17 Travel Journalist Interview Questions and Answers

Do you love to travel? Are you always the first one in your group of friends to visit a new country or try a new activity? If you answered yes to both questions, a career as a travel journalist might be the perfect fit for you.

As a travel journalist, you’ll get paid to explore the world and share your experiences with others. You can work for a travel magazine, website, or blog, or you can be a freelance writer.

No matter what type of job you’re applying for, you’ll need to ace the interview. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the most common travel journalist interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the style guidelines for our publication?

Travel journalism publications often have specific style guidelines that writers must follow. An interviewer may ask this question to make sure you are familiar with the publication’s standards and can adhere to them if hired. Before your interview, read through a few recent articles from their publication to get an idea of what they expect in terms of style. In your response, let the interviewer know that you understand the publication’s expectations and will be able to meet them.

Example: “I am very familiar with the style guidelines for Traveler Magazine. I’ve been reading the magazine since I was a child, so I’m quite used to its writing style. If hired, I’ll do my best to write pieces that fit within those parameters.”

What are some of your favorite places to visit?

Travel journalists often visit new places, so employers ask this question to see if you have a passion for travel. They want to make sure that you enjoy traveling and are excited about the opportunity to write about your experiences. When answering this question, try to mention some of your favorite destinations or cities. Explain why they’re special to you and what makes them unique.

Example: “I’ve always loved New York City because it’s such an exciting place with so much to do. I love going to Broadway shows and seeing all the different types of people in Times Square. Another city I really enjoyed visiting was Paris. It has beautiful architecture and is full of romantic restaurants. I also love hiking, so one of my favorite places to visit is Zion National Park. The views there are absolutely stunning.”

How do you decide what to write about a place?

Travel journalists often have to decide what stories they’re going to write about a place. This question helps employers understand how you make these decisions and if you can do so effectively. In your answer, explain the process you use to choose which stories to pursue. Try to show that you are thoughtful in your decision-making and consider multiple factors when making choices.

Example: “I usually start by looking at the different places I’ve been to see what stories I haven’t written yet. Then, I look for interesting angles or unique perspectives on those places. For example, I recently wrote an article about a small town because I noticed there weren’t any articles about it online. After doing some research, I found out that the town had a lot of history behind it and decided to write an article about it.”

What is your process for researching a story?

Travel journalism often requires extensive research. Employers ask this question to learn about your process for conducting research and gathering information. Use your answer to explain the steps you take when researching a story. Explain that you use multiple resources, including online databases and social media platforms.

Example: “I start my research by looking at travel blogs and forums. I find these sources to be very helpful because they are written by people who have actually visited the places I am writing about. Next, I search through online databases like TripAdvisor and Yelp. These sites allow me to read reviews from actual customers. Finally, I look at social media accounts of hotels and attractions. This helps me get an idea of what people think of certain locations.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to meet a tight deadline.

Travel journalism often requires journalists to produce content quickly. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with tight deadlines and can meet them successfully. In your answer, explain a time when you had to write or edit an article in a short amount of time. Explain what steps you took to complete the task on time.

Example: “In my last position as a travel journalist, I was tasked with writing several articles per week. One week, I had to write three different articles by the end of the day. I knew that it would be difficult to finish all of the work before the deadline. To get everything done, I started working early in the morning. I also worked through lunch and stayed late into the evening to make sure I finished everything.”

If you had the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Travel journalists often have the opportunity to travel for work. Employers ask this question to learn more about your interests and passions. Before your interview, make a list of places you would love to visit. Explain why these locations interest you.

Example: “If I had the chance to go anywhere in the world, I would choose New Zealand. Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by the country’s wildlife. The landscapes are absolutely breathtaking, and I think it would be an amazing place to photograph. I also love that New Zealand is so far away from everything else. It seems like such a peaceful place.”

What would you do if you discovered that your travel plans were disrupted?

Travel plans can be disrupted for a variety of reasons, and employers want to know that you have the ability to adapt. In your answer, demonstrate how you would react to this situation in a positive way.

Example: “If my travel plans were disrupted, I would first assess what happened and if there was anything I could do about it. If not, I would find out when I could reschedule my trip and make sure I had enough time to plan another vacation. I would also contact the publication I worked for to let them know what happened so they could inform their readers.”

How well do you handle stress while traveling?

Travel journalism can be a stressful career, especially when you’re trying to meet deadlines. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to handle stress and still perform your job well. In your answer, explain how you manage stress in your life. Share some strategies that help you stay calm and focused on your work.

Example: “I am someone who thrives under pressure. I find that if I set realistic goals for myself, it helps me feel less stressed about my work. When I’m traveling, I try to take breaks throughout the day so I don’t get overwhelmed by everything I need to do. I also use meditation apps to help clear my mind and focus on the task at hand.”

Do you have any experience writing about local culture or history?

Travel journalism often involves writing about the culture and history of a destination. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with this type of content. Use your answer to explain that you do have some experience in this area. Share an example of a piece you wrote on this topic.

Example: “I’ve written several pieces for my local newspaper about the history of our town. I enjoy learning more about where I live, so these assignments were fun for me. For one article, I researched how the town got its name. It turns out it was named after a famous explorer who discovered the nearby mountain range. I also wrote another piece about the town’s oldest building. The owner recently opened up the home to the public as a museum.”

When traveling, do you prefer to go it alone or with a group?

Traveling can be a very personal experience, and the interviewer wants to know if you prefer to travel alone or with others. They also want to know how you interact with other travelers while on your trip. Your answer should show that you enjoy traveling alone but are willing to go with a group if necessary.

Example: “I love traveling alone because it allows me to fully immerse myself in my surroundings. However, I am always open to meeting new people when I’m on vacation. If I find myself in a situation where I have to travel with a group, I try to make the best of it by getting to know everyone as much as possible.”

We want our writers to be authentic in their reporting. How would you maintain your integrity while writing about places you visit?

Travel journalism is a unique form of writing that requires the journalist to be both an observer and participant in their reporting. Interviewers want to know how you will maintain your integrity while also being able to write about places you visit. Use examples from past experiences where you’ve had to balance these two roles.

Example: “I believe it’s important for travel journalists to remain authentic in their reporting. I would never compromise my integrity by accepting freebies or discounts from hotels, restaurants or tourist attractions. Instead, I prefer to pay for everything myself so I can report on things as they are without any bias. This allows me to provide accurate information to my readers.”

Describe your writing style.

Travel journalism is a unique form of writing that requires the journalist to be descriptive and engaging. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with this type of writing. In your answer, share two or three examples of how you write about travel destinations. Explain what makes your style unique.

Example: “My writing style focuses on telling stories through my experiences traveling. I like to use vivid descriptions and analogies to help readers feel as if they are experiencing the destination alongside me. For example, in one article I wrote about visiting the Grand Canyon, I compared it to a giant bowl of cereal. It was a silly comparison, but it helped readers understand why I enjoyed visiting there so much.”

What makes you qualified to write about travel?

Travel journalism is a niche field, and employers want to make sure you have the experience necessary to succeed in their role. When answering this question, highlight your relevant skills and experiences that make you qualified for the job. Consider mentioning any previous travel writing experience or education related to travel.

Example: “I’ve been passionate about traveling since I was young. My parents took my family on many road trips when I was growing up, and I always enjoyed seeing new places. In college, I studied abroad in Europe where I learned more about different cultures and traditions. After graduating, I started working as a freelance writer for several publications. I also write a blog where I share my stories from around the world.”

Which publication do you see this piece being featured in?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can contribute to it. When answering this question, make sure to mention publications that are similar to the one you’re interviewing for. This shows that you have done your research on the publication and understand its audience.

Example: “I think this piece would be perfect for Travel Weekly because it’s so detailed and informative. I also love the photos they use in their articles, which makes me feel like I’m right there with the writer. I think my writing style would fit perfectly into this publication.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of travel journalism?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what it means to be a travel journalist. You can answer this question by explaining which aspects of travel journalism are most important to you and why.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of travel journalism is being able to tell stories through my writing. I love learning about new cultures, meeting interesting people and sharing these experiences with others. Travel journalism allows me to do all of these things while also providing valuable information for readers who may want to visit the same places or learn more about the destinations I write about.”

How often do you travel for work?

Travel journalism is a niche field, and employers want to know that you have experience in the industry. They may ask this question to learn more about your background and how it relates to their job opening. In your answer, share information about your previous work experiences and what they taught you.

Example: “I’ve been traveling for work since I graduated college. My first job was as an intern at a local newspaper where I wrote travel articles on destinations within our state. After two years there, I moved to a national publication where I covered stories on international locations. While I enjoyed both positions, I’m ready for a change of scenery and am excited to write about my home state again.”

There is a growing trend of people who are afraid to travel. How would you address this in your writing?

Travel journalism is a niche that requires you to be knowledgeable about the industry. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience writing for people who are afraid of traveling and how you would encourage them to overcome their fears. In your answer, show that you understand why some people are afraid to travel and provide tips on overcoming those fears.

Example: “I think it’s important to address this topic in my writing because I know many people are afraid to travel. When I was working as a freelance writer, I wrote an article about overcoming fear of flying. I interviewed several flight attendants and pilots to get advice on how to calm nerves before and during a flight. The piece got a lot of attention from readers who were nervous fliers.”