Here we go taking a leap into the world of blogging. Encouraged by other bloggers who have contacted us via our newly launched website
http://www.travelguru.tv/ the feeling seems to be that a blog can only add to what is already, we hope, a pretty innovative site.
The story so far… travelguru.tv came about following a chance conversation almost a year ago now with the person I now refer to as my ‘founding guru’, travel journalist, John Carter. Knowing my background as travel video producer and ruing the demiseof the BBC Holiday programme, John commented on the lack of travel programming for the more ‘mature’ traveller. If you stop to think about it, there is little on TV catering for the vast number of older people who are the ones, lets face it, who have both the funds and time to travel the world.
I took his point but we agreed it was unlikely we could get anything commissioned for TV - new programming these days is either top end drama or, at the other extreme, of the trashy celebrity, phone-in, wannabe elimination variety.
But then… the light bulb moment… I thought about creating our own dedicated TV travel channel on the internet. I had been working with a technology provider, Vividas, whose software allows you to get as close as I’ve seen so far to a full screen, TV viewing experience. I also have experience of negotiating travel offers for media promotion.
So then ideas, and a team of ‘gurus’, started coming together and plans evolved to establish a video based travel website that provides not only top quality video reports on different destinations but also offers independent advice from the cream of the UK’s travel commentators and gives our audience access to some great holiday offers.
We loved the idea so much, my husband gave up his full time job and together, we worked towards building the site. I wish I had kept a blog during those pre-launch days but perhaps the blood, sweat and (at times) tears are best forgotten. For the record though, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to John, our other launch gurus and some visionary tour operators who trusted us enough to come on board and help us get it off the ground.
Anyway cut a long story short, we hit our target and travelguru.tv was born in January 08. Now we wait to see if our unique concept will take off. All signs are good but its still early days…
Our challenge now is to build awareness of the site and keep adding new video offers - next location shoot is in Malta next week.
We would love to know what you think about travel programming on TV?
And, of course any feedback or comments relating to travelguru.tv are very welcome.
(written by Cathy Bartrop)