Tourist Vs. Travel Journalist

Some may wonder, “Which category does a Travel Magazine belong to, travel or journalism?” the answer is simple, both! It’s a well established fact that a travel journalist is a ‘journalist’, but now the debate is whether he is also a tourist, and if not, what differentiates him from a one? According to Benedict Allen, “the difference between a traveler and a tourist is that a traveler simulates that experience (for others) and records it”. So, is this the only difference between the two that a travel writer records his travels and a tourist doesn’t? Does recording ones travel really prove helpful for experiencing a place? Or, is it possible that a travel journalist actually misses out on enjoying his experience to the fullest due to constant note-taking, and in some cases, photographing?

In most cases, one does realize that the whole experience of uncovering minute details which only a sharp and observant journalist can notice sets him apart from a regular tourist. The fact that he is a travel writer makes for a good excuse to go overboard when exploring a new place. Thus, a good travel writer almost always has a more enriched travel experience which then translate to rich travel pieces. Where a tourist may order the daily special in a French brassiere, a travel journalist would delve more and request to meet the chef, if possible even record him in action! Also, the owner of the brassiere is much more likely to flatter a travel writer reviewing his restaurant rather than general tourists. Thus, most definitely a travel writer is a peg above a typical tourist not only in terms of preferential treatment but also because of their different approach towards high quality travelling which then translates to high quality travel journalism.