlets have dramatically scaled back their ‘staff’ writer positions, and instead rely on freelance submissions for content. This means there are very few ‘jobs’ available and a large pool of highly qualified travel writers and travel journalists competing for them.

But don’t get discouraged! A writer who works hard can make a good living as a freelance travel journalist, as the vast number of online travel media outlets coupled with a ceaseless demand for content means that there are more opportunities than ever before for getting published, and there are still outlets that will pay for good quality articles and stories – and for those concerned about the new AI writing tools, it’s my personal opinion that it will still be a few years before those tools are good enough to not require editing and ( most importantly ) fact-checking, as they still produce some error-ridden content. Use the tools to help you, but be sure to humanize whatever content you get from using them to avoid problems.

( Be sure to check out our page “ Top 10 Travel Writing Courses “, which lists several that – in addition to writing skills – will teach you how to take your earnings from writing to the highest level .)

Tips on How to become a Travel Journalist

• Choose the right course of study . You can go for a four-year general journalism degree at a top journalism school , which will certainly open doors, OR ( to save a boatload of money ) consider an online writing course specifically for travel journalism ( as well as travel photography ) such as Roy Stevenson’s Online Travel Writing & Marketing Master Class , which can help open the RIGHT doors.   WHILE a degree is NOT necessary if you plan to remain a freelancer , if you’re looking for a steady-paycheck type of job, it can make a difference, as typically when a job opening for a travel journalist is announced, often the majority of applicants are those with journalism degrees and many years of experience that qualifies them.
• Consider a mentoring relationship like the one offered by (the aforementioned) Roy Stevenson, who offers both group and one-on-one coaching – although you must already have good writing skills and some byline history, Roy is a very successful professional who can teach you how to take your career to a higher level of publication and earning. ( Be sure to scroll down to view his requirements – this is NOT a writing course, it’s a coaching class for working writers and journalists ).
• Consider an internship . Sometimes the best way into a staff job at a media outlet is to start as an intern , and although interns are often selected from an applicant pool filled with journalism or communications students, it’s not always the case – sometimes those with good writing skills, a passion for the job, and a positive and enthusiastic mindset will get the internship . It’s a great way to learn the ropes and build a network (see below) of industry contacts, that you can then use to learn about upcoming-but-unposted job opportunities.   Sometimes you have to create your own internships ….if a travel writing internship isn’t advertised, call an Editor at a publication (online or offline) that you’d like to work for and offer to be an intern.
• Decide the type of travel journalism you would like to pursue — such as newspapers, magazines, television, or online — each has a different style and requires different skills.
• Develop a network of other travel writers, editors, and publishers. The best way to do this is to attend writing workshops and writers conferences where you can continue your education, learn to improve your writing, and make new professional contacts.
• Start small, with your local paper or a local magazine – read enough back issues to see what types of stories and articles they generally publish, and what they’ve not published lately – if you can provide them with something that fits, contact the editor and pitch your idea.
• Visit job boards . For example, check out freelancewriting.com .

High Quality Resources for Travel Writers & Travel Journalists:

In our opinion, before you ever put pen to paper, you should check out these very affordable ebooks to learn how to get started:

• 125 Websites That Want to Publish Your Travel Stories
• 100 Print Magazines That Want to Publish YOUR Travel Articles
• How to land Press Trips and Fam Tours (special report)
• How to Break into the Luxury Travel Writing Market
• The Complete Guide to Marketing and Selling Your Travel Articles
• The Complete Guide to Query Letters for Travel Writers

How to become a Travel Journalist — Additional Resources:

Consider joining a writer’s organization such as the Society of Professional Journalists . A one-year membership will cost you $72, but a journalism organization is a great way to find opportunities to learn and improve your skills, develop a network, build relationships with publishers and editors, and find market leads.

Don’t forget to read Top 10 Travel Writing Courses – our curated list of editor-approved online courses that are very affordably priced and will teach you everything you need to know about building a career as a travel writer or a travel journalist.     Disclaimer: SOME of the above links are ‘affiliate’ links and TWE earns a small amount from your purchase – this helps us to maintain this website and continue to provide valuable information. HOWEVER, we only promote products and services that we believe will be of greatest benefit you in the pursuit of a career in travel writing and/or travel journalism.

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• Travel Journalism
• Travel Journalist
• Travel Writing

All material on this site is subject to Copyright © 2008 - 2019. All Rights Reserved. No reprint/republication of any materials from this site without written permission from TWE.

What Does a Travel Journalist Do?

Find out what a Travel Journalist does, how to get this job, salary information, and what it takes to succeed as a Travel Journalist.

Embarking on a journey as a Travel Journalist involves weaving narratives that transport readers to destinations far and wide, offering them a glimpse into the heart and soul of places they may never visit. This role is dedicated to exploring the world, uncovering hidden gems, and sharing insights about cultures, cuisines, and customs through compelling storytelling and photography. By doing so, Travel Journalists not only inform and entertain but also bridge gaps between diverse cultures, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the world’s vast tapestry. Their work serves as a guide, inspiration, and resource for avid travelers and dreamers alike, enriching their audience’s knowledge and igniting wanderlust with every story told.

Travel Journalist Job Duties

• Research and identify unique travel destinations, experiences, and trends to feature in articles or reports.
• Write engaging and informative content, including articles, blog posts, and social media updates, that captures the essence of travel experiences.
• Photograph or source images to accompany written content, ensuring high-quality visuals that enhance the storytelling.
• Interview locals, tourists, and industry experts to gather diverse perspectives and insights on travel destinations.
• Review accommodations, restaurants, and attractions, providing honest and useful recommendations to readers.
• Navigate travel logistics independently, including arranging transportation, accommodations, and access to events or locations.
• Attend travel industry events, press trips, and conferences to network with tourism professionals and gather information on emerging trends.
• Analyze and report on the environmental and cultural impact of tourism in various destinations, promoting responsible travel practices.

Travel Journalist Salary & Outlook

Factors affecting a Travel Journalist’s salary include experience, publication prestige, niche expertise (e.g., luxury, adventure travel), audience size, multimedia skills (photography, videography), and the ability to secure exclusive stories or interviews. Freelancers’ income varies with their negotiation skills and the quantity of published pieces.

• Median Annual Salary: $49,350 ($23.73/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $70,500 ($33.89/hour)

The employment of travel journalists is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

This growth is driven by increasing global tourism and a growing appetite for unique travel content across digital platforms. Travel journalists are essential for creating engaging content that inspires and informs audiences about new destinations, cultures, and experiences, fueling the demand for their expertise.

Travel Journalist Job Requirements

Education: A Travel Journalist typically holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, or English, with coursework in creative writing, media ethics, and digital media. Some may have an Associate’s Degree or have taken college courses relevant to writing, photography, and cultural studies. Majors in journalism or communications are common, supplemented by electives in travel, international relations, or language studies to enhance global understanding and reporting skills.

Experience: Travel journalists typically have a background in journalism, writing, or media, with a significant portion having spent time honing their craft through practical experience. This includes on-the-job training at media outlets, participation in writing workshops, and involvement in travel-related reporting projects. Their experience often encompasses developing storytelling skills, researching destinations, and mastering the art of engaging and informative writing. Many have also undergone training programs that focus on digital media, photography, and videography to enhance their travel narratives. This blend of training and hands-on experience equips them to capture and share the essence of their journeys compellingly.

Certifications & Licenses: No specific certifications or licenses are typically required for the job of a Travel Journalist.

Travel Journalist Skills

Cultural Sensitivity: Travel journalists adeptly navigate diverse cultural landscapes, crafting stories that authentically resonate with both local and global audiences. By fostering a deeper connection and understanding, they ensure respectful and accurate representation of communities, their traditions, and values, which is paramount in producing insightful and engaging content.

Multimedia Storytelling: Engaging narratives in travel journalism are crafted by weaving together text, images, and video. Journalists transport their audience to distant locales, offering immersive experiences that evoke the sights, sounds, and emotions of their destinations. A keen eye for detail and selecting the right multimedia elements complement and enhance the storytelling, ensuring each piece deeply resonates with readers and viewers.

Travel Logistics Planning: Coordinating transportation, accommodations, and schedules efficiently, travel journalists immerse themselves in diverse cultures and stories without logistical mishaps. Timely content delivery and maximized richness of experiences captured are indispensable for compelling and authentic travel narratives.

Language Proficiency: Seamless communication in the native tongue of a destination enriches storytelling, providing access to firsthand experiences and insights. It fosters deeper connections with locals, enabling journalists to uncover stories often missed by others. Linguistic dexterity allows for more accurate and culturally sensitive reporting.

SEO and Digital Analytics: High-ranking content on search engine results pages ensures captivating travel stories reach a wider audience. Analyzing digital metrics helps journalists understand reader behaviors and preferences, tailoring future articles for maximum engagement and visibility.

Ethical Reporting: Travel journalists balance accurately representing cultures, locations, and experiences without exploiting or misrepresenting them. Their reporting respects the dignity and diversity of the communities they cover, requiring a commitment to fairness, accuracy, and thoughtful consideration of the impact their stories may have.

Travel Journalist Work Environment

A travel journalist’s work environment is as varied as the destinations they cover. Their office can range from a bustling city café to a tranquil beach, with the constant companion of a laptop or camera. The tools of their trade are digital and portable, emphasizing the need for reliable technology and internet connectivity wherever they go.

Work hours are unconventional, often dictated by the story they are chasing rather than a 9-to-5 schedule, offering a high degree of flexibility but also demanding adaptability to time zones and local customs. Dress codes are equally fluid, adapting to the cultural norms of their current location.

The pace can be fast, with tight deadlines and quick turnarounds, but it’s balanced by periods of travel and exploration. Interaction with others is a core part of the job, requiring strong communication skills and a genuine interest in different cultures. This role offers unique opportunities for professional development through immersive experiences and continuous learning about the world.

Advancement Prospects

Travel journalists can elevate their careers by diversifying their storytelling mediums, venturing into video reporting, and podcasting to capture a wider audience. Specializing in niche markets such as eco-tourism, luxury travel, or culinary explorations can set them apart and open doors to exclusive stories and destinations.

Building a strong personal brand through social media and a personal blog can attract freelance opportunities with prestigious travel magazines and websites. Experienced travel journalists often transition into authoring travel guides or books, leveraging their extensive knowledge and unique perspectives on travel.

Securing a role as a travel editor or content director for a major publication is a pinnacle achievement, requiring a deep portfolio of work and industry recognition. This position allows for influencing the travel narrative and mentoring upcoming travel writers.

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What is a travel journalist and how to become one

A travel journalist is a writer who covers destinations, accommodations, cuisine, and art for various media. They often conduct interviews with local politicians, participate in social media efforts, and generate features, news, and game stories. They also have first-hand knowledge of various destinations and use this experience to write engaging travel stories.

How long does it takes to become a travel journalist?

It typically takes 4-6 years to become a travel journalist:

• Years 1-4: Obtaining a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as journalism, communications, or English.
• Years 5-6: Accumulating the necessary work experience in writing, editing, and traveling. This may include internships or entry-level positions in journalism or media.
• Salary $95,966
• Growth Rate -10%
• Jobs Number 3,048
• Most Common Skill Facebook
• Most Common Degree Bachelor's degree
• Best State Michigan

Key steps to become a travel journalist

Explore travel journalist education requirements.

The educational requirements for a travel journalist typically include a bachelor's degree. According to Scoobie Ryan , Associate Director at the University of Kentucky's School of Journalism and Media, "Traditional skills on a journalist's resume are important-writing, editing, and storytelling-but we're seeing demand for things like the ability to fly a drone and use it to gather video." This highlights the importance of not only having a strong foundation in journalism, but also being able to utilize various multimedia tools to enhance storytelling. Additionally, knowledge of social media and the ability to produce content for various platforms is essential.

Most common travel journalist degrees

Bachelor's

Start to develop specific travel journalist skills

Travel journalists create content for various mediums. This includes blogs, social media, and publications. They conduct research and interviews on a variety of topics, including politics, cuisine, and culture. They also have the opportunity to travel to new destinations and gain first-hand experience of different places.

Complete relevant travel journalist training and internships

Research travel journalist duties and responsibilities.

Travel journalists are responsible for a wide range of tasks, from conducting interviews to generating features and news stories. As Dr. Maria Polski Ph.D. , an Associate Professor at East-West University, puts it, "the ability to evaluate the quality of information is, probably, the most important of them all." They may also assist photographers on media tours, as well as cover destinations, accommodations, cuisine, and high-net-worth topics. Additionally, they may be responsible for content creation for an overseas expat blog, featuring cultural events, foreign life, and extensive European travels.

• Manage studio operations, ensuring that shows run efficiently by floor directing, prompting and providing scripts.
• Cover destinations and accommodations; cuisine and spirits; and the arts, culture, and high-net-worth topics.
• Construct and edit web-published multimedia pieces that are featured on the university's athletic programs.
• Create documentaries about individuals facing challenges.

Prepare your travel journalist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your travel journalist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a travel journalist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Travel Journalist Resume templates

Apply for travel journalist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a travel journalist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

• Browse job boards for relevant postings
• Consult your professional network
• Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
• Watch out for job scams

Are you a Travel Journalist?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average travel journalist salary

The average Travel Journalist salary in the United States is $95,966 per year or $46 per hour. Travel journalist salaries range between $56,000 and $162,000 per year.

What Am I Worth?

How do travel journalists rate their job?

Updated April 25, 2024

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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10 tips for aspiring travel journalists

By lindsay kalter oct 30, 2018 in specialized topics.

Travel journalism is a tricky business to penetrate -- there is a surplus of willing writers and a dearth of employers willing to pay for the work.

The Guardian hosted a recent live web Q&A focused on the art of breaking into the field.

The panel of 12 experts included Mark Hodson of 101 Holidays ; Jill Starley-Grainger , a freelance journalist specializing in ethical and luxury travel; Emily Mathieson , Word of Mouth editor at Conde Nast Traveller ; Ben Hatch , author of Are We Nearly There Yet? A Family's 8,000 Miles Around Britain in a Vauxhall Astra ; and Amanda Statham , travel editor of Cosmopolitan and You & Your Wedding magazines .

Here are IJNet's picks for tips to becoming a travel journalist.

Blog, blog, blog : Illustrating writing skills and expertise on a personal blog is the best way to gain credibility and get recognized, says Hodson. Starley-Grainger suggests posting high-quality entries twice each week for about six months to show dedication and then pitching to editors.

Find a niche : Many writers make the mistake of pitching broad ideas or city guides -- big no-no, says Starley-Grainger. Develop an area of expertise -- something quirky but appealing to a broad audience -- and editors to commission.

Know the publication : Before pitching, familiarize yourself with the publication, said Mathieson. Pay attention to what types of stories they publish and in what sections. Demonstrating this knowledge at the beginning of a pitch increases the chances that it'll be read.

Don't just be a traveler, be a journalist : Those without journalism education or experience should learn and understand how to uncover facts, develop trustworthy sources and dig out obscure information, said Starley-Grainger.

Don't stress about degrees : It's important to have good writing and reporting skills, but editors won't pay much attention to your academic background, said Hatch, who has a degree in business studies. Once you have demonstrated your skills -- be it through a personal blog or published work -- your engineering degree won't matter.

Stand out : Do what you can to be remembered -- reach out to the editor beforehand to express interest and ask about guidelines, and remind them of this correspondence when you send in your pitch, Mathieson said. Also, include a signature at the bottom of your email stating your name, location and specialty.

Don't over-do a destination : There's a difference between writing an intriguing piece on a city with high tourism rates and "over-egging" a place, Mathieson said. If your interest lies in a popular location, seek out its underground appeal. Things like backpacking in Asia, as Hodson pointed out, have been done before.

Tweet away : Twitter has become a valued resource for travel journalists, said Statham. It helps establish contacts and raises your profile and allows you to see what other travel writers are covering.

Don't be afraid to be critical : People want to read whimsical descriptions of far-off places, but they also want honesty, says Hatch. Include the negative so that the readers who are planning trips can prepare.

• Contact travel guide publishers : Guide books are a good place to start for those who lack experience, said Richard Trillo, freelance author and editor, with agreement from panel members. Publishers like Fodor's , Lonely Planet and Rough Guides always need writers with up-to-date travel information.

You can view the Guardian's complete Q&A here .

IJNet provides the latest tips, trends and training opportunities in eight languages . Sign up here for our weekly newsletter:

Travel Journalism 101: What Does a Travel Journalist Do?

What does a travel journalist do? How much does he or she earn? What skills do they need?

Travel journalists are professionals who write articles about places around the globe. They often travel to these destinations themselves and report back to their readers.

A travel journalist earns anywhere between $30,000 and $100,000 per year. The job requires a combination of writing, photography, videography, research, and editing skills.

The work is highly competitive but if you have good skills there are lots of opportunities to grow. Most journalists have started as interns and worked up from there.

A typical day for a travel journalist may include:

• Writing stories on topics such as tourism trends, new hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that are relevant to your audience
• Researching current events and issues in the destination you’re covering
• Interviewing local experts on what it takes to be successful in business, education, culture, etc.
• Photography and video recording interviews with locals
• Editing audio and video files into compelling pieces for publication

How to Become a Travel Journalist

The best way to become a travel writer is by writing articles yourself. If you want to write about travel , then you should start by researching the topic yourself. This will give you a good knowledge of what people are looking for from a travel article. Once you know what type of content you want to write, you should look at the different platforms available to publish this type of content.

Qualifications to Work in Travel Journalism?

Travel journalism is a field where you can work even if you don’t have a degree. However, a degree will not only improve your chances but will also give you the opportunity to earn more money.

There are many travel-related jobs and freelance travel writing is one of them. To become a travel writer, you need to have a good command of English, be familiar with the internet and have a good knowledge of the world. The best way to learn all this is to take some online classes.

In conclusion, if you want to be successful as a journalist or travel writer, you must constantly learn new things. Traveling is a great way to gain that knowledge because it exposes you to different cultures and people. But, don’t get too comfortable with your experience. The travel market changes all the time and there are always new trends, new companies, and even new ways of thinking. The only way to keep up with that is to always be learning and being aware of what’s going on in the industry.

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How to Become a Travel Journalist

• Career Types
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• How to become
• Skills and Traits
• Certifications/Internship
• Career Progression

Who is a Travel Journalist?

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness ~ Mark Twain

Many of you think of travelling the world, roam around on the unknown streets, meet new people, but have you ever wondered if you will get paid for this? Sounds amazing right? This could be your dream job, is not it? A travel journalist is one who travels to different locations, explores them, researches their cultural heritage, and then writes about everything. 

Journalism  does have its own challenges. If you have a passion for research and travel and are willing to compromise on financial security, you could really start your career as a Travel Journalist. The job of a Travel Journalist involves researching and writing about the places, their heritage, culture, food and people. Here, in this article, we will be discussing what does a travel journalist do, travel journalist salary, how to become a travel journalist, travel journalist in India, travel journalist job description, what is travel journalism.

Travel Journalist in a Nutshell

The career of a travel journalist is full of passion, excitement and responsibility. Journalism as a career could be challenging at times, but if you're someone who has been genuinely enthusiastic about all this, then it is the best decision for you. Travel journalism jobs are all about insightful, artfully written, informative narratives designed to cover the travel industry. Travel Journalist is someone who explores, gathers and presents information as a news article.

Quick Facts for Travel Journalist

Tourism, Media

Male, Female, Others

Individuals can take up a career as Travel Journalists, it is not gender-specific. Males, women, and others can choose a career as Travel Journalists. In India, a male and female Travel Journalist enjoys equal benefits because gender is insignificant in this career.

As long as the individual's disability is not hampering the work, anyone, with any disability can become a travel journalist.

Table of Contents for Travel Journalist

What is the role of travel journalist.

A travel journalist usually narrates a tale about people who are unique to that place and conveys the factual information. The aim of travel journalism is to promote a wider understanding and knowledge of the world in which we live, to make the readers visit places in imagination with their blogs and articles. Travel journalists tell the stories and give more insight into locations which go beyond a review of a restaurant, festival, or museum. 

Individual in the travel journalism jobs is a storyteller. He or she writes and reviews stories about locations, culture and entertainment. The Travel Journalist provides detailed information so that people can develop their views and make more informed decisions.

Create ideas

As a travel journalist is regarded as a storyteller, the very first step towards becoming a storyteller is to have a story concept. A travel journalist needs to find the lead for the article he or she wants to cover. The concept of the plot is generally the area or the beat in which the travel journalist operates.

Taking interviews

Travel journalists take interviews of people regarding the current story they are covering, helping in gathering information and adding up to the research work. If travel journalists interview more people, more voices give them credibility to their story. It is extremely important for a journalist to do his or her research before going to an interview, particularly if the interviewee is a well-known person. Prior to actually conducting an interview, one should prepare a set of questions though in this profession one has to be very impromptu.

Once a Travel Journalist has completed his or her research work or interviews, certain information gathered must be checked for factual information. It helps the individual to avoid any kind of problems in the future. One has to be sure that the information provided by the interviewee is reliable, or one may also mention the source of the data while filling out the document.

Photography

Travel Journalists take photographs of people and different places, based on the current story which they are covering, helping in collecting information and adding up to the research work. They take pictures which depict the accrual scenario in a proper way.

Types of a Travel Journalist

Reporter : Reporters conduct interviews, find the source, and collect all the information needed to write a well-rounded news article. Reporters will also present data in writing or verbally in news stories, documentaries or feature stories. Reporters cover all sorts of news articles, and others may specialise in areas like sports, lifestyle or politics. A reporter should have the intellect to draw a distinction between story and objectivity.

Photojournalist :  Photojournalists may work as freelance photographers or may be appointed by photo agencies, publications or local newspapers. The areas of employment also include digital media, television and printing. A photojournalist is one who photographs, edits, and displays photographs to tell a visual story. The photojournalists interpret and interact with the event through photographs.

News Editor:  The news editor is the person responsible for all news reporters. Individuals make these decisions about what storylines to cover and who is going to do the work. In large media organisations, the news editor may well have a deputy, sometimes referred to as the Chief of Staff, whose job it is to allocate journalists to selected stories.

What is the workplace/work environment of Travel Journalist like?

Individuals in the career as travel journalist needs to go out on the field, gather information, and then compile a story. The journalist's job is both physically and mentally demanding. It is a job for people those who do not like boredom in their day to day life. They work on filed, travel the whole world, meet different people. Their work station also changes regularly.

Does Travel Journalist require travelling?

As travel journalists, you need to travel a lot locally if there is a storey that breaks. Travel journalists need to travel every now and then, depending on the requirement of a story, or in the case of any event to be covered. Individuals in the career as travel journalists travel not only when a particular story is needed, but they also travel on their own, when they actually want to visit a place.

Employment Shifts

Full time, part time.

The shift in the employment of a travel journalist is both full-time and part-time in nature. The duration is generally between 40-45 hours per week. It often stretches depending on the individual's workload. Many times there are incidents that can happen late at night, and a travel journalist is also required to cover them.

Employment Nature

Contractual, permanent.

Travel Journalists work full time, part-time and also work as a freelancer. Individuals in the career as travel journalists work whenever they want to. But while working for any media houses they need to work accordingly.

Home Office, On-Field, Office

The nature of the employment of travel journalists are permanent and also of a freelance nature. The firm hires him or her on a full-time or part-time basis. Individuals in the career as travel journalists may be required to work in almost all kinds of scenarios, as it is his or her job to provide information to the people. They travel a lot to gather information. Travel journalists do not really work in an office environment. Though while editing and writing the news article they need particular space for that.

Presence in Geographical Area

Semi-urban, urban.

Travel Journalists mostly work in urban or semi-urban locations. If any incidents happen then journalists from the nearest branch of the media house are sent. But it is not limited only to the country, but also to other countries.

Time Pressure

A Travel Journalist’s job is time-bound. He or she constantly works under time pressure. Deadlines are stapled in the field of journalism. They sometimes work under pressure when some news to be covered in a short notice.

Overtime Details

A travel journalist may have to work overtime in order to meet the desired target or deadline. However, due to travel inconveniences, they may be forced to work overtime.

Weekly Hours of Work

Min 45 hours.

A travel journalist does not have a minimum working hour condition, but one has a goal to complete. Every Travel Journalist needs to file the required number of stories set as a target. But travel reporters generally work around eight-nine hours a day on average.

How to become a Travel Journalist?

Steps to become a travel journalist.

Embarking to become a travel journalist in India involves a blend of passion, skills, and strategic steps. This guide unveils the key elements of "How to Become a Travel Journalist in India," offering insights into the educational path, essential skills, and practical tips to kickstart a rewarding career in capturing the world’s wonders through the lens of journalism.

Identify the Skills

Enrol in formal education, pursue specialisation/certification courses, build a portfolio, look for internship/job opportunities, begin a career.

Developing a successful career as a Travel Journalist in India demands a blend of precise hard and soft skills. From adept storytelling techniques to interpersonal finesse, mastering these essential Travel Journalist skills is key to navigating the diverse landscapes of journalism while capturing the essence of travel. Here are some of Travel Journalist skills:

Hard Skills

Proficient Writing and Editing Skills

Photography and Videography

Research and Fact-Checking Abilities

Digital Content Creation

Multimedia Storytelling

Social Media Management

Soft Skills

Curiosity and Open-Mindedness

Adaptability and Flexibility

Communication and Interviewing Skills

Creativity and Innovation

Time Management and Organization

For aspiring Travel Journalists in India, enrolling in formal education is a pivotal step. Pursuing a bachelor's degree in journalism, communication, or a related field like B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication  lays a strong foundation, while a master's degree like M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication can offer specialised knowledge. 

Many universities and institutes across India offer journalism programmes with varying eligibility criteria; aspiring journalists may need to undergo entrance exams like DU-JAT ,  JNU-EE to secure admission and embark on their journey to meet Travel Journalist qualifications.

To enhance Travel Journalist qualifications in India, consider pursuing specialized courses or certifications in travel writing, multimedia storytelling, or journalism. These focused programs cater to the evolving demands of the industry and can provide valuable insights. Eligibility criteria may vary, but such courses often welcome individuals with a passion for travel and storytelling, offering a targeted approach to building essential skills for a successful career as a Travel Journalist.

Building a compelling portfolio is indispensable for aspiring Travel Journalists in India. Curate a diverse collection showcasing your writing, photography, and multimedia skills to reflect the depth of your storytelling abilities. This portfolio not only highlights your versatility but also serves as a key tool for potential employers or clients when considering you for various Travel Journalist roles and responsibilities in the dynamic field of travel journalism.

Securing internships or job opportunities is crucial for aspiring Travel Journalists in India to gain hands-on experience. Seek a job profile that aligns with Travel Journalist roles and responsibilities, offering exposure to writing, photography, and content creation in the travel domain. These experiences not only hone skills but also provide insights into the dynamic world of travel journalism, preparing individuals for the multifaceted demands of the profession.

The final step in becoming a Travel Journalist in India is to embark on your career journey. Leverage your education, skills, and experiences gained through internships to secure opportunities with reputable publications, travel agencies, or freelance projects. Establish a strong online presence, network within the industry, and consistently showcase your travel journalism portfolio to carve a successful path in this dynamic and rewarding field.

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Travel Journalist?

• Communication skills
• Research skills
• Writing skills

In, in this article, we will discuss how to become a travel journalist and skills are required by travel journalist.

Communication skill : A Travel Journalist must have good communication skills. Workplace contact is important for Travel Journalist because it allows them to be successful and operate properly. They need to communicate with people for their resources and to take people's reaction. They even take interviews with well-known people, for these communications skills are very important.

Writing skills : Travel Journalist needs to be skilled at communicating clear ideas and thoughts. Most journalists will start writing before the start of their work. It is not just about good writing, but also about building knowledge of various writing styles. Travel Journalist writes about the information which they have collected from various places. 

Research skills : Research skills for journalists is a comprehensive, approachable and highly functional guide to the development of a diverse set of skills necessary to make well-researched, journalistic integrity across a wide variety of platforms. Travel Journalists are expected to be highly dedicated to any article. To know the news, to look in the right places, to find the story, to analyse the narrative and, finally, to tell the full story in an impartial, uncompromised and accurate way. 

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Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Travel Journalist?

We have mentioned below certifications that individuals may opt who want to establish a career as a Travel Journalist.

Certified News Editor

Certified Online Journalist

Certified Technical Writer

Internship Availability

Internships are proven to be the ideal way to gain experience in a travel journalist career path. Internships allow the candidate to build relationships in the field for future use. If he or she performs well throughout the internship, a lot of companies or organisations also might recruit a candidate on a full-time basis. This is such a field, where internship really adds a value to the candidate’s career. Candidates can find internship opportunities in media houses for two or three months. Mostly travel journalism internships are unpaid, but eventually, those companies hire those interns after the

Career Path Progression for Travel Journalist

Staff Travel Journalist:  As a Staff Travel Journalist, you will immerse yourself in researching, writing, and crafting engaging narratives about diverse travel destinations. Your role involves capturing the essence of places, sharing unique experiences, and contributing compelling content to a media outlet or travel publication.

Travel Editor: As a Travel Editor, you will lead and manage the travel content for a publication or website. This role requires a keen editorial eye, overseeing the curation, editing, and publication of articles. Your responsibility is to maintain the publication's quality standards and ensure that each piece resonates with the target audience.

Travel Journalist Jobs and Salaries

Staff travel journalist.

Contractual/Permanent

• Average Salary 25000

Job Description

Staff Travel Journalist work is very basic in the field of journalism. They will be responsible for researching, writing, and producing engaging content on various travel destinations. Collaborate with editors and photographers to create compelling narratives that captivate readers and convey the essence of each location.

Salary Description

Salaries in this career largely depend on the company and the role that an individual occupies. At the beginning of their career, they get get basic pay. And eventually, they earn more than Rs. 25000 per month.

Travel Editor

• Average Salary 50000

As a Travel Editor, your role involves overseeing and managing travel content for a publication. You will be responsible for editing and curating articles, collaborating with writers, and shaping the overall travel narrative to ensure it aligns with the publication's voice and editorial guidelines. This position requires a keen eye for detail, strong editing skills, and a passion for creating compelling travel stories.

The salaries of Travel editor depend on career growth or rely entirely on the experience of the particular field. The salary of Travel editor depends mainly on experience. The Travel Editor receive on average up to Rs. six lakhs a year.  Source - (GLASSDOOR)

What is the job outlook for Travel Journalist?

A candidate who wants to become a travel journalist is experiencing major job growth. When an individual gains experience and understanding, he or she gets higher ranks in the field of journalism. Because the field is massive and continues to expand, there are plenty of possibilities for employment growth. The life of a travel journalist could be exhausting and somewhat expensive, but somebody who wants to explore the whole world will consider it a most satisfying adventure. 

Travel Journalism does not assure a huge amount of money, especially in the early stages of the career, and people can not expect a lot of salaries as there will be thousands of people out there who can do the unpaid work. There is also no stability both in the income and the job. But definitely, it can be said that this job is for those who do not want monotony in their career.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Travel Journalist

Que. is travel journalism a good career.

Travel Journalism does not ensure a great deal of money, especially in the early stages of your career, and you can not just expect a huge amount of money as there will be millions of people out there who can do your work for free.

Que. Is journalism a dying field?

Journalism is certainly not dying, but it is changing and competitive. You need to be excellent at editing your multimedia content. We might think that print media is dying because of the digital era, but no media is actually dying.

Que. Is journalism a stressful job?

Journalists have to deal with time constraints, stressful working environments, insane deadlines, travel, demanding editorial staff, a much more demanding public, and anxiety of being laid off. By all of these, you can surely understand it is a stressful job, but if you have the passion of being a journalist nothing can stop you.

Que. Is it difficult to become a journalist?

Working as a reporter could be an exciting and challenging job. However, it can also be difficult work that often leads to unpleasant stories and constructive criticism, and not pays well compared to other professions.

Que. What do travel journalists write about?

Travel journalists have their own individual knowledge and expertise to define tourist attractions for different kinds of publications. Such writings may be in the type of blurbs, articles, documentaries or travel guides. They usually accompany their writings with photos of the destinations they visit.

Que. What degree do you need to be a travel journalist?

To become a travel journalist, a degree in journalism, communication, or a related field is beneficial, providing a solid foundation in writing and storytelling.

Que. Which course is best for travel journalism?

The best courses for travel journalism often include elements of journalism, multimedia storytelling, and travel writing to equip aspiring journalists with the necessary skills for the field.

Que. What skills do you need for travel journalism?

Essential skills for travel journalism include strong writing abilities, photography skills, cultural sensitivity, and a passion for exploration, enabling journalists to capture and convey compelling stories about diverse destinations.

Que. How to become a travel journalist for the National Geographic?

To become a travel journalist for National Geographic, consider gaining relevant experience through internships or freelance work, build a diverse portfolio showcasing your writing and photography skills, and network within the industry to increase visibility and opportunities with the renowned publication.

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Questions related to Travel Journalist

I want to study travel journalism in particular and this year i was supposed to appear for my 12th boards, which got cancelled. i want to know which courses of journalism shall i take to become a travel journalist, which subjects shall i study and which colleges would be the best to study..

Hello Aspirant,

Courses to opt to become a travel journalist are as follows:

• B.J. (Bachelor of Journalism)
• B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) Journalism
• B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media)
• B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication
• B.A. in Journalism and Mass Media
• B.A. in Journalism and Communication Studies to be a journalist

Best Colleges you can go for:

• Asian College of Journalism
• Indian Institute of Mass Communication
• Xavier's Institute of Communication
• Symbiosis International University
• Delhi University
• GGS IP University
• Amity University
• Jamia Millia Islamia.

For more information about the course, check this link mentioned below: https://www.careers360.com/careers/travel-journalist

Hope this information helps you!

All the best!

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What no one ever tells you about being a travel writer

What do you think of when someone says they are a travel writer?

Jet-setting business class around the world to stay in luxurious hotels and eating feasts prepared by Michelin-stared chefs?

I won’t lie; this is not unheard of (and I have definitely had more than my fair share of travel at the pointy end of a plane).

But more often than not, the life of a travel writer is much more complex than it appears.

I know lots of you are travel writers or aspiring travel journalists, so let’s go behind the scenes.

Here’s an insight into what it’s really like to be a travel writer and what you need to know to land jobs as a travel writer.

Freelance travel journalism – what you don’t get told

I’d often come back from trips to questions and comments from friends and family such as:

“How was your holiday?” or “You have the best job in the world” or “Travel writing is such a sweet gig.”

And yes, at times it does feel like a sweet gig and the best job in the world, but there’s a lot more to it than that.

It’s definitely no holiday.

As a fairly new travel writer, I was struck by how little time I spent travelling and how much time I dedicated to building relationships , pitching , and planning.

So what is the life of a travel writer really like?

Pre-pandemic, I asked travel journalists from all over the globe to tell me what goes on behind the scenes of being a travel writer.

I wanted them to share their insights into a side of travel writing that isn’t always spoken about.

And as the world begins to open up again, I think it’s a perfect time to revisit what it’s really like to be a travel writer.

There is a black list (this is how to stay off it)

For Bonnie van Dorp , it’s important to recognise that travel writers get afforded privileges others do not.

“My biggest advice to those lucky to be invited on famils and international press trips is to stay humble, be grateful and never assume that you have the right to be there,” she says.

“Although PRs will never admit it willingly, black lists do exist, so treat others the way you want to be treated and count your blessings everyday.”

Travel writer Jac Taylor says she has seen plenty of “jaded, too-cool-to-be-impressed travel writers”.

But in Jac’s experience, enthusiastic, appreciative and engaged travel writers generally fill the places of the best journo trips because they’re the writers that return invitations.

“I was recently invited back to a destination not because my coverage is the best, but because they could see how excited I was to be in their country, videoing and photographing like a crazy person last time I was there,” she says.

Writing on the road doesn’t always work

Freelance travel writer Briar Jensen says it can be easy to underestimate the time you actually need to sit at your computer and write.

“It may be different for nomadic travellers who are on the road all the time, but for me I don’t write stories on the road,” she says.

“I want to maximise my time absorbing the destination, so I need to allow time at home to craft the stories, which can be difficult if you have multiple trips coming up.”

“You often don’t get to write the stories from one trip before you are off again, so it can be months after a trip that you actually write about it.”

“And in the meantime you may have been to several other destinations, so, making detailed notes when I travel is important. This means I can invoke the feeling of a destination again by reading my notes and looking at my photographs.”

The money isn’t the most important thing (and thank goodness, because often there’s not much of it)

I’ve noticed that since I started focusing more on travel writing, my income from feature writing has taken a serious dip.

Many publications pay once your article is published, not when you submit it or the editor accepts it.

“It can be a very long time between going on a trip and when the story is published, and consequently, when you are paid,” says Briar. “Many travel writers will have examples of up to two years (or more!).”

Travel writing can “seem like a time-sucking burden”

Press trips (often called fam trips or famils) are one way travel writers get to visit destinations.

While these are common, freelance travel and health journalist Yasmin Noone says you don’t just have to do organised famils.

“You can organise your own to fit in with your life and responsibilities – but it takes work and determination to do it that way,” she says.  

Pulling together your own trip can be incredibly time consuming though.

“Researching the destination, working out what angles you want and who best to meet and talk to achieve that, then negotiating with the destination PRs and perhaps airlines takes time,” says Briar.

“It can be fun if you have plenty of time, but when you need to be writing stories it can seem like a time-sucking burden.”

Think you just need to be able to travel and write to be a travel writer? Think again.

“You need to be able to balance lots of balls,” says Briar.

“This includes researching destinations and markets, travelling, writing, photography, social media for both the destination and your work, blogging, self-promotion, keeping abreast of travel trends and what’s been published, networking and upskilling and be ready to travel if a last minute trip comes up.”  

You’ll be hearing from me (or not)

“As with any freelancing, lack of response or timely response form editors when you are trying to pitch a trip idea can be extremely frustrating, as these days PRs need a confirmed commission before they will send you,” says Briar.

According to Briar, this has changed in recent years.

Years ago, Briar says, PRs would send writers on a trip and trust that they would pitch stories on their return.

“In fact they probably got more stories from a trip then, as we had multiple angles to pitch once we’d done the trip, as you often come up with different angles while you are in the destination,” she says.

Jac Taylor adds that the stakes are high with travel writing. “To be a travel writer, you need to be tough enough to only be as good as your last article every single time ,” she says, “even with editors you’ve worked with for years.”

Get rich. In experiences.

“Travel writers don’t get anywhere near as well paid as people might expect,” says Briar.

“But the opportunities we get are extraordinary, and we are so privileged to travel so widely.”

Anne Lowrey from Part-Time Traveler says she gets a lot of questions about how she makes travel writing work financially, especially as she lives in San Francisco – one of the most expensive cities in the United States.

“I tell my family that I’m “rich in experiences,” which is true — but at the end of the day, most of the perks of travel writing are just that — trips and experiences,” she says.

“It is much more difficult to get paid actual money (you know, the kind you need for bills) particularly with so many other writers willing to accept free or low paid assignments in exchange for these perks.”

The unglamorous side of travel writing helps make ends meet

“To help with cash flow, be prepared to take on less-glamorous assignments, like updating guidebooks or similar,” says Briar.

 Anne agrees saying, “The reality is that I end up doing a lot of unglamorous travel writing, whether that’s content marketing or copywriting for travel companies, to make ends meet — and I’m okay with that. I’m home behind my computer writing for clients a lot, as opposed to the perception that I’m gallivanting the globe and purely sharing the personal stories I yearn to write.”

The bulk of Elen Turner’s work at the moment is copywriting and content marketing.  “This isn’t necessarily what a lot of beginner travel writers think of when they think of travel writing,” she says, “they more think of the glamorous world of flying around and always being on the go.”

 But Elen specialises in content about Nepal and produces lots of articles and blog posts about the country in general.

“This is ideal because it requires a very broad and detailed knowledge of the country, but doesn’t necessarily require my intimate knowledge of the newly opened restaurants,” she says.

 In terms of her copywriting work, Elen has clients who require general knowledge about travel destinations, and “a lot of travel common sense” where she draws on her past travels.

Elen’s advice for new travel writers is that “you actually don’t need to be constantly travelling to make a successful career out of travel writing. But you do need to have done plenty in the past, or live somewhere worth writing about (which is most places, I’m sure).”

[Diversification is so important as a freelance writer – read about how 5 freelancers make money by diversifying their business]  

Travel writing is not a 9 – 5pm job

“If I had a French Pacific Franc for every time I’ve heard ‘you’re a travel writer – that’s gotta be the best job in the world!” I’d be hunkered down on a luxury yacht in Tahiti with a chilled mojito and a hot man winding my winches,” says Fiona Harper .

“Instead, I’m at my desk seven days a week tapping out stories, editing photos, chasing invoices, marketing my ‘brand’ and pitching, pitching, pitching to ensure there’s another assignment/commission/paid gig on the horizon.”

“That’s when I’m not on the road which usually involves multiple flights, often over multiple days, pre-dawn wake up calls (to capture the best photos) followed by a full day of touring, meeting, interviewing and taking notes that usually ends sometime around 8pm on a good day.”

Fiona acknowledges that yes, cocktails and wonderful food are usually involved, but that’s not the reason why she loves what she does.

“I love being a travel writer because I enjoy the challenge, the freedom, the independence, the creativity and the truly amazing opportunities that land at my feet simply because I have the ability to line up some words that will hopefully inspire others to follow in my footsteps,” she says.

The things non-travel writers don’t see

Jennifer Johnston has channelled her energy into becoming a travel writer later in her working life.

“My friends think I’m setting myself up for my twilight years in a role that is all about luxury and decadence,” she says. “They see the stories and the Instagram images.”

But Jennifer says her friends don’t see:

The nervous pitches sent out to editors – will they like it, will I hear from them, will they commission me?

The self-doubt and constant questioning around your ability to deliver to the editor’s standards

The long hours in her home office

Becoming a night owl as emails and interviews are done with people on a different time zone, half way around the world.

“Much like a politician and the never-ending meet and greet of constituents, a travel writer has to talk, interview, converse and engage with as many people as possible on a trip to gather the quotes and information that colour a story,” Jennifer says.

“Even when you’d prefer to blend silently in the background, you can’t, you need to be present, alert, taking everything in, and making notes.”

Showing up – all the time

Many of the writers I spoke to commented that while press trips are wonderful, they are often exhausting.

Jennifer says: “When you want to switch off and relax at night time because you have been on the go since 5am, you still must attend that dinner on a press trip.

There is a moment where you can run into your decadent hotel room for a quick shower and change.

But before dinner, you know to keep your hosts (and PRs) happy you should post that Insta story, which means gathering facts and editing photos to present the highlights of your destination.”

Veteran travel writer Kerry Heaney says that most people wouldn’t realise travel writers fit three times the activities they would do into every day.

“It means we get great stories and see a tremendous amount but it’s sometimes exhausting,” she says.

“We can do this because there’s usually someone in the background doing a great job organising everything to showcase their region.

It also means we rarely have time to just soak it in and often the experiences are shortened. For example, who would go on a half-day boat trip when they are catching a plane that afternoon? Most people would just relax by the pool and pack at leisure.”

Digital influencer Kerri McConnel from www.beerandcroissants.com agrees.

Kerri treats every trip as though it’s her first, and works incredibly hard to ensure a high return on investment from brands, destinations and experiences that host her.

When you read what Kerri does on a trip, it’s hard not to feel exhausted.

“I am currently on a famil with a solid itinerary, where we are covering many brands at once,” she says.

“Our days are very full and most evenings have finished around 11pm. This isn’t because we’ve been kicking back having a few drinks either.

Many dinners have been hosted by senior management of the respective brands.

They are pure business. All day we are listening, taking notes and thinking about the angle for our stories and what questions we need to have answered in order to do so. Then there’s the photos and videos.”

“As someone who writes for my own website, there’s so much more to do than just my articles,” says Kerri.

“I spend all day taking hundreds of photos and capturing so many moments on video. I have to take all of this in many different formats depending on what I might need them for (website, Instagram, Facebook etc).

A video for Instagram stories must be shot vertically and only for 15 seconds whilst clips for a YouTube,FB and website video must be shot horizontally.”

“This normally means I take two videos for every scene.

It’s a constant switching process and I only have one set of hands.

I use normal DSLRs, iPhones, a drone, GoPro and have gimbals and selfie sticks to assist with it all. At night when the official duties are finished I then need to download and categorise the images and video to ensure that if I have an equipment failure I don’t lose my content.

Then there’s the curating and post-processing.

A two minute video can take me two days to edit and produce.

If we get a moment during the day (e.g. travelling between venues) then you’ll find me on the phone posting Instagram stories or Facebook posts or just generally trying to get some traction with social media.

This doesn’t entail putting just any photo up. I need to think carefully about what image might draw the most engagement, caption it, tag it and so on.”

It can get lonely

Freelance writer Danielle Norton says travel writing can mean experiencing amazing things by yourself.

“Recently I spent the weekend at a five star boutique hotel,” she says.

“The room was so incredibly luxurious and the restaurant had a brilliant new chef who showered me with extra dishes of exquisite quality.

Each course of the meal was matched with award winning wine.

I sat alone in a restaurant filled with romantic couples and families celebrating special events and wished that I had one of my special people to share the experience with.”

Danielle has seen the sun set over the Indian Ocean in Sri Lanka, hiked the track around Uluru, snorkeled the crystal clear reefs in the Solomon Islands, visited war museums in Cambodia, discovered Gaudi’s artworks in Barcelona, seen shows on Broadway and trekked in the jungles of Thailand.

“All alone,” she says. “Mostly, I feel grateful to have the opportunity to travel the world and share my stories. It is liberating and exciting. But, every so often, I wish I could bring a friend or partner along to share the special moments.”

Travel writing can cost you money

Before I became a travel writer, one thing I hadn’t given much thought to was having to pay for incidentals.

I knew that while I was away on a trip I wouldn’t be able to get that much work done, but I didn’t necessarily anticipate that travel writing might cost me money.

When I travelled to India for work (hosted by the tour company), I had to pay for tips for drivers, tour guides, serving staff and so on (which totalled around $80), a visa (again, around $80), car parking at the airport, immunisations, travel insurance, malaria medication and so on.

I don’t mind paying, but I do think that these are some of the hidden costs of travel writing, and something that isn’t widely spoken about.

Making connections is important

Nancy from Luxe Travel Family says she has discovered that there’s much more to travel writing than just travel and writing.

“One of these is attending travel industry conferences like World Travel Market where I meet with destination marketing organisations, network with travel media, and participate in professional development sessions,” she says.

“While conference travel can be expensive, I’ve found it to be an excellent investment. The personal connections I’ve made over the years have been invaluable to my travel writing career.”

There are unique ways to get personalised press trips

  “You can also work with tour companies on an ongoing basis and get personalised fams that way,” says Elen.

“I edit one travel magazine and website, and as well as getting paid, the company have sent me to stay at their hotel partners in exchange for copy and blog posts, as well as treks and other tours.

It has been Awesome with a capital A. This arrangement isn’t strictly the same as what most people consider a fam/press trip arrangement to be because I don’t really pitch the outcome of those trips to other publications (I’ve used bits and pieces in roundups and what not), but I use the experience to write articles and web copy for the company itself.”

Travel writing is not egalitarian

It’s also important to make the point that travel writing as a profession is not necessarily open to everyone in the same way.

“I’ve heard Filipino travel bloggers talk on a panel about how they have to focus on their own country because their visa requests for other places are frequently denied,” Elen says.

“Having a Nepali husband, I know how prohibitively hard it is to travel on anything but a strong Western passport. Even for me, now living in New Zealand, I find that the industry is not only US dominated, which is pretty inevitable, but that my access to the world about which I could write as a travel writer is very limited by cost and distance. So, whether we like it or not, travel writing as a profession is elitist.”

Wondering about the best way to break into travel writing? I wrote this post to help!

Before the pandemic, I regularly received offers of press trips and famils.

And now, these offers are starting to trickle back in.

Travel writing has been incredible for me, but it has been a steep learning curve.

I’m so grateful to all the writers who contributed to this post – thank you!

  Are you a travel writer or an aspiring travel journalist? What would you add to this list?

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Police: Impaired Lynnwood driver fatally ran over baby

The child, age 1, was hit in a driveway. A judge set bail at $500,000 for the driver, 45, accused of vehicular homicide while under the influence.

Everett man arrested for smuggling immigrants in freight trains

Federal authorities arrested two men on charges of smuggling people across the U.S.-Canadian border, then harboring them in Everett hotels.

Whooping cough having an ‘epidemic year,’ Snohomish County doctor warns

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After lockout, firefighter union approves Boeing’s latest contract offer

With a contract ratified, Boeing’s firefighters said they’ll get “fair pay for their critical work.” They’ll return to work this week.

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Boeing pays record $11.5M in wages wrongly withheld from WA workers

Nearly 500 Boeing employees received a combined $11.5 million in wrongfully withheld travel pay, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries announced Thursday.

The settlement marks the largest amount of back pay returned to workers in the agency’s history, vastly eclipsing the previous record of $2 million restored to employees of two rental car companies in 2017.

The last individual payouts to the Boeing workers were made March 24, and ranged from a few hundred dollars to more than $90,000. Employees who were shorted wages belong to Boeing’s Aircraft on Ground traveling work teams of technical experts who help return grounded planes to service. The payments stemmed from uncompensated travel that was required for work between October 2019 and August 2023.

“This is a positive development for our members,” Jon Holden, president of the Machinists union, District 751, that represents the affected employees, said through a spokesperson.

A 2021 Washington Court of Appeals ruling affirmed workers in the state must be compensated for out-of-town business travel. The appeals court ruling held that eligible employees must be paid for all out-of-town, business-related travel time, which had long been the policy of the Washington Department of Labor & Industries.

Under both that policy and the appellate ruling, out-of-town travel time for work must be paid if it meets three criteria: an employee being authorized or required by the employer to be at the destination, if the employee is on duty and the work takes place at a prescribed location.

The legal test that set that precedent, Port of Tacoma v. Sacks, involved travel to China by Port of Tacoma employees. The port paid them for eight hours a day, ignoring the time spent traveling to the work assignment. The court ruled that the employees were entitled to compensation for their travel time as well.

The ruling underscored that all travel time related to work is considered work time under Washington law, which differs from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act that excludes compensation for certain aspects of travel time, according to a compliance agreement between the Department of Labor & Industries and Boeing.

The department found that Boeing had not paid or accounted for all overtime and for paid sick leave associated with workers’ time spent going to out-of-town worksites.

“The workers’ time was in their employer’s hands, from when they [are] required to be in the hotel lobby to being transported to an aircraft hangar — and that’s time that must be paid,” Brian Templeton, manager of L&I’s Employment Standards program responsible for wage complaints.

In response to the precedent-setting Court of Appeals ruling in 2021, Boeing reviewed its travel pay policies, revised them to comply with the decision and then began issuing some corrective payments to employees, according to the compliance agreement.

After payments began, some Boeing employees filed complaints with L&I seeking unpaid travel wages. Some overstated what they were owed, and others understated the amount they were due. Boeing officials worked with L&I’s Proactive Investigations and Enforcement Unit, which was formed in 2018 to respond to precisely this type of case — complex matters involving large numbers of workers — to verify and correct travel payments to all employees who were due them.

“As Washington has clarified the state’s travel pay policies in the past several years, we also aligned our pay practices to reflect those requirements,” Boeing spokesman Connor Greenwood said in a written statement. “We also went a step further and provided back pay for eligible employees in 2021 and more recently provided back pay earlier this year for another group of employees that did not originally record all of their travel time. We are pleased the state has agreed to close an audit into Boeing pay practices.”

Labor & Industries alleges that Boeing violated Washington law failing to treat out-of-town travel as hours worked, failing to pay time and a half for overtime when workers exceeded 40 hours worked in a week and failing to accrue employee hours toward paid sick leave. The department did not deem Boeing’s violations to be willful. L&I released Boeing from the employee claims related to withheld travel pay as part of the compliance agreement.

Boeing took steps to avoid similar errors in the future, according to L&I. The company developed a new process for employees to submit travel-related time aimed at ensuring proper payment. The company also pledged to consult with L&I when future questions about what constitutes hours worked, should any arise. And Boeing agreed not to retaliate against employees who report they’ve been denied wages, which already is illegal under Washington law.

Local stroke survivor urges others to learn signs of stroke

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, 65-year-old Spokane resident Gary Mortlock woke up in the middle of the night,

Tourism CEOs: The Link Between Pay and Performance

Dawit Habtemariam , Skift

May 30th, 2024 at 10:58 AM EDT

CEOs at destination marketing organizations are compensated based on the economic impact they have. Independent research is needed.

Dawit Habtemariam

Skift recently reviewed the pay for more than two dozen top bosses at U.S. destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and results varied widely: From less than $200,000 a year to more than $1.5 million — 14 made more than a half-million dollars in 2022, the most recent data available. 

But determining a DMO’s value isn’t clear-cut. One issue is that it’s difficult to assess how much credit a DMO should take for tourism. After all, there are several reasons a tourist may visit that have nothing to do with marketing. 

It’s even harder to attribute results to the CEO. 

“A core part of the job is to promote the destination, but I think that the question then is how much of the success is attributable to that particular CEO,” said Michele McKenzie, former CEO of Destination Canada. “I would be a bit wary of directly attributing a full economic impact to one person.”

As part of a CEO’s compensation review, a DMO’s board of directors considers a range of metrics, according to Mike Gamble, president of SearchWide Global, an executive recruiting firm. 

For example, did the DMO’s marketing efforts lead to higher visitor spending, convention bookings, and higher hotel occupancy rates? Those are factors that drive critical tax revenues for a local economy.

Visit Florida’s Return on Investment

Florida’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research released a review in March and estimated, for every dollar the state invested in Visit Florida between 2019 and 2022, it received just 58 cents in return. 

That’s a low return on investment, but the researchers said Covid was to blame and that Visit Florida has typically returned much more. 

“They are absolutely the three worst Covid-impacted years to be measured against what happened in that period,” said Amy Baker, chief economist for the state legislature and coordinator for the agency.

The researchers expect the return on investment to climb to $3.30, in line with past levels, said Baker. In its analysis for the 2016-2019 cycle, Visit Florida had an estimated ROI of $3.27.

“If you’re thinking about the program going forward, we fully expect that they’re going to be back at the levels we’ve seen in the past,” said Baker, adding that those levels make it “among the top programs of the state.”

The state government invested $146 million in Visit Florida in the 2019-2022 cycle. Visit Florida CEO and President Dana Young made $214,876 in 2022. The state limits the amount of CEO compensation that can come from government funds to $120,000.  

Brand USA’s Impact

Brand USA, America’s destination marketing organization, has shown varied results from its marketing: a return of $34.36 for every $1 spent in 2013 to as low as $1.05 in 2021 during the Covid pandemic, according to a report in November 2023 by the Congressional Research Service . 

But the CRS report notes that Brand USA commissioned the firm that did the ROI analysis and cites a 2014 Skift article that questioned Brand USA’s findings. 

One 2019 academic study cited by CRS found Brand USA’s advertising has had “little effect on inbound international travel to the U.S.” once economic factors like exchange rates were taken into account. 

“The organization presents a picture of success to sustain funding given that, when adding social, economic, and other controls for the nations targeted, their marketing efforts abroad do not work well,” the study said. 

“It’s a challenge to tap into those psychological reasons of why people want to visit,” said Staci M. Zavattaro, co-author of the study and professor of public administration at the University of Central Florida, told Skift.

“Considering these factors, Congress may be interested in authorizing a neutral, third-party evaluation of Brand USA,” the CRS report said.

Brand USA’s ROI analysis was completed by Tourism Economics, a research firm and subsidiary of Oxford Economics.  Tourism Economics President Adam Sacks said its ROI studies isolate external factors that will influence tourism to accurately capture Brand USA’s impact.

“We include those in the model as offsetting effects. Because one of the control factors is how is the U.S. performing relative to expectations based on exchange rates, economic performance, and that overall outbound market as it — as it ebbs and flows,” he said.

Sacks added that Tourism Economics’ study goes deeper than other studies thanks to its access to data. The study, for example, uses mobile device location data to determine how many travelers visited the U.S. after they saw a Brand USA digital advertisement, he said. 

“Tourism Economics is widely respected as a trusted source of information, data, and analytics related to the travel and tourism industry. In fact, Adam Sacks, Tourism Economics president, also serves on the [U.S. Secretary of Commerce’s] Travel and Tourism Advisory Board,” said a Brand USA spokesperson.

Tourism boards have an easier time measuring the impact from meetings, conventions, and large events, according to Don Welsh, CEO and president of Destinations International. Events have a scheduled start and end date, and group-room bookings. DMOs know how many attendees came who wouldn’t have otherwise visited. 

“The easiest thing to measure for the most part are meetings and events,” said Welsh. 

Board Members Support the CEOs 

Some DMO board members credit their destination’s success to the CEO.

“Atlanta is doing extremely well, and I credit that to the leadership that has a fantastic team that is at the Greater Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau,” said Leona Barr-Davenport, a board member for Atlanta’s convention bureau and president and CEO of Atlanta Business League.

Tourism board CEOs can open up new markets through creative campaigns, said Travis Wilburn, a former board member of Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau and co-founder of the 100 Collection , a vacation-rental company.

“Some of the tourism is going to come no matter what,” said Wilburn. “You can look at the individual success of the individual campaigns that they [the CEO] have created and/or worked on.”

Tourism board CEOs entice meeting planners to come to pick their destination for conventions and events, both of which bring large groups of business to hotels and downtown businesses.

“They are hugely important. That’s the only organization that can talk collectively with meeting planners,” said Vijay Dandapani, a member of NYC Tourism’s board of directors and CEO and president of the Hotel Association of New York City.

According to Welsh, CEOs have to defend their budgets, room night goals, estimated convention sales, and expected economic impact in front of their boards of directors.

“I’m not exaggerating, in many cities it’s a good 30-60 day discussion before you arrive at that number, both at a budget and a goal standpoint,” he said.

Welsh said executives are heavily scrutinized by their boards.

“Every destination organization has an annual business plan that is approved by their board of directors,” he said. 

It’s Tough to Evaluate Economic Impact Objectively 

But some boards of directors and their compensation committees may not be in the best position to evaluate performance. 

Independent research is limited. And a lot of economic analysis doesn’t take into account alternative places tax dollars could have gone, including other projects or government programs.

Many boards are dominated by tourism and hotel industry veterans and local businesses, and their members serve on a non-paid, voluntary basis.

“The people there, they’ve been there for a few years. They’re usually friends with the CEO,” said McKenzie. 

McKenzie said having someone not hired by management to evaluate impact is key to transparency and ensuring that CEOs are paid what they are actually worth.

Still, McKenzie said you can’t paint with a broad brush.

“Some of these CEOs are probably underpaid, some of them are probably overpaid,” she said.

U.S. Tourism CEOs Get Paid

Today’s podcast looks at tourism CEO pay, Spirit Air’s industry complaints, and Expedia’s tech outage.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: brand usa , ceo pay , destination marketing , tourism , tourism marketing

Photo credit: Times Square, New York City. Nelson Ndongala / Unsplash

Here’s What to Do With Your Pocket Bullet Journal

• May 31, 2024

A Pocket Bullet Journal is a compact version of the Notebook , our traditional A5 Bullet Journal, that you can, as the name implies, slip into your pocket. Because of its size, it’s a portable alternative to the traditional Bullet Journal notebook that’s perfect for taking notes and sketching on the go. 

That’s why we recently released the Pocket , an A6 version of our Notebook that’s designed to be travel-sized and pocket-friendly while still having the functionality of a full-sized Notebook.

In case you haven’t heard of the Pocket yet, here’s a quick look:

• Bundle of 3 with sticker set
• Size: 10.5cm x 14.4cm
• 46 numbered pages
• Smart-Dot grid
• Perforated design
• Portrait mode that lets you use it as an A5 page.

We’re happy to be able to say that the Pocket was innovative enough to earn an award for Journal/Notebook of the Year during the Stationery Awards 2024 . But as with every product that’s new and innovative, the big hurdle after creating it is selling people on the idea. How do you warm a community that’s used to A5 to the idea of using the Pocket ? Better yet, why use a Pocket in the first place? What difference does it make? Should it be your main Bujo or a sidekick? 

We've been thrilled to see the community's excitement and enthusiasm for the new Bujo Pocket notebook . It's not just a notebook; it's a tool for creativity, innovation, and organization. This handy little notebook is proving to be a catalyst for some truly innovative ideas. Our community members experimented with it in ways we never could have predicted.

Scroll down to see the multitude of ways the Pocket is being used. Let these innovative ideas spark your imagination and encourage you to explore new ways to use your Pocket notebook . We’ve been so inspired by your creativity and ingenuity.

Pocket Bullet Journal Ideas to Try Out

The pocket as a travel journal.

“I live in the UK but my daughter is currently in Spain and so I've recently had a few short trips to Spain to see her.  Being that these trips tend to only be two or three days in duration and due to my reluctance to pay for luggage in the hold (you may be picking up on a pattern here!) The Pocket is an ideal travel companion.  I did an initial spread to put all the essential information I needed for a recent trip on one page and, even though the same information is available on my phone,  it proved very useful. ” – Christopher

The Pocket for working through feelings

“I'm using the Pocket BuJo to catalog frameworks and prompts that nourish my emotional well-being. I used to use sticky notes since migrating collections every few months was too much work. Now I can keep these coping tools in one place, and even have it on-the-go to re-center my emotional state whenever needed.” – Sakuraco B. ( @sakuraco1989 )

The Pocket in Portrait Mode

“There are two things I love about the Pocket that provide a different experience than the traditional A5 bullet journal. First, the low profile allows for seamless transition from my trackpad to notebook. I tried to capture this in the picture. It is due to the portrait mode and thinness of the notebook. Like Ryder says, I have the same space as an A5 page.

Second, I love how the “tip out” works in the portrait mode. I’m working this month on integrating the Bullet Journal 3.0 into my practice and the reminder in the tip out helps me to focus. The position at the top provides a different experience than when I did this in a regular A5 notebook, which was on the right or left side. With the tip out on the top my eye is able to keep it in view wherever I am on the page. When the tip out was at the side of my regular A5 notebook, I could overlook for ignore it.” - Karen Colum

“I have started to use my Baby BuJo -as I call her - to practice daily logging incorporating the new mood bullet along with the existing ones. I am really doubling down on the amount of rapid logging I do. This way I get much more thoughts (and feelings) onto paper during the full day, not just at my desk, and my reflections make much more sense now. ” - Saskia ( ja, wol )

The Pocket for Emergencies

“After 7 years, the Pocket notebooks were the missing link for taking the most important information from journal to journal and everywhere I go. In case of an emergency, this important information (like my medications and allergies)  could save my life.“ - Madlen Peilke ( @millaine_xseitenseele )

The Pocket as a Master Index

“ After 7 years of Bujo and 21 notebooks, I needed a place to compile all my indexes. Here enters the Pocket notebook! I have 2 master indexes: one for a chronological index, another for a thematic index, so I always know where to find my oldest information and collections.” – Marielle D. (@fortuna_jaja )

Should I try a Pocket Bullet Journal?

Absolutely! A Pocket Bullet Journal can be an excellent tool for travel journaling, keeping a master list of all of your existing journals, or just drawing while you’re chilling at a park. Because of its compact size, it’s a great alternative to carrying around a full-sized A5 Bullet Journal (though we still love The Notebook!).

What does the Pocket Bullet Journal offer that the Notebook doesn’t?

While the Pocket has less space, it offers more portability and visibility. It’s easy to forget your Bullet Journal practice when that habit isn’t ingrained into your daily routine yet. If you’ve had trouble staying on top of Bullet Journaling with a full sized A5 Bujo, you might have a better experience with a Pocket . Because it’s small, you can keep it on you and that way, you’ll have a better chance of remembering to Bujo for the day!

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As rewards credit cards face regulation, what are the alternatives?

• Rewards credit cards are not for everyone.
• There are other ways to pay for travel, including debit cards, no-annual-fee credit cards and money transfer services.
• The government is concerned about rewards credit cards and is likely to regulate them soon.

Ronald Duben is ready to give up his credit card. He thinks there's something better out there – and there almost certainly is.

Duben has been dutifully shelling out $120 a year for his co-branded airline rewards card, which promises he'll get "free" flights if he spends enough money. It was a good deal at first. Once he collected about 60,000 points by late February, he could cash in his rewards for a flight to Asia.

Check out   Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

But when Duben tried to redeem his loyalty points for an economy class ticket to Japan recently, he was stunned that his airline more than tripled the miles he had to pay. Then it asked him for another $375 in taxes and fees on top of the 200,000 points. 

So much for "free."

Learn more: Best travel insurance

"I feel like I'm deeply involved in a rip-off," said Duben, a retired chef from San Rafael, California, "and I want to get out."

It turns out there is a way out.

Will new airline consumer protection rules help you when you fly this summer?

Tipping is 'not an entitlement': Should travelers stop tipping for everything?

Making a U-turn on rewards credit cards

Rewards credit cards – and especially those high-fee, high-interest mileage-earning credit cards – are not for everyone. You're probably just as likely to pay an absurdly high interest rate and add to that $1 trillion in credit card debt as you are to get a "free" airline ticket.

The government is concerned about these cards, too. Earlier this month, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)  issued a report on rewards cards that identified multiple problems with these payment systems. Consumers complained that rewards are often devalued or denied even after they meet program terms. And consumers who carry revolving balances often pay more in interest and fees than they get back on rewards.

The CFPB and the Department of Transportation also held a hearing on rewards credit cards , a likely precursor to regulating these programs. 

So if this is the beginning of the end for rewards credit cards, then what's next?

Here are the alternatives to rewards cards

Read a travel blog or newspaper travel section, or look at a travel Instagram account, and you might think the only way to travel is with one of those high-fee travel cards. But there are other ways to pay:

• A debit card : A debit card or bank card deducts money directly from your bank account. No need to worry about spending more than you have because it usually won't let you overdraw. "Debit cards are a straightforward option," said Shawn Plummer, a financial expert and frequent traveler. "They're widely accepted and eliminate the risk of accumulating debt because they only allow you to spend what you have." 

Many debit cards even have travel benefits such as no currency conversion fees, but there are limits: Car rental companies and hotels may not accept a debit card. 

• A no-annual-fee, low-interest-rate credit card : You shouldn't pay an annual fee for your credit card. And if you do a little research, you can find a card with less than a 10% annual interest rate. Hint: Check with a credit union. Many of these cards also have all the travel benefits you need, including coverage for car rentals and medical evacuations – and no currency exchange fees. 

By the way, if you do want to pay a membership fee, try joining one of the warehouse clubs like Sam's or Costco. Peter Hoagland, a consultant from Warrenton, Virginia, swears by his Costco Visa. He said it's a no-nonsense payment system with relatively reasonable fees. 

"I use the card everywhere," said Hoagland.

• Money transfer services : A service like Revolut or Wise will allow you to transfer money to a company or individual, completely bypassing the credit card network. These companies are on the bleeding edge of digital banking. I visited Wise's headquarters while I was in London recently and really loved its plan to remove "all the friction" between you and your money. That means eliminating a lot of the high fees you've been paying for years.

Andy Abramson, a communications consultant from Las Vegas, uses both and likes the speed of transfer and the favorable exchange rates when moving dollars to another currency. 

"They're both incredible," he said.

This type of vacation rental cancellation is on the rise. Are you next?

'Expensive in every way': What travelers should expect this summer

What is the future of payment systems for travelers?

Are rewards credit cards obsolete? Have they become bloated and inefficient, with their high swipe fees and exorbitant interest rates and empty promises of free tickets? Some industry watchers believe the answer is yes.

As an intermediate step, many travelers are switching to a debit card or a digital payment system. That allows them to lower their interest rates and make smarter decisions about their purchases instead of mindlessly spending money to accumulate points or giving all of their loyalty to one airline.

Financial experts see a better future just ahead. It's a place where digital peer-to-peer payment systems are used to transfer money at virtually no cost to you. In that future, cards are as antiquated as traveler's checks. All transactions happen on a phone with a tap and a biometric "OK." And loyalty programs have evolved into something more sophisticated than today's bait-and-switch cards that just make you spend more.

Will the government regulate rewards credit cards?

After this month's joint hearings with the CFPB and DOT, rewards credit cards are likely to be regulated soon. 

Even if regulators don't act, Congress could. A new bill called the Credit Card Competition Act could bring much-needed competition to credit cards. That would make rewards cards a little less generous and could bring some sobriety back to rewards programs.

It's about time. Rewards credit cards make promises they can't keep, bait you into spending more than you should, and ultimately reward only the airlines and credit card companies that issue trillions of often worthless points. The sooner we can find an alternative to reward credit cards, the better. The current system is completely unsustainable.

That's what Duben, the retired chef who wanted to go to Japan, did. He clicked on the United Airlines website and booked a regular ticket. He'll use his miles for another ticket and then close his rewards credit card for good.

Christopher Elliott  is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded  Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes  Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the  Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can  reach him here  or email him at  [email protected] .

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Norfolk Southern will pay $15 million fine as part of federal settlement over Ohio derailment

FILE - Debris from a Norfolk Southern freight train lies scattered and burning along the tracks on Feb. 4, 2023, the day after it derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. A federal judge has signed off Tuesday, May 21, 2024, on the $600 million class action settlement over last year’s disastrous Norfolk Southern derailment in eastern Ohio, but many people who live near East Palestine are still wondering how much they will end up with out of the deal. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

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The federal government agreed to a $15 million fine for Norfolk Southern over last year’s disastrous derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and the railroad promised to pay more than $500 million to complete the efforts to improve safety that it announced after the crash and address community health concerns.

Residents who had to evacuate their homes after the derailment were generally underwhelmed by the deal the Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department announced Thursday that doesn’t include any criminal charges. This federal settlement comes two days after a federal judge signed off on the railroad’s $600 million class action settlement with residents whose lives were disrupted.

In addition to the civil penalty, Norfolk Southern agreed to pay $235 million in past and future cleanup costs — on top of what they’ve already paid for cleanup — and set up a $25 million health care fund to pay for 20 years of medical exams in the community. The railroad will also pay about $30 million for long-term monitoring of drinking water, groundwater and surface water in the area. The agreement also says the railroad will pay $244 million for previously promised railroad improvements through 2025.

Many East Palestine residents feel this settlement doesn’t do nearly enough to a company that just reported a $527 million profit in the fourth quarter of last year and $53 million in the first quarter after the derailment costs. The railroad’s CEO received $13.4 million in total compensation last year.

“Honestly, no amount can ever make this right, but it should be at least enough to hurt them a little bit. I’m sure that’s not going to hurt their bottom line at all,” Jami Wallace said.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the fine is the largest allowed under the Clean Water Act, and the railroad agreed to continue paying all of the cleanup costs. Plus he said Norfolk Southern committed to meaningful safety improvements

“This settlement is historic in many ways and will begin to make up for some of the damage caused to the residents of East Palestine. And it would absolutely push the industry in the direction that we would like for the industry to go,” Regan said. “Again, if some of these provisions that we’ve secured and locked in had been in place, we may not even be where we are today. ”

But the railroad won’t face criminal charges, and this latest settlement won’t add anything to Norfolk Southern’s roughly $1.7 billion in total costs related to the derailment because the Atlanta-based company was already anticipating those costs.

Neither this federal settlement nor the class action settlement seem like enough to Krissy Ferguson.

“Slaps on the wrist. A $15 million fine? And I can never go back to my home again?” Ferguson said.

But resident Misti Allison said it is encouraging to see the investigations and lawsuits against the railroad start to wrap up, and the cleanup is expected to be done sometime later this year.

“I think this is a great step, but let’s continue to make sure the community is made whole,” Allison said.

Many in the small town near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border are eager to put the derailment behind them, but fears about the possibility of developing cancer down the road hang over residents. Allison said she wants to make sure health needs are addressed. But this federal settlement primarily includes only money for exams while the class action settlement includes money for health problems that developed over the past year. Neither deal addresses potential long-term health problems that might develop.

The safety improvements Norfolk Southern promised include adding about 200 more trackside detectors to spot overheating bearings. It has also promised to invest in more than a dozen advanced inspection portals that use an array of cameras to take hundreds of pictures of every passing railcar.

A bill in Congress that would require Norfolk Southern and the rest of the major freight railroads to make more significant changes has stalled , although the industry has promised to make improvements on its own.

Norfolk Southern officials said they believe the relatively small size of this settlement reflects how much the railroad has already done, including paying $780 million in cleanup costs and providing $107 million in aid to residents and the communities affected.

“We are pleased we were able to reach a timely resolution of these investigations that recognizes our comprehensive response to the community’s needs and our mission to be the gold standard of safety in the rail industry,” CEO Alan Shaw said. “We will continue keeping our promises and are invested in the community’s future for the long haul.”

After Thursday’s announcement, the only remaining federal investigation is the National Transportation Safety Board’s probe into the cause of the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment. That agency plans to announce its conclusions at a hearing in East Palestine on June 25 . Republicans in Congress have said they might be willing to look at rail safety reforms after that report.

Ferguson said it feels like Norfolk Southern is rushing to resolve things before the NTSB report comes out. U.S. Sen. JD Vance and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a joint statement that they think the government should have waited to settle.

“The residents of East Palestine deserve full compensation to account for the hardships they have faced in the months since the derailment, but they also deserve the full truth about why the derailment and vent and burn occurred,” the statement said. “With its decision to reach a settlement now, the DOJ may have sacrificed its opportunity to use the NTSB’s findings to impose maximum leverage on those responsible for any potential wrongdoing.”

The NTSB has said previously that the derailment was likely caused by an overheating bearing that wasn’t caught in time by the trackside detectors the railroad relies on to spot mechanical problems. The head of the NTSB also said that the five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride didn’t need to be blown open to prevent an explosion because they were actually starting to cool off even though the fire continued to burn around them.

The railroad is still working to resolve a lawsuit Ohio filed against it after the derailment.