Of all of the gigs in journalism and content development, the invitation to tell the stories of the world seems the most glamorous. When you follow these writers on Instagram, watching in awe as they bounce from country to country, review luxury hotels, go on the safaris you’ve only dreamt of or scribble about destinations you’ve never heard of — it’s hard not to feel a bit of jealousy. But like any other sector that requires research and time, travel writers edit and hone their craft continuously. To succeed in this competitive landscape, they must always maintain a few principles:

About places, events, off-the-beaten-path holes in the wall. Wherever they go, travel isn’t only about checking off another passport stamp, but exploring the region in search of the best new angle that hasn’t been written about. This changes what would be a vacation for most into a constant work assignment, as they seek out the latest trends in hospitality, culinary and culture worldwide. A travel writer asks appropriately questions about traditions and trends, while maintaining an open perspective and of course, taking copious notes.

If you’ve ever flown the sometimes not-so friendly skies, you know how unpredictable traveling can be. Flight delays, traffic, lost luggage, overbooked rooms — you name it. But when your job is to write about the places you’ve been and those you think others should visit, you have to maintain your sense of professionalism, as you’re challenged along the way. This requires flexibility and understanding, especially when you’re in parts of the globe that are more underdeveloped than others.

A travel writer could find themselves wandering through the muted, beautiful streets of Japan, bowing in respect and being mindful of any faux pas, or deep into the Andes mountains, learning about the history of gauchos in Argentina. Regardless of where the assignment or their inquisitiveness takes them, the task of a travel writer is to translate their experiences to a wide demographic, inspiring others to take the risk, book the ticket — and get to exploring.

Over the past few decades, international and airplane travel has become increasingly more accessible. This means, more than ever, inexperienced and well-seasoned nomads are making their way to every last corner of the planet — and thus, making the role of a travel writer more chased after. And of course, difficult, since a creative angle isn’t always easy to come by. Here, a few who have mastered the craft predict the direction they anticipate the industry going:

Local Immersion Knowledge

"I’m part of the new breed of digital nomads who do not see the need of having an office to work. As I’ve traveled through 30 countries on six continents, I’ve seen the great desire for local knowledge from editors. Being able to say I’ve called Thailand, Peru or Portugal home for a month has helped me land many assignments."

Lindsay Tigar, Freelance Lifestyle and Travel Journalist

cv/LindsayTigar

In-Depth Itineraries

"I think itineraries are the way forward. Personal, real, in-depth write-ups about how, when and why you took a certain trip. There's lots of info out there about general destinations and personal narratives, so I think true followers of travel writing want to know exactly how to plan their own trip. This is where the detail-orientated writers will truly shine."

Eileen Cotter Wright, Travel Journalist and Blogger

cv/EileenCotterWright

Creative, Learning Travel

"Creative travel is ramping up, with boomers who have free time and millennials who crave experiences over things looking to work out tension and creative ambition. The goal is less to create, and more to re-create through a no-goals learning experience, or learning for the sake of learning. Venues, schools and programs that can offer this type of experience in a variety of formats and locations."

Joanne Cleaver, Journalist

cv/JoanneCleaver

Pretty pictures splashed about social media or in a listicle are one thing, and true, remarkable travel journalism is another. Though there are countless websites and magazines who assign and publish voyage-specific content, there are definitely superstars in the sectors. After all, ask any travel journalist and they’ll be the first to rattle off certain dream bylines they’ve been pitching for, well, years. Travel + Leisure leads the pack in variety—not only do they seek original, detailed reporting from writers located all around the world, but they also publish shopping, city, country and seasonal guides, as well. As a vibrant, lively publication, they also focus on travel trends and news, ensuring their readers are always updated on the latest and most plane-worthy.

On the other end of the spectrum is National Geographic. While in recent years they have started to publish ‘top’ and ‘must-see’ type of lists, they’re highly respected for their ongoing quest to find the most interesting, compelling stories the planet has to offer. This challenges writers to dig deep and truly immerse themselves into the places they trek to, hoping to give a glimpse that the vast majority of the planet will never see.

Secrets from a Travel Writer

"If you want to be a travel writer… you have to travel. Never pitch a story that’s already been published, but instead, tell us what story needs to be told that we don’t know about. That will be what sets you apart from the thousands of pitches we receive... each week."

Anonymous Travel Writer