Last week, my industry friends kept sending the same viral reel to my DMs.
In it, a travel journalist (whom I don't personally know) talked about the sorry current state of the travel media industry.
AI-driven layoffs. Reducing rates. The ever-declining pool of editors and publications to work with.
And he is not wrong. This is the most turmoil I've seen in this industry since I started over a decade ago.
But it's not the whole story.
While travel writing (journalism/photography) is not something most of us can rely on for all of our income today, it's an incredibly important part of the overall pie for three reasons:
- It lends you credibility for other, better-paid gigs, projects, and engagements (getting published is the reason I'm invited to teach workshops for tourism organizations and speak on various stages)
- It gives you constant access to new experiences, places, and people, which in turn leads to more opportunities (see #1)
- It helps you see the world in a way someone with an average income couldn't otherwise. Most people I know can't afford a helicopter ride over a salt flat in Botswana, a weekend in Morocco, and a weeklong expedition cruise in the Galápagos, all done in the same summer. Travel journalists? This is, largely, our life.
That's why I continue working in this industry and teaching others how to do it, too.
During my 3-day writing intensive in Athens this November, we'll discuss this and many other aspects of working in this space. If you're interested in developing your writing, pitching, and storytelling skills, it's a great way to learn with me in person.
October 9th is the last day to book your spot with a deposit.
See you in Athens,
xx Yulia
You can use it however you'd like: to review your portfolio, get feedback on your work, receive advice on a particular project, or even compare notes on our creative endeavors. This private one-hour call will be scheduled at a time of your choosing.
➡️ The code to get this perk is inside your paid-member newsletter.
🏠 Inside Going Places
Chile deep dive
Our new Deep Dive series spotlights local communities across the globe and how tourism there fits into a bigger picture.
In Part 4, we met Iván Torres, a Diaguita jewelry maker working with copper.
🇨🇱 Part 5 is out this Wednesday!
Yulia Denisyuk
IRL meet-ups 😍
This weekend in Lyon, I met up with Erin Henk, a paid Going Places member and fellow travel journalist.
In the age of AI and virtual calls, nothing beats meeting someone face-to-face for a hug. Thanks for sharing a bit of your Lyon with me, Erin!
Learn more about Erin's work here and connect with her on Instagram here.
🚀 Paid Members Corner
This week's creator opportunities
For less than a cup of ☕, you can unlock your access here PLUS support our editorial coverage.
🚀 Get $3,000 a month for your photography project – apply by Thu, Oct 1
🚀 Experience a Christmas tradition of Julmys in Sweden this Nov – apply by Fri, Oct 9
🚀 This magazine is seeking Svalbard pitches – pitch by Sat, Oct 31
🚀 Michelin Guide is hiring a senior editor in NY – no deadline
🚀 Up to $1,000 for your culture stories – no deadline
🚀 Seeking climbing pitches from photographers & writers – no deadline
🚀 Business Insider is seeking Amtrak & other travel pitches – no deadline
🚀 GetYourGuide is seeking local writers – no deadline
🚀🔓BONUS: Seeking keynote speakers for a women's conference in Ohio – no deadline
🚀🔓BONUS: A $30,000 grant for your photography project – apply by Mon, Oct 12
Find all the latest opportunities here.
🔓 Bonus opportunities are unlocked for our free subscribers.
Member news
Updates from our paid member community
Our paid member Beth Santos is a wonder woman.
In addition to leading Wanderful, one of the world's largest travel communities for women and allies, she also runs Ula Cafe in Boston and co-founded She Was Here, walking tours that tell stories of women who made an impact on NYC.
Beth recently launched Siren, a new Wanderful publication that spotlights untold stories of women from around the world. Their first story, Everyone Comes To Granada for Its Kings. I Came Looking for Its Women, is marvelous.
If you have your own stories to tell, learn more about pitching Siren here (pays $250).
Congratulations Beth! 🎉
Connect with Beth on Instagram: @maximumbeth
🌍 In The World
Homo Faber in Venice
Tonight, I'm arriving in Venice for a 24-hour respite before my next conference in Croatia this week.
Imagine my delight in learning that, while in Venice, I will be catching the tail end of Homo Faber 2026.
Homo Faber is an extraordinary organization dedicated to craftsmanship from around the globe. Their month-long biennale in Venice features over 700 handcrafted objects by artisans from 70+ countries.
Craft is humanity's lasting response to the tech-driven pulse of our lives. As something of a craft obsessive, I think I will be very happy in Venice for the next 24 hours.
Guess This Place
Let's play a game 🗺️
Your task is to name this place.
Today's place is:
Know this place? You can check your answer on our site here.
Last week's answer was New York City.
100% human-made | Become a member to support our work here
RISE Travel Institute is our Founding Member
RISE is a nonprofit with a mission to create a more just and equitable world through travel education.
➡️ This November, RISE is running the Experiential Journey to the Indian Himalayas. Their RISE Traveler Pathway is a new self-paced program for travelers, digital nomads, content creators, and tourism practitioners centered on justice and systems thinking. Use code GoingPlacesCommunity for 10% off!
Interested in your organization becoming a Founding Member? Get in touch here.
Radostina Boseva is our Founding Member
Radostina Boseva is a film wedding photographer with an editorial flair based between SF and Europe.
To get a shout-out like this in every issue, join us as an individual Founding Member here.
We pay $1,008 a year to host Going Places online. Help us offset this cost with a one-time tip 🙏
Did you know? You can now learn with Yulia
Check out our current offerings (classes, private sessions, and mentorships) here.
Member discussion