There MAY be a codified set of journalistic ethics for travel writers (SATW would be one organization), however not all travel writers/editors in traditional magazines/ newspapers follow the SAME rules. Yet many solid travel stories result.

I used to work in the PR office of a regional CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau). Most travel writers (freelancers and those on staff at magazines) requested whatever we could make available to them free or at a lower rate. And very few mentioned in the eventual story that the museum ticket, or meal was free or discounted.

The ethical use of this was up to the writer and their editor. Then again – we could not require them to write a positive story. If they hated the food/hotel/museum they could say so, most often they left that venue that left a “bad taste in their mouth” out of the piece.

A few of the larger magazines would come incognito, and we would never know they had visited until we read the story. A few others contacted us prior to their visits, and wanted our assistance in making contact with museums, gardens, restaurants and hotels, and offered to pay for them (a few were Required to pay full price for everything).

Most writers/publications asked for freebies, and depending on their track record, and avaiabliity of the item requested, they did or did not receive them. Track record meaning – did the freelancer have a story assignment with an editor (on spec, accepted), Are tehy a staff writer, what’s the reputation of the publication, etc.

We also had scam artists try and wheedle free trips out of us; but the word gets around in the industry about those folks fairly quickly.

Am not with CVB now, so I don’t know how they handle travel bloggers today. But it’s not just bloggers who accept stuff and don’t disclose it.

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So, if I use a company, I blog about them, good or bad.

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