Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
•   Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Working Life

If you love expressing yourself in a written format and also love travelling around the world, then this job will probably appeal to you like no other! Because this type of work appeals to so many, it is highly competitive and it can be challenging to earn a living on this job. But with passion and persistence, it can be a very fulfilling and exciting career.

The job of a travel writer is to provide information about travelling to a specific destination and to inspire people. This involves researching what’s on offer, what to see and do, where to stay and what to eat (or what not to eat!). It may also involve information about vaccinations, useful phrases in a foreign language and important cultural differences. Anything that will inspire people or help them enjoy their own travel experiences.

In the past, travel books were seen in the hands of every second tourist. The books have now largely been replaced with travel blogs, travel e-sines and travel apps for example. The traditional travel book publishers, like Lonely Planet, employ travel feature writers for their hard copy and online/app travel guides and they often look for people to pitch their ideas to them.

Most travel writers work as freelancers and many combine it with other, more reliable work, at least until they have established themselves as travel writers.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Plan tour itineraries, applying knowledge of travel routes and destination sites.
• Resolve any problems with itineraries, service, or accommodations.
• Sell travel packages.
• Arrange for tour or expedition details such as accommodations, transportation, equipment, and the availability of medical personnel.
• Evaluate services received on the tour, and report findings to tour organisers.
• Lead individuals or groups to tour site locations and describe points of interest.
• Verify amounts and quality of equipment prior to expeditions or tours.
• Pay bills and record checks issued.
• Attend to special needs of tour participants.
• Give advice on sightseeing and shopping.

Further Information

• Website for Aspiring Travel Writers- from: Good Website for Aspiring Travel Writers, Great Escape Publishing
• Website for Aspiring Travel Writers- from: Good Website for Aspiring Travel Writers, Freelance Travel Writer

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Entry requirements for travel writers vary, but you will need experience of traveling and you need excellent writing & presentation skills. The best way to develop your writing skills is to both read and write extensively.

You need to be able to demonstrate to potential employers that you are good at this job, by pitching ideas and showing a portfolio of work.  The easiest way to build up a portfolio is to start a travel blog/ vlog where you write about your travels. If you do not have the funds to start traveling, write about what is on your doorstep.

If you want to study, the most relevant course subjects include journalism and digital media communication. But a wide range of subjects can give you a great foundation, such as history, travel & tourism, culture and geography.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: digital media.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: journalism, digital media communication, history, travel, tourism, culture, geography.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: journalism, digital media communication, history, travel, tourism, culture, geography.

Search for CAO Courses

To progress in this career you need to build a name for yourself and this can take time. Many successful travel writers specialise in a particular type of travel, such as adventure travel, culinary travel or budget travel.

If you are able to combine travel writing with photography or other visual media, that may also help you develop your career.  You can undertake workshops or courses in writing and visual which can help you develop those skills further.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €5k - €60k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, shift pattern, location, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Prosperity/ Sigmar/ Morgan McKinley

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sports and leisure assistants; travel agents; air and rail travel assistants; holiday representatives, tour guides; Leisure and theme park attendants; Travel agency managers; proprietors Leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment levels grew between 2021 and 2022 for this occupation, numbers employed remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. The numbers employed across the various roles in this occupation are too small in the Labour Force Survey for further analysis but the CSO Census data shows that approximately half of those in this occupation worked as air travel assistants or travel agents, with 2022 levels for these roles well below their 2016 levels.

Approximately a third of persons employed in this occupation work part-time, higher than the national average. The extent to which employment in these occupations will recover to their prepandemic levels is uncertain as affordability and attractiveness for air travel services in particular remains vulnerable to increased energy costs, and consumer demand and preferences given the green agenda and cost of living pressures.

• National Union of Journalists

  • Irish Office, Spencer House, Spencer Row, off Store Street, Dublin 1.
  • (01) 8170340
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Association of European Journalists (Irish Section)

  • Click Here