It’s dangerous, but timeous territory, and one directed at Travel professionals too… yes, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
It is, of course, an occupational hazard of reviewing accommodations and attractions near and far to sample their fare.
But such is human nature that it is treated by those who are not invited to give their expertise, ie us…
To be ridiculed with lazy name-calling, such as in my case Junket or Jollies Jim.
Singing for your supper
Yes, it has involved being wined and dined along the way.
And entertained by the likes of Diana Ross, The Beach Boys and One Republic, at Red Rocks, among others.
While stepping up too to be front and centre at the Rising Star Karaoke Bar at CityWalk, Universal Orlando.
While also being asked to rollercoaster, horse-ride, goat-race and whitewater raft.
But then without blowing our own trumpets, and, yes, we’ll do that too, it is our expertise to write a story which earns us our ticket.
Just as it is for sports writers who are invited to cup finals or music reviewers who are asked along to gigs.
Breakfast of champions
All of this more often than not begins with a breakfast, a lunch, a dinner.
And speeches about destinations and a thumb-through dates.
Before leaving with a gift bag with memory stick, pen, pad, coffee mug, selfie stick and other accessories.
Hardly Oscar or politician perk territory then.
The business of travel
Yes, we have savoured the best of airport business lounges, as in the award-winning Turkish Airlines in Istanbul.
And TA, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic business travel too.
And been pampered with wellness spas, massages and infinity and swim-up pools.
But always on the understanding that there is no such thing as a free lunch.
And that there is an article, or article, or throwback piece, at the end of it all.
And that a connection is built for future developments at the destination.
Writes and wrongs
The most persistent accusation that is levelled at travel writers is that their providers buy off their critiques.
But without going all AA Gill we have pointed out a destination’s discrepancies, as with a particular Moroccan mare.
And if that risks being asked to return then so be it because we have to be true to the readers and ourselves.
In truth you earn trust with travel providers by being honest and they are usually keen to get you back out to put things right.
Of course, there are those who abuse the system.
Like a previous boss’s daughter who took a break in Madeira.
Who didn’t write it up, took a year’s sabbatical, and when we did track her down the connection was discontinued.
Just one of many entitled staffers who needless to say were never asked again,
Pleasure to work with you
Playing it straight should come instinctively and those who don’t soon get found out.
If awards have arrived along the way such as the Irish Travel sector singling me out for a Pleasure to Work With award then I’ll take that too.
Because we know that there is no such thing as a free lunch,
And that means all of us being open and transparent with each other as to what is expected of us.
