Writing for UK Travel Magazines

by Rachel Newcombe

International writers wanting to break into the UK travel magazine market have a distinct advantage: Being situated in an overseas location means you have potential article material right on your doorstep! There's no need to live in an exotic or unusual location, as what may seem like an ordinary place to you could be a possible travel destination for others.

Not all travel is holiday- or pleasure-oriented. People travel for all sorts of reasons: business trips, work related conferences, working holidays, visiting family and relations, as well as for a well-earned holiday. Travel magazines in the UK reflect these various needs.

Over the years, travel writing has gained in popularity, and there is a lot of competition amongst writers. Although it is useful to have experience writing for travel magazines in your own country, however, it is not essential. Neither is it necessary to spend a fortune on excursions just to be able to write about different places; seasoned travel writers don't spend their entire time on holiday! It is much more sensible to use the knowledge you already have and write about places you are familiar with before branching out into writing about other locations. If you're writing about somewhere you know well, or where you live, try and step back and see it through the eyes of someone who's seeing it for the first time. It is all too easy to become accustomed to the places we are familiar with on a daily basis, and miss or take for granted interesting details. Remember that your readers will want to know all the information you can provide, especially if they've never encountered the place before.

Finding an Angle

Almost every place in the world has already been covered by other travel writers, but don't be put off -- you just need to find a new and original angle! It is always possible to find new angles. Travel magazine readers like to read about the true essence of a place -- its cultural focus, the community who resides there, local customs, historical facts, the typical sights, sounds and smells encountered -- as well as what it can offer them should they wish to travel there. All of these aspects should be incorporated into articles and can aid in the search for a new angle.

Be specific and detailed rather than generalized. If your research determines that other articles on your area have tended to focus on the region in general, offer a more specific slant. Rather than using popular mainstream local attractions, focus on smaller places such as unusual shops, places where the locals gather, or notable buildings; consider how they make the area what it is, what unique services they offer, what it feels like to actually be there. Most places have one or more resident local characters, maybe some a little on the eccentric side, who can provide interesting tales regarding the vicinity or stories of historic events or times past. Glean all you can from such characters as they can often add interesting twists or even a whole new focus to articles! Being a local can definitely work to your advantage as you will no doubt know of areas that traditional holidaymakers are not usually directed to.

Types of Articles

Articles typically required by UK travel magazines tend to fall into one of two categories: personal experience and journalistic- style accounts.

Many markets, such as Traveller magazine, love articles that give an insight into personal experiences. Don't be fooled into thinking that you need to have visited an unconventional or off-the-beaten track location or had some amazing new experience. Small, seemingly normal and deadbeat places can provide all the material needed if you seek new angles. There are always ways of making your experiences sound interesting or entertaining. Humour, for example, can be used effectively to evoke different moods and add a light- hearted element. Writing such a piece provides a great opportunity to let your individualistic voice shine.

Other markets, such as those aimed at consumers, tend to favour journalistic-style accounts. Articles such as these are usually packed with factual information and all the necessary details travellers are likely to require. Occasionally such articles may include details of personal experiences, but not to quite the same degree as publications requiring personal accounts.

Sidebars and Photos

One of the most important aspects of a successful travel article, regardless of the market or country it is aimed for, is the use of sidebars. Travel sidebars should be packed with all the relevant factual information related to the area in question, especially any details that people may require if traveling there. For example, details such as the currency, typical prices, accommodation suggestions, travel and public transport information, and the availability of maps and guidebooks should all be offered in sidebars.

Another important factor that will influence the selling ability of your article is the availability of accompanying photos or colour transparencies. In most cases it is necessary to include clear, high quality, illustrative colour transparencies as, without doubt, readers are going to want to see these wonderful places they are reading about!

Non-travel Markets

There are also other markets that don't focus entirely on travel that may be interested in your work. Lots of other UK general interest publications contain a travel article and, although many are written by regular contributors, they still offer occasional opportunities for freelancers. Also, other magazines may consider a travel piece if it relates in some way to their content. For example, a parenting magazine may be interested in a feature that explores the ease of traveling abroad with young children; an article on holidays where pets are allowed may be of interest to a pet magazine; and a publication geared towards those of retirement age may use a piece dealing with holidays specifically for older people.

Above all, the UK travel magazine market provides an arena in which it is more than acceptable to be different. Be unique, be original, and you're very likely to be successful!

MARKETS:

(Note for US writers: When dialing a UK number, dial the access code and country code, and omit the (0): 011-44-number. When writing from the US, be sure to include "UK" after the address listed.)

Adventure Travel
P.O. Box 6254
Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6PF
Tel: +44 (0) 1789 488 166; Fax: +44 (0) 1789 488 462
Editor: Alun Davies (alun@atmagazine.co.uk)

Business Traveller (Monthly)
Condor House
5 - 14 St. Paul's Street
London SW1Y 4EE
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7778 0000; Fax: +44 (0) 20 7778 0022
Editor-in-Chief: Julia Brookes
http://www.businesstraveller.com

Conde Nast Traveller (Monthly)
Vogue House
Hanover Square
London W1S 1JU
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7499 9080; Fax: +44 (0) 20 7493 3758
Editor: Sarah Miller (traveler@msmail.condenast.co.uk)
http://www.cntraveller.co.uk/

Global Adventure
Maze Media Ltd
89 East Hill
Colchester, Essex CO1 2QN
Tel: +44 (0) 1206 505 921; Fax: +44 (0) 1206 505 929
Editor: Dominic Tombs (dom_global@aceville.com)

Good Holiday Magazine (Quarterly)
3a High Street
Esher, Surrey KT10 9RP
Tel: +44 (0) 1372 468 140; Fax: +44 (0) 1372 470 765
Editor: John Hill (info@goodholidayideas.com)

Good Ski Guide (Five issues per year)
145 - 147 Ewell Road
Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6AW
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8786 2950; Fax: +44 (0) 20 8786 2951
Editor: Owen Jones (info@goodskiguide.com)
http://www.goodskiguide.com

Trail (Monthly)
Emap Active Ltd
Bretton Court, Bretton
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE3 8DZ
Tel: +44 (0) 1733 264 666; Fax: +44 (0) 1733 282653
Editor: Ed Kenyon, Features Editor: Matt Swaine
http://www.trailmag.com

Traveller (Quarterly)
45-49 Brompton Road
Knightsbridge, London SW3 1DE
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7589 0500; Fax: +44 (0) 20 7581 1357
Editor: Jonathan Lorie (traveler@wexas.com)
http://www.traveller.org.uk

Travel Photography (Bimonthly)
GMC Publications
86 High Street
Lewes, East Sussex BM7 1XN
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 477 374
Editor: Keith Wilson (keith@thegmcgroup.com)

Wanderlust (Bimonthly)
P.O. Box 1832
Windsor, Berkshire SL4 6YP
Tel: +44 (0) 1753 620 426; Fax: +44 (0) 1753 620 474
Editor: Lyn Hughes (info@wanderlust.co.uk)
http://www.wanderlust.co.uk
Focuses on travel for the free-spirited. Guidelines available.

For More Information:

Travelwriters

http://www.travelwriters.com

International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association

http://www.ifwtwa.org/

The Society of American Travel Writers

http://www.SATW.org/

British Guild of Travel Writers

http://www.bgtw.metronet.co.uk/

Media Kitty

http://www.mediakitty.com/

Travel Info Exchange

http://www.infoexchange.com/

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