Slide 1

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 2

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 3

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 4

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 5

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 6

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 7

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 8

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 9

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 10

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 11

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 12

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 13

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 14

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 15

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 16

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 17

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 18

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 19

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 20

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 21

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 22

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 23

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 24

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 25

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 26

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 27

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 28

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 29

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 30

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 31

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 32

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 33

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 34

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.


Slide 35

Wined, Dined, and
Pampered: How to
Parlay Your Travel
Writer Status Into
Coveted Perks
By Steenie Harvey
AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver, CO ● July 2009

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 Verde
Audience: Domestic and international travel writers
Program Summary: Steeped in history, breathtaking in beauty and
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
and magnificent scenery, this region of the Grand Canyon State is the
perfect destination for one seeking an authentic and unique
Southwestern experience.
AOT Contact: Erica Rich, [email protected], 602-364-3698
www.arizonaguide.com

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
‘We understand the value of maintaining good media
relations and are always happy to work with members of
the media to arrange press trips.
We first like to have an initial consultation with journalists
about Vermont stories they are developing so that we can
better understand their needs and possibly suggest
additional angles, locations, etc
We can help arrange for complimentary or discounted
lodging, complimentary admission to attractions, and in
some cases, complimentary meals.

Customized Press Trips: www.travel-vermont.com
We ask for at least two weeks notice in advance of asking
for assistance in arranging a press trip.
You must have a confirming letter of assignment from an
editor. (Exceptions may be made if you have a track record
of producing stories about Vermont or New England for
specific publications).
You must be able to provide the Department with copies of
some recent clips. These are essential in securing
complimentary services. Links to online versions of the
pieces in the publications in which they appeared are also
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
days, June to September
• Inns through the Outdoors: Inns and lodges (5 to 10
days, year-round)
• On the Fly in Canada’s Yukon: fishing lodges (7 days,
June to September)
• Guided Wilderness Trips (year round)

• Midnight Sun Discovery Tour: Heritage/Soft adventure
(10 days, mid August) Group Press Trip
• Yukon Quest Winter Adventure: 7 to 10 days, mid
February

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 [email protected] 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, siteinspections, 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 [email protected]. Please include information about yourself and the
publication(s) you are writing for (clippings).
www.cometogermany.com/ENU/press
************************************************
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 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…
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

Questions, questions
• 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?

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
regions and resort areas featured below. We know that turning the
pages of a brochure often plants the seed, but actually experiencing it
for yourself grows the passion.
We would be pleased to organize a press trip for you. We kindly ask
that freelance travel writers produce a valid commission with printed
media prior to the provision of travel arrangements.
• Innsbruck, 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:
Cajuns, Cowboys and the Coast

• October 20-22: Discover Dahlonega, GA
• October 29- November 1: Florence, AL: The Muscle
Shoals Sound

October 29 – November 1, 2009
Florence, 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, Montana
Dates: throughout 2009
Inclusions: 2 to 3 nights lodging, meals, activities,
transportation
Exclusions: Personal purchases, gratuities
Journalist 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 Adventure
Bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles
Experience Alaska with Gray Line
Turtle Island , Fiji welcome writers
Experience 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

The rules of engagement:
• 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

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 ‘kidfriendly’.
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

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.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483

© COPYRIGHT 2009 BY AMERICAN WRITERS & ARTISTS INC.