Position vacant: Travel Writer’s ‘Plus One’ wanted

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What’s a Plus One you might ask? It’s a good question. We hope you’ve got plenty more where that came from.

As a Travel Writer’s Plus One, curiosity will stand you in good stead. So too will an aversion to the mundane. In fact while we’re talking mundane let’s cut to the chase before we waste any more time. If your idea of a good time has you on the couch with a TV guide in one hand and a pizza in the other we’re probably not going to get along.

Actually, if that’s the best you’ve got, we’re definitely not going to get along.

It’s not that I have an aversion to couches or pizza. But, like maple syrup and bacon, they’re rarely a match. Toss your TV addiction into the whole shebang and it’s nothing short of a social relationship disaster.

If I had a French Pacific Franc for the number of times I’ve been told ‘travel writer is my dream job’ I’d be holed up on a yacht in the Isle of Pines with a hot man & buckets of cold champagne,’ says Fiona Harper travel writer

The job description

Let’s call this Criterion 1 – Ignorance of TV remote control operations will be highly regarded. On the other hand you’ll be in good company if you know where to find the best blue cheese & rocket pizza on a crispy base, dished up amidst wood-fired atmospherics & accompanied by a cheeky Tasmanian Pinot. Don’t be shy in displaying your primal hunter-gather instincts!

But I digress. We were trying to figure out what a Travel Writer Plus One does and whether or not you might actually want a piece of this highly sought after action. Google it and you’d be lucky to come up with one single job description. Which is no surprise as I’m making things up as we go along. That’s the upside to being a creative – we never quite know where it’s all heading. But trust me on this point: there is a vacant seat alongside a highly acclaimed, much published, well travelled travel writer.

It’s legal, but it’s so much fun it probably shouldn’t be!’

Are you the right person for the job?

The next question you should ask yourself is, ‘do I have the stamina?’ I’m calling it a job, but that’s a fairly loose term. For a start there is no monetary remuneration. Nor is there a lifetime pension plan, holiday pay or sick leave. There is however the promise of something just a little bit off the wall, off the radar, possibly even off the grid.

It’s legal, but it’s so much fun it probably shouldn’t be!

There will likely be champagne involved. At the worst a half-baked mojito. You may or may not be asked to run a marathon. Or at least mop up the sweat of a travel writer on assignment running one. This is not a role for poor souls burdened by the need to clock into a  9 to 5 job either.

The last dude who accepted a Plus One gig proved challenged by values such as consent, honesty and integrity, so you’ll need to dust off your moral code and give it a spruce up if it’s lapsed. Not that I’m adverse to raw and wild fun times but if you think it’s ok to behave like a dishonest tosser please don’t waste mine or your time. My bruised heart could do with a break.

Travel to exotic (or not) locations

Which seems an opportune time to introduce Criterion 2. You’ll need to be available to travel to exotic locales on short notice. Ok admittedly, some destinations the travel writer visits on assignment are less than exotic. Yes Burke NSW we’re looking at you. And Herberton QLD you too should take a bow. But as the travel writer is essentially a holiday road tester, there’s a likelihood  of holiday hotspots on the horizon. You’ll be highly regarded if you’re skilled at wrangling an upgrade,  ordering grilled lobster in Pidgin and happily admit to never owning a pair of Crocs (there will be a wardrobe audit).

Sailors get onboard

While we’re talking audits, let’s lay down a personality wish list too. After all we’re going to be spending an awful lot of time together. In fact the successful Travel Writer’s ‘Plus One’ can look forward to innumerable hours passed in the confines of economy class aircraft seats (see above re wrangling an upgrade). So your sense of humour will be almost as highly regarded as your charisma and dental hygiene. As will your taste for adventure, the outdoors and watery pursuits. Of the boating rather than the Malted Scotch kind.

If you’re in possession of a sharp wit along with the ability to converse, laugh and sail a yacht while balancing a glass of wine, well you’ve met Criterion 3. In fact, if you can convincingly pull all the last five elements together the job’s probably yours (the wardrobe audit still applies!). If you have your own boat please send photo of boat. (Just kidding. Really. Oh go on then, send a boat pic – who doesn’t enjoy a saucy bit of #boatporn).

Tell me why you want to be a Plus One!

Criterion 4 has, like everything else in this ramble, a fair amount of ambiguity.  I’m asking you to show adaptability in the points above (however the TV thing, honesty and integrity are not negotiable) so it’s only fair that I do too.  If you think you’ve got the passion to be a Travel Writer’s ‘Plus One’ gig and don’t fit the gender & age demographic send me an email anyway!

Let’s talk Turkey. Tuvalu perhaps. Taiwan even. Whatever floats your boat. It might just float mine too.

Expressions of interest to Travel Writer’s Plus One