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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What do you wear to Seven Magic Mountains?

Seven Magic Mountains is an art installation located in the Nevada desert, and the weather can be quite hot and dry. Therefore, it is recommended to wear comfortable and breathable clothing, such as shorts, t-shirts, and sandals or sneakers. You may also want to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. It's also a good idea to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated. While there is no strict dress code, it's important to dress appropriately for the weather and…

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1 Reply · Reply by Surendra Singh Aug 7, 2023

What is global entry?

Global Entry is a program that allows pre-approved travelers to expedite the process of entering the United States.To apply for Global Entry, you must be a citizen or national of the United States, Mexico, or Canada and have a valid passport. You can also be a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico.Once you have applied for Global Entry and been approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to complete your interview appointment at any U.S. Customs and Border…

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What is the most historical place in india?

The most historical place in India is the Taj Mahal. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the building of this beautiful mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to their 14th child. The Taj Mahal took 22 years to build and is considered one of the world's most iconic buildings.Other historical places include the Red Fort in Delhi and Qutub Minar in Delhi. These sites were built during the Mughal Empire and are known for their architectural beauty.

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The Ultimate Travel Writing & Photography Retreat, Charleston, South Carolina, June 18-21, 2022

The Ultimate Travel Writing & Photography Retreat, Charleston, South Carolina, June 18-21, 2022If you want to boost your travel writing skills to a new level this workshop is for you. We'll focus on travel writing and photography - how to write exciting travel stories and create photo galleries that editors will love. This interactive course features lectures, writing exercises, in-the-field tours, group readings & discussions, and hands-on experience. You’ll also receive on-on-one feedback and…

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  • I'm curious who publishers think they are going to get to write for them if they have to pay their own way and receive a fee which hasn't risen in 20 + years?

    Are the advertisers paying 20-year-old rates? Are the readers paying 20-year-old cover prices?
  • Hi Susan, We've all been there at some point or another in our careers as travel journalists, and I think it's safe to say that many if not most have taken the risk, judging from the many writers we've come across on press trips from those very publications that decry comps. Is it risky? Of course it is. As with "don't ask, don't tell," if you're caught, you're (likely) out, whether or not they asked or you told. Unfortunately, there's no easy answer, and it's up to each individual writer to decide how much risk they're comfortable with.

    I totally agree with Mary Alice that I can't be bought for a fruit basket or upgrade; if an experience is not up to the standards our readers expect, we will tell it like it is. Ironically, most pubs don't want to hear it "like it is" anyway -- most published pieces are fluffy, feel-good narratives that ignore anything negative about the destination. So where is the objectivity, and the usefulness to the reader? We could all go on and on. I think Mary Alice's suggestion to use this forum to discuss these issues and seek common positions is a great idea.
  • Mary Alice, thank you so much for your sensible and supportive comments! One of my primary goals in spearheading the launch of this site and associated blog is to leverage the ever more influential Internet to provide a bit more much-needed support to today's travel industry in general and travel journalism in particular. And as for us media folks, I am indeed hoping that we can use our new platform here -- unaffiliated with any specific group or association -- to discuss our issues and strengthen our voice and position as a profession, vis a vis each other, the media, and the public and marketplace. I hope, therefore, that this can be a forum for constructive suggestions, criticisms, and brainstorming. So please, everyone, urge your friends, colleagues, and professional contacts to join us in whatever capacity they can!
  • Hello Mary, et.al.,
    Very happy to read some comments about national publications not accepting free travel. I'm faced with this dilemma right now for an upcoming trip. I'm being offered accomodations and travel. However, my publication will not accept my submission if they learn that I'm accepting "free" travel. The caveat for the "free" travel is a letter from the publication and assignment date. My submission will be one photograph for the travel section. The assignment sheet for this project is sent to me after they receive the photo. I have pitched the editors on a combination story and photos but so far no takers. It seems obvious to me that I cannot go on this trip. However, one person commented below that they take the "don't ask, don't tell routine". This seems very risky. Comments please.
  • Hello dahlinks: Just wrote the most amazing speech to you all and made the mistake of pressing "tab" for a graph break. Geez.
    So here's the deal: I agree with Jose, Jordan (shout-out! haven't seen you in ages!) and Ed about the rampant double standard in our profession. Like all of us, I can't be bought for a fruit basket/upgrade. Wouldn't have survived for more than three decades in this biz if so.
    Remember years ago the new editor of Travel+Leisure saying that "we no longer take hosted trips; but if you have one to Destination X we'll happily pay the trainfare to Destination Y to do a story for us." Give me a break!
    We continually fight the dabblers, those who have retired from brain surgery/the post office/society circuit and discover the great world of travel journalism! We all know that what you pay/don't pay for is exactly what you get. But with outlets folding right and left, and Web, magazine and other mediums not valuing what we do (even as what we do is a major revenue stream for all), there is only one thing we CAN do:
    That's to band together for Excellence, for professionalism, for Experience. We have a major trust in our hands -- and would that the puppies running most outlets for travel reporting in all media knew that. That trust is to be honest, to let people who often save up for a year (or a lifetime) to go on a trip to ... whatever, know that what they read is coming from someone who has been there, done that, and can tell them what they can expect, warts, triumphs, insider info and all.
    Shall we not get rid of the bellyaching about the hideous state of the industry and somehow band together to let media know how important this is? I think we're doing that in this forum. Let's continue. And David -- count me in next year for the Corte Madera meet!
    We've gotta believe that Experience and Expertise will out. Perhaps not in this lifetime, but we must give it a unified try.
    Courage to all,
    Mary Alice
  • Surrey International Writers' Conference - www.SiWC.ca - registration is now open. Established in 1996 by writers for writers, we are proud to be considered one of the top three writers' conferences in North America (Writers Digest).
    Closing date for the SiWC writing contest is Sept 7, 2009. Over $3,000 in cash prizes.
  • Announcement to all book authors: we will shortly be starting a subsection of our Book Club group listing member titles, whether guidebooks or any other kind of book with a travel focus or angle. If you'd like to be included, please e-mail title, author, and publisher to go-lo admin care of the go-lo.net profile or golo.admin@gmail.com. You may also feel free to discuss your books in that group's discussion area. Thank you!
  • Just spotted this blog post from my old friend Arthur Frommer:

    Space is Still Available for an Annual Travel Writing School, August 13-16, in Corte Madera, CA

    Every August for the past eighteen years, the prestigious travel bookstore Book Passage, in Corte Madera, California, just outside San Francisco, has organized a conference on travel writing and travel photography led by some of the best-known names in travel journalism. The course is under the general supervision of Don George, formerly travel editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, and the faculty includes such worthies as Tim Cahill, founding editor of Outside Magazine; Larry Habegger, publisher of the Travelers' Tales series; Catherine Hamm, travel editor of the Los Angeles Times; Pauline Frommer, editor of Pauline Frommer's guides; Rolf Potts, travel columnist for Salon.com; novelist Isabel Allende; and several other important figures in travel books, magazines, newspapers, and websites.

    This year's curriculum will include new workshops for advanced travel writers (taught by Tim Cahill) and guidebook writing (taught by Pauline Frommer), panels focusing on writing for the web, using social media and creating your own website, as well as several traditional and highly successful workshops and panels on writing for newspaper, magazine and book publication. There are also a number of photography workshops, panels and presentations, plus new offerings focusing on video and documentary work.

    Openings remain for this year's conference, and persons interested in attending should look at the Book Passage website. You can also contact conference coordinator Kathryn Petrocelli by phone at tel. 800/999-7909, ext. 233, or by email at bpconferences@bookpassage.com. The cost of the four-day conference is $635.
  • It's cold comfort to know that everything described here is precisely what's happening in Australia, albeit on a far smaller, more parochial scale.

    Oh well.

    Anyhow -- g'day to you all -- this looks like a very interesting new forum for discussion.
  • I too have tired of this meaningless discourse. I know plenty of writers for the hallowed likes of Conde Nast Traveler who accept little extras and promote their favorite hoteliers and restaurateurs, This is not ultra-serious journalism. I'd argue that the best travel/food&wine/arts writing IS subjective anyway, precisely because you want to evoke the subject's personality, to engage the reader in a dialogue. For that matter, even hard news coverage is biased: What does the august NYTimes deem worthy of the front page and what gets buried in section B, page 24?

    Moreover, as Ed noted, it's imperative that publications pay expenses in a timely manner if they expect anything remotely resembling unsullied "subjective" copy. And let's be honest: How much does one's mood affect any given experience? We're only human. :-) Why else are PR flaks, tourism honchos, hotel GMs, wine distributors, et al generally genial?

    It also depends on the assignment. If you write a travel guide there is NO way a publication can reimburse every legit expense if you're doing your job and covering all the territory: hotels, restaurants, shops, sightseeing attractions, recreational options, nightlife, et al.

    As for wine writing -- it's all free, yet never free of politics. I've judged several wine competitions -- yes, the initial tasting is blind, but then staff minions urge you to up a silver medal to gold, a gold to double gold. Then in the Finals, the competition director (who knows the wines' identities) might well request another tasting if s/he isn't pleased with the outcome.

    As much as we like to prattle about separation of church and state, the truth is that advertising has always dictated to editorial in varying degrees. The job is tough enough without "civilians" casting aspersions and impugning our integrity. The only accommodation (no pun intended) I'll ever make is simply to omit a property or restaurant from a destination piece if I really hate the joint, assuming it isn't a blatant tourist trap. We rarely have enough space to include negative write-ups anyway (and btw, when was the last time you read a negative travel piece in the Times?!?!?). Regardless, the understanding has always been that the host isn't immune to criticism -- and I've bitten the hand that fed me many a time when it was deserved.
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