Comments

• 

  Ed Wetschler April 6, 2010 at 1:55am

  You people are great, and I appreciate it. I kept nodding my head and muttering, Right on! as I read these comments, and yes, I'll be quoting some of you at the conference. FYI, my comment at this point does not mean, "Thanks, I've got everything I need." Rather, it just mean, Thank you. Lana, I saw that story you just posted, and it is, indeed, part of the picture. Also, the Sunday New York Times ran a rumination on the dilemma in film criticism--again, not so different from the crisis in travel journalism, and for the same reasons. If you're a film lover (or any kind of critic, including someone who writes about hotels or cities or ping pong resorts,, see http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/movies/04scott.html?scp=2&sq=...
• 

  Lana Bortolot April 5, 2010 at 8:47pm

  Wanted to add that I appreciate that people like Toni provide on-the-ground coverage that serves an audience in a way that traditional travel journalists don't. I think we're all having a hard time figuring out how everyone can survive in this space. The NYT recently ran a story addressing this dilemma in pro photography--it raised similar concerns. And gave no answers.
  
  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/30/business/media/30photogs.html?pag...
• 

  Maralyn D Hill April 5, 2010 at 8:39pm

  I think some excellent comments have been made with Lana and Kendra being right on target, as well as Toni and JoAnna. It is a changing time, Where talent and knowledge will win eventually.
• 

  Toni White April 5, 2010 at 7:38pm

  As an amateur blogger on my first backpacking experience I have to say that I'm actually with the professionals. I agree with Maralyn that professionals are having to work harder and for less because of people like me but looking at my blog and other similar ones I don't think there is much to worry about. Out of the hundreds of blogs I've glanced out only a handful of 'amateur' appear to be anywhere near the standard that people crave. Blogs like mine, I believe, are stepping stones. There are many first time backpackers that may want to follow my blog for tips from a person similar to them in age and location etc or want to read a personal story attached to the journey but if you want reliable information and opinions then a professional travel writer is where you need to go.
• 

  Lana Bortolot April 5, 2010 at 6:54pm

  Professional travel journalists --whether they're bloggers or traditional reporters--will prevail because they know how to deliver serviceable advice and keen insights into culture or destinations. But we can't be generalists any more because it doesn't distinguish us from the ordinary travelers. There's now a bigger need for us to continue differentiating ourselves from the wannabes by adding more areas of expertise, i.e. architecture, wine, art, etc. to make the travel narrative richer. Sadly, though we can learn this on our own, sometimes (as in the case of wine education) it costs us big bucks to do this with real authority--an investment that's hard to recoup.
• 

  Judy Wells April 5, 2010 at 6:54pm

  Doing so is part of that flexibility I mentioned so of course I don't assume all bloggers are amateurs. After all, I'm one too. However, on many sites it's impossible to tell if a review was made by a seasoned traveler, a grouch who never likes anything, a rival hotelier/restaurateur or a shill for the facility itself.
• 

  Diana Lambdin Meyer April 5, 2010 at 6:35pm

  Judy - I agree with you and Ed 100 percent. I think eventually citizen journalism will find its place along with the tabloids and consumers will once again recognize professional writing, reporting, photography for what it is - the best available.
• 

  Judy Wells April 5, 2010 at 6:29pm

  Ed, I think as the amateurs and wanna be's proliferate, the role of the professional travel journalist will become increasingly important. However, unless they have developed marketing skills and exercised the flexibility all good travelers need, I'm not sure who's going to hear them/us. However, I'm convinced the shakeout will come and professionalism will survive. You may listen to your neighbor's travel tales but do you call them or a professional to book a complicated itinerary? Whose advice do you seek, a blogger whose tastes and experience are unknown or a professional who has experienced the gamut of possibilities?
• 

  Maralyn D Hill April 5, 2010 at 6:18pm

  I think the role has increased. However, I think they are working three times as hard for half the amount of money. Writers are having to develop their marketing and on-line skills.
• 

  Ed Wetschler April 5, 2010 at 3:19pm

  "The Increasing (Not Decreasing) Role of Travel Writers:" That's the topic of a panel discussion at the Vermont Governor's Tourism Conference in which I'll be participating. But these days, has the professional travel journalist's role really increased? All comments and coaching welcome