No, it isn’t a collection of so-so op-eds pretending to be a travel blog. The most promising newcomer to the travel blogosphere is — gasp! — a corporate blog written by the staff at Orbitz. The Orbitz Travel Blog debuted late yesterday, and I like this newcomer as much for what it is as for what it isn’t.
The Orbitz blog covers exactly what you’d expect a travel blog to cover. It’s a bread-and-butter travel site — often literally, like when it reviews the best buffets in Vegas or writes about a Guinness-soaked Ireland getaway.
There are useful tips on travel gadgets and how to find child care while you’re on vacation, too. “We have a lot of pretty passionate travelers who blog, so the company is doing this to give them an outlet,” Orbitz spokesman Brian Hoyt told me.
So here’s what I like about the Orbitz Blog so far: it’s completely unpretentious, practical and … fun. Yes, fun.
I think the blogosphere needs more of that and a lot less of the link-free navel-gazing that seems to be in vogue these days. But I digress.
My favorite entry is about a place I’ve always wanted to visit: Maui. Chris Wieland’s take on the road to Hana, with its gorgeous photos, is an example of terrific destination travel blogging. I don’t even mind the shameless links back to Orbitz, where people can book their Hawaii vacation.
As an aside, 2007 has really been a big year for corporate travel bloggers. Whether it’s Delta, Southwest, Marriott or Farecompare, many of these company-run blogs are now full-fledged blogosphere citizens.
And now, so is Orbitz.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
It is nice, unpretentious and utilitarian. I can’t help but get a slightly icky feeling regardless; almost like I’m supporting the ultimate demise of the “homebrewed” travel blog. :)
C’est la vie.
Writing a corporate blog can be a major challenge because you want it to be informative and engaging while, at the same time, providing your brand with some exposure. Orbitz seems to have struck the right balance so they should be commended. At PlanetEye, we have adopted the same approach, although there is continual tinkering to get the mix just right.
Mark
The road to Hanna is nice, no doubt. If you ever do get out there, don’t forget about the other end of the island though. The Iao valley is lovely and easily accessible, Upcountry offers some spectacular views of the leeward side, and the parts of the island north of Lahina (leeward) or Kahalui (windward) are pretty nice too. Make sure you are away from Lahina before sunset though – it’s slow going all along the coast. Maui and Tunis are pretty much the most memorable places I’ve ever been, thought for quite different reasons…
Here’s a picture I took of the Iao valley in ‘05: http://www.damiani.org/maui/html/37.htm