Like any business, you get out what you put in. The competition is tough in this niche because, after all, most people like to travel. Many want to turn their vacations into a little extra cash or just want to receive the ego boost of seeing their story in print. That competition keeps rates lower than you find in other writing fields. But for those who go about the work professionally, the money is there.
Some publications also break down payment per word.
Most travel publishers offer an advance, which is an advance against royalties or sort of a loan on money you will make with future sales. It never hurts to ask and we have been able to successfully negotiate this type of change in several contracts.