Writers, editors, photogs, and bloggers share tips, leads, ideas, news, gripes. PR reps/journos ISO press releases/trips, see also "PR/Marketing." Opinions stated are not necessarily those of Tripatini.
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Girls That Roam’s team is a proud sponsor of the Women’s Travel Festival in New York City, March 8, 2014. http://girlsthatroam.com/girls-roam-announces-media-sponsorship-wom...
Have any of you written any stories about painting workshops in Italy etc.? Have any recommendations?
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Trevor, I go to the islands a lot -- maybe twice a month -- but those islands tend to be Caribbean islands, so I've never been to Iceland. Maybe next year. Meanwhile, I found your "Was it worth it?" paragraph pretty interesting. I mean, there's an awful (yes, awful) lot of cheerleading in the travel writing profession, if it is a profession. Your comments are refreshingly frank.
Ed, within Europe we are mostly quite fortunate with the tourist boards - and Iceland is no different. If you have a reason to visit, and can offer a decent commission or placement for your scribbles in return, they will usually try and pull something together for individual trips. In some cases they will come back with a full plan, including hotel, transfers, even excursions. Others will act more as intermediaries - suggesting hotels and restaurants to contact who are likely to offer a free media visit. The latter was the case with Iceland, but it was a few simple emails to follow up these leads, and we had hotel, two restaurants, and a 'Golden Circle' tour from it. Flights were courtesy of EasyJet, again in return for a mention and link in the article - but to be fair the flights were budget anyway from here.
Was it worth it? Yes, I would say so. For me, Iceland was one of those places that was interesting, worthwhile and enlightening to see once, but once you've seen it, I probably wouldn't feel the need to see it again.
Good luck!
Trevor, I was just rereading your comments, and it occurs to me that you did find it worthwhile to attend one of these events. I gather the tourist board helped out with hotels, intra-island transportation, and some meals; was the board also able to help with your flight?
No doubt, Trevor, things are pretty disorganized on this side of the pond. "U.S. Department of Tourism" remains a fleeting wish. (Of course, this week a U.S. department of anything is a little dicey.)
Still, I doubt a cocktail reception would induce any travel writer to drop everything and get on a plane. I can't claim to be on the press list from previous stories, either; for better or for worse, I have never written about Iceland.
Lisa, you make good points (and while we're talking, Lisa, would you believe I'm just back from a symposium about destination weddings?!). Not sure how I'm expected to get there; maybe by commuter train. Allan, I like your tickets query, and I suspect there's wisdom in what you say about the drinks.
Ed, it may just be that it's an international get together. I had a similar one from Iceland last year, but being in the UK it's only a couple of hours flight on a budget airline. Many, like me, took the opportunity to stay a few days and see some of the country. Icelandic tourist board are very helpful in this respect.
I might also turn your comment around, as I have had a good number of press invites from the US - which again expect us to make our own way there!
T
I get invitations all the time for events in New York, Montreal and Toronto. Those are two-hours, one-hour and 1.5-hours by air away.
For Reykjavik I'd ask if they planned to provide an e-ticket or will they courier a paper one to the office? Given how much drinks costs in Reykjavik, if it's an open bar I'd consider it. :-)
Seriously Ed? Are you in Iceland?? How do they expect you to get there? More likely...they are trying to bulk up their list of sent list....knowing darn well, most won't be able to attend. It's also the lack of qualified PR people who actually know where writers are. NOW...if they are going to fly you out...that's a different story.
L