2. Don’t complain because champagne wasn’t waiting you when you arrived.
Not all companies have the budget to seduce writers with gifts. The airfare alone can bankrupt a CVB. I once encountered a writer who couldn’t believe therewasn’t a bottle of champagne in her room, comped of course.

3. Read your itinerary and do some research prior to the trip.
You will mostly likely know exactly what activities are planned before you arrive for a press trip. This can help you develop story angles or plan your extra time (if any).

4. Drink in moderation.
Sure, it’s your first press trip. You can’t believe that you were even included…and the drinks are “free”! Trust me; you’ll be paying for it the next morning at 7am when the group is ready to leave for a full day of tours and activities. Know your limits. You are representing a publication. Editors don’t want to hear about drunken escapades.

5. Bring 20 more business cards than you think you’ll need.

6. Pack some sealed snacks. (unless flying abroad)
You’ll have some long days. The schedule may state that lunch is at noon, but plan on lunch at 2pm. I always keep something in my pack because I like to eat all the time. Protein bars just don’t do it for me.

7. Adopt the motto, “To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late.”
Have respect for the other writers, and the person putting the trip together. This is not a vacation, it’s your job. Be on time and be organized.

8. Anticipate your own needs.
If you are prone to headaches when traveling, bring your own medication. If you get the sniffles, bring your own tissue and cold medication. If you have IBS, bring your own Imodium. These things are hard to find when you are out in the wild.

9. Pack necessities in your carry-on.
This wouldn’t be the first time an airline misplaced baggage. I always keep my toiletries, a swimsuit, and a change of clothing in my carry on, if checking a bag at all.

10. Invest in a disposable rain poncho.
These are available for around $1 at your local market. Buy a $1.50 first aid kit while you’re there, too.

11. Always pack a swimsuit, even when going to the cold places.

12. Don’t have an affair with a fellow traveler.
All the other writers will know, and word will get around. You wouldn’t believe what I and my fellow travel writers have heard.

13. Wear a cheap watch.
You never know when you may need to trade it for your freedom. The same goes for cheap canvas tennis shoes.

14. Don’t discuss previous trips you’ve been on in front of the coordinator of your current trip.
The world of travel writing is small. Coordinators may know who you are referring to or may feel slighted if
their budget doesn’t “wow” you like another trip. This is their moment. Let the current trip shine.

15. Don’t discuss politics or religion.
If you decide to discuss these things, refrain from being condescending. Remember, if you are in a foreign country; just don’t discuss these things at all.

16. Let the Trip Coordinator know any dietary concerns BEFORE the actual trip.
They will try and accommodate you, but this is not always possible. Be considerate. If you are a vegetarian and are served meat, just move it aside and say nothing for the moment. Don’t make a big fuss, just mention to the coordinator before the next meal. However, if allergies are involved, it is a different situation.

17. Watch your language.

18. Go over your itinerary.
If you see that hot air ballooning is on the schedule and you are afraid of heights, let the coordinator know
before leaving for your trip. He/she may be able to schedule another activity for you. Likewise, if you have trouble walking long distances, don’t sign up for an adventure press trip. It’s just not fair to the other attendees or yourself.

19. Write handwritten thank you notes to all of your hosts when you return.

If you aren’t into hand writing, send an email upon your return, at the very least.

20. Send copies of printed articles resulting from your press trip to the sponsor or host.

Where do I travel on vacation? Do I like beaches or mountains? Domestic or international? Am I a cruise aficianado?

What activities do I like to do when I travel? Golf? Go hiking? Do I enjoy fishing? Museums? History? Adventure? Spas?

What is my age group?

Do I have children? Do they reside at home? Am I able to travel at the spur of the moment or do I need a few week’s or month’s notice?

Do I own a Recreational Vehicle(RV) or go camping often?

What is my income? Am I a luxury or budget traveler?

There are so many types of travel writers out there. It is important to write about what you know. You can write about what you love to do, and if you do it often, you are already an expert. You just need to share your experience and knowledge with others.
There are many travel writing categories or genres.

The following are the most popular:
Luxury
Cruises
Adventure
Student
Family
Senior
Business
Golf Getaways
Romantic
Destination Weddings
Spa
Wine and Food (Epicurean)

The first step in deciding which genre you specialize is to find the kind you most enjoy. You can even become an expert on a specific area. The best place to start is your own backyard. That’s how I started. My initial articles were published in my local paper and were about weekend getaways from there. Become an expert on your area and you will have set the foundation for your travel writing career.

Byline – Your name. Not all publications assign
bylined articles. You want a bylined article.

Clip – A published sample of your work. It can be a
photocopy or a scanned digital copy. This is also called
a “tear sheet.”

Comp – Sometimes writers on assignment get
compensated or reduced rates on lodging, attractions,
and meals. Be sure to check with your publication’s
guidelines before accepting comps. Some newspapers
and magazines will not accept “comped” trips.

Copyright – A copyright is your right of ownership for
anything you write. It can be formally copyrighted at
the US Copyright Office. See www.copyright.gov

Credits – A list of your published articles or works.

CVB – Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Deadline – This is the last possible moment you are
allowed to turn in an article.

Kill fee – This is a pre-negotiated fee paid if you are
assigned an article and the editor doesn’t use it. It can
be 25-100% or a set amount. Be sure to have this in
your contract.

On Spec – This is short for “on speculation.” An editor
may respond to a query accepting the article on spec.
This means you write the article with no guarantee that
it will be printed.

Payment – Contracts state monetary terms usually as
payment on publication or as payment on acceptance. It
is preferable to receive payment on acceptance. You
will be paid sooner, if at all.

Press trip – This is a research or familiarization(fam)
trip sponsored by a tourism board or public relations
company. There are group and individual trips. Most
group trips include transportation, accommodations,
meals, and activities. Individual trips usually do not
include transportation. Be advised: Not all publications
accept articles generated from press trips. Check
writer’s guidelines.

PR – This stands for public relations. A PR company
can represent various clients in the travel and tourism
industry.

Query – Your pitch of an article to an editor. This is
how you get assignments. If a publication states that it
wants postal queries only, then do not send an email
query.

Reprint – Selling an article over and over. You can sell
the same article to non-competing publications if you
retain your copyrights.

Rights – This should be negotiated in your contract.
Never sell all rights unless the money is significant.
Even then, I do not recommend this route.

SASE – Self-addressed stamped envelope.

Sidebar – An addition to article containing tips or
bulleted items (Ex. If You Go).

Simultaneous Submission – The act of submitting the
same article pitch to more than one editor.

Word Count – An editor may assign a 1,500 word
article. This is your word count and should be closely
followed because editors leave specific room in
publications for certain article lengths.

Writer’s Guidelines – These are rules of submission a
publication wants writers to follow. Each publication
has its own writer’s guidelines. It is advisable to adhere
to these rules.

A press trip is a sponsored press junket put on by CVBs, PR Companies, Destinations, and Resorts. These usually include accommodations, meals, transportation, and some activities. There are GROUP press trips and INDIVIDUAL press trips. Securing transportation on an individual trip is usually much harder.

How do I qualify?

PR Companies list their offerings on certain websites. They also send out personal invitations to a large number of writers and bloggers. Most group trips only accommodate 5-7 writers, with at least 90-100 writers applying. It is similar to an audition or casting call. You will need an assignment letter, previously published clips, and possibly your resume. You should also offer statistics on traffic and visitors to your blog or website.

Do I have to pay to get on a press trip?

NO! You should not pay for an assignment letter, you should not have to pay for the actual assignment, and you should not have to pay for your press trip. However, keep in mind that some publications do not accept subsidized trips. Many print publications have a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, or a policy of no subsidized trips. If in doubt, ask for a media rate or pay full price.

The traditional press or media visit has also grown to what is now called a blogger familiarization or fam trip. Transportation isn’t usually offered on these types of trips, depending upon the company or destination hosting the event.

What should I pay for?

If you are on a comped trip, you are responsible for tipping drivers, tour guides, maid service, concierge, etc. You are usually responsible for room service charges (unless stated otherwise), phones charges, batteries, souvenirs, and other incidentals. Also, be prepared to pay for your activities if given “free” time. It is also a nice gesture to offer to buy the PR or hotel rep a cocktail or similar substitute or to pick up a cab fare, although it’s not required.