The first travel blog
We have the American publisher O’Reilly to thank for the emergence of the travel blogging phenomenon. Back in the early to mid-1990s, O’Reilly’s “Global Network Navigator” (its ghost still survives on this website) or GNN was the start page of the internet – it had news, the “whole” internet catalogue, a marketplace, and a forum. This is the platform where travel journalist Jeff Greenwald uploaded his first travel blog post in 1994 (of course, this was not as easy as it is today). It was not called a “blog” back then – the term wasn’t coined until three years later – but a series of online articles called “Big World”. Thus, travel blogging was born, 25 years ago. Greenwald may not have expected this but he created a trend that is going strong to this day: travel blogging.
Two kinds of travel bloggers
Today, there are countless travel-related blogs on the internet – and most of them fit into two main categories: one is about vacationing in various locations, the other is about travelling as a lifestyle, sharing tips about more than just tourist destinations and restaurants but also having many tricks and thrifty tips for budget-friendly travel, coworking, location independence, investments, and business.
-The first type is usually written by young people taking a leap year, backpacking across the land, entire families that have gone vagabond, exploring the world one city at the time.
The topics covered are equally diverse, covering hotels and landmarks, cruise ships and exclusive resorts, luxury restaurants and roadside eateries that offer something unique.
-The second type is usually maintained by “digital nomads”, people who have chosen a location-independent lifestyle. For them, travelling is not the goal in itself. Or better said, it is – but in a different way. “Digital nomads” don’t simply travel.
They are usually professionals – writers, photographers, web designers, programmers, and such – who choose not to hide behind a desk and be captive in a 9-to-5 office job but pack their bag, and escape the daily routine to work… pretty much from wherever they like.
Considering that they usually spend more than just a weekend or a few days in a place, their insights and tips are much more in-depth – and they are often focused on working and travelling on a limited budget. Where a classic travel blog will probably linger on the beautiful presentation and the amazing flavour of a dish in a five-star restaurant, the digital nomad’s blog will review the hostels and restaurants in Lagos where you get the most value for your money.
Travel blogging turned 25 this year. Here’s to 25 more years of amazing travel articles and thrifty tips.
Emeh Achanga,the CEO of the Miss Petite Nigeria Brand is a lawyer turned blogger. She is very passionate about writing, with several publications and awards to her credit .She is currently working on publishing a collection of short stories which are basically a memoir about her exciting true experiences.
