Consider me the anti-travel blogger.
It’s an odd title to give myself, considering I’ve spent the past four years of my life pouring money, time and effort into my website, The Pin the Map Project. Like someone who has scaled Everest just to realize they hate heights, it seems I have climbed the mountain of travel blogging just to realize I disagree with the idea of today’s travel blogger.
There is an empowering movement happening right now: the rise of the anti-travel blogger. A trend marked by bloggers who don’t care if their hair is blow dried straight before hiking to Machu Picchu, who don’t give a damn if their makeup is flawless when learning how to surf in Mexico, who write about social responsibility and important cultural issues over posts about what’s in their carry-on bag. It’s the rise of a new era and one that will invariably split travel bloggers into camps. Here’s what to expect from this new breed of blogger.
They won’t look like your average travel blogger.
The same floppy hats, the same twirl-worthy summer dresses, the same wanderlust shots paired with faraway looks; many travel bloggers are guilty of it (including myself). While travel shots were once focused on destinations, today they are blurred backgrounds to photos that resemble fashion spreads. Today’s female travel bloggers can create an impossible standard for women of how to look when seeing the world.
Sharing snapchats of their impossibly fresh face after a 14 hour flight and impeccably paired outfits while in the middle of the Amazon; the photos are beautiful but unrealistic. Enter the anti-travel blogger who dares to focus on the destination at hand, to share a photo of themselves with messy hair and a t-shirt in South America, who shows us it’s OKAY to travel and not look like a model.
They’re candid about what it means to be a travel blogger today.
In a sea of blog posts that speak to the “idyllic” lifestyle of travel writing, I came across one post that was brutally honest about the realities of quitting a job to travel the world. The author spoke candidly to financial hardships, the struggle to grow a following, the beauty of travel blogging and the cutthroat competition behind it. The rise of such transparency in blogging is a breath of fresh air in an industry where people all seem to encourage their readers to drink the Kool-aid of quitting their jobs to travel.
Having made this transition myself, I think it’s important to be fair to readers about what to expect when switching to freelance and full time blogging. Travel blogging is not defined by writing on a beach; there is a reality to this world that is not always shared. This new crop of travel bloggers are making a point to expose it.
They’re using their influence to inspire change.
Many travel bloggers have managed to achieve the holy grail of blogging: millions of followers, adoring fans, thousands of YouTube views and readers hanging off their every word. Whereas the power to impact change was once reserved for people of celebrity status, today a small town, 20-something blogger can inspire millions.
Imagine having a microphone to address the world; what would you say? Despite having an influential voice, many of today’s top bloggers miss the opportunity to create change; choosing instead to highlight their favorite travel lipstick or poolside hotel. The anti-travel blogger is using their influence to shine light on sustainable practices, green travel and global issues that deserve your attention.
They’re flawed and honest.
When I was a teenager, I remember reading women’s magazine and feeling frustrated by the impossible perfection of other girls my age. Their hair, their skin, their clothes, their lives all seemed devastatingly unattainable and after turning one page too many I cut myself off from those publications. In many ways, travel blogging reminds me of those women’s magazines as bloggers seem to paint a picturesque image of every trip and destination.
As a full time traveler, I can tell you that I’ve been lost, sick, terrified and embarrassed while traveling. I chickened out of a tattoo appointment in Buenos Aires, I got lost in the medinas of Marrakech, I practically lived on a toilet in the Philippines…the list goes on. Travel is messy but that’s the beauty of it and today’s anti-travel bloggers are not afraid to be flawed.
They’re shying away from the title of “travel blogger.”
Because blogging is often considered an unpaid hobby, it’s difficult for people to acknowledge someone who has turned blogging into a profitable career. The title of “travel blogger” can especially take on mythical proportions as people scoff at the idea of someone writing posts from a Caribbean beach and calling it work.
As it goes, more and more bloggers are striving to have their work defined outside of blogging. Be it contributing to other publications, launching their own travel shows, penning their own novels or designing their own products; this new breed is shaking off preconceptions and redefining what it means to be a blogger today.
Now before bloggers around the world rise in protest of this article, know that the work of any blogger demands respect, praise and understanding. I am constantly in awe of my fellow bloggers across all genres who have turned their passions into admirable careers and have inspired my own work.
It takes a certain type of bravery to put your thoughts and experiences on a public stage; and this article should not be mistaken for judgement of any blogger as it is merely an observation of a trend unfolding in the travel blogging space; a trend with too many variables and complexities to explore in one mere post.
This topic is controversial and might ruffle the feathers of some and resonate with others. By no means is this meant to judge or belittle the work of other bloggers, many of whom I find to be inspirations for my own writing. So, what do you think? Is there a rising trend of anti-travel bloggers? Share your thoughts below!
* My article originally appeared on The Huffington Post.
LOVING this! You are so spot on, Nikki! I would be proud to call myself an ‘anti travel blogger’ 🙂
— LisaLDN.com
Thank you for writing this post! I think we need more honesty on the internet and social media!
Kate | http://www.petiteadventures.org/
Love your take on this! I work full time and blog because it makes me happy, a nice little hobby, I therefore wouldn’t call myself a “travel blogger” or an “anti travel blogger” - I’m just going with the flow and being me! x
drkgood says
I absolutely love this post. This is the kind of post I want to read and the kind of post I hope others are encouraged to write. Thanks.
Thanks for your comment! Glad you enjoyed this post 🙂
That’s awesome! I think these two labels are definitely not for everyone nor is fair to label every blogger. I know many bloggers who write about important issues AND take those classic travel blogger photos. It’s just a trend I’ve been noticing in the space.
Agreed! I think it’s the honesty in travel that really defines this new breed of blogger. I think it’s so important to be real with your readers and let them know that travel is not perfect and that’s okay!
Thanks for your comment!! 🙂
Kelly Michelle says
I absolutely adore this post Nikki and agree with all your points; I’m really honest on my blog and have had various rants over the past 12-18 months about the state of travel bloggers especially since a number of bloggers have lost their way into the buzz feed arena which is super boring to read and offers no personality whatsoever but apparently offers good seo value. What works for one blogger seems to have every other blogger following suit aka the floppy hat brigade or little mini me’s….individuality and brutal honesty seems to be missing at the moment.
I share all my highlights and lowlights as I think that’s what our readers connect with; life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns (my favourite saying about the state of blogging currently)
I no longer even call myself a blogger…I’m just someone that writes a blog occasionally
xx
Glad you enjoyed this post! I too like to shy away from the title of blogger as I feel it can have a negative connotation attached to it. It’s so true that for the top travel bloggers out there who have made it big, so many people are following in their footsteps because it seems like they found a recipe for success when in fact individuality is sacrificed in the process. So amazing to read everyone’s comments to this topic!
I love this Nikki! Do you have a link to the article mentioned? Would be keen to read it too.
Love love love this post! wrote an article about how typical “travelblogging” is a manufactured sham, definitely not as eloquent as yours but similar sentiments 🙂
Love this! I often struggle with this myself. I see all these glammed up bloggers and then am embarrassed to sort through my own photos where I am covered in sweat, my hair looks like I got caught in a storm and I have worn the same shirt three days in a row because there was no shower during my natue trips. I get into trouble all the time, fall sick and make rookie mistakes. Kudos to you for saying it out loud! We need more anti-travel bloggers.
Emma says
Love this post - so spot on. I love reading the blogs with the floppy hats and the sundresses, because it’s all so pretty … but then I can’t help but wonder what they were actually wearing, because it just seems so impractical. Almost all of my blog posts have me wearing a coat or a hoodie! I blog for fun, and to encourage me to make the most of time off - as much as I’d love to be a ‘proper’ travel blogger, I’m not sure I have the time or the energy to devote to making myself look that unrealistically good all the time!
Emma / adventuresinfloral.co.uk
Yvonne Lynn says
Holy moly, you read my mind. I’ve struggled with how to use my travel experiences as a way to encourage my readers see the best in others and in themselves, stand up for the vulnerable, get to know the real places instead of taking the touristy route. As we prepare to leave on a one-year around-the-world trip, knowing that people like you are out there give me hope that I can accomplish my goals. Thanks! Keep writing!
love,
your fellow anti-travel blogger (may I use your phrase)
I don’t know about trends - but the topic resonated with me. I always skip the posts about luxury hotel reviews - what would I need that for? And you are definitely right about the perfect hair and outfit that some bloggers seem to be able to achieve everywhere. I lived for 3 months in a car in New Zealand and found myself pairing any beauty routines I might’ve had way down - just didn’t matter so much anymore. I actually just wrote a blog post on my thoughts about an upcoming trip to Italy, where I am pretty much expecting to embarrass myself some way or other. Makes for a better story anyway 🙂
Maria / http://momentumtravels.com/notes-on-planning-a-trip-through-italy/
Andi On Adventure says
Loved this post! I’m new in the blogosphere and I really hate the illusion of perfection so try to spotlight the times I got lost, fell on may face, and learned from the disasters. I’m also trying to view this as an opportunity to make a difference by profiling people who actually ARE making a difference in this world (“Humans of the World”). I’m a 50-something totally atypical anti-travel blogger. Thanks to this post I feel like I’m not alone! 🙂
Most of the female travel bloggers I know are exactly what you describe here as ‘anti travel bloggers’ and have been for the past 8 years. Steph from 20 Something Travel, Jeannie from Nomadic Chick, Jodi from Legal Nomads.
Almost every single female travel blogger I know fits your description of an ‘anti travel blogger’. But they’re not doing anything new.
I can only really think of one or two female travel bloggers that fit your stereotype.
Do you think you might be exaggerating the prevalence of beauty travel bloggers?
Or is this a subsection of the blogging community that I’ve completely overlooked?
And, out of curiosity, where do men fit into this anti travel blogger thing?
Thanks for writing this article, Nikki. It resonated with me on so many levels, and it did make me question many things, from what is travel blogging, what is travel about and the obvious need for more authenticity. It is definitely a breath of fresh air seeing someone speaking up, writing about it and bringing to light more important and meaningful global issues and topics, even amid travel blog.
I added your article to my EverythingAroundtheWorld Project on Pinterest (check it out, you might find a few other interesting articles and projects there, and, of course, let me know if anything similar comes to mind!). Also, it inspired me so much that I tried to figure out for myself what it means to be a travel blogger nowadays )) It is on my blog, have a read!
Catherine Urbanski says
Great, great post. As a blogger who travels (yeah. I’m not a smoke and mirrors broad), I try to keep my travel posts real, informative, and without photos of me in various fashun poses. The posts are about the places I go to. Not me. (caveat, I do post pics of me while traveling-but with a sense of humor). When I read a blog, I want substance. I want a STORY. Thank you.
Here’s an example: https://atypical60.com/2016/07/09/hidden-france-lestagnol-the-greatest-little-beach-on-earth/
Catherine Urbanski says
I’m 61 and atypical. Here’s an example for you of my travels: https://atypical60.com/2016/07/23/dinner-at-eight-after-fondation-maeght/
runningxwolves says
Thank you for this post. I’m a new blogger. It was hard to start because I feel discouraged about myself in photos because of what you mentioned. I feel like there’s a lot of pressure to meet the same standard of what’s currently out there. The anti-travel blogger concept is so much more refreshing! 🙂
A good blogger once told me that the best thing to be is yourself; that readers ultimately fall in love with you and your personality. I love taking photos abroad but the fact of the matter is i’m not a model, I definitely don’t have a wardrobe of designer clothing and maybe 2 of my 10 photos look like the typical travel blogger photo. At a certain point you just have to say “that’s just me” and be happy 🙂
Ness says
While I do respect every single point that you’ve made in this argument, and I do to some extent see what you are talking about, I don’t think that it is as broad as you state that it is here. Most of the examples of bloggers that I can think of, that you write about above, either call themselves ‘Lifestyle’ or ‘Luxury travel bloggers’. I saw someone in the comments saying that they skip posts about luxury hotel reviews, but is this not a form of travel? Travel for everyone means different things, and just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean someone else will. By creating this anti-travel blogger to shy away from stereotype you’re just creating another one. I don’t see the issue with the blanket term ‘travel blogger’ that also incorporates bloggers who travel in a way that you don’t, who care more about beauty or hotel stays. If it promotes readers wanting to experience another part of the world, then it’s achieving just as much.
Nomadic Unicorn says
Thank you for this article/wake up call. As a relatively new travel vlogger and blogger I have recently been feeling the pressure to fit in with these (fake) instagram ideals, as of late. I have felt that perhaps I need to don my floppy hat, lose a few pounds to look more attractive in my bikini etc. but that’s just not me. This article has just made me realise the pressure I’ve been feeling to follow the crowd and do what is working for them, whilst potentially losing a part of myself i the process. Sod it! I shall continue to embrace my wind swept mane, crooked teeth and horrific fashion sense, and keep my focus on the things that really matter to me! Great job!
Kat Robinson says
What audience does a blog serve these days? So many marketed travel blogs these days are not about the destinations but about the individuals on said journeys and just how far they can go and what they can do.
My approach is different. I cover food and travel on my website (I consider my pieces web articles instead of blog posts) and my mantra is to make the mundane awesome. I do this by serving my audience and showing them things they can do on their budget within striking range of their Arkansas home. It’s not glamorous by any means, but it fills a niche.
And I think I may have used a blow dryer twice this decade.
Anna says
I first stumbled upon your blog a few years ago when I was living in Tanzania “blogging” as a hobby, and trying to capture my experiences working for a children’s foundation. Believe it or not, you were one of the first bloggers that really influenced me. At the time I was living in a rural village and hot spotting internet onto my laptop from my pay as you go phone that was charging through solar power. I remember thinking the pages of your site were powerful, and something about your perspective really stood out to me. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it at the time. Flash forward a few years and I am one of those cliche twenty-somethings whose quit my 9-5 NYC job, to pursue my passions full-time. It’s been hard in SO many ways, just one of those ways is not being able to hone in on what to call myself. I think this post sums up why quite well though. I really respect you for writing it despite the fact that it may be controversial. I also respect your ability and willingness to promote global issues through your platform. My passion and motivation has always been spreading awareness about human rights and sustainability through my travels and my blog. These are things that some of the most successful bloggers maybe touch on, but all while traveling in designer clothes and with fancy suitcases. These bloggers have caused me to doubt my place in the “travel blogging” industry. So in response, I wasn’t so sure this anti-travel blogger trend existed, but I am glad it does.
-Anna
http://www.spintheglobeproject.com