What is Travel Journalism: History, Skills required, Salary, Scope and Future

Today with the emergence of print and digital media and the wide consumption of newspapers, and magazines, the spread of digital platforms provides a global podium for writers. Journalists to share their travel experiences and culinary insights to a broader audience.

What is the benefit of Travel Journalism?

Travel journalism offers numerous benefits, both for the journalists and as well as the readers and viewers. For travel journalists, it offers an opportunity to explore new cultures, cuisines, and landscapes, through which they can hone their storytelling skills, develop a deep understanding of diverse societies, and foster meaningful connections with people from all walks of life. 

For readers, it offers a canvas to see the world by sitting in one place. It offers them insights into destinations they may never have the chance to visit themselves. It inspires the feeling of wanderlust, broadens perspectives, and fosters cultural exchange by highlighting the beauty and uniqueness of different regions. 

Travel journalism also plays a crucial role in promoting responsible tourism, and sustainable tourism practices, and advocates the efforts to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of destinations for the coming generation.

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Perks of being a Travel Journalist

Travel journalism often entails various perks to journalists making it an enticing and adventurous career choice for them. Some of the perks are -

• Complimentary Accommodations and Meals,
• Access to exclusive events across the globe to cover it,
• A high-paying salary with experience and a career that many vouch for.

Future and Scope of Travel Journalism

The future is both promising as well as challenging for travel journalism. It is promising given the open borders of many countries that are now inviting visitors from all across the world to experience their hospitality, culture, and traditions. Countries like Mexico, Albania, Azerbaijan, Malta and Gozo, Rwanda, Tahiti, and other Polynesian Islands, etc have shown increased numbers of tourists from all across the world. Thanks to diplomacy relationships as well as the travel journalists who have brought forward these hidden gems in front of the world.

However, there are also challenges in travel journalism going forward. There is a tight competition between traditional print publications (Newspapers and Magazines) who are facing stiff rivalry from digital platforms and social media influencers, with people consuming the digital content more than the print ones. However, with digital influencers, there is a disclaimer that “all that glitters is not gold” which means the review and opinion of influencers can be either paid or influenced by various other factors. This creates a growing demand for authentic, well-researched travel stories that offer depth and insight. 

Going forward, travel journalists will have to adapt to the changing trends, they will have to harness the power of multimedia storytelling, immersive experiences, and interactive content to engage audiences in new and innovative ways so that it works as a hook.

Moreover, with the rise in ecotourism, adventure travel, and experiential tourism there are exciting opportunities for travel journalists to explore niche markets and untapped destinations where they can not just emphasize travel and tourism but also promote sustainable travel practices and ethical tourism and advocate environmental conservation.

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Skills Required to Become a Travel Journalist

Becoming a successful travel journalist requires a diverse skill set and some of them are mentioned below - 

• Curiosity to learn new things and explore new grounds
• Creativity to make even a boring topic, interesting
• Love for storytelling to hook the viewers/users

Along with these, travel journalists must also have - 

• Strong writing skills
• Impeccable grammar 
• Attention to detail
• Editing skills
• Research Abilities 
• Photography skills 
• At least one or two foreign language
• Proficiency in multimedia tools
• Commitment to ethical journalism practices
• Awareness of social media platforms, and content management systems for blogging
• Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to work independently under tight deadlines

Salary of Travel Journalists

The salary of journalists in India can range from a few thousand to eight-figure packages depending upon the experience, skills, and the media house they are working for. The salary of a travel journalist can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, expertise, publication, and geographic location. Entry-level positions such as a fresher content writer may offer modest pay, but experienced travel journalists working for prestigious publications or media outlets can command higher salaries, supplemented by additional income from freelance assignments, book deals, speaking engagements, and brand partnerships.

Notable Travel Journalists in India and Abroad

Vir Sanghvi: A renowned Indian journalist, and author who is known for his travel columns and television shows. He starred in "A Matter of Taste" and "Rude Food."

Shivya Nath: Is an award-winning travel blogger and author of the book "The Shooting Star," She is also known for her sustainable travel advocacy and is often seen exploring offbeat destinations.

Sarina Singh: She is an avid travel lover and has been a columnist with Lonely Planet. She specializes in Indian subcontinent travel guides.

Famous Bollywood actress Shehnaz Treasurewala also started her blogging and YouTube channel after quitting acting. Today she is a famous travel blogger and explores various destinations around the world.

Anthony Bourdain, Rick Steves, and Paul Theroux are some of the prominent figures abroad who have made great names in the field of travel journalism.

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