Comment

Comment by José Balido on July 25, 2009 at 10:21am

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.

Comment by David Paul Appell on July 25, 2009 at 9:45am

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!

Comment by Susan Frost on July 25, 2009 at 1:40am

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.

Comment by Mary Alice Kellogg on July 24, 2009 at 9:51pm

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

Comment by Ursula Maxwell-Lewis on July 24, 2009 at 8:06pm

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.

Comment by EnLinea Media on July 18, 2009 at 4:31pm

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!

Comment by David Paul Appell on July 16, 2009 at 11:32am

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.

Comment by Andrew Harris on July 15, 2009 at 6:38pm

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.

Comment by Jordan Simon on June 24, 2009 at 3:48pm

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.

Comment by José Balido on June 8, 2009 at 8:51pm

Let's get over it, folks: we have all been on press trips with journalists from all the major publications that make such a big deal of saying they don't allow their writers to accept freebie press trips. They have to say that; but they're (mostly) not willing to shell out for travel expenses, so they turn a blind eye. It's our very own version of "Don't ask, don't tell."

Lord, I get tired of hypocrisy!

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