By Federica Acclavio.
It is often thought that a travel journalist or writer’s work is based on entertainment. In this article, I explain the difference between planning a trip and a working holiday.
Before I started my master’s degree in travel journalism, it used to take me a while to organise my holiday. I would like to tell you that I structure my holiday myself, so I think research is important. I usually start a few months or weeks earlier by researching the main places to visit, where to eat, and where to sleep on the internet. I read blog articles—maybe by people who live in that place—and get inspired by reels and pictures of content creators on Instagram.
Of course, my backpack contains a travel guide ready to be consulted for all the practical information needed for a smooth trip. Research takes time, and I am aware of that. Still, I did not know how time-consuming it was until I discovered the difference between going on holiday for pleasure and a working ‘holiday’ – as many people call it.
All that glitters is not gold.
Planning to go on a solo holiday, as a couple, with family, or in a group is about relaxing, having fun, seeing new places, getting to know the local people, approaching new cultures, and tasting traditional foods. You have the whole day at your disposal, free and flexible hours.
In short, you can do what you want when you want without constraints. Otherwise, what kind of holiday would it be?
Social media shows us and, therefore, makes us believe that life is always beautiful, perfect, with fantastic experiences, and free of sacrifices. Well, I guarantee you that this is not the case.
When you watch a reel, and it conveys emotions, you are just witnessing a finished product that has achieved its objective: to entertain, excite, and add to the bucket list of places to see before you die. Behind that video, there is an arduous work of sacrifices, editing, time, and mistakes, but you rightly don’t know it.
You just consume that product and say, ‘Beautiful is the life of a travel writer’.
Do you think travel writers and travel journalists are paid to go on holiday?
I dispel a myth.
The travel journalist does not go on holiday.
The reality of a travel journalist and travel writer is demanding, requiring a balance between discipline, professionalism, and creativity. A travel journalist must always be on the lookout for new angles to propose, study, and inform himself, a search that has no end in sight.
Its days are organised in advance with a tight schedule. During the trip, it must constantly take notes, verify facts, and ensure that these facts are captivating for the audience.
A travel journalist and a travel writer must constantly consider their stories, provide the right details, and manage their schedules. The work begins before a trip, continues during the trip and continues after the trip.
The key features of travel journalism are that it focuses on social responsibility and cultural diversity, and is a powerful tool for education.
Fundamental principles, such as information accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, and neutrality, must be respected.
A travel journalist/writer must ensure his stories are true, ethical, and reported responsibly. This responsibility is crucial in shaping the narrative and ensuring the audience is aware of the true experiences and cultural diversity of the places they visit. It is not just a matter of packing your bags and setting off on an adventure.
Before the trip – Preparation is the key.
Now that you know the difference between a travel journalist and an ordinary traveller and have decided to plan your next holiday with more awareness, I suggest a few tips to put into practice:
- 1. Choose your destination and motivation (what motivates you to visit that place? What do you expect?)
- 2. Research your destination on the internet, travel guides, blogs or books.
- 3. Organise your budget, required documents, travel insurance, hotels, etc.
- 4. Embark on your journey with complete peace of mind
The reality behind the screen.
Now that I am halfway through school, I realise that not everything is beautiful. What you see is not easy to achieve and with immediate results. Proof of this is the work I started to do for the final master’s project. I chose a destination that I was already partially familiar with beforehand. I had done my research and visited part of that country, but I left as a traveller at
that time. Now, instead, I am on the side of the travel journalist, and, first of all, I have to understand the context in which I am travelling out of respect for the local community, the environment and sustainable tourism.
It is important to recognize our moral responsibilities towards the reader. The work of a travel writer is not confined to a specific time frame or location. It’s acontinuous journey of learning and discovery, always offering new insights and experiences.
This article is part of the practical work carried out by the students of the Master’s in Travel Journalism.
