HOLY CROSS OF DAVAO COLLEGE

Sta. Ana Avenue, Cor De Guzman Street., Davao City

Tel. No. 221-9071 to 79 loc. 177

College of Hospitality and Tourism Management Education

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

TRAVEL WRITING AND

PHOTOGRAPHY
HANDOUT

Offering Number : 00824

Course Code : TME 3
Course Description : TRAVEL WRITING AND
PHOTOGRAPHY
Time Schedule : 7:15-8:15PM
Topic Coverage : PRELIM

Teacher : DENZEN LOURIZ PALANAS,

MM
Offering Number: 00824
Course Code: TME 3
Time and Schedule: 7:15-8:15PM

Course Description: TRAVEL WRITING AND PHOTOGRAPHY

LESSON 1: Introduction to Travel Writing

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, you can :

1. Explain what travel writing is
2. Discuss the connection between tourism and travel writing
3. Appreciate the art of travel writing

Travel Writing

∙
Travel writing is writing about visiting different places. It can appear as a newspaper article, informing
readers about a specific destination. It can also be a form of literary non-fiction, written as a book, telling a
longer narrative about a journey or place. This differs from a travel blog because the writing is more
detailed and less informal.
∙
Travel writing is a form of creative nonfiction in which the narrator's encounters with foreign places serve as
the dominant subject. It is also called travel literature.
∙
All travel writing—because it is writing—is made in the sense of being constructed, says Peter Hulme, "but
travel writing cannot be made up without losing its designation" (quoted by Tim Youngs in TheCambridge
Introduction to Travel Writing, 2013).
∙
Travel writing celebrates the differences in manners and customs around the world. It helps the reader to
understand other people and places. And it helps readers plan their own trips and avoid costly mistakes
while traveling. But, most of all, it lets readers travel to far-off destinations that they may never see.
∙
Travel writing is usually written in the first person – using ‘I’. It is often descriptive – telling you about the
place. As as literary non-fiction, it aims to entertain as well as inform.
∙
Travel writing is a difficult genre to classify as it shares in so many other genres. Histories, personal
narratives, accounts of exploration, and tales of epic quests: travel writing derives from and adds to each of
these forms. Travel writing has always been as much about the exploration of the writer's self as it has
been about the places or peoples visited. Travel writers and critics of the genre have often argued that the
destination is of relatively little consequence; it is the process of travel, the work or travail involved, that is
the true subject of the travel writer.

∙
In its strictest sense,not all writings about travels, about the traveler , and about their destinations are
examples of travel writing.
∙
Travel writing is as much about the traveler as it is about the destination,

Tourism and Travel Writing

∙
Though not all writings about travels at present can be considered examples of travel writing, travel writers
share the same passion with their creators. They are both passionate about travelling and in capturing the
experiences of travelling.
∙
Tourism and travel go together. When you put into writing your experiences as a traveler, as a tourist, you
enter into the realm of travel writing.
∙
The passion for visiting new places, and in capturing in text the experience of being in these new places,
make a tourist a travel writer in the making.

Activity 1

Write three statements about the image below. (50 points)

Workload can also be in the way of your relaxation and enjoyment wherever you are. It
is okay to enjoy the vacation but don’t stress yourself while doing your job. It is better to
find a quiet place to enjoy your writing and add some notes on your diary or while
working rather than a noisy place with lots of noise or people around.

Activity 2
A. Briefly answer the questions below.
1. Can travel blog be considered travel writing? Explain your answer. (50 points)
- For me yes it is because I believe all travel blogs are creative writing and also travel writing is in
many ways as it takes the angle the writer chooses, as opposed to being straight, objective
reporting. Travel writing has much to do with the writer’s perception and experience, too. Some
travel writing extends to memoir, and memoir falls under “creative nonfiction.” Creative writing also
is engaging your Blog readers with your content that they like/love/follow and you need to make it
creative through expressive content with images/photos/stories based, that will hook the readers to
go through your Blog/s. Any form of work where you attract readers with your words is considered
creative writing.
Lesson 2
Types of Travel Writing

Objectives: At the end of the week, you can

1. Identify the different types of travel writing
2. Compare the different types of travel writing
3. Explain how travel writing has adopt to technological changes

1 . We e k e n d w a r r i o r
Are you one of those people who gravitate toward articles about the perfect day trip? Local or regional
attractions are great for this type of piece. This is a mashup of a few ways to travel write—it can be an
outdoor expedition, recreational indoor activity, weekend getaway, or a combination. It may focus on a
fishing trip, bike or hiking trails, scenic road trips, or indoor rock climbing for example. It’s a destination
piece with an
element of adventure that gives the reader a glimpse of what they could be doing this weekend.
Travel writers should know the market, the publication and their vocabulary. Consider if the piece will be
family-oriented, what are some interesting things to do outside of the must-see attractions, how to get the
most out of the day or weekend, along with descriptions of the scenery and facts about the activity.
Whether it's water sports, glamping or packaged adventures, if you live it, why not write about it? This can
also be a version of roundups (see below) and may include additional specifics on a destination’s happy-
hours specials, shopping, food, drink, the arts, and nightlife.

2 . C o n te n t a n d s o c i a l m e d i a m a r k e ti n g
Travel companies sometimes hire freelance content and social media writers to promote their product and
services via blog posts, video clips, and articles. You’ll need to write quickly, vary the tone for targeted
audiences and engage with followers and update posts. If you favor succinct tweets, Instagram blasts and
Facebook blurbs, you’ll like this option. Side note: As a travel writer, you should have a social media
presence anyway. While you’re traveling, you
can upload videos and pictures to promote the attractions and things to do at the destination. Also, during
complimentary travel, businesses like the fact that you’re able to “bring along your followers to visit” their
destinations and spread the word instantly.
Finally, most companies have social media pages and as more people turn to them for ideas, travel content
and social media writers are in demand, especially if you employ SEO practices. There are even content
marketing companies that hire travel writers specifically to research and write content for other businesses.

3 . R o u n d u p s a n d "b e s t o f l i s ts”
Very popular these days, roundups are bullet-point lists that collect information on different destinations
with a common theme, like the “10 Best B&B’s in San Francisco.” It isn’t too in-depth and because it’s brief,
the catch is finding ways to spice up descriptions and avoid clichés. The introductory paragraph setups the
common thread/angle and bullet points justify why the destination made the list. Roundups should be
accurate and well-researched to produce quality pieces (even better is visiting the destinations and
providing original content).
If your roundups are in the same region (like the B&Bs in San Francisco) before you visit you can request
complimentary accommodations.Better yet, contact local tourism agencies and they’ll help set up tours,
press passes, create your itinerary and provide tour guides, on occasion. Roundups get a lot of online
views and are easily scan for pertinent information (it helps build your portfolio, too).

4 . H o l i d a ys a n d s p e c i a l e ve n ts
A travel story involving holidays and special events such as New Year’s or Germany’s Oktoberfest should
be pitched and planned well in advance. If you’re new to travel writing, you can start with local festivals and
fairs.
One lesson I learned early on as a journalist who also covered travel writing—these events can produce
multiple pieces and can be a treasure-trove for new leads.
For example, the first piece can be a 200-word announcement of the event. Closer to the occasion, an
interview with an event official about last year’s successes and what to expect this year serves as a
reminder. As you cover the event, talk to everyone. If you do multiple types of travel stories your next lead
or resource could be around the corner.

5 . S i d e tr i p s
A side trip is a “side-step” on the way to or from (or nearby) a major destination. It focuses on another city
or lesser known location or attraction. Magazines usually plan for and arrange side trips to complement the
issue’s featured travel article. Pitching these ideas early on can help them plan around the issue. Side
pieces detail how to get there, attractions details such as hours of operation, so readers can know what to
expect when visiting.
Side trips are usually day-trips and travel writers maximize the benefits by also using these destinations (or
information from them) in roundups or even weekend warrior angles.

6 . D e s ti n a ti o n s p i e c e s
Destination pieces that are feature articles are usually very in-depth. It finds the right angle to draw the
reader into the painting the travel writer creates and entices them to visit. Features can be seasonal but
should always be relevant. Often, editors assign these to established writers or those they have a working
history and familiarity with. Well organized pieces seamlessly integrate facts, anecdotes, historical
information, encounters, storylines, and the “Five W’s” of who, what, when, where, and why (and
sometimes how). The challenge remains, as with all popular attractions, finding a fresh way to retell
something many others have done before.
It’s usually told in the first person and the voice is more of a delivery tool than the focus. Great travel writers
avoid meaningless descriptions and write compelling articles that make the reader hungry for the next
detail. Destinations can also highlight overlooked attractions and little-known gems.

7 . Travel and life style blogging

Travel blogging allows writers to set the tone and pace because there are no editors or deadlines or
templates, just you and your readers. You can also be a guest contributor or invite guest bloggers to
increase visibility. As for lifestyle blogging, it’s great for multiple ways of travel writing because you set the
terms, here as well. However, it’s very competitive so the key is to build trust and rapport and be a credible
resource for
readers. You can write longform posts, roundups, destinations, weekend warriors angles and itineraries,
you name it. Itineraries can take the form of where to eat, stay, and play, whereas longform posts are more
narrative in nature with characters and vivid details. Bloggers keep the reader’s attention by being witty,
creative and engaging, even intimate; they are active (in life and online), giving readers repeated reasons
to return.

8 . H o w-to g u i d e s
The how-to travel piece imparts invaluable advice and information, making travel writers a tour guide of
sorts. You can help solve readers’ travel problems before they occur, and this alone will generate more
shares if it's relatable and reliable.
A how-to can focus on just one aspect of travel like how to get around complex international airports for
example. “How-to” travel advice is a frequently googled topic, such as, “How to travel on a budget.” Travel
writers should be comfortable conducting thorough research and have knowledge of the destination, where
applicable.Great how-to articles are honest and trustworthy and teach readers essential tips beyond what
the attraction entails.

9 . Travel advice articles

A how-to article can easily turn into an advice piece which discusses, for example, mishaps that can
happen on a trip. Advice on overcoming language barriers, what to do if you have to deal with law
enforcement, foods to avoid, what to do if you lose your luggage, scams, where to get discounts and
bargains, what to do
if you miss your flight or if you become lost, all of these are advice a reader may not know they need.
Whatever you recommend, it must be well-researched and interviews with credible experts help reinforce
the advice given. Editors often assign these pieces to staff writers and not freelancers.
How-to and advice travel articles can be in-depth standalone pieces, but often this information is
incorporated in other pieces such as destination articles. Readers appreciate the one-stop “shopping,”
especially if the advice is destination-specific and integral to the region. Many see this type of advice as
essential to any travel piece.

1 0 . Travel Itineraries
Itineraries are city-by-city, region, destination, or sight-by-sight recount of all the details from planning to
returning home, so the traveler can use it as a stencil. There are recommendations on where to visit and
how to maximize time and save money. It goes into greater detail about the challenges of visiting a specific
location, drive times and routes, weather and road conditions, crowds and busy times, and what clothing
and
gear to pack. Itineraries can be first-person accounts, relaying door-to-door experiences with a narrative
thread that runs throughout.

11 . Food and travel

This is a prized gig for foodies—exploring diverse cuisines, cultures, and dishes, all the while visiting
interesting places. This is a staple in the travel writing industry because there are evergreen opportunities
to explore. If you have a genuine interest in food and basic cooking knowledge, this dream job can lead to
interesting discoveries, making for well-rounded pieces. Food and travel articles are not reviews and are
more than just why a meal is great or where it falls short or the restaurant’s location. It’s the presentation,
the ambiance, the way this dish makes you feel, the amazing hole-in-the-wall gems. You get to write about:
how in some places food is passed on as an inheritance; how it can be the marking of a culture and its
people; how it intersects with history and traditions and is a celebration of living.
1 2 . Travel guide books
If you’re more of a straight-forward kind of writer, then this might be a better fit for you. Its factual, practical,
and linear. It can be part-time or full-time employment but if constant travel isn’t appealing, you can be a
local or regional writer.
Guidebooks cover a wide variety of subjects and are heavy on descriptions, and to stay current must have
up-to-date listings. Many set boundaries and divide the guide into sights to see. Don’t rely on internet
research alone, it’s best to see the place because knowledge of your destination is paramount, along with a
good understanding of maps. Guidebooks may include quality beaches, five-diamond lodging and
independent
hotels, museums, history, architecture and local traditions. However, work can monotonous.

1 3 . Travel humor
Do you have a knack for writing humorous stories? This can be a niche in and of itself in travel writing, and
humor is sought after and well received by editors. It requires a clear voice, firsthand experiences, a
storyline that engages, and sticking to an angle (and in a refreshing way). It builds rapport with readers,
especially if the joke is at your expense.
The downside is the risk of insulting someone, unintentionally singling out a group of people or being
culturally insensitive, using offensive language, or accidentally letting your prejudices creep into your
writing, or worse, using your wit as a weapon. Many travel writers stick to universal misadventures,
misassumptions, misunderstandings, and tongue-in-cheek humor. But finding that delicate balance in tone,
and keeping humor relevant, light-hearted enough, inclusive, and tolerant is no short order.

1 4 . Personal travel essays

A well-written, insightful personal travel essay is every editor’s dream, but it’s not always in demand or easy
to write. A distinct voice, great backstory, a universal theme and/or lesson, the ability to tell a travel-related
story imbued with metaphors and comparisons that reaches the reader, are all part of great travel personal
essays. Switching between views—from wide to medium to close-level lenses, add depth, as well. Personal
travel essays are more like a journey of discovery as the piece matures; its rich in perspective and a
balanced travel narrative. The travel aspect shouldn’t hide inside your personal essay, your purpose should
live amongst its storyline. Places can often invoke revelations that arise through reflection, writers learn
about themselves, explore emotional issues, and make hidden connections.

1 5 . Travel memoirs
Travel memoirs are even harder to write and many never make it to publication, especially if it reads like a
diary entry. They aren’t autobiographical as traditional creative-nonfiction memoirs but like a personal
essay, it has to be well-written, possesses a strong voice and point of view, something exceptional to say,
even a
metaphorical journey. Time and place, scenery, culture, and a distinctive narrative create a window into
your experience.
Knowing the targeted audience, developing fully-realized characters and storylines, and remaining focused
(not every mishap should make it into your memoir), are the marking of a successful travel memoir.

1 6 . Travel modes
The travel modes focus isn’t destinations but the form of transportation i.e. how you get there and the
voyage itself. Transportation modes include vintage trains, railroads, ships, and automobiles. Not a how-to
or advice piece, it can overlap in some ways but the central theme is the discoveries along the way, the
way it makes the author feel, and other nostalgic and historical angles. Facts, a vivid narrative, (and photos
even), elevate
these expedition pieces.

1 7 . News travel
Writing about places that made the new cycle either because of war, civil unrest or terrorism can become
popular after the chaos is over. Places like Egypt and Israel, with its rich biblical history, monuments, and
locations like Mt. Sinai and the Red Sea, are of interest to many a reader and traveler, alike. This is a tricky
mixture because though tourism is alive in these places, civil and economic disturbances (afterward) affect
interest levels and thus publication opportunities. (Though there are readers who enjoy learning about such
places, even if they have no intention of visiting.)
Another intersection with travel writing and the news is if to travel to destinations that experience natural
disasters. The occurrence of tsunamis, hurricanes, and earthquakes, can open the way for a how-to about
keeping safe and what to do in case it happens while on vacation. Discounts, bargains and cheap travel
packages to nearby locations (where tourism may also suffer) make for travel articles, as well.
1 8 . Travel op-eds
Op-ed pieces are not as commonplace as other travel writing mediums. However, these travel writers are
intimately familiar with each publication’s tone, style, and platform, and check (and adhere to) submission
details and deadlines. Again, being original and persuasive, having a clear decisive voice, something
valuable to share, and an angle increases publication opportunities.

Activity 1
Write three statements about travel writing that you have learned in the previous lesson.

(50 points)

Traveling is a necessary activity. It helps us see the world more holistically, purges any bad nationalism we
may possess, and allows us to create meaningful connections with a variety of people that can lead to long-
term friendships and even business deals. Travel allows us to cut dangerous feelings about other people
out of our minds. Most of the time, we are racists, sexists, and other types of bigots because we are
uninformed and afraid. We have met or at least gotten to know the people we despise. We see individuals
through a certain lens because of the media and our upbringing. When we travel, we meet a variety of
people from other countries. As a result, we will become more open-minded and less frightened of others.
We begin to see the world as a community, rather than as a collection of different societies at odds with
one another.
Activity 2

Write your experience visiting a new place.

(not less than 1 thousand words) (50 points)

I've already had a lot of fantastic experiences in my life. I don't mind traveling with close friends,
family, or total strangers as long as the topic is traveling. I like going on excursions and dislike spending too
much time at home. I may be when I need to relax, but my body is constantly looking for adventure, and my
friends may not see me in the home because I am someplace enjoying being alone. What I'll write here is
that although this was not a tourist attraction since it was my first employment, it was nonetheless a fresh
experience for me that led me to travel when I had my first salary. I've been busy in the field of education
for the most of my professional life. I didn't have the opportunity to work full-time at night while still learning.
I had previously attempted to work, but only for a few hours. My school routine consists of waking up in the
morning to prepare for school by eating breakfast, completing homework and projects, going out to dinner
with friends after school is out for the day, and so on. Despite this, I chose to seek a job since I wanted to
broaden my horizons. Fortunately, I was approved by a BPO firm, and the schedule they provided was
much too fresh for my comfort. Because I work the graveyard shift, my sleeping patterns have changed
drastically since starting my present job. I had to drive to my office from home since it was too far away,
and I could still recall not getting enough sleep when I was on my way to work. My new body schedule is
that I am up till the sun rises and sleep in the mornings to prepare for my night shift schedule; this is my
daily routine. When I initially began working, it was challenging since the routine was different from what I
had gotten used to. Because the nature of my work is on a graveyard, employees must be awake at night;
even my responsibilities were different from what I had become accustomed to while still studying;
however, the benefit is that I am paid for my efforts and may spend the money however I wish; as a result,
the money I earned allowed me to travel wherever I desired with it. The downside is that I resigned from my
position of responsibility in that job right away since I am still not prepared for it; yet, having a basic grasp of
how the firm runs may already be an advantage for me when I reapply.

Before I left from work, it was possible for me and my workmates to take a flight to Samal and spend the
night there getting drunk and singing along to the guitar when someone was playing it. We decided to travel
because they wanted me to have a bond with them somewhere before I officially leave the workplace. We
arrived at our destination fatigued since the boat ride to the resort took three hours, but laughs spilled from
our mouths when we looked so haggard from that three-hour trip even though we were just sitting on the
boat. When the night fell, the sky was filled with stars, some of which were shaped differently, the coconut
trees were dancing due to the breezing wind, the ocean waves were too beautiful not to stare at, and the
ocean sounds were so intoxicating that I couldn't stop myself from sitting in the sand, hugging my legs
close to my chest, and just staring at the moon's reflection on the water, while I was out there wondering
what happened to my decisions that affected my life. It came to a halt, though, when my buddies called to
invite me out for a drink. We were having a good time at the beach that night as we were seated on the
sand forming a large circle, playing games till the bottles of beer were emptied and some of them were
already drunk after taking 3 glasses of beer. When practically everyone was already buzzed, we just sat
down and stopped drinking and shared our experiences and ideas with one another. I got the opportunity to
express my feelings, and everyone else had the opportunity to share theirs as well. I simply knew we had
the same thoughts, that we looked for jobs because we both had the same duties in life. Since that vacation
would only come around once in a blue moon, because we all have our own tales, separate commitments
outside of work, and that was the one time when everyone was free. Not to forget to mention, we didn’t
book bedrooms because the resort offers them too expensive. In the end, we just slept on the sand even
though the wind was too strong at 3am in the morning and we were the only tourists that were sleeping on
the sand because other tourists brought their own tents and other camping equipment. We were freezing
but it was still a fun experience. That night at Samal with friends, we felt as if we were one and the same.
As a result, there were tears and laughter mixed throughout our vacation at the beach. Despite the fact that
it gave me a severe headache when we woke up the next morning, the experience was amazing, and the
smile on my face will not soon fade because I get the chance to witness the sub slowly rising up on the
horizon. I also don't regret spending 14 percent of my salary on that trip.
Traveling will not only make you happy, but also teach you something from the person you meet when you
get to bond with them in a relaxing place. Traveling, like this benefit, makes it simpler to comprehend
individuals. You will discover how your workmates communicate outside of work, how they live, among
other things. You will also become more sensitive to various cultures and individuals when you step outside
of your comfort zone. Traveling also makes you forget things that make you tired and stressed from your
responsibility, and the money that you earn from traveling helps you reach your goals. Even though it's
hard and tiring to do all the things you have to do, the important thing is that at the end of the day, you will
still have those gained things that will help you in the future, and also the money you earn helps you decide
which place to visit and make new memories with yourself or with someone.
Activity 3

Choose at least 2 types of travel writing that you like the most/best describe your
self. Support your answer. (50 points)