Travel Blogging has become my bread and butter for the past year and all I can say is thanks to blogging (of course to my faithful readers too) I can do what I want anytime, anywhere. Truth be told, it was hard in the beginning where you find ways to make ends meet but then when I began to tell myself that this is it then funds and advertisers came in.
Now I’m living the life I always wanted– traveling around the Philippines and getting paid for it. I don’t have a fixed monthly income but I enjoy what I’m doing and that is all that matters. I don’t get jealous of managers or CEO’s that drive a brand new car or live in a penthouse in the busy city of Makati or Taguig. As I always say, I have the stars as my roof, sand as my floor and airplanes as my ride. I’ve been to almost all Philippines tourist destinations and been featured on three of the biggest networks in the country not to count the radio guestings all because of my travels. And I’m ain’t busy compared to same-aged professionals, in fact, I choose when to ‘work’ and when to just sleep. Okay, so much bragging. Sorry for that, I just want to make my point clear that blogging, travel blogging on my part, has unlimited benefits.
One photo before I share what my friends say about the topic for today.
One quote would better say what I would like to say to everyone.
“Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from.” -Seth Godin
My friends share some of the benefits they experienced when they started travel blogging, here are there additions:
Glenn Martinez of Traveler on Foot
Travel blogging can lead from one interest to another. In my case, it ignited my interest to local crafts, folk art, and vintage objects when I did walking tours in Manila and heritage towns in the provinces. It made me read more because I need to do research for my write up to support the pictures (photos can be boring without captions). Most important is I easily find new friends with the same likeness for the things I like – there already an instant connection there.
Mai Flores of Budget Biyahera
Other than the fact that I’m free to share my travels online, I also get to meet like-minded people. In my recent visit to Vigan, Ilocos Sur, I was able to meet Edmar Guquib (the travel blogger behind Edmaration.com). He reminded me how much I loved exploring my country, and how much of it I still needed to see.
Kat Torres of Excursionista
Travel blogging allows you to find and/or meet like-minded people who see traveling in the same light as opposed to those who look at it as an expensive hobby. It gives you comfort knowing that you’re not as crazy as you think wanting to leave your corporate job to pursue your passion because you’ve seen/read that others have done it, and are now very happy living the lives they chose.
Bonzeti Panganiban of Con Tour Blog
In your journey to other places, it opens more doors to great opportunities. Opportunity to gain more friends, seeing other places, inspire other people and gain more ideas for self development in the field of business.
Elal Jane Lasola of The Shades of Grey
You gain and learn more by seeing things in a new or differect perspective. It has added not only to the number of destinations I have been or the picturesque scenery I’ve seen, but also–and more importantly–to the number of friends I’ve met along the way.
DJ Yabis of Dream Euro Trip
I add value to people’s lives by helping them plan their eurotrips through my travel blog. I meet new, interesting people who are also obsessed with traveling as I am. I save money on my trips by having a Press Pass at museums like the stunning Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in Valencia, Spain.
Eileen Campos of Possibly Pinay
Some benefits of travel blogging include a wider network of friends, colleagues and other people passionate about travel; it just makes the world a smaller place. On a more personal note, the Happy Meal and I are able to have best type of family photo album that we can share to anyone in the world.
Joey and Kris of Bound For Two
You’re able to share new things and once in a lifetime experience in one click that reaches the 7 continents.You make ordinary people wander and explore the world without a dime. And awaken the passion of travelling to anyone without noticing it.
Aleah Phils of Solitary Wanderer
I find so many benefits in travel blogging. Having a travel blog makes me more observant, more aware of the places I visit. Because there’s always a potential post to write, I view all experiences as a story yet to unfold and share with my readers.
Wendell Cagade of Journeys and Travels
Travel blogging has so much in it than what others have experience per se, it is the sharing of inspiring journeys and how-to’s in life which becomes a part of the meaningful reasons why we choose to be on the road and write. Every time we visited places and write about them, we weave into it a tapestry that our readers also can live through and the fabric of every story, when shared becomes a powerful tool for sustained choices to be on the road. It harmonizes how we ‘ought-to’ live our lives with how we really living it in reality.
Cris Reyes of Pinay Thrill Seeker
Travel blogging makes it a venue for me to write my travel memories and experiences as vividly as I can, as these memories never leave my mind and heart no matter how long ago it happened, but they are best reminisced when shared with others or when others can relate. Travel blogging is also my way to share knowledge and information to more people other than my immediate circle of friends so as not to reiterate or resend itineraries over and over, and as my first goal when I started the blog, to make my future children know about my adventures as soon as they learn to read – that their mom did some crazy stuff and was able to survive, and if not for her guts, she could not have met their father. In the long run, I want people to be inspired to follow their heart and never be afraid to take risks, as I am one sickly girl, but was able to do many things which seemed beyond my capabilities all for the love of travel and adventures, as seen in my travel blog.
Lauren Gaile of Epic Potato
We create a stream of words weaved with a reader in mind. Entries, narratives, tips and a collation of other information we deemed useful. But the most important thing I see in travel blogging is allowing you to take a peek in a person’s mind. Who is that blogger anyway? He went to a place, and came back with so much more than a keychain souvenir. There’s a backstory in every post, and you just might be surprised that with every new entry you find that you’ll know yourself just a little bit better.
Ada Lajara of Adaphobic
You get to interact with potential or future visitors inquiring about your experience of a destination you have blogged about, also after their experience, you will receive a nonstop gratitude from them which is very heart-warming. I will not make “pakipot” here but money is also one great benefit of Travel Blogging, you can sell advertising options, but of course always remember to ONLY accept what’s within your niche or your interest.
Because of travel blogging, the adventure still continues even after I go home. I can relive the experiences as I write and find out much more with all the added research that goes into the post. I can also look back at my old trips, what I missed and what I would like to repeat while I’m planning my next trip to that same place.
The precious memories of your travels will be preserved. Sometimes as time goes by, we tend to forget the details of our wonderful journeys. But by travel blogging, we will be able to preserve and reminisce those precious moments.
Brenna Bustamante of Philippine Travelogue
When you look back at your life, there will be moments that you’ll always remember no matter what. Traveling has given me these moments. To experience, to learn, inspire and be inspired, make friends, gain confidence and a chance at looking at the world differently. Blogging about these moments, on the other hand, allows me relive each moment, earn extra income and free trips and the privilege to be part of a supportive online community. What more could I want, right? The moment I chose to start a blog and focus on it was the momentI chose to change my life.
Ephraim Arriesgado of Adventist Adventurer
Getting to places you’ve always dreamed of, creating long-lasting memories, and making new friends who last a lifetime are just some of the countless perks of travel blogging. Plus, seeing the sweet smiles and feeling the happiness of these little children we’ve ministered to in Siem Reap, Cambodia is just so inspiring and heart-warming!
Kim Lim of Indie Escape
The pleasure of reading readers’ comments on my blog is benefit enough for me. Travel blogging has also given me the opportunity to be involved in a colorful community of travel junkies, the Pinoy Travel Bloggers (PTB). They give me inspiration to do more with my life. Monetary benefit is still in the works since it may still be a while before I get my first Adsense paycheck.”
Claire Madarang of I Am Traveling Light
You can inspire others – and get inspired too! To be told by people that you have inspired them to take bold steps and go off on their own adventures is a feeling like no other. It’s not just about travel– it’s about people moving beyond their comfort zones and going after what they want. I am deeply humbled and grateful to know them. I still have a lot to learn in blogging and traveling, and these people fuel me to keep going.
Missy Penaverde of Tamang Gala
My blog is just a wallflower in the travel blogging industry, it’s no source of income like others. I ain’t getting any sponsors either that will finance my travel escapes, but it gives me a SENSE OF FULFILLMENT. Yeah, I started blogging just because I wanted to keep an online diary of my travel experiences. The ability to educate and inform people about whereabouts of a certain place I’ve been to gives me fulfillment.

Yun oh very inspiring!
Next time, makakasama na rin kami sa list na ganito! 😛
just continue blogging kaiye! will let you know if may next collab post
I love blogging, and I love traveling. But unlike you guys, I don’t know how to travel blog! Haha! I envy that skill!
but you have nice blog ms.lia.
Cute ng mga pictures nila! Dapat pala asa pic din ako hahaha Thanks for including my entry James!
your photo best describes what you said aleah. thanks for joining
Geez! You indeed is an icon in the travel blogging industry James! More power to you and your blog!
not yet missy, haha! thanks for joining ha!
WOnderful post. Very inspiring bro.
thanks regin! thanks for sending your share
James, Thanks for including us in the entry. ^_^
pleasure is mine sir! thanks for joining
i love to read travel blog and i love to travel also and im sobrang inggit kasi ang galing nyo mag blog… and im not good in english kaya for sure may babatikos sa mga sasabihin ko 🙁 …sana ganun lang kadali mag express or mag wento ng mga escapade pag nag t travel ako…but hope someday makapag blog n ako kasi gustong gusto ko talaga kaso d ko maumpisahan …hirap mag umpisa hehehe …thanks for sharing james..keep it up
im not good in english too aileen. you can write in tagalog naman.
you just have to start writing and sharing
Ang haba nga ng sagot ko. 😐 Hehe, nice compilation at thanks James for including my answer! Idol at 3 major tv networks talaga, naks! Pangarap ko mula nung bata, lumabas sa television (from Parokya ni Edgar :D). I love the photos, sobrang descriptive. 🙂
thanks for the loooong answer cris and congrats for the achievement you just received!
i know you will reach your dreams someday soon!
I don’t get jealous of managers or CEO’s that drive a brand new car or live in a penthouse in the busy city of Makati or Taguig. As I always say, I have the stars as my roof, sand as my floor and airplanes as my ride. The best parin ang quote mo!! I love it!!! Continue inspiring people!
😉 thanks ada for sending your thoughts and photo. i like the word, “hindi na ako magpapakipot”
Thank you James for including me on your latest post.. truly humbling! I’m super glad to know that most of US in PTB actually benefit from travel blogging because we get to meet a lot of like-minded people. Hope to travel with all of you soon! <3
its my pleasure to learn form you guys! hope to meet you too mai and thanks again for joining
They say that to know your passion you just have to know that thing you love to do, you’ll do it even if you don’t get paid. The benefits of blogging stems from our passion. I agree, this compilation is encouraging. Thank you James for including mine. -Glenn
indeed, if you do your passion, money is not a question. thanks sir glenn for joining the collab work
nice compilation bro! keep it up and continue inspiring us!
thanks james, i hope you can join next time i do a bloggers collab.
keep on traveling man! thanks for featuring me here.
DJ
pleasure is mine! learning a lot from your europe travelogues, soon!
Very inspiring! This encourages me to keep on writing. 🙂
hope you write more…
100trips right? go go go phebe!
Whoah!
So lucky to be able to read this site. Made me realized a lot of things in my life. In what I really want to do, and its never too late pursue my dreams. 🙂
I love to travel and I love to write. Blogging is what I do to enjoy both at the same time. Blogging benefits me in expanding my views and purifying my thoughts and in sharing my adventures with other people.
nice addition krisabele, sana pala sumali ka.
Great compilation JJames! Glad to be part of this. Happy travels!
thanks for sending a nice photo elal, as always i love your photos
hi james! i’ve been following your blog for like a month now. you’ve just inspired me to try traveling solo (i’m always in a group), though i’m still mustering the courage to do that. thank you for the sharing and for the inspiration. btw, may i ask what camera you use? your shots are just so clear and crisp. i love them all!
panasonic lumix LX5 😉
Well, I guess you’ve perfectly said it James. Travel blogging has unlimited benefits. But what I see as most beneficial in any human is the wisdom or learning one gets in traveling and sharing it thru blog is the best way to live the moment and help people be in that moment, place, or experience. There are many beautiful places to explore in our country. I’ve gone to a few and want to see more. Reading travel blogs like yours inspires me to see the world and jot down my journey to share it to people.
thanks MAry grace! hope you continue to write your journeys and share it to others.
btw, i love your blog. clean and nice!
I noticed that all your quotes are from native Filipinos. Why not any from the international community living in the Philippines and traveling. 🙁
care to add something sir peter? would love to hear from you
Very inspiring sir James, I do travel blogging too. But it’s not paying me yet :p
wait after a year. be patient if you write form the heart it will come.