The Wall Street Journal is looking for a creative and deeply- sourced columnist for one of the most high-profile, fun jobs in our newsroom: helping readers navigate the joys and frustrations of travel.
It’s an exciting time to take on this beat. The pandemic has reshaped destinations, airlines, hotels and travelers themselves. Booking trips means navigating a maze of new sites, fees and rules. Popular destinations say they’re under siege and plead for more mindful behavior from visitors, while the recovery of business travel remains a question mark for carriers and road warriors. New low-cost airlines are launching, while established carriers are experimenting with new models like subscription services–and they’re still finding novel ways to irritate travelers.
But travel remains a passion for millions. Our readers want to know what wild new amenities cruise ships are installing to lure passengers back on board, and the latest tricks for living life more comfortably as a digital nomad.
What do we want from you? A list of story ideas as long as a 777, sources from the cockpit to the galley to the front desk, and a way with words that can enliven a 12-hour layover in Detroit. We want a gift for prying answers from airlines, hotels, cruises, home-rental sites and rental-car companies and an appetite for uncovering the hows and whys behind their operations and decisions.
You will be the face and voice of travel coverage on the Journal’s Life & Work team, writing a weekly column and newsletter, making regular appearances on Journal podcasts, event stages and videos. At least five years’ reporting
experience and strong knowledge of the travel industry is ideal, along with a track record of creative approaches to coverage.
You should be equally comfortable tracking down CEOs and a diverse range of regular fliers for anecdotes. You should demonstrate an ability to promote your work on video, social media and through live events such as conferences. And you should have deep, clear thoughts about communing with – and growing – our audience.
While you will likely start remotely, this job will eventually be based in our New York office and reports to Travel & Entertainment Bureau Chief Adam Thompson.
Please submit a cover letter describing your experience and interest in this job, a detailed resume and five clips with a sentence or two as to what the stories show about your capabilities.
To apply, go here.
