Where are you based?
I've lived in NYC since 2007, which by the ten-year rule, makes me a real New Yorker. Finally!
What topics and places do you cover?
I love telling stories that encourage people to connect with nature and examine what the travel industry can do to build a more sustainable future. I cover a lot of ecotourism, luxury travel, food, and soft adventure. And I will never turn down a scuba diving assignment! I think the ocean is a million times more exciting than space.
What outlets do you usually pitch (and write for)?
Some of my favorite outlets to work with are Robb Report, Food & Wine, Thrillist, The Zoe Report, Scuba Diving Magazine, National Geographic, Virtuoso, BBC, Artful Living, Food Network, and Hotels Above Par. In addition to earned media, I write branded content for AFAR and Hilton Club Traveler.
Are you in-house or freelance (or both)?
I'm currently freelance. In a past life, I worked in-house as an editor at Allure and a branded content editor at The Economist, Sotheby's, and Quartz. I miss the Allure beauty closet the most—so much free makeup!
What is your approach to press trips?
I take both individual and group press trips, but lean toward individual trips as they allow me to customize my itinerary more and develop unique angles. In 95% of cases, I don't confirm assignments for press trips, both because there is no such thing as an assignment that is 100% confirmed (especially as a freelancer) and because that is not how I do my best work. The articles I am proud of, that my editors like the most, and that I think readers respond to are the ones that come about organically and authentically. When I do agree to a confirmed assignment, it's usually because I already have a very specific article I want to write, and need help facilitating travel.
What are your professional pet peeves?
It's frustrating when I don't receive a final trip itinerary well (at least two weeks) in advance. I rely on them to start researching the destination and brainstorming pitches and may request interviews or other information based on what I see. Getting them a day or two before the trip doesn't allow me to make the most of my time.
Where would you like to return to?
Just about every destination begs a return visit, but I was recently in Bangkok for two days after not being in the country for six years, and it reminded me how much I love Thailand (and Thai food). I want to go back soon—hopefully for more than 48 hours this time!
What's on your bucket list?
When I first went freelance and got the freedom to travel more for work I thought, “This is great, I'll check so many places off my bucket list!” Now my bucket list is longer than ever because I've learned so much about the industry and all the incredible places there are to visit. My scuba wish list runs deep—I'd love to do the sardine run in South Africa, explore the Coral Triangle (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Solomon Islands), and look for sharks off Costa Rica's Cocos Island. I've also been dreaming about a tour of Rajasthan in India, cruising down the Mekong, and a land/water safari in Madagascar.
Where do you travel for fun?
My husband and I have been really lucky to visit Japan and France multiple times. Both countries always draw me back. While I certainly haven't done everything in either destination, there's less pressure to check things off a list when we go, so we can just eat (a lot), people-watch, and vibe.
Your funniest (or most harrowing) travel story is …
I once severely sprained my ankle, tearing the ligaments, in a resort spa immediately after diving with sharks in Fiji. As a passionate shark conservationist, I like to think of this as proof of that oft-cited statistic that you're more likely to be hurt by a severe fall than my finned buddies.
What advice would you give your younger professional self?
Trust your instincts. If you would want to read the story, there's a good chance other people would, too.
How best should people contact you?
Find my email address on my TravMedia profile here. You can also reach me through one of my social media channels, Instagram @alexandraco11 or Twitter @AlexandraCO.
