Pack Your Pitch: Submission Checklist for Travel Features Targeting Yearly ‘Best Places’ Lists

Pack Your Pitch: Submission Checklist for Travel Features Targeting Yearly ‘Best Places’ Lists

Hook: You’ve missed deadlines, wrestled with inconsistent photo specs, and watched editors favor list pieces that arrive with airtight data and social hooks. In 2026, editors expect airtight pitches that blend timely data, polished visuals, and SEO-ready angles — or your story gets passed over.

Why this matters in 2026

Yearly “best places” lists — like The Points Guy’s 2026 roundup — still drive massive traffic and bragging rights for outlets and contributors. But post‑2024 editorial budgets and evolving search algorithms mean editors prioritize submissions that are:

• Data-backed (Google Travel Insights, UNWTO, STR, AirDNA)
• Visually ready (hero images, social crops, video clips)
• SEO-optimised with clear keyword intent and structured data
• Legally clean (rights, model/property releases, AI provenance)

Before you write: Decide your unique angle

Editors receive dozens of “best places” pitches every season. Your first job is to pick a single, defendable angle that answers “Why now?” and “Why you?”

• Trend-led: Emerging routes, airline expansions, or new low-cost carriers serving places in 2025–26.
• Data-led: Locations with sharp growth in searches, bookings, or short-term rental occupancy (use Google Trends + AirDNA).
• Sustainability/resilience: Destinations rebuilding after climate events or investing in regenerative tourism.
• Points & miles: High-value redemptions or award availability changes — a favorite of The Points Guy readers.
• Human-interest: Local festivals, new museum openings, or digital-nomad visa launches.

Submission Checklist: What editors expect (at a glance)

1. Timeliness — Tie the pitch to an editorial calendar (yearly lists usually finalize Oct–Jan; start pitching 6–12 weeks before publication).
2. One-sentence hook — A single line that explains the idea and urgency.
3. Data points & sources — 3–5 verifiable stats with citations (links to UNWTO, national tourism boards, Google Mobility/Trends, AirDNA, STR, OAG / Cirium / IATA).
4. 3 suggested headlines — Short, SEO-friendly options (one with a list number, one long‑tail, one branded).
5. Lead paragraph (50–70 words) — Pack the hook, data, and why it matters now.
6. Photography kit — Hero image, 2–4 supporting images, 15–30s vertical and horizontal video clips if available.
7. Clear rights statement — Exact licensing you offer (exclusive/non-exclusive, duration, territories).
8. Byline & credentials — Short bio, recent clips, and metrics (pageviews, opens) for similar pieces.
9. Promotion plan — Social angles, newsletter hooks, and potential affiliate/partnerships.

Data Sources & How to Use Them (2026 edition)

Editors want signal, not noise. Here are trusted sources and how to use them to strengthen a pitch in 2026:

• Google Travel Insights & Google Trends — Use to show search interest spikes and seasonal patterns. Screenshot or link to query results for proof.
• UNWTO (World Tourism Organization) — Use for international arrival stats and recovery trends post‑pandemic/climate events.
• National & city tourism boards — Primary source for new infrastructure, festivals, and official visitation numbers.
• AirDNA & STR — For short‑term rental occupancy and hotel performance metrics.
• OAG / Cirium / IATA — Route expansions, frequency changes, and capacity trends. See how airline seasonal route moves create new hubs and story hooks.
• OpenTable / Resy / SeatGeek — Ticketing and reservation trends for food, events, and attractions.
• Local sources & local reporters — Quotes from a destination manager or a local operator add credibility and local color.

Quick verification checklist

• Link publicly available source URLs in your pitch
• Screenshot proprietary dashboards and offer to share on request
• Prefer primary sources; avoid second‑hand blog claims
• If using AI to summarise, note that in your submission and include source links — also disclose AI provenance and explainability where relevant (live explainability APIs).

Photo & Media Requirements (Editor‑Ready Specs)

Editors hate back‑and‑forth on visuals. Deliver files that slot directly into CMS templates.

Mandatory technical specs

• Hero image: Minimum 2400 px wide, ideally 3840 px; sRGB color profile; JPEG or WebP; aspect ratio 16:9 or 3:2.
• Supporting images: Two landscape and one vertical (2:3) for social cards; 2000–3000 px on the long edge.
• Social crops: 1:1 square, 9:16 vertical for Reels/Shorts, and 16:9 for Twitter/X/Threads previews.
• Video: 1080p MP4/H.264; 15–30 seconds; subtitles or SRT file for accessibility. If you’re building a mobile-first kit for quick turnaround, check guides on creating a lightweight creator pack (Future‑Proofing Your Creator Carry Kit (2026)).
• Metadata: Embed IPTC/XMP with caption, photographer credit, location, and copyright owner.
• File naming: descriptive_slug_location_photographer.jpg (avoid IMG_1234.jpg).

Licensing & legal musts (2026 updates)

With AI tools and image reuse on the rise, editors are stricter than ever.

• State the exact license: non-exclusive worldwide web rights for 2 years, editorial use only, etc.
• Model & property releases: Required for people or private property; upload PDFs with your submission.
• AI provenance: If an image is edited or generated using AI, disclose the process and confirm you have rights to use it editorially. For explainability and provenance tooling, see live explainability APIs.
• Credit lines: Provide exact copy for photographer credit and image source.

“Editors will remove your images if legal documentation is missing. Don’t let a great pitch fail on paperwork.”

SEO Hooks & On‑Page Requirements

Yearly list features are organic traffic gold — but only if optimized. Provide these SEO-ready elements in your pitch.

• Primary & secondary keywords: Suggest a primary keyword (e.g., "best places to travel 2026") and 3–5 long-tail variations (e.g., "best offbeat places to visit in 2026").
• Suggested slug: short, keyword-rich URL path.
• Meta title & description: 50–60 character title and 120–155 character description draft.
• H2/H3 structure: Outline with proposed subheads that include target keywords and semantic variants.
• Schema idea: Recommend using Article + ImageObject + ItemList markup for list features — follow a technical SEO checklist for schema and snippets (Schema, Snippets, and Signals).
• Internal linking suggestions: 2–4 anchor texts pointing to relevant evergreen content on the site (hotel guides, points guides, travel advisories). For discoverability and social search promotion, reference Digital PR + Social Search.
• Alt text: Provide SEO‑friendly alt tags for hero and supporting images.

Example SEO assets (copy & paste)

Meta title: Best Places to Travel in 2026 — Top 20 Destinations and Why Now
Meta description: Discover 20 must-visit places for 2026 with data-driven reasons, travel tips, and where to use points. Editor-ready pitch included.

Pitch Template: Subject Lines + Full Pitch

Use these tested subject lines and the 6‑part pitch structure. Swap in your specifics.

Subject line options

• “Pitch: 7 Underrated Places Poised to Explode in 2026 (with images & data)”
• “For [Outlet]: Why [Destination] Belongs on Your 2026 ‘Best Places’ List”
• “Data-led feature: 5 cities with surging flight connections in 2025–26”

Full pitch (paste and personalize)

Hi [Editor Name],

I’d like to pitch a feature for your annual “Best Places to Go in 2026” list: [Headline Option 1]. Quick hook: [One-sentence why-now line — e.g., “New direct flights from the U.S., record hotel occupancy recovery, and a freshly opened cultural district have made [Destination] a top value for 2026.”]

Key data (sources linked):

• [Stat 1] — source (e.g., OAG: new daily flights from JFK to X as of Dec 2025)
• [Stat 2] — source (e.g., AirDNA: 40% YoY growth in short-term rental bookings)
• [Stat 3] — source (e.g., tourism board press release: new museum opening in Q2 2026)

I can deliver a 1,200–1,500 word feature, editorial-ready hero and supporting images (3840 px hero, 3 social crops), and a 20–30 second social video. All images come with IPTC metadata, signed releases where required, and non-exclusive web rights for 2 years.

Suggested headlines: [Headline 1], [Headline 2], [Headline 3]

Why me: [Two-line bio with relevant clips and any metrics — e.g., “Earlier this year I placed a feature about X that drove 45k pageviews and a 18% newsletter click-through.”]

Available windows: I can deliver copy and visuals within 10 business days. I’m happy to offer a 48‑hour exclusive review period if you’d like to test the piece before syndication.

Best,

[Your Full Name] — [Phone] — [Email] — [Link to portfolio]

Follow‑up Strategy & Editorial Etiquette

Follow-up cadence matters. Here’s a minimal, professional schedule:

1. Day 1: Initial email
2. Day 4–5: Short, polite follow-up with new angle or data nugget
3. Day 10: Share a relevant recent clip or social proof
4. If no response after 3 touches, move on but keep the editor updated if you land exclusives elsewhere.

What Editors Care About (Metrics & Deliverables)

When an editor evaluates your pitch, they mentally check boxes beyond the story idea. Supply these in your pitch to increase odds of assignment:

• Audience fit: Why the story will engage this outlet’s readers
• Traffic potential: Past performance of similar topics or your projection (e.g., “this angle typically drives 40–60k pageviews”)
• Shareability: Social/video assets and newsletter snippets
• Monetization potential: Affiliate opportunities, airline partnerships, or hotel promos
• Timeliness: Any embargo windows and why the timing is urgent

Case Study: A Fast Turnaround That Landed a List Spot (Illustrative)

In late 2025 a freelancer pitched “5 European Cities Getting New U.S. Routes in 2026” to a mid-sized travel outlet. The pitch included OAG route data, three high-resolution hero images with releases, and a 20s vertical clip shot on a recent press trip. The editor approved the piece, published it within two weeks, and it earned a top slot on the site’s 2026 best‑places list — generating 60k pageviews and pickup by a partner newsletter.

Why it worked: the pitch was timely, data-backed, visually plug-and-play, and had clear SEO framing.

Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

• No sources: Don’t claim growth without links. Editors will discard unverifiable claims.
• Bad images: Low-res or wrong aspect ratio wastes an editor’s time.
• Vague timelines: If you can’t deliver on the editor’s schedule, say so upfront.
• License confusion: Be explicit — “non-exclusive web rights for 2 years” beats vague phrasing.
• Overbroad pitches: Narrow is better: a tight premise is easier to sell than a sprawling “top 50” idea.

2026 Trends to Mention in Your Pitches

• Airline network recovery & new routes: Use Q4 2025–Q1 2026 route announcements to anchor “why now.” See practical examples in How Airlines’ Seasonal Route Moves Create New Adventure Hubs.
• Digital nomad visas & remote-work hubs: Many countries expanded programs in 2025, creating repeatable travel demand.
• Regenerative tourism: Destinations investing in resident wellbeing rank higher editorially.
• AI content & provenance: Editors now expect disclosure if AI tools aided research or images; pair your disclosures with explainability tooling (live explainability APIs).
• Search behavior shifts: Micro-moments and “near me” travel searches grew in late 2025; tie local experiences to search intent. For operational approaches to local fulfillment and last-mile discovery, see hyperlocal fulfillment evolutions.

Final Editor-Ready Checklist (Copy & Paste)

• One-sentence hook (why now)
• 3–5 data points with links
• Lead paragraph (50–70 words)
• Three headline options
• Full deliverables list + turnaround time
• Hero image (3840 px) + 3 supporting images + 1 vertical video
• IPTC metadata + releases
• Exact rights statement
• Suggested SEO title, meta description, slug, and H2 outline
• Short bio + portfolio links + performance metrics

Closing: Make It Easy For The Editor

In 2026, a successful pitch is one that minimizes editorial effort. Give editors clean assets, airtight sources, and a clear SEO plan. If you can show how the piece will perform (traffic, social, newsletter), you’ll move to the top of the inbox.

Ready-to-use pitch template and printable checklist: Save this page and adapt the pitch template for each editor. Keep a master folder with images, releases, and data links so you can respond within 48 hours — that responsiveness wins assignments. If you’re building a small kit for quick turnarounds, reference lightweight mobile capture and creator kits (on-device capture & mobile creator stack) and packing advice like Travel Backpacks: Smart, Sustainable, Travel‑Ready.

Call to action

Want a downloadable, customizable pitch packet (editable pitch + media checklist + SEO snippets)? Sign up at submissions.info to get the free template and weekly curated editor lists that match your beats. Start landing list features in 2026 with pitches that editors can publish the same day. For outreach, promotion and discoverability workflows, pair your promotion plan with Digital PR + Social Search and learn to craft newsletter-first teasers from creators who build audience-first products (How to Launch a Profitable Niche Newsletter in 2026).

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