Wined, Dined, and Pampered: How to Parlay Your Travel Writer Status Into

Coveted PerksBy Steenie Harvey

AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

Please

turn

off

your

cell

phone.

Thanks

!

Where Would You Prefer to Stay?

Why will people give you free trips, accommodation, meals, etc?

Because of the....

YOUR OPTIONS

• Group Press Trips. Also called FAM (familiarization) tours

• Customized Press Trips

• Do it yourself

Sample Group Press Trip: Wine, Dine and Mine

(November 2-7, 2009) Arizona Office of Tourism's Media Relations Division

Locations: Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, Clarkdale, Camp VerdeCottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, Clarkdale, Camp Verde

Audience: Domestic and international travel writers

Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and rich in culture, the Verde Valley is unlike anywhere else in the world. rich in culture, the Verde Valley is unlike anywhere else in the world. From exquisite wineries and old ghost towns to 100s of art galleries From exquisite wineries and old ghost towns to 100s of art galleries and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique Southwestern experience.Southwestern experience.

AOT Contact: Erica Rich, erich@azot.gov, 602-364-3698

www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com

‘‘We understand the value of maintaining good media We understand the value of maintaining good media relations and are always happy to work with members of relations and are always happy to work with members of the media to arrange press trips.the media to arrange press trips.

We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can better understand their needs and possibly suggest better understand their needs and possibly suggest additional angles, locations, etcadditional angles, locations, etc

We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in some cases, complimentary meals.some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com

We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking for assistance in arranging a press trip. for assistance in arranging a press trip.

You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record of producing stories about Vermont or New England for of producing stories about Vermont or New England for specific publications). specific publications).

You must be able to provide the Department with copies of You must be able to provide the Department with copies of some recent clips. These are essential in securing some recent clips. These are essential in securing complimentary services. Links to online versions of the complimentary services. Links to online versions of the pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also acceptable.acceptable.

Yukon Press Trips www.travelyukon.com

'Allow Tourism Yukon to assist you in producing more inspiring and detailed coverage for your market. The Tourism Yukon media program can provide the customised support you need with detailed itinerary planning; coordination of necessary permits; arrangements for transportation, accommodations, meals and more.'

To qualify for assistance from Tourism Yukon, members of the media must fulfill the following requirements:

a letter of assignment or provide a track record for producing

Tourism Yukon's Press Trip Request Form must be thoroughly completed prior to assistance being offered

Yukon: Press Trip Suggestions

• On the trail of '98: Heritage/Klondike Gold Rush (7 On the trail of '98: Heritage/Klondike Gold Rush (7 days, June to Septemberdays, June to September

• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10 Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10 days, year-round)days, year-round)

• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days, On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days, June to September)June to September)

• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure (10 days, mid August) (10 days, mid August) Group Press TripGroup Press Trip

• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid FebruaryFebruary

Yukon: Heritage/Klondike goldrush

Following the steps of the stampeders, this itinerary traces the Trail of ‘98 from Skagway, Alaska to Dawson City, Yukon . 3-4 overnights in Dawson City (heart & home of the Klondike) and 2-3 overnights in Whitehorse, the capital city. A day trip to Skagwayfor an excursion on the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway is also included.

Showcasing a multitude of attractions and Parks Canada Historic Sites, this itinerary explores the land of goldrush dreams through visits to the cabins of literary giants Jack London and Robert Service, Klondike goldfields, goldpanning sites, and Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall. Yukon River tours, shopping, dining and the nightlife of Whitehorse and Dawson are also highlighted

Check if an overseas tourist office can help

Turisme de Barcelona is opening the doors of the main cultural and leisure sights and facilities in Barcelona to journalists. To get a Barcelona Press Card, European journalists can send their details on fax (0034) 933 689 701 or email press@barcelonaturisme.cat  prior to their visit; journalists from other continents should send a copy of their international press card.

Those without official press accreditation should send a copy of two published articles with their names on.

When arriving in Barcelona, call Turisme de Barcelona's press department on (0034) 933 689 700 to make an appointment to pick their Barcelona Press Card up.

Check if an overseas tourist office can help

Tallinn City Tourist Office and Convention Bureau can assist journalists with accommodation bookings, city sightseeing tours, site-inspections, interviews etc.

To arrange a suitable program for a press-trip, we request a minimum of two business weeks notice for a press visit, after receiving your credentialing information.

•Visiting journalists must be on assignment.

•Complimentary arrangements are provided at the discretion of the host businesses and TCTO & CB and are subject to availability.

•TCTO & CB is unable to cover transportation expenses for your trip to Tallinn. www.tourism.tallinn.ee

Enterprise Estonia arranges press trips outside of Tallinn and provides assistance to journalists on assignment by arranging:

The itinerary to visit attractions, cultural venues and other points of interest.

Assistance with travel arrangements to Estonia, if necessary, is provided on a case-by-case basis. ETB will offer recommendations and can help with arrangements for meals. ETB will provide destination escorts as needed, high-resolution photography and fact checking. ETB will assist with complimentary accommodation based on scope of planned Estonia article(s) and availability of hotel rooms in the destination. www.visitestonia.com

Check if an overseas tourist office can help

The German National Tourist Offices arranges press trips for both individual writers and for groups. Should you be interested in, contact Victoria Larson at vicoria.larson@d-z-t.com. Please include information about yourself and the publication(s) you are writing for (clippings). www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press

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Czech Tourism offers press trips for both individual writers and groups. If you are interested in participating in a press trip send your bio with most recent clippings and name of the publication you have an assignment for. www.czechtourism.com

Overseas press trips

Italtourism (promotion and marketing services) www.italtourism.com Italtourism organizes individual and group press trips to Italy for journalists ready to feature the destinations represented by our clients. Generally, the trips are open to all travel media, from the nationals to provincial media and magazines, as well to broadcast journalists and travel writers contributing to travel websites. Depending on the client, the press trip can be aimed at groups or individual journalists.

Typical press trips can cover summer sports, cultural activities, festivals, food & wine, health & fitness or winter sports. Certain thematic press trips are restricted to journalists specializing in the relevant field. Typical examples include specific sports trips (mountain biking, hiking, climbing, skiing) or health & fitness treatments or specialist food & wine trips.

Arrange Your Own PerksArrange Your Own Perks

How to Hook Your Fish...Dear Ms Hammes,

I am the freelance European editor of International Living Magazine (www.internationalliving.com) which publishes both a monthly print issue as well as daily travel, lifestyle and real estate articles on the Web. More than 420,000 readers enjoy these daily dispatches from around the globe.

On behalf of the magazine, I am visiting Turkey with my photographer husband in August. We are starting our trip in Istanbul.

On your World Hotels website, Nippon Hotel looks ideal and in a great location, and I'm already sure I can recommend it to readers. We need a double room for three nights - arriving in the evening of Tuesday 12th August and departing on Friday the 15th of August.

Do you have a special media/press rate? If you need an assignment letter from the editor-in-chief, do not hesitate to let me know.

The kind of reply you can expect…The kind of reply you can expect…

Dear Madam, Our Group of Hotels have been supporting different marketing initiatives to make our Kerala Hotels popular. Although we did have some success, we need to to do more. I see this as a great opportunity for the same. We are pleased to confirm accommodation for you and your husband as follows : 8/10 March : Brunton Boatyard Hotel, Fort Cochin . You will be our guest and the courtesies will include accommodation with all three meals. All the expenses of personal nature can be settled directly with the Hotel. I also take this opportunity to invite you stay at other CGH properties like Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom, Marari Beach in Alleppey, Spice Village in Thekkady and in our ayurveda well being Palace called Kalari Kovilakom. Please do visit www.cghearth.com to get to know about these properties in detail. We look forward to your visit. Regards , Shilendran (General Manager, Sales & Marketing)

Houseboat, Kerala Backwaters, India

• I’ve never been published - can I get on a press trip?

• Can I take my wife/husband on a press trip?• How about taking the kids on a press trip?• If a hotel arranges a press trip, can I write an

article that only mentions the hotel in a sidebar?• Do press trips compromise objectivity?• Are press trips ethical?

Questions, questionsQuestions, questions

How to Find Press Trips

• Use Search Engines

• Contact tourism/convention bureau offices directly

• Get on the mailing list of specialist P.R. Agencies and tour operators

• Subscribe to specialist providers

Press Trips: Its got to be Austria

Austrian National Tourist Office www.austriatourism.com

We welcome enquiries from journalists regarding press trips to the We welcome enquiries from journalists regarding press trips to the regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it for yourself grows the passion. for yourself grows the passion.

We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed media prior to the provision of travel arrangements. media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.

•Innsbruck, an architectural gemInnsbruck, an architectural gem

•Golfing between mountains (Kitzbuhl area)

•Kinderhotels, take a family break

•Walking press trips (Northern Tyrol, Otztal)

Georgia Turner Group Media Tours, Fall 2009

www.georgiaturnergroup.com

• October 5-9: Sevierville, TN: Girlfriends Getaway in home town of Dolly Parton

• October 15-18: Lake Charles/SouthwestLouisiana: Lake Charles/SouthwestLouisiana: Cajuns, Cowboys and the CoastCajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA

• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle Florence, AL: The Muscle Shoals Sound Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009Florence, Al: The Muscle Shoals Sound

To the "singing river" that gave birth to multiple generations of talented musicians – from the Father of the Blues, W.C. Handy, to the Father of Rock and Roll, Sam Phillips. On this music-themed tour, we'll take you to meet the recording pioneers and the diverse blend of musicians responsible for creating the unique "Muscle Shoals Sound." The Staple Singers, Bob Dylan, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, Cher, the Osmonds and other famous crooners belted out hit after hit in the "Hit Recording Capital of the World".

We'll visit studios from the past and present, including FAME which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Record your own platinum record at the The Alabama Music Hall of Fame. The host hotel is the Marriott Shoals, one of the top Marriotts in the country. And of course you'll sample Southern culinary delights like barbecue and catfish!

Interested in Adventure Travel? Go to www.atmstravelnews.com

Working ranch experience in Montana mountains

Experience small group cycling adventures

Explore Yosemite National Park and the Tuolomne river

Journalists invited on a multi sport adventure of the Galapagos

Working Ranch Experience

Destination: Roscoe, MontanaDates: throughout 2009Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities, transportationExclusions: Personal purchases, gratuitiesJournalist requirements: Writers with an assignment for a print or major online publication with an emphasis on travel.

Come visit this 108 year old private ranch where folks like Roy Rogers and Dale Evans rode and Robert Redford came to visit, and that is featured in the “Thousand Places to See Before you Die” book. Where luxurious antique cabins and soft beds await under star filled skies. Where the only traffic jam comes at the gate where 2,000 cows pass by you and your horse on their way to greener pastures.

You can find upcoming Press Trips through www.travelwriters.com.

• $59 annually to fully access the site• Gets you periodic announcements of expenses-paid

trips from public relations companies, tour operators

• More press trips…• www.gotravelnews.com

• www.mediakitty.com

• www.itwpa.com – you get 3-month complimentary membership as a gift for

coming to this workshop

Trips on www.travelwriters.com July 2009 include:

Costa Rica Luxury and AdventureBus adventures into the secret heart of Los AngelesExperience Alaska with Gray LineTurtle Island , Fiji welcome writersExperience the Jewel of the South, Savannah This IS Flint, Flint, Michigan Discover the charms of Manzanillo, the place for family vacations

Trips on Mediakitty include:

Whistler Olympic Venues ...Visit where the world's best athletes will compete in 2010.

Journalists Invited to Experience 'Glamping' and Rafting along Idahos Middle Fork of the Salmon River

Press Trip: Taste of BC Food and Wine Tour

An enchanted island…a world apart (forgotten Florida)

Travel the routes of the Orcas to Mayne Island, British Columbia

HOW TO MAKE CONNECTIONS

• Contact 4-6 weeks before trip• Include assignment letter and copies of most

recently published articles. (Or provide online links)• Be specific with your request• Give dates of arrival and alternatives• Indicate if you need accommodations, admission to

attractions, etc• Explain if your article will mention supplier services

or if it’s a destination only piece

The rules of engagement:

SAMPLE CONTACT LETTER

Hilary Townsend (Public Relations Manager) San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau

Dear Ms.Townsend,

I’m a freelance writer specializing in family vacation travel. Family Circle West Coast has recently started a new travel feature called Especially for Kids and the editor has commissioned me to write a story on San Diego. My assignment letter is enclosed along with 3 recent clips.

San Diego Zoo, Legoland and the Birch Aquarium are stand-out attractions, but I hope to feature at least 8 specific ideas. I look forward to hearing what other fun and educational/hands-on activities you can suggest. CONT>>>

SAMPLE CONTACT LETTER (CONTINUED)

Family Circle West Coast is a monthly publication with an average readership of 86,000 for each issue. As its budget does not cover writer’s expenses, I’m hoping that you can help with accommodation arrangements at hotels that offer complimentary or special rates for visiting journalists. As I will be making hotel recommendations, I would ideally like to stay in two separate accommodations that are both ‘kid-friendly’.

I intend spending 4 nights in the city. My preferred time to visit would be 4th-7th September inclusive, but 14th-17th September works for me too.

Best regards, Marian McLeod (Ms)

CONTACT INFO (Address, phone, e-mail)

When you get published...take a look at Travel Media Showcase

www.travelmediashowcase.com

Major annual networking opportunity for US writers to make contacts with tourist and convention bureaus, PR agencies, reps from major hotel chains and resort destinations.This year’s event is September 8-11 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa, Montgomery, AL.

To attend:

By invitation after registration, you need to provide recently published clips. Includes FREE 3-night hotel stay, meals, local FAM trips.

Also travel subsidy of up to $150 for journalists traveling in excess of 600 miles return trip (300 miles each-way) based on approved travel costs

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published by:

American Writers & Artists Inc.

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Delray Beach, FL 33483