In July, the BGTW hosted a discussion about decolonising travel writing which explored the stereotypes, language and images that often permeate modern travel writing and photography, and why we should be addressing this as an industry.
The next step: How to decolonise travel writing
Now we’re taking the discussion to the next level by exploring how we can improve our content. Which words and phrases are problematic, why, and what can we use instead to create better travel content and articles? How does travel photography exacerbate outdated tropes? What type of content and angles are appropriate, and how do we determine that? How else can travel content better respect and represent the places we visit? And is creating and featuring decolonised travel enough, or are there other ways that we can and should be decolonising travel culture?
Whether the content we create is a long read, a top ten listicle, a photo feature, travel marketing copy, or a radio or TV show, the language and images we use hold great sway over the way we present the destinations to readers and audiences. This honest, refreshing and lively debate will provide examples and ideas of how we can all play our part in making travel content richer, more engaging and true to the destinations we write about, and what we can do before we create our content to ensure that this happens.
We welcome questions in advance so we can ensure the debate covers everything you’ve always wanted to ask. The Chat will be open and we’ll leave plenty of time for a Q&A at the end.
The details
BGTW Talks Travel: Decolonising travel writing, Part 2 – How to decolonise your travel content
WHEN: Tuesday 27 October 2020
TIME: 14:00 – 15:30 BST
PRICE: BGTW members free (contact the Secretariat). Non-members £6 total including booking fee and recording.
WHERE: Via Zoom
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BGTW Talks Travel discussions are part of a series of online events to bring people together and help our members and other travel professionals move forward. By connecting leaders in the world and featuring the latest travel opinion and developments, we help keep you at the forefront, creating and innovating.
The How to decolonise your travel content panel*
Tharik Hussain
Tharik is a travel writer, author and journalist who specialises in Islamic culture and heritage. He has worked on several guidebooks for Lonely Planet, produced award-winning BBC radio about America’s first mosques and Muslim communities, and is the creator of Britain’s first Muslim heritage trails. Tharik’s work focuses on the neglected Muslim narratives in places as diverse as Lithuania, Thailand, Britain and Romania. He is currently writing his debut narrative book about a journey in search of ‘Muslim Europe’.
Instagram: tharik_hussain
Twitter: _tharikhussain
Ella Paradis
Ella is the founder and chief editor of The Black Explorer magazine, a new digital and print publication aiming to amplify the Black narrative in travel. She has a special interest in diversifying travel writing and travel media, having experienced the lack of diversity in the industry both as a consumer and a travel professional.
Instagram: heyparadis and blckxplrrmag
Shivani Ashoka
Shivani is a travel writer and diversity advocate, based between London and New York City. She reports for Conde Nast Traveller (UK & US), The Times, The Independent, The Telegraph, Tatler and more. While currently in London, she has lived in five countries on three continents and maintains a special interest in global social impact, community-led sustainability and racial diversity. Shivani is the co-founder of fortnightly newsletter, Unpacking Media Bias, which helps journalists and marketers tackle unconscious bias in all forms of the press.
Instagram: shivaniashoka
Bani Amor
Bani is a gender/queer travel writer who explores the relationships between race, place, and power, and has written frequently about decolonising travel culture. They are a four-time VONA/Voices Fellow with work in CNN Travel, Fodor’s, AFAR, and Teen Vogue, among other outlets, and in the anthology Outside the XY: Queer Black and Brown Masculinity.
Instagram: baniamor
Travis Levius
Travis is a freelance writer, editor, content creator and tourism consultant. After quitting his teaching job in Atlanta to pursue the unknown across the pond, he somehow stumbled upon a career that’s brought him to over 30 countries and all seven continents. His writing has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, CNN Travel, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet and others.
Instagram: MisterLevius
Twitter: MisterLevius
Host
Meera Dattani, events director, BGTW
Meera is a freelance travel and culture journalist, co-editor of Adventure.com and co-founder of the Unpacking Media Bias newsletter, with a special interest in wildlife tourism, sustainable travel, post-colonial legacies, and heritage and diaspora tourism in India and East Africa.
Twitter: no_fixed_plans
Instagram: nofixedplans
* Scheduled to appear
The event is free to all BGTW members. (Get in touch with the Guild secretariat to sign up.)
Non-members are welcome to attend for a minuscule sum of £6 (including booking fee and recording). Click below to get your ticket!
Can’t make it on the day? If you register for the session, you will also receive a recording/link to the discussion afterwards.
Consider making an additional donation: Your additional donation helps the Guild provide content like this free of charge for those who can’t afford a ticket.
Buy tickets
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How do I join a BGTW Talks Travel discussion?
First, you sign up for the event via Ticket Tailor by following the button above. Then you will receive a Zoom registration link which you will need to complete to be sent a Zoom link to join. We advise you do this in as soon as you buy your ticket to avoid missing the event. (You can sign up and download Zoom here.)
At the time of the webinar, simply click on the Zoom link in the email and you’ll be taken to the Zoom website — you can join via the website or the desktop or mobile app.
Once the panel is ready to begin, you’ll be admitted to the room. You’ll be able to see and hear the panellists and our moderator, and type messages via the Zoom chat function. You will be not be visible to other participants. Your name will be visible if you join in the chat.
Any questions, please let us know. Hope to see you there!
