📢 You might notice a few changes as this newsletter evolves. With a slight rebrand and a new website, look out for more original TCN content, including case studies and creator interviews.

I’ve also created a dedicated Facebook Group where we can nerd out about all things travel blogging and content creation - I'd love for you to join me there!

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BOOKING(DOT)COM AXE TONS OF AFFILIATES - Booking(dot)com unexpectedly removed lower-tier affiliates from their direct affiliate program, affecting hundreds (if not thousands) of creators. The program is still available through third parties such as Travel Payouts and Stay22.

⭐️ Here's a rundown of everything we know (and what to do about it)​

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EXPEDIA TO TURN REELS INTO BOOKABLE TRAVEL PLANS - Expedia announced their new trip matching feature, where you DM them an Instagram Reel and they'll create a bespoke bookable itinerary.

⭐️ Here's the full announcement and what it means for creators​

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SCIENTISTS "REVEAL" THE SECRET TO VIRAL TRAVEL REELS - A study examined 4,000 Reels from top travel creators to understand what drives engagement, and what harms it. The 15 video features examined included video length, emotional expressions, brightness, saturation, and the subject.

🔗 Read the full article​

SPONSOR

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Here’s what’s waiting for you:

• Gifted stays in Mexico and Colombia
• Creator retreat - connect and create with like-minded storytellers
• Affiliate program - earn 5% on bookings (most stays are 1+ month!)

👉 Click here to learn more and register your interest​

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BESSIE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED - Announced at last month's Women in Travel Summit, congrats to On Airplane Mode, who won Creator of the Year, and runners-up Jae'lynn Chaney and Nour Brahimi.

🔗 See all the winners and runners-up here​

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INSTAGRAM WILL PAY CREATORS FOR TRAFFIC - A new Meta initiative will pay creators up to $20,000 to send their audience to Instagram. The trial pays $100 for every 1,000 visitors and an additional $100 for each new Instagram account created.

🔗 Read the full article​

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GOOGLE'S AI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR CREATORS - Google's annual I/O developer conference was packed with AI announcements (🔗 quick summary). Ian Cummings, founder of Travel Massive, shared his predictions for the "two-fold" impact on blog traffic and ad network RPMs.

🔗 Read the full post (check the comments too)

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6 TRENDING TOPICS FOR TRAVEL BLOGGERS IN 2025 - Here are some keyword silos that are taking off this year, but remain low competition. Although growing quickly, travel blogs are still claiming top spots for these topics (examples included).

⭐️ Read the full article​

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HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER - Having been featured in the likes of National Geographic and BBC Travel, Bella Falk shares how she got into travel photography and some tips for anyone interested in following suit.

🔗 Read the full article​

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WHAT I LEARNED ATTENDING TBEX (BY TESS SOMEWHERE) - Resurfacing this old blog post which is worth reading if you’re attending TBEX (or any other conference) this summer. Includes what to expect and tips for making the most of the event.

🔗 Read the full article​

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IS BLOGGING OVER? (BY BE MY TRAVEL MUSE) - After more than a decade of blogging, Kristen explains why she's taking a (slight) step back from her travel blog and what her new focuses will be. Plus, some advice for fellow creators.

🔗 Read the full article​

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HOW MY INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT WAS HACKED (BY RADIO VAGABOND)- Travel podcaster, Palle, was the unfortunate victim of an Instagram hacking, which all started with a message from an old friend. He shares the full story of how it happened so you can avoid the same mistake (spoiler: it’s not a positive ending).

🔗 Read the full article​

📅

4-8th June - TMAC Conference and Media Marketplace, Saskatoon​

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14-18th June - IPW, Chicago​

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16-19th June - TBEX North America, Québec City​

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19-21st June - VidCon, California​

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7-9th July - Media Getaway, Chester​

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15-16th July - Traverse Waypoint, London​

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