Travel Writing
As the travel industry adjusts to fit a post-pandemic, ecologically aware world, travel writing becomes even more interesting but not without its challenges. The rise of the staycation, the impacts of Brexit and the need to negotiate new, greener pathways make this a fascinating time in which to be both travelling and writing about travel experiences.
The challenges are clear but Fi is revelling in them.
Sustainable Travel
Global tourism is responsible for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions but for many people, especially those who work in the industry, travel and adventure experiences really matter. More and more travel consumers are looking for opportunities to reduce their impact on the planet, as well as alternative, gentler ways to enjoy their adventure and leisure time. The impact of this on the travel sector is still evolving, which makes this a fascinating time for travel writers.
In the spring of 2022 Fi decided to start small and find out how many of her usual outdoor activities she could enjoy by train instead of the car. The experiment is ongoing but has resulted in plenty of interest in her growing collection of adventures by train. As a result of the publication of these adventures, Fi has been building a happy network of contacts and new clients.
It’s a project she really values. Full steam ahead!
Campervan Magazine
Campervan Magazine approached Fi after reading a blog post she had written about experimenting with life as a digital nomad. The conversation resulted in an article and Fi has since been pleased to write for this publication on further topics including a wild camping trip to Norway, walks from car parks on Dartmoor and a ‘long way home’ trip from Yorkshire to Devon via Wales.
As the travel industry moves towards greener systems, Fi was also particularly pleased to research and write, during a trip to Scotland, an article for Campervan Magazine on low-waste campervan life. With as little packaging as possible, plenty of porridge and even some home-dried mushrooms, the trip was a winner when it came to both experience and budget.
Ordnance Survey
Urban Maps Collection
As a lover of maps and an Ordnance Survey Champion, Fi was thrilled to be asked to contribute to Ordnance Survey’s Urban Walks paper map collection. Exploring London’s Royal Parks and the Thames Path with new eyes, Fi made significant contribution to the planning, research, writing and collation of this eye-catching print product.
‘Fi came highly recommended by another member of Ordnance Survey’s Consumer Team and she did not disappoint. Her work is always precise, always on time and she can turn her hand to any style. From sparkling, child-friendly humour to detailed, directional information, her knowledge and passion for the outdoors shines through. She is also adept at creating content across many formats, from print guidebooks to digital apps.’
Mary Malyon – Ordnance Survey
Secret Stories – Digital
Ordnance Survey’s Secret Stories app offers a whole new way to explore with the family. The brief for Fi’s Secret Stories digital tours was a set of short location-based stories with a ‘Horrible Histories’ tone of voice. With Torquay’s Agatha Christie heritage, and Brixham’s fishing yarns, Torbay seemed the perfect place to start but Fi was enjoying her story-telling so much, she soon took it onto Dartmoor to develop three more history-related tales.
‘Thank you so much for your efforts, your patience, your advice and of course, your beautiful words.’
Paul Cross – Ordnance Survey
Visit Isles of Scilly
As Blonde Two of the popular walking blog Two Blondes Walking, Fi’s brief for Visit Isles of Scilly was to promote the bi-annual Walk Scilly walking festival through blog posting and sharing on the Two Blondes social platforms. After creating copy that captured both the beauty of the islands and the joy of the walking experience, she was pleased to be invited back more than once.
Visit Dartmoor
Fi works as a brand ambassador with Visit Dartmoor but also writes for them. The Bickington First World War project was funded by the Moor Than Meets the Eye landscape partnership scheme. Fi’s brief was to decipher research documents and write sensitive and informative copy for five banners, each of which would tell one part of the story of the war experiences of a group of Dartmoor villagers. This was a job that required some considerable research skills as well as the ability to tell a tale.
“We were hugely impressed with Fi’s pro-active and professional approach when we worked with her on a fascinating WW2 exhibition. Her insight and sensitivity were matched by her quality text and prompt delivery, we would highly recommend her as a copywriter with a certain ‘something extra’. She was an absolute pleasure to work with and we look forward to collaborating with her again.”
Jenny How – Visit Dartmoor
Una Bahn Tourism Cooperative (Ireland)
When the Una Bahn Tourism Cooperative got in touch with Fi through Two Blondes Walking, she was thrilled to be invited to explore the Miners’ Way and Historical Trail walking route. Her brief was to encourage visitors to venture off the better known tourist routes and explore this corner of County Roscommon. With a very clear goal to appeal to those looking for alternative walking holidays, this was a project about which Fi could get really enthusiastic.
Norway Free Camping
A campervan trip to Nordkapp in Northern Norway gave the opportunity for online articles for Two Blondes Walking and print articles for Campervan Magazine. This was Fi’s first ‘on the job’ overseas travel assignment. The scenery made photography a dream and the inspiration of the fjords and mountains inspired a wealth of blog posts and articles. Travel writing at its most enjoyable.
Northland New Zealand
Fi wanted this promotion for New Zealand’s beautiful Northland area to take an encouraging, ‘You can do this too’ approach; at the same time as presenting a type of holiday that visitors from the UK might not have previously considered. She opted for a combination of self-deprecating humour and useful ‘listicle’ blog posts.
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