It’s our birthday! A year ago today, we clicked publish on our very first story, about cocoa and politics in Chocó, Colombia.
We weren’t sure anyone would visit the site, but we had a feeling people were getting tired of Top 10 lists and cliche articles about travel and food. We wanted more, and thought you did too.
Curiosity Magazine started out of frustration. I’m a freelance travel journalist who had trouble placing stories while living in Kurdistan because editors said they couldn’t encourage travel to the region, and I know plenty of writers who had wonderful, complex ideas for stories that were boiled down to lists or ‘where to eat/drink/sleep’ style pieces for the sake of SEO. But what about the context? How much more interesting could your trip be if you knew about a place beyond its basic history and sights? What could we learn about culture and identity from reading an essay about Jewish food on the US-Mexico border, or pickling cabbage in Poland? How many great conversations could you have with locals if you were up to date on social issues and current events? Wouldn’t it be cool to know the history of specific dishes and their ingredients, or that your street food has a purpose, or that your coffee is more complicated than you think? How about learning about a way of life most people don’t even know exists, or getting an intimate look at the day-to-day in one of the world’s most disputed cities? I’ve always been curious about the ‘why,’ and judging from your readership and encouraging messages over the last year it seems you are too.
We learned quickly that Curiosity Magazine’s readers are curious about backgrounds, politics, ingredients, and people. They love stories. They ask questions. They look for local insight and try to gain perspective. They want to be immersed in a place, not simply cross it off a list. They care about those who travel out of necessity, not choice. They don’t have to be well traveled, but they aim to travel well. That part is key. From learning how to travel better in one of the world’s most visited countries to how to be a more sustainable traveler in general, concerns about overtourism and a desire to take more ethical travel photos, our readers embody what we mean when we say #beabettertraveler.
This is a magazine for travelers, but we hope our stories are just as enjoyable for those who prefer to learn by reading stories from the comfort of their living room. We also strive to be a resource for travel writers, from breaking down how the industry works to giving tips on how to report on Cuba responsibly.
Speaking of travel writers… From day one it has been extremely important for us to pay our journalists around the world, regardless of experience. No one should ever have to write for ‘exposure’ or have a disadvantage because of where they’re based. Higher pay equals higher-quality journalism. While most of our writers live in the places they cover, there are still costs associated with local travel writing. Aside from sometimes paying for fixers and translators, research, interviews, and writing take time, which for freelancers is the most precious currency. We hope to raise our rates in year two, and you can help:
Buy a t-shirt! Or a tote, or a cap, or a mug. Whatever you purchase, all profits go toward paying our writers. And to celebrate our birthday, everything in the shop is 10% off all week with the code ‘staycurious.’
Download a guide! Our collection of guides gives you context before you travel. Read a brief history, learn about the current political and social climate, and take in our destination-specific cultural tips on how to travel with respect. Each guide also includes advice from our local writers on what to do, see, eat, and drink. It’s all part of our mission to help you be a better traveler. (These guides are also available in the shop).
Donate! Don’t need apparel or advice, but want to keep reading insightful travel journalism? Donate here–even $1 helps.
Most importantly, please keep reading. Reading and sharing our stories (and tagging us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) is one of the most helpful things you can do. This first year has been a learning process, and though we’ve been honing the site to be more focused and provide the best stories possible, we know it can be even better. What would you like to see more or less of going forward? Fill out this brief survey to let us know.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. And remember to stay curious.
–Rebecca Holland, Curiosity Magazine Co-Founder and Editor
