Recently, Dutch and Belgian travel bloggers were asked for their opinions on a hot topic: should there be a daily allowance for press trips in the travel industry? The results of this poll are now in and have sparked a lot of discussion. A key finding? Over 75% of respondents said that a daily allowance is essential for making press trips sustainable in the long term. In this article, I’ll share the poll results, explain why many travel bloggers believe a daily allowance is necessary, and dive into how this could become the new standard for press trips.
The value of travel bloggers is increasing
Travel bloggers invest significant amounts of time, creativity, and expertise into promoting destinations via blogs, social media, and other channels. In doing so, they generate a lot of media value for tourism boards, PR agencies, and companies. However, they’re often expected to do this without any financial compensation, receiving only the trip itself in return. While such trips are undoubtedly valuable and greatly appreciated, they don’t pay the bills. For many bloggers, earning an income through their platform has become increasingly difficult over the years.
What changed?
In the past, the formula was simple: more visitors = more clicks = more revenue. But in recent years, bloggers have seen their earnings plummet, even if their visitor numbers and clicks to affiliate partners have increased. This is due to:
- Changes in Google algorithms, making it harder to rank consistently.
- Affiliate partners systematically lowering commissions.
- Lost sales due to stricter cookie regulations in Europe.
The result? Most travel bloggers are no longer able to sustain their business on affiliate income or ads alone.
Poll results: what do bloggers think?
We surveyed 73 travel bloggers with the question: “Do you think a daily allowance for press trips is necessary?” The results were clear:
- Yes: 56 votes (76.7%)
- No: 17 votes (23.3%)
We also asked what a fair daily allowance would look like. Here’s how bloggers responded:
- €100 per day: 50% of respondents.
- €200 per day: 35% of respondents.
- €300 or more per day: 14% of respondents.
Why do travel bloggers think a daily allowance is necessary?
Here are the main reasons cited by those in favor of a daily allowance:
- Ensuring the profession’s sustainability: Without compensation, it will become impossible for many to continue creating high-quality content long-term.
- Maintaining unique, up-to-date content: A daily allowance allows bloggers to base their content on first-hand experiences, rather than relying on AI or outdated information.
- Acknowledging professional work: Travel bloggers don’t just take vacations; they produce professional content (blogs, photos, and social media posts) that requires effort and expertise. A daily allowance reflects the value of their work.
- Compensating for time investment: Press trips often take several days or even weeks. During this time, bloggers are unable to work on other projects or generate alternative income. A daily allowance helps offset this loss.
- Covering the costs of running a blog: Maintaining a blog involves significant overhead costs, including web hosting, domains, and other tools. These costs have risen sharply in recent years.
Why do some bloggers say no to a daily allowance?
A smaller group of bloggers—about 23% of respondents—felt that a daily allowance is not necessary. Their main arguments were:
- Other income sources: Some bloggers generate enough revenue from affiliate income or custom campaigns.
- Special destinations: Certain press trips (e.g., to luxurious or unique locations) offer such incredible experiences that the trip itself feels like sufficient compensation.
A new standard for press trips?
The fact that over 75% of bloggers believe a daily allowance is necessary highlights an important shift in the travel blogging industry. Travel bloggers provide valuable promotional content and media exposure for tourism organizations and PR agencies. Just like in any other profession, their work deserves fair compensation. A daily allowance isn’t just about financial fairness; it’s about creating a sustainable partnership between bloggers and the organizations they work with.
The road ahead
It’s time for PR agencies and tourism boards to recognize that the current system—where bloggers work in exchange for the trip itself—isn’t sustainable in the long term. By introducing a daily allowance for press trips, they can help ensure that bloggers continue to deliver authentic, first-hand content that inspires travelers around the world. Together, we can create a future where travel bloggers have both the passion and the financial security to keep telling the stories of the world.
Source: Wereldreizigers.nl
