Travel Writing

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Travel Writing

Perley-Ann Friedman

10 Types of Travel Articles You Can Write

There are almost as many types of travel articles as there are types of people that travel. This variety provides a full range of possibilities for all writers, whatever their style. There are two distinct styles of travel articles: factual and creative non-fiction that focuses on the writer's perceptions and experience. Within these two styles there are 10 major types of articles.

The Factual Style of Travel Writing

Destination Specific. This very traditional style of travel writing is known as the travel guide. It contains factual information about a destination such as a country, city, or area. Travel guides contain information about major attractions, accommodations, restaurants, night life, transportation, culture, and other relevant information, often including rates, hours of operation, and contact information. Most of the information in this type of article is a compilation of many hours of time-consuming research, as well as (but not necessarily) travel to the destination itself. The information is timely and must be updated regularly. This reference-type of information is valuable when you are making your travel arrangements as well as while you are on a trip. Many travellers carry a travel guide and make constant reference to it. Examples of this type are: Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Frommer's, and Insight Guides.
Event Specific. This type of travel writing is similar to the destination-specific type but it focuses on an event. It details factual information about the event and where it is held, including the attractions, accommodations, restaurants, and other information specific to the event and the area. This type of writing is extremely timely; publications begin planning for it from six months to a year in advance. The information is gathered through extensive research, interviews, and an analysis of past writing of the same nature. Examples of this type have titles like: "The Beijing Olympics 2008," "Super Bowl Weekend 2002," "Queen's Jubilee Celebrations," "Christmas 2002 in New York," and other such annual and one-time events.
Subject/Theme-Specific. Subject/theme-specific travel writing is similar to the destination-specific type, but it focuses on a subject or theme such as golf, diving, camping, trekking, amusement parks, and heritage sites. Often these pieces deal with more than one destination within the same geographic location. Examples of this type are: "Golfing in New England," "Diving in the Philippines," "Trekking in Nepal," and "Riverboats of the Mississippi."
Reporting. This type of piece reports on an issue related to a destination, detailing and explaining the various aspects of the issue without supporting or rejecting any one side. It is a very factual journalistic approach. Issues dealt with include the environment, politics, geography, history, and economics. The writer doesn't necessarily need to travel to the destination, but would need a thorough understanding of the issue and be familiar with the destination. Much of the information for the piece would come from research including interviews with experts on the issue.
Service (or Sidebars). Service or sidebar travel writing is usually in bullet point or summary form, displayed in graphic boxes. It provides precise information, such as addresses and phone numbers of hotels, restaurants, golf courses, beaches, and the like. Sidebars often accompany creative non-fiction travel articles. The information is gathered through extensive, timely research.

The Creative Non-Fiction Style of Travel Writing

Travelogue. This journal or diary approach describes what the writer experienced on the trip. It can be a day-by-day description or it can just include highlights or a single aspect of the trip. The writer's perceptions, impressions, and comments are of prime importance in this type of piece, allowing the reader to tag along on the trip as an "armchair traveler." The writings of Bill Bryson and Paul Theroux are excellent examples of this type of writing.
Adventure. Adventure travel writing describes doing something unique. Differing from the travelogue or the theme types above, the piece focuses on a specific activity, describing it fully, including background information and preparations along with an in-depth description of the experience from the writer's perspective. Examples of this type are pieces with titles like: "Surviving the Trek to Everest Base Camp," "Swimming with Sharks in Belize," and "Over Kenya in a Hot-Air Balloon." Factual information is often included in sidebar format.
Personal Experience. This type of piece centers on something that happened to the writer at a destination. It could be about a chance meeting, an event, even about a good or bad experience. The writer describes the experience in the first person, detailing thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. Often these pieces have very little description of the destination as the focus is on the writer's experience. Examples of this are pieces with titles like: "Meeting Royalty in London," "Sushi in Moscow," and "Kindred Spirits found on the Great Wall."
Inspirational. Inspirational travel writing takes the travelogue, adventure, or personal experience a step further by incorporating a spiritual message or the motivation for change as experienced by the writer. These pieces are often found in publications geared towards lifestyle modification and self-help as well as in religious publications.
Essay. Similar to the Reporting type of travel writing described earlier, this type covers an issue relating to a destination, but it is written from the writer's point of view. The issue is presented along with the writer's theories, views, and conclusions. These editorial or opinionated pieces are often found in international or news-type publications and written by well-known personalities, respected statesman, and accredited experts in the field.