How to Write Great Travel Stories
1. Writing & Storytelling Skills
At the very heart of travel writing – or any kind of writing career – is developing the ability to write engaging, vivid and well-structured stories.
Do you understand what makes for a good story? What does the reader want to read? How can you make the story interesting and hold the reader’s attention?
If you understand narrative arcs, how to draw in a reader, how to pace an article, how to vividly bring to life a location through descriptions that evoke emotions and sensations through the inclusion of sensory details, then your writing will come to life on the page.
Add in strong editing skills and the ability to self-critique (and if working with an editor, to accept helpful editorial critiques), and you will soon by writing compelling and polished narratives.
In a world where we can have information about any destination, no matter how remote or inaccessible, from AI sources within seconds, it is easy to think that travel writing is under threat. I would argue the opposite – developing your own distinctive voice as a writer and being able to transfer that to the page will always connect better with readers. In what has been described as ‘a sea of sameness’ of content and online information don’t be afraid to cultivate your own writing voice and storytelling skills. In fact, it is essential!
Resources to improve your writing:
Just like any other skill, to become a better travel writer, it helps to study.
Find the travel writers you enjoy reading and immerse in their writing. Analyse the writing – why do you enjoy this writer’s storytelling so much? How do they draw you in? How do they structure their storytelling? What kind of language do they use to evoke the experience of place? Think about the lessons you can apply in your own writing.
I have always been drawn to evocative travel writing. I love Pico Iyer for the way he plays with ideas and cross cultural themes, Colin Thubron for the depth of his storytelling (there is always so much to learn about the history and the social dynamics of a place from his writing). I adore the writing of Dervla Murphy for the most articulate, unfiltered take on often extremely physically challenging solo female travel, or Patrick Leigh Fermor for infusing his writing with that almost magical quality that makes you want to immediately pack your bags and follow suit.
There are dozens of wonderful travel writers and exciting travel stories to immerse in. Start there, learn, absorb the lessons, and apply the learning to your own travel writing. In a world where everything gets dumbed down, or where attention spans are increasingly shortened, don’t be afraid to dive deep into travel writing. If you respect your writing craft and are taking your writing career seriously, then don’t skip this stage. Make sure that your writing stands out.
If you enjoy taking courses there are many writing courses available on Udemy, MasterClass and other learning platforms that can help give you a nudge in the right direction. Or join me in 1-1 coaching sessions, or on my group writing programme. Find out more and sign up to the wait list here.
Practice every week – write short travel pieces on topics that really interest you. Play around with different styles or write for different markets. Create a portfolio of writing to showcase. Learn and improve as you build your confidence and storytelling skills.
2. Research & Interviewing
One of the key skills for a travel journalist or travel writer is the ability to research, really digging deep into destinations, the history and the culture of the places you visit. Readers want more than a surface experience of a place. To engage the reader fully, observe closely, use sensory description, and bring the destination to life by including snippets of your conversations and observations with locals, experts or other travellers to the location. Always make sure to fact check. Use multiple sources. Make sure the facts stated are accurate at the time of writing.
Tools to Use:
- Google Scholar (for background research)
- Evernote or Notion (for organising research notes)
- Audio recording apps (for interviews)
3. Pitching & Networking
One of the most essential travel writing skills is communication. In particular, being able to pitch your story ideas to travel editors and publications. Not every story will get chosen or suit, but over time, you will build up relationships with editors, writers, PRs and with tourism boards. They will get to know you and your work, and you will gain a greater understanding of their priorities and what they are looking for.
Never be disappointed if a pitch doesn’t get accepted – rework it and resend elsewhere, or re-focus on a different story angle. Get feedback from the editors you work with. Often in the beginning it can take a little time to learn the writing style they are seeking, or particular formats for pieces of writing. If you are open to learning and can turn around copy to deadline, that will go a long way to helping build those relationships.
Study compelling pitches. See what really works and apply that to your own pitches. You want your ideas to stand out and to have strong appeal for an editor. Think about what you can specifically bring with your experience, always focus the pitch from the perspective of the reader (what is really going to interest them?), and make sure to meet the pitching guidelines of the publication you are approaching. Always make sure you have read the previous editions – so that you’re not pitching something that has already just been published, and to make sure the tone and angle of your article or feature meets the publication style.
Take up as many networking opportunities as you can to broaden your network of contacts. Organisations like the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW) in the UK run regular networking events and trips for writers to both meet each other, and to network with those working in the travel industry.
Resources:
Read The Lonely Planet Guide to Travel Writing or pre-order Write Your Way Around the World where I take you through crafting compelling pitches action-by-action.
Follow platforms like Travel Writers Exchange & relevant Substack newsletters (search ‘travel writing’ to get started). You can also follow my monthly newsletters:
Write Your Way Around the World provides insider tips on travel writing and working as a travel writer.
The Green Travel Guide shares green travel stories, sustainable destination guides and slow travel tips for adventurous travellers and readers alike.
Join travel writing groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X