In most spheres of reporting, ethics dictate that reporters turn away freebies, while their news organizations pay their expenses. Not so for a lot of travel writing. Given the low fees most travel publications pay, Miller asserts that there is no way self-employed writers can make a living without accepting free trips. He argues that the practice does not necessarily result in puff pieces. I believe the legitimate travel writer can be objective and still receive hosted trips,' he says.
Some editors disagree.
Miller acknowledges that newspaper travel sections are increasingly refusing to buy articles from free-lancers who take subsidized trips. He notes that some of these newspapers will, instead, use wire service articles or articles by book authors. Yet the wire service stories are often subsidized, he maintains, as are trips by book authors on promotional tours. Some publications, in his view, are just too strict. Advertising-rich newspaper travel sections and magazines might actually be able to afford to pay expenses, he asserts, but don't because it's cheaper not to.