Circulation: 615,000
Frequency: Six issues a year
Special issues: Best of the World (December)
Background: A perennial favorite among starry-eyed globetrotters, National Geographic Traveler is more than just a magazine. According to features editor Amy Alipio, the colorful, photography-dense publication is the “world’s most trusted source for travel inspiration, planning and experience, whether in print or on digital platforms.”
Launched in 1984, Traveler has evolved to emphasize travel over tourism, with stories that focus on local life instead of major hot spots. And as a magazine that distributes content in 16 local languages, Traveler appeals to an international audience.
“Our mission is to provide travel stories that are immediate, immersive, surprising, daring, experiential, authoritative and fun,” says Alipio. “We believe that travel transforms lives and that everyone is an explorer. Travel is not an occasional activity but an ongoing engagement with the world.” The magazine offers its readers global expertise with resources that range from inspiring, action-packed essays to service pieces.
What to pitch: Alipio says, “We are always open to receiving new pitches from outstanding writers with a distinct voice and compelling story idea.” With that in mind, she states that the front of book is the best place for freelancers to break in. Want to stand out? Craft a pitch that’s timely, and pay extra attention to your craft. Language should be succinct and written “with pizzazz.”
For FOB, Traveler publishes newsy stories that reveal a strong sense of place. The section names differ from issue to issue, but many of these stories are short roundups, language-rich vignettes about an unusual or hard-to-reach location, or brief profiles of famous people with a travel spin.
What’s essential is that the piece is entertaining and has a strong visual element. Story subjects can include art, food, adventure, pop culture, wildlife, hotels and more—the key is to maintain a strong narrative voice.
“Got an obsession or a passion you travel the world for? Found a new angle on an old place, or an old angle on a new place? Do you have some exclusive insight into a destination or travel experience? We’re all ears,” says Alipio. “We’re happy to get pitches on well-known cities and interesting road trips, as much as obscure, hard-to-reach places.”
What not to pitch: The only sections off-limits to freelancers are “Your Shot,” a short profile on a travel photographer, and the back page, which shows a visual and verbal snapshot of a particular place. And, like most renowned travel publications, don’t send a query asking, “Are you interested in a piece on X destination?” These will invariably be answered with, “It depends on the angle.”
Develop your story around a distinct, fresh arc—and make yourself aware of what the magazine has published recently, so as not to tread on material that’s already been covered.
Online opportunities: The same rules apply as for print. Alipio says all pitches should be “well-written, timely, authentic and compelling.” For online, send your queries to TRAVELPITCHES at NATGEO dot COM.
What publicists should pitch? Smart, timely stories that fit Nat Geo Travel’s interest in sense of place.
Percentage of freelance content published: 95 percent
Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: 2 percent for features; 20 percent to 40 percent for departments
Recent freelance story pitched and published: “A Toast to Georgia,” by Tara Isabella Burton, which ran in the June/July 2014, detailed a location that Traveler doesn’t typically cover, but the editors were intrigued because of its authenticity and variety.
“It was packed with travel experiences, from culture to food to adventure, and she had a personal connection to the place, having grown up there,” says Alipio.
The other aspect that caught their eye was that her take was very specific. “The piece was about how Georgian tradition remains strong despite contemporary pressures. She had a young and fresh voice. The piece was full of dialogue, ‘you-are-there’ scenes and nuanced insight.” It was her first piece to appear in Traveler.
Etiquette: Traveler prefers pitches by email. The subject line should begin with “QUERY” in all caps and include a catchy topic described there as well. Direct pitches to the appropriate editor. Include clips in PDF format or as links if it is your first time pitching. A follow-up email after a month is fine, but editors request you don’t follow up by phone.
Lead time: At least three months, but up to a year or more
Pay rate: $1 to $2 a word, possibly more for features
Payment schedule: Pay on acceptance
Kill fee: 25 percent
Rights purchased: All rights purchased. Copyright is returned 90 days after publication.
Contact Info:
National Geographic Traveler
1145 17th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
Direct pitches to:
For departments, associate editor Hannah Sheinberg: HANNAH dot SHEINBERG at NATGEO dot COM
For features, features editor Amy Alipio: AMY dot ALIPIO at NATGEO dot COM
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Though we’ve updated this article recently, the speed at which things move in media means things may have already changed since then. Please email us if you notice any outdated info.]
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