The Dutch Travel Bloggers Community has turned one year old, and what a year it has been! ? What started as a small network of like-minded travel bloggers has evolved into a powerful collective of over 130 verified members, collectively reaching millions of readers online every month. Within this network, we exchange valuable insights, discuss business challenges, and create opportunities that benefit the entire travel industry.
Our Impact and Growth
The time and energy I’ve invested in setting up, managing, and informing our community have not gone unnoticed. Increasingly, travel organizations, brands, and PR agencies are reaching out to us with questions about advertisements, cookie durations, advertising guidelines, compensation for press trips, and other developments in the travel blogging world. This highlights just how relevant and influential our voice has become.
Achievements from the Past Year
Here are some milestones our community can proudly celebrate:
- Revision of Advertising Guidelines: The DDMA and the Advertising Code Foundation have started conversations with us to better align advertising rules with the travel blogging industry.
- Extended Cookie Durations: Thanks to our feedback, a major affiliate partner extended their cookie duration from 7 to 100 days. Discussions with other companies are ongoing.
- Broader Support from Major Travel Organizations: Several travel companies actively seek our feedback and are open to sharing their insights with us.
- Focus on Fair Compensation for Press Trips: Our article about fair compensation for press trips gained significant attention (link to article). What began with resistance eventually led to open discussions about improvements. Budget talks for 2025 are underway, and I expect to see changes in the coming year.
- Professional Advocacy in the Travel Industry: Recently, a similar call for action emerged from another corner of the travel sector (link to article), which further amplifies our movement.
Onward to the Future
What started as a small initiative is now seen by many as a “union for travel bloggers.” The enthusiasm and dedication of our community have given us a strong voice in the travel industry. I’m excited to continue leading this movement, potentially as an official foundation, and to create even more value for travel bloggers and the industry as a whole.
Join Us!
Would you like to be part of this movement? Send me an email and I’ll personally reach out to guide you through the verification process.
