| Travel writers are sometimes invited to visit | | | | attraction reviews. |
| attractions for free or a reduced rate. Getting | | | | Although mindsets are changing, liaisons with print |
| press trips, however, is not a good reason to | | | | publications carry more weight than publications |
| become a travel writer. Instead, trips may be | | | | with online publications. CVBs and PR firms care |
| viewed as a necessity for research when funds | | | | more about the exposure from the publication. |
| are limited to cover a destination or write a | | | | Guaranteeing publication in an online publications |
| review. Getting invited on media tours does not | | | | with name recognition and millions of monthly |
| come with the territory of becoming a travel | | | | unique viewers can land a spot on a press trip |
| writer. Media tours are not handed out by virtue | | | | over the publication in a smaller print publication |
| of stating that one is a travel writer, but instead, | | | | with a circulation of less than 100,000. |
| they are offered to travel writers with good | | | | It must be noted, however, that PR firms and |
| reputations and the ability to get published in | | | | CVBs have specific marketing goals and |
| choice publications. | | | | sometimes writers can get invited on press trips |
| What are Media Tours? | | | | simply by having the ability to reach a small |
| Convention and Visitors Bureaus, public relations | | | | targeted audience of people. |
| and marketing firms offer evaluation trips to staff | | | | Network for Media Trip Invites |
| and freelance reporters in order to publicize | | | | Join travel writing associations and travel writing |
| destinations, restaurants, attractions, or events. | | | | social networks to learn about upcoming press |
| Most press trips or media trips are part of a | | | | trips. Writers usually have to apply for a space on |
| package. A reporter may spend the night in | | | | a press trip. CVBs and PR firms may require |
| hotels, eat in restaurants, arranged by the PR | | | | copies or links to previous work and a letter of |
| firm or CVB, and visit attractions. Usually | | | | assignment from the publication or website. In |
| accommodations, food, and the cost of the | | | | order to learn about upcoming press trips, |
| attractions are paid for by the CVB/PR firm. | | | | however, join Media Kitty, an organization with |
| Sometimes airfare is included, but those instances | | | | free membership which reports evaluation tours |
| are becoming more rare. | | | | to its members. |
| Get Published | | | | Experienced travel writers who join professional |
| The first step in getting invites is to get published | | | | travel writing societies like the Society of |
| in small to mid-sized publications with the goal of | | | | American Travel Writers have access to press |
| eventually getting published in large, publications | | | | trips. Again, it is competitive to enter organizations |
| with higher circulation. It will be necessary to pay | | | | like SATW, just as it is competitive to get invited |
| out of pocket expenses for initial destination or | | | | on press trips. |