Fresh off the Beaten Path: Travel Writing

Published on 2008-04-17

Do you enjoy writing but find exploration and adventure just as enticing? Is your passion for words matched only by an innate yen for travel and discovery? Well, if you haven't seriously considered becoming a travel writer yet, your career search journey is about to take an interesting turn!

Travel Writing: What Exactly Is It?

Travel Writing encompasses many types of prose related to various aspects of travel. Travel-centric prose can assume a variety of forms including but not limited to novels, memoirs, newspaper columns, and travel guide reviews. Because travel writing can take so many shapes, an exciting array of job opportunities presents itself before the aspiring travel writer.

Personality Profile: Is Travel Writing Right for Me?

Travel writers are, first and foremost, passionate about the written word and therefore, well-suited for many different kinds of writing jobs. But what distinguishes the travel writer from other scribes is an equally fervent interest in travel - an interest that might also compel her/him to consider other jobs in travel with tour companies or travel agencies. Travel writers are naturally inquisitive and are not merely open to new experiences, they thrive off of them. Travel writers are driven by the pursuit of knowledge acquired through the first-hand exploration of different places and cultures, and their mission is to share that knowledge with others through the written word.
While the many paths within travel writing require varying amounts of field work, those generally well- suited for a career in the field are naturally curious, self-motivated, independent, thoughtful, persistent, open-minded and good planners. Those who prefer the more adventurous travel writing routes are often also compelled by the unknown, comfortable with risk and unexpected change, and are highly adaptive.

Education, Training and Experience: How Do I Become a Travel Writer?

While the road to travel writing is by no means fixed, most travel writers typically hold a bachelor's degree in English, journalism or a related Humanities field. Some writers also study creative writing, English or journalism on the graduate level while others may choose to hone their skills and develop a portfolio in "the real world," foraying directly into writing-related internships or entry-level publishing and journalism jobs.

Areas of Application: Where Would I Work?

Once they begin their career journeys, prospective travel writers will find the array of travel writing jobs is nearly as expansive as the world itself. For example, some writers may explore writing-centric travel industry jobs in the marketing or public relations departments of national or local travel organizations and agencies. Others may target full-time, part-time or freelance writing jobs with magazines, guides and news publications--including the online platforms of the aforementioned. Writers interested in full-time, staff writing opportunities will undoubtedly encounter jobs in New York and California whilst on their searches since many publishing companies are based in those states. With some experience, additional creative writing jobs for the travel-minded include the writing of tourism and travel-related fiction and non-fiction books such as memoirs or essay collections.

The Future

Although changes in culture and technology may alter writing platforms, as long as human beings are curious about the world around them, the drive to explore, acquire and share the knowledge that comes from traveling ensures that there will always be a market for travel writing.

For travel writing and many other exciting career opportunities in your area, explore Jobs on Fresho.com.