Rupert Diggins
Covers:
Authentic overseas travel, city breaks, hotels, islands, cruise, wildlife, nature, road trips and adventure.
Exploring the world in my 50s 🌍✈️ British travel writer, storyteller and wildlife enthusiast seeking authentic travel with the beauty of nature👣📸
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Whilst I was not a journalist at the time I have hosted many press trips whilst a tour operator. Upon my return, I also wrote reviews
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes as a child watching my mother.
How is social media changing news?
Social Media has changed our world irreversibly and not always for good. It is however a travel news tool that must be embraced.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I prefer to read the travel adventures of such writers as Bill Bryson, Douglas Adams, Mark Carwardine, Stephen Fry and Michael Palin.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being a travel journalist gives me the freedom to be creative, express opinions and inspire others through words and photography.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I don't have one that stands out from the crowd. Will come back to you when I am amused!
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Ideally by e mail but I am not averse to a telephone call.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
WordPress for my website with 99% of the photography taken generated by myself from a mobile or Canon 80D camera.
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook and Instagram
Who do you wish followed you?
Just like-minded individuals who wish to engage. For me, it is about the quality of followers, not quantity.
Why did you become a journalist?
After 30 years in the outbound UK tour operating industry, COVID-19 and a period of caring for a parent changed the direction of my travel career.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
There are many but my tour of Cuba was very special.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't always follow the crowd, occasionally rip up the rule book, be entertaining and above all, be real.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Any time of day!
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I was invited to sail on the Star Clippers Tall Ship, the "Star Flyer" along the coast of Italy and to Sicily. Was truly magical!
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I have yet to be offered a pitch that can be classified as my worst!
What's your favorite drink?
An early morning coffee with a view
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Hopefully mixing with good people, incredible wildlife and on an adventure somewhere inspiring and authentic.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Travel Weekly (UK) and Conde Nast Traveller
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
I am too small to be considered for travel opportunities - my audience is quality frontline travel sales influencers.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.