Do a Google search for “best travel blogs,” and the results will make you feel like that proverbial kid in the candy store. A delicious variety of tips, travel recommendations and suggestions on how to travel cheaper, better or smarter will magically appear.
But while these amazing blogs offer a fantastic collective outlook on the industry, the resulting “best blogs” list tends to focus on blogs created by travel bloggers and writers.
What’s noticeably missing on these lists are blogs that are developed and maintained by travel industry brands. And while a blog by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, for example, might certainly be narrowly focused on the brand’s own activities, that doesn’t necessarily make the blog any less worth reading.
Here then, are some travel industry blogs we thing are well worth following, and a look at two blogs from travel supplier CEOs:
Broadmoor Blog
The Broadmoor blog, one of three blogs kept by the luxury Colorado Springs resort, emphasizes what’s happening at the property. Vivid photography highlights hotel activities such as movie nights, wilderness camps and pet-friendly activities. The blog also offers in-depth conversations with staff, chefs and VIP guests and event planners.
www.thebroadmoorblog.com
Everyone’s an Original, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
If you love Fairmont hotels, this blog offers a little bit of everything. Our favorite part is the tools that make this easy to sort. If you just want to see guest posts — a hodge-podge of long-form content mixed with single-photo Instagram posts — you can see them with a click of a button. Filtering by property or theme is equally as easy. The blog relies heavily on imagery, but the long-form content is easy to read and entertaining. In particular the blog offers a lot of foodie tips, recipes and chef interviews, as well as suggestions on crafting the perfect wedding.
www.everyonesanoriginal.com
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a small group operator focusing on locally inspired experiences. The company’s blog tends to focus on sustainability issues and off-the-beaten-path travel ideas. Recent topics have ranged from “Why We No Longer Ride Elephants” to “North America’s Music Pilgrimages,” which comes complete with a recommended music play list.
www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures
Life is Suite, Kimpton Hotels
In the words of Kimpton Hotels, the blog is designed to “celebrate life well lived.” The boutique brand features an engaging blend of content in the following categories: Design & Style, Eat & Drink, Inside Kimpton and Travel. Although some posts are brand-centric, such as “Stay (Fit) With Us During National Yoga Month,” there are also plenty of travel suggestions, such as “Best Fall Foliage Drives in America,” and “America’s Best Urban Running Trails,” for example.
www.kimptonhotels.com/blog
The Looptail, G Adventures
G Adventures says its blog covers the “sorts of things that inspired us to start travelling in the first place.” More than just a travel blog, content here is a delightful treasure mix of music, food, photography and budget travel suggestions.
www.gadventures.com/blog
The Slow Road, Butterfield & Robinson
Butterflied & Robinson, a tour operator that specializes in bicycle and walking adventures, encourages travelers “to slow down to see the world.” Not surprisingly, the company blog takes an in-depth look at slowing down in destinations around the world, many of which are well off the beaten path — how about a walking tour of Newfoundland, Canada? Many posts on this gorgeous site are written by B&R’s trip designers and guides; all of them demonstrate the value of seeing a destination with a different set of eyes.
www.butterfield.com/blog
Taste Four Seasons
Foodie travel is here to stay, and this blog by Four Hotels & Resorts — just one of several blogs the hotel brand maintains — is all about eating well. Posts include over-the-top experiences offered by Four Seasons properties (lobster lassoing, anyone?) as well as chef recipes, foodie news and of course, an update on where the Four Seasons Food Truck is traveling.
www.taste.fourseasons.com
The View From the Top
While an increasing number of travel industry brands are starting to blog, posting content that reflects the “lifestyle” messaging of their brand, CEOs who blog remain few and far between. In fact, a recent study by Domo, an online solutions provider, suggests that only 30 percent of all CEOs are blogging. If you are interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the travel industry C-Suite, here are two noteworthy blogs to follow.
Marriott on the Move, Marriott International
This blog, which features the musings of Bill Marriott, executive chairman and chairman of the Board of Marriott International, focuses less on the hotel industry and more on common sense tips for all people in business. Recent posts include “Taking Care of Guests, A to Z,” a callout to Frances Holland, who recently earned a pin for 50 years of service with Marriott, as well as “Smiles Are Better than Smiley Faces,” a reminder that while social media is important, customer service still trumps all.
www.blogs.marriott.com/marriott-on-the-move
Sea Views, Royal Caribbean International
The personal musings of Adam Goldstein, president and COO of Royal Caribbean International, blends company news and personal tidbits in an engaging read. Posts like “My New Responsibilities” and “Have You Ever Cruised on 30 Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships” encourage two-way engagement, as does a button prompting guests to “Ask Adam a Question.” Goldstein also features frequent guest blogs from prominent staff, including Vicki Freed, the senior vice president of sales and trade support and services. Freed is one of the travel industry’s long-time leading travel agent evangelists.
www.royalcaribbean.com/connect/blog