How to Pitch: Travel + Leisure
How to Pitch Travel + Leisure as a writer.
Hoping to land a feature, news story, or destination guide in Travel + Leisure? Here’s what you need to know about Travel + Leisure and how to pitch the publication the right way.
What Is Travel + Leisure?
Travel + Leisure is one of the world’s leading travel magazines. Its print pages and website are filled with in-depth destination guides, travel tips, and stories meant to inspire. The publication blends luxury travel experiences with practical advice to help adventurous people navigate the world and is well known for its sophisticated tone and high editorial standards.
How Often Does Travel + Leisure Publish in Print and Online?
Travel + Leisure publishes 12 issues annually in print, with each issue focusing on a specific theme or region, such as “World’s Best Awards” or “The Food Issue.” Pitches for the print issue are considered months (often up to a year or more) in advance.
In addition to the monthly print issues, Travel + Leisure maintains a massive online presence through TravelandLeisure.com. The website is updated daily with travel news, destination guides, how-to, and expert advice.
What Kinds of Stories Resonate on TravelandLeisure.com?
Travel + Leisure is known for its well-researched, polished content. The types of stories that perform well on TravelandLeisure.com include:
Destination Guides: These articles provide comprehensive overviews of cities, regions, or countries, highlighting the best places to stay, eat, and explore in each, and provide local expert advice and on-the-ground perspectives.
Travel News: Timely updates on the latest developments in the travel industry are always popular on T+L, including airline updates, hotel openings, new travel regulations, and emerging travel trends.
Cultural and Lifestyle Features: Articles that delve into the cultural aspects of travel, such as local traditions, festivals, or the impact of tourism on communities, can also be found on TravelandLeisure.com. Local writer perspectives are always highly encouraged with these kinds of stories. These also come in the form of personal essays and opinion pieces that offer readers a look into the writer’s travel experiences and insights.
Luxury Travel: As a magazine that often caters to upscale travelers, stories about luxury experiences — from high-end resorts to exclusive travel experiences — are also a brand focus.
How Can I Pitch Travel + Leisure?
Pitching to Travel + Leisure is like pitching any other publication (if you need help on pitching, including an easy-to-use pitching template), check out our “How to Pitch an Editor” course. Then, follow these tips.
Understand the magazine’s voice: Before pitching, it’s absolutely vital to familiarize yourself with the tone and style of Travel + Leisure — both its magazine and its website. Read recent issues and browse the website to understand what kinds of stories they publish and how they approach different topics. Your pitch (and your pitch headline) should align with the magazine’s voice and cater to its target audience.
Develop a unique angle: Whenever you craft a pitch for any publication, make sure it’s distinct from what is already published there. Consider how your piece will add to the conversation or delve into an entirely new topic.
Craft a concise pitch: Your pitch should be clear, concise, and to the point — or, as we say in our “How to Pitch an Editor” course, no longer than 350 words MAX. Start with a brief introduction of your idea, followed by a short summary of the story, and include a proposed headline. Include any relevant clips of your previous work.
Target the right editor: Travel + Leisure has different editors for various sections of the magazine, so it’s important to direct your pitch to the appropriate person. As Travel + Leisure lists on its “How to Pitch” page, this is who you should pitch for each idea:
Alisha Prakash, associate editorial director, personal essays and first-person narratives, reported features, profiles, evergreen and seasonal SEO stories and roundups, travel tips and trends, and under-the-radar destination spotlights that offer a fresh perspective on a place. alisha.prakash@dotdashmdp.com
Christine Burroni, senior news editor, travel news, explainers and first-person experiences that expand upon how timely news is affecting travelers, service pieces, wellness trends and tips for travelers, and celebrity interviews with a travel angle. christine.burroni@dotdashmdp.com
Maya Kachroo-Levine, digital senior editor; reported features on hotels, destinations, cruising, aviation, food-and-beverage experiences, art, and architecture, ideally pitched with a timely hook; longer-form profiles and articles on often overlooked communities within the travel realm. maya.kachroo-levine@dotdashmdp.com
Sam Lauriello, social editor, all social requests and platforms. samantha.lauriello@dotdashmdp.com
Elizabeth Rhodes, special projects editor, all-things Disney, cruising, trip ideas, and over-the-top suites. elizabeth.rhodes@dotdashmdp.com
Now, be patient: After submitting your pitch, wait at least five working days before following up. Then, send one follow-up, preferably adding to your pitch in some way (new facts, headlines, etc). Then, wait another week. If you don’t hear back, that’s OK. You can try one more time or pitch it to another publication. Then, try pitching T+L again with a new idea and start the process again.