How to pitch to Condé Nast Traveler

Word of Mouth

Short one-to three-page front-of-book stories covering all that is new and trending in the sphere of travel. This moves far beyond just new hotels and emerging destination pieces, looking at music, art, culture, wellness, films, books, social trends, people, all seen through a traveler’s lens in a fresh way.
Editor: Toby Skinner

House Call

A three- or four-page feature about an original house or other property that can be rented in its entirety (not a hotel and not in the UK) and has a strong connection to its owner – the place should feel lived in and reflect the the owner’s personality in some way, with an interesting backstory that deserves to be told. Good existing photography is crucial for this section, and is usually the starting point. It should also be fairly under the radar and not have been featured by a multitude of other UK magazine titles.
Editor: Lydia Bell

Where to Stay

A gathering of hotel reviews, including long-form exclusive first looks at the most interesting openings around the world, as well as snappier round-ups of much more under-the-radar, low-key places to stay – inns, B&Bs, villas , apartments – linked by location, or by a loose theme. By the time the press release has gone out, it’s too late to pitch a review – we are looking for places that aren’t highly publicized. Instead, catch the news at its earliest point, via architects’ plans, interior designers’ mood boards and the word on the street.
Editor: Lydia Bell

File Style: Shopping

A guide to the best shops in one city or destination, ideally the top 10 addresses with a mix of fashion, accessories, home, beauty, books, markets, art, craft, florists, concept stores, food and drink, etc, as well as unique finds, over 1,000 words. We aim to highlight locally owned and run independent spots, with their own charm and personality. Stores with a sustainable angle, both in eco-minded products and supply chains, as well as the store itself, are key. The overall feature should reflect the local community, its artisanal heritage and regional produce. The feature also includes a sidebar which can be a ‘local know-how’ guide from a community member, or a ‘made in’ history of a specific product with the top three addresses to shop / try.
Editor: Charlotte Davey

Trendwatch

Single-page reporting on interesting cultural and travel trends that are currently evolving – can cover tech, philosophy, transport, hotel innovations, lifestyle (avoid food, fashion and make-up) and design. These ideas should not be confined to London/the UK but have a global or continent-wide significance. Recent examples include pilgrimages, rough cycling, a space mission to Mars, biophilic architecture, an Afropunk festival, graphic novels, collectable trolley bags and regal architecture.
Editor: Toby Skinner

Staycation

Usually a more guide-driven feature on a town, city or area of ​​the UK or Ireland. This is not the place for the local tourist-board top tips, but instead the more curious, creative, independent and offbeat. A young-gun chef doing pop-up suppers on the beach; a former blacksmith’s forge turned micro gin distillery; a secret bakery through the back of a bookshop. We would expect it to be an area you know well or have some connection to (came every summer as a child, say) rather than somewhere you’re exploring for the first time. Any new hook is a bonus but not a necessity. Sometimes a more countrywide round-up on a theme will run here; eg, small British islands, the best family glamping or the UK’s coolest neighborhood.
Editor: Toby Skinner