How to Become a Travel Writer?

Many aspiring journalists would like to become travel writers. Thoughts of all those lovely press trips to exotic destinations is a huge attraction but often there is the perception that travel writing is somehow easier than ‘proper’ journalism. For example, you would need to know something about politics, science, health etc. if you are going to write articles on these subjects but when it comes to travel writing many people think it’s purely a matter of going on a trip, writing up your impressions, and then sending it off to the travel editor of a newspaper or magazine.

It’s not that easy. To be a successful travel writer you need to know a bit about the workings of journalism at large. Being a travel writer is not quite the same thing as being a tourist.

You need to know ahead of time what kind of publication you plan to write for and what point of view you are going to take. You need to do some research before you go in order spend your time looking at and writing about stuff that will be useful to to the point of view you have chosen. You also need to study the markets to see what kind of publication would be interested in what you have to say.

There is much more to it than the three points mentioned above, but my point is that you need to understand what journalism is about before you can become a travel writer.

Below are a few related links that may help you with your travel writing. Happy travels!

Travel With Your Eyes Open

Be Curious

Allow Yourself to Get Lost

The Last Word on Travel Writing