The Masterclasses by National Geographic Traveller (UK)

The Masterclasses by National Geographic Traveller (UK) returns this September with a special online event designed specifically for aspiring travel writers. On the evening of Tuesday 30 September 2025, Travel Writing for Beginners will give you the opportunity to learn the essential skills needed to break into the world of travel journalism.

Hosted online, the event will offer three informative and motivating workshops, delivered by a panel of experienced travel writers and editors. Whether you’re dreaming of writing your first piece or wondering how to make that all-important pitch to editors, this interactive session will give you the tools and confidence to begin your journey.

General admission tickets are on sale now: £60 | Student: £30

Tickets include full access to session recordings for a limited time.

TRAVEL WRITING SESSIONS

The event consists of three 50-minute sessions, each designed to give you a foundational understanding of what it takes to be a successful travel writer in today’s publishing landscape. It will run from 6-9pm on Tuesday 30 September.

How to pitch travel editors

What makes a pitch stand out in a busy editor’s inbox? In this session, you’ll learn what makes an attention-grabbing pitch, how to tailor your ideas for specific publications and what editors are really looking for.

This class takes place online from 6:00pm - 6:50pm (GMT)

Meet the panel (from left to right): Meera Dattani (moderator), Jessica Vincent, Sophie Griffiths and Daniel Stables

Meera Dattani is a freelance travel and culture journalist and executive editor at award-winning publication Adventure.com, where she commissions features from writers and photographers around the world.

Focusing on community-led and Indigenous tourism, food and cultural heritage, solo travel, soft adventure and wildlife/conservation in her own work, Meera’s travel stories have been published in Condé Nast Traveller, National Geographic Traveller (UK), Wanderlust, BBC Travel, Olive and others. She’s also a mentor, awards judge and panellist/moderator at events such as Women in Travel, TravMedia IMM, Adventure Travel Networking and Destinations Show.

Jessica Vincent is a multi-award-winning travel writer working with National Geographic Traveller (UK), Travel + Leisure, Vogue, Condé Nast Traveller and many more. She’s the editor of The Best British Travel Writing of the 21st Century (voted best travel book of 2022 by The Independent) and founder of the Travel Writing Academy, a course and community that helps aspiring writers break into the industry from scratch.

Sophie Griffiths joined Travel Trade Gazette in March 2010 as a news reporter before working her way up to the position of editor in January 2017. She’s also the founder of TTG LGBT — a network for LGBT people and allies within the travel industry which champions diversity in the sector. Sophie was named Editor of the Year at the PPA Independent Publisher Awards in 2018, 2019 and 2022, and in January 2022, she was named TTG’s first Chief Purpose Officer, helping TTG in its mission to drive a smarter, better, fairer travel industry. She returned to work in September 2024 after a year’s maternity leave.

Daniel Stables is a travel and culture writer based in Manchester. He writes for leading publications including National Geographic Traveller (UK), BBC Travel, Lonely Planet and national newspapers, and has authored, co-authored or contributed to more than 30 travel books on a range of destinations worldwide. His first narrative non-fiction book, Fiesta: A Journey Through Festivity, was published by Icon Books in August 2025.

The dos and don’ts of travel writing

Learn how to turn cliches into creativity in this session that will walk you through the common pitfalls and show you how to elevate your writing with clarity, originality and purpose.

This class takes place online from 7:00pm - 7:50pm (GMT)

Meet the panel (from left to right): Pól Ó Conghaile (moderator), Shafik Meghji, Georgia Stephens and Zoey Goto

Pól Ó Conghaile is the travel editor of The Irish Independent and a National Geographic Traveller (UK) contributor. He is the author of Secret Dublin: An Unusual Guide (Jonglez), features regularly on TV and radio, and was named Travel Writer of the Year (UK & Ireland) by the British Guild of Travel Writers in 2016. Pól has also worked as a mentor for the British Guild of Travel Writers and participated in several National Geographic Traveller (UK) Masterclasses.

Shafik Meghji is an award-winning travel writer, journalist and author specialising in Latin America and South Asia. The co-author of more than 45 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, DK Eyewitness and Rough Guides, he writes for National Geographic Traveller (UK), BBC Travel and Wanderlust, among others. Shafik’s first book, Crossed Off the Map: Travels in Bolivia, was shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Travel Book of the Year 2023. His new book, Small Earthquakes: A Journey Through Lost British History in South America, is out now.

Georgia Stephens is the Features Editor at National Geographic Traveller (UK). She has won Young Writer of the Year at the Travel Media Awards and Best International Article at the ATTA Awards, and has been a finalist for awards including TravMedia 2025's Feature of the Year.

Zoey Goto is a journalist and author covering travel, culture and Americana. She’s the US travel specialist for The Times and contributes regularly to National Geographic Traveller (UK), alongside BBC Travel, Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ, Wallpaper, Lonely Planet, Vogue, AFAR, and Condé Nast Traveller.

With over 20 years working in media, including 14 as a freelance writer, Zoey has reported from Elvis’s teenage bedroom and slept on Dolly Parton’s tour bus. Her work often explores quirky subcultures, female empowerment, retro revivals and cowgirl culture.

How to be a travel writer (your questions answered)

Hear about what it really means to be a travel writer today from working professionals. This is your chance to find out everything you ever wanted to know about travel writing — from how to manage your brand to how to find the story.

This class takes place online from 8:00pm - 8:50pm (GMT)

Meet the panel (from left to right): Pól Ó Conghaile (moderator), Zoey Goto, Jessica Vincent, Shafik Maghji, Sophie Griffiths

Pól Ó Conghaile is the travel editor of The Irish Independent and a National Geographic Traveller (UK) contributor. He is the author of Secret Dublin: An Unusual Guide (Jonglez), features regularly on TV and radio, and was named Travel Writer of the Year (UK & Ireland) by the British Guild of Travel Writers in 2016. Pól has also worked as a mentor for the British Guild of Travel Writers and participated in several National Geographic Traveller (UK) Masterclasses.

Zoey Goto is a journalist and author covering travel, culture and Americana. She’s the US travel specialist for The Times and contributes regularly to National Geographic Traveller (UK), alongside BBC Travel, Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ, Wallpaper, Lonely Planet, Vogue, AFAR, and Condé Nast Traveller.

With over 20 years working in media, including 14 as a freelance writer, Zoey has reported from Elvis’s teenage bedroom and slept on Dolly Parton’s tour bus. Her work often explores quirky subcultures, female empowerment, retro revivals and cowgirl culture.

Jessica Vincent is a multi-award-winning travel writer working with National Geographic Traveller (UK), Travel + Leisure, Vogue, Condé Nast Traveller and many more. She’s the editor of The Best British Travel Writing of the 21st Century (voted best travel book of 2022 by The Independent) and founder of the Travel Writing Academy, a course and community that helps aspiring writers break into the industry from scratch.

Shafik Meghji is an award-winning travel writer, journalist and author specialising in Latin America and South Asia. The co-author of more than 45 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, DK Eyewitness and Rough Guides, he writes for National Geographic Traveller (UK), BBC Travel and Wanderlust, among others. Shafik’s first book, Crossed Off the Map: Travels in Bolivia, was shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Travel Book of the Year 2023. His new book, Small Earthquakes: A Journey Through Lost British History in South America, is out now.

Sophie Griffiths joined Travel Trade Gazette in March 2010 as a news reporter before working her way up to the position of editor in January 2017. She’s also the founder of TTG LGBT — a network for LGBT people and allies within the travel industry which champions diversity in the sector. Sophie was named Editor of the Year at the PPA Independent Publisher Awards in 2018, 2019 and 2022, and in January 2022, she was named TTG’s first Chief Purpose Officer, helping TTG in its mission to drive a smarter, better, fairer travel industry. She returned to work in September 2024 after a year’s maternity leave.

Why attend?

• Learn directly from professional travel writers and editors

• Understand what makes a great pitch and a great story

• Opportunity to ask your burning questions

• Get access to full recordings after the event (available for a limited time)

• Attend from anywhere — it’s 100% online

Glen Mutel, managing editor at National Geographic Traveller (UK), says:

"When it comes to developing a passion, a little guidance can work wonders. Our latest series of Masterclass sessions aim to help travel lovers take their passion to the next stage, lifting the lid on the pitching process, offering up invaluable writing tips and generally shedding light on what it's like to be a travel writer."

Past attendees have said:

“Such an informative and inspiring event. Great to learn directly from the people who commission and create travel content.”

“A brilliant confidence boost — I left with ideas and a clear next step.”

Booking details:

Date: Tuesday 30 September 2025 Time: 6-9pm (BST) approx. Location: Online Tickets: Early bird: £50 (sold out) | General admission £60 | Student: £30 (identification required)