hello and welcome
Hi, I'm Mike Pickup. I'm a travel writer and photographer and cover all forms of travel including ocean and river cruising.
I work with newspapers and magazines, including travel trade publications, and a few major websites. Last year I had over 100 features published in print titles, plus more online, reaching a market of over two million UK adults.
I was also professionally trained as a photographer and supply hi-res images to illustrate my features. There are some examples below. You can click on any image on this page to enlarge it.
I work with newspapers and magazines, including travel trade publications, and a few major websites. Last year I had over 100 features published in print titles, plus more online, reaching a market of over two million UK adults.
I was also professionally trained as a photographer and supply hi-res images to illustrate my features. There are some examples below. You can click on any image on this page to enlarge it.
The first smart phone
However, my life wasn't always about travel writing. I had a successful career as an innovator in electronic consumer services. I introduced Home Banking to Europe in 1985, worked in New York with AT&T on applications for the first ever smart phone, then developed the first smart TV, capable of accessing websites and sending and receiving emails. I demonstrated this as long ago as 1997.
Later I worked on the first pre-paid debit cards, some of which have since been used to replace travellers cheques.
Later I worked on the first pre-paid debit cards, some of which have since been used to replace travellers cheques.
TRAVEL
I then set up a travel agency before turning to writing about travel and I am one of the few travel writers who have hands-on travel trade experience.
I write for a range of newspapers and magazines, plus two or three influential websites. I am invited on many press trips and travel with my wife, Gilly Pickup, also a writer and photographer. We write for totally separate sets of publications so hosts genuinely get two independent journalists. Unlike most travel writers, we get a number of commissions for each trip, including one newspaper group. As a result we typically achieve 15-20 published features per trip.
I write for a range of newspapers and magazines, plus two or three influential websites. I am invited on many press trips and travel with my wife, Gilly Pickup, also a writer and photographer. We write for totally separate sets of publications so hosts genuinely get two independent journalists. Unlike most travel writers, we get a number of commissions for each trip, including one newspaper group. As a result we typically achieve 15-20 published features per trip.
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Press Awards. It was an honour to win the Czech Tourism 2017 Press Award which was presented in November at the World Travel Market in London. In addition, Czech Tourism told me that their cuttings agency had picked up 25 features from me as a result of one press trip. The problem is, I wonder what they are expecting from the next one!
In June 2018 I receiver another honour, a Certificate of Appreciation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Kazakhstan for my many features encouraging tourism to the country. The certificate was presented a few months later in London by His Excellency Erlan Idrissov (left), UK Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan. |
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Commendations. I have also received many kind comments on the features I have written and the press coverage generated following press trips. Here are a few examples.
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This is truly amazing to have THODW featured on so many publications in the UK through you.
NL – City of Dreams |
Wow – I can’t keep up with all the coverage you have shared from our Dublin trip!
FM – PR for Ireland |
I’ll only have one word for this: AMAZING!! It definitely was a really good idea to invite you
VS - French Regional Tourist Board |
Wow – thank you so much! This article and this whole page in the paper looks amazing! With those wonderful pictures!
CS – German Regional Tourist Board |
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This is great – the coverage you have achieved for us has been fantastic.
HH – Cruise line PR |
Thank you so much! You are a star!
JK – Macau Tourism Authority |
Thanks so much Mike! You really are the gift that keeps on giving.
MS – PR for Toronto |
Thanks Mike, I think you are now firmly sat in the airline Hall Of Fame!
SR – Airline Country Manager |
Here are some examples of my published features.
Trade Publication Newspaper feature Consumer Magazine
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And here are some of my favourite photographs from the thousands I have on file. You can click on any image to enlarge it.
If you would like to contact me please email me on the address below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Mike Pickup
Best wishes,
Mike Pickup