One of the travel bloggers in the program is David Lee (@rtwdave) of the Colombia lifestyle & travel blog, Medellin Living. Lee is exited about being involved in further improving Colombia’s image as a tourist destination.
“I’ve been writing about and promoting the city of Medellin, as well as travel to Colombia, for the last 3 years, so I welcomed the opportunity to work more closely with the country’s tourism department,” Lee noted. “Based on regular feedback from readers, I know individual bloggers can make a difference when it comes to inspiring people to visit a new country. It’s my hope that a unified community of expat bloggers will help to amplify our message that Colombia has a lot to offer any traveler.”
When asked what he hopes to achieve from participating in the program, Lee explained that, “in addition to added exposure for my blog, Medellin Living, I’m excited about the potential to form a more closely-knit expat blogger community.” He adds that, “The chance to go on press trips and see new parts of the country is also a major plus for participants.”
A complete list of the travel bloggers involved in the Official Colombia Travel Blogger program, which is expected to last a year, can be found at Colombia Travel.
IMAGE: Anthony Letmon
Post Revisions:
- 8 August, 2012 @ 8:29 [Current Revision] by Rich Whitaker
- 3 April, 2012 @ 5:45 by John O'Nolan
- 8 February, 2012 @ 16:22 by John O'Nolan
Suppose the time will come where people only choose their destinations based on places where a flock of travel bloggers once descended and blogged? I love this idea, but what happens when it becomes so common that people expect it? (like last month when a more intimate crew explored Brighton) Just a crazy thought passing through my mind… Social media has certainly changed travel and I’m in the for the ride!
This arrangement certainly blurs the line between advertising and editorial, and it contributes to the growing distinction between “press trips” and “blogger trips.”
It will be interesting to see what the tax implications are: Assuming that Rich Whitaker’s description of the promotional deal is accurate, the trips are being used as “in kind” compensation. (With a traditional press trip, subsidized travel is in lieu of reimbursement for expenses, and the participants’ earnings come from editorial sources such as employers, freelance outlets, or Website revenues–not from the organization or company that hosts the press trip.)
Hi,
As part of the blogging community clearly I’m biased but overall I think it’s a fantastic idea. We’re all treading new ground and undoubtedly mistakes will come in the process of us finding our feet, however, I think it’s a very progressive step from the country and one that certainly can’t hurt the reversal of the quite misguided impression most people have of Colombia.
I’m optimistic, I have to say.
Paul
http://www.seecolombia.travel