Many dream of becoming a Travel Writer, envisioning a life of exotic destinations and effortless storytelling. While the profession certainly offers unique adventures, the reality, as many seasoned travel writers reveal, is often far from a perpetual vacation. It’s a demanding job requiring dedication, resilience, and a whole lot of hard work, especially when it comes to press trips.
“Press trips are wonderful, but they are often exhausting,” explains Jennifer, a seasoned travel writer. This sentiment is echoed by many in the field. The perception might be of leisurely exploration, but the schedule is typically packed. Imagine starting your day at 5 am and being constantly on the go. Evenings, often seen as a time to relax, are frequently filled with mandatory dinners and networking events. The brief respite in a luxurious hotel room becomes a frantic dash for a quick shower and change before the next engagement.
Veteran travel writer Kerry Heaney of eatdrinkandbekerry.net emphasizes the intensity, stating, “Most people wouldn’t realize travel writers fit three times the activities they would do into every day.” This compressed schedule, while providing access to incredible stories and experiences, can also be draining. Heaney points out the lack of downtime: “It means we rarely have time to just soak it in and often the experiences are shortened.” The curated nature of press trips, while efficient, can sacrifice the opportunity for genuine immersion and relaxation.
Digital influencer Kerri McConnel from beerandcroissants.com further illuminates the demanding workload. She approaches each trip with unwavering dedication, striving to deliver maximum value to the destinations and brands hosting her. Describing a recent “famil” trip, McConnel paints a picture of relentless activity: “Our days are very full and most evenings have finished around 11 pm. This isn’t because we’ve been kicking back having a few drinks either.” These aren’t leisurely social gatherings; they are business engagements. Dinners are often hosted by senior management, transforming them into extended work sessions focused on understanding brand messaging and identifying story angles.
Beyond the packed itineraries and networking demands, content creation itself is a significant undertaking. “As someone who writes for my own website, there’s so much more to do than just my articles,” McConnel elaborates. The modern travel writer is not just a writer; they are a multimedia content creator. This involves capturing hundreds of photos and videos in diverse formats suitable for various platforms – websites, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and more. A single scene might require multiple video recordings, shot both vertically for Instagram Stories and horizontally for platforms like YouTube and websites.
The workflow extends far beyond capturing content. Evenings, after official duties conclude, are dedicated to downloading, categorizing, and backing up media to prevent data loss. Then comes the time-consuming process of curating and post-processing. Editing a short two-minute video can consume up to two days of work. Even moments of transit between locations are utilized for social media engagement, crafting compelling Instagram stories and Facebook posts designed to maximize audience interaction. This isn’t just about posting any photo; it’s about strategic image selection, crafting engaging captions, and utilizing relevant tags to enhance visibility and reach.
In conclusion, while the allure of being a travel writer is undeniable, it’s crucial to recognize the demanding reality behind the scenes. Press trips, though offering incredible opportunities, are intensive work engagements. The modern travel writer is a multifaceted professional, juggling demanding schedules, networking obligations, and a relentless content creation cycle across multiple platforms. The profession requires not only a passion for travel and storytelling but also exceptional time management, organizational skills, and unwavering dedication to hard work.
