Introduction
O Viajante travel guides have become a reference for travel books published in Brazil (in Portuguese, for Brazilians – not merely translations of foreign works). The publisher, O Viajante – Trilhos e Montanhas (“The Traveler – Trails and Mountains”), specialized in travel guides, has as its main titles about Europe and South America (with a total of 14 editions released and more than 100,000 copies sold).
Currently, the publisher is working on the new edition of the Guia Criativo para O Viajante Independente na Europa (“Creative Guide for the Independent Traveler in Europe”), whose chief editor is the advertiser and journalist Zizo Asnis. This is the 10th edition of the book, a real best-seller among travelers in Brazil, not for nothing called “the bible of the Brazilian travelers in Europe”.
In order to update this guide, it was formed a team of eight travelers, who are going to travel through most of European countries.
How we work
O Viajante travel guides are aimed at Brazilian tourists – both the low-budget traveler and the tourist with money to spare. For that purpose, O Viajante travel writers do investigate from youth hostels to five star hotels, from modest restaurants to luxury gastronomic spots. For every researched place, the book provides a generous description, which informs the address, nearest metro station or bus stop, phone number, website, opening hours, general prices, as well as the services it offers, possibly with comments by the travel-writer and sometimes an open recommendation.
In order to research and produce good quality information, the travel writers should visit as many places as possible and also try to know and enjoy their services. For that purpose, invitations are very welcome: accommodation and breakfast at hotels, lunch or dinner at restaurants, entrance in museums and tourist attractions, bus ticket or tours with travel agencies to travel through the cities or the country.
The support of tourist facilities is very important to our work because it enables us to put into practice this major book. We have, after all, eight people traveling all over Europe – some of them for up to six months – and without any support it would be an unsustainable project.
Companies support in Europe
Companies that take part in the tourist trade can be featured in the O Viajante travel guide in two ways: editorial and commercial.
The editorial participation means that your service will be used by one travel-writer from our team, who can stay in your hotel, try your food restaurant or do your travel tour – a service that will be offered as an invitation, free of charge. There will be no cost to the user and, on our part, we ensure that the hotel, restaurant, museum, tourist attraction, agency or tour will be exposed in the city chapter concerned as an accommodation, cuisine or tourism alternative (and might be a very good alternative). If the service is adequately approved by the travel-writer, it can be complimented and even receive a recommendation in the travel-guide.
However, note that the compliment is not an obligation – the travel-writer should write according to his/her perception when using the service, and should only recommend it if he/she enjoys it. But in all events, the hotel, restaurant or travel agency will be mentioned in the publication. To have your establishment visited or evaluated by the O Viajante travel-writer, please contact us by email at guiaeuropa@oviajante.com or just answer the e-mail address you were contacted.
The commercial participation consists of business ads that, unlike the editorial form, are paid to be published. In this case, the content is an establishment responsibility, regardless of O Viajante editorial position. Since the second edition, we haven’t been working with paid ads, but this policy is being reviewed. For costs and more information about advertising, please contact us by e-mail at comercial@oviajante.com.
O Viajante travel guides are created with absolute independence. Companies that might assist the research or collaborate in any way, as well as local tourist offices and ministries of tourism, do not have management over the work. However, they are always mentioned in the texts and acknowledgements.
Hotels and hostels collaboration
O Viajante travel guide covers all kinds of accommodations, from youth hostels to 5 stars hotels. The lodging of our travel writer is really important to us. First, it allows us, more than just visiting, enjoying the hotel, its services and accommodations, also tasting its breakfast. All these can be described in the guide, enriching the text about the hotel. As we said, if the journalist stayed in the place, it’s 100% sure that the hotel will be mentioned in the guide – as well as in the app version for iPhone and iPad that we are developing –, possibly with a recommendation.
Second, the hosting, with no costs to the travel writer, as provided in this type of situation, enables us to put into practice a major project for an Europe guide with 50 countries (and this number will increase). After all, eight reporters are traveling, some for up to 6 months, and if we had to bear the costs (in Euros, almost three times the value of the Brazilian Real) of all the hotels for all the travelers throughout this period, the project of a travel guide on Europe for Brazilians would be absolutely impracticable. This is how we have been working for 14 years, since our first edition – and it’s what helped us to reach the current 10th edition.
Although the stay is complimentary, additional services may be charged to the traveler according to the hotel rules. It is known, for example, as a general rule of hostelry, that the use of the refrigerator is not included in the rate, and may be charged to the traveler. It’s always recommended that the hotel informs which services are included – and which are not – in the hosting of the travel writer.
Collaboration of restaurants
In O Viajante travel guide, the traveler can find all kinds of restaurants, from basic to luxury ones. We really appreciate the gastronomy of each place. The restaurant’s collaboration is very important for us because, first of all, like any good travel guide, we have to present – and recommend – good restaurants and/or with good cost-benefit. More than just looking at the restaurant’s menu, it is important to know its facilities, its services and, of course, taste its food. And all of that can be described in the guide, enriching the text about the restaurant. If the journalist had lunch or dinner in the place, it’s 100% sure that the restaurant will be mentioned in the guide – as well as in the app version for iPhone and iPad that is being developed –, possibly with a recommendation of the place and/or a specific dish.
The meals with no cost to the travel writer, as provided in this type of situation, enables us to put into practice a major project for an Europe guide with 50. After all, eight reporters are traveling, some for up to 6 months, and if we had to bear the costs (in Euros, almost three times the value of the Brazilian Real) of all the restaurants for all the travelers throughout this period, the project of a travel guide on Europe for Brazilians would be absolutely impracticable. This is how we have been working for 15 years, since our first edition – and it’s what helped us reach the current 10th edition.
Although the lunch or dinner is complimentary, additional services may be charged to the traveler according to the restaurant rules. Commonly, a starter, a main course and a dessert, plus a non-alcoholic beverage, are offered to those who work in the tourism press. If wine or beer is ordered, for example, it is known that it can be charged, unless it’s an invitation from the restaurant for the travel writer to taste a typical drink from the country or city. It’s always recommended that the restaurant informs what is included in the travel writer’s lunch or dinner before the order is done.
Museums, tourist attractions, travel agencies, tourist boards collaboration
In O Viajante travel guide, the traveler can find all kinds of attractions, from museums, galleries, churches, parks, and city tours to daytrips. The tourist attractions have great importance to us. First, like any good travel guide, we need to present – and recommend – attractions and tours. More than just making a statement about the existence of a museum, for example, or what it is dedicated to, it’s important to know the place, its exhibitions and attractions. If the journalist has visited the place, it’s 100% sure that the attraction will be mentioned in the guide – as well as in the app version for iPhone and iPad that is being developed –, possibly with a recommendation to visit it.
The entrance ticket or tour with no cost to the travel writer, as provided in this type of situation, enables us to put into practice a major project for an Europe guide with 50 countries. After all, eight reporters are traveling, some for up to 6 months, and if we had to bear the costs (in Euros, almost three times the value of the Brazilian Real) of all the tickets for all the travelers throughout this period, the project of a travel guide on Europe for Brazilians would be absolutely impracticable. This is how we have been working for 15 years, since our first edition – and it’s what helped us reach the current 10th edition.
Although the visit is complimentary, additional services may be charged to the traveler according to the rules of the place. It’s always recommended that the museum, travel agency or tourist attraction informs what is included in the ticket or tour offered to the travel writer.
Release date
The Guia Criativo para O Viajante Independente na Europa 10th edition will be released in December 2014 with an initial print run of 20,000 copies. The publisher, for the last 15 years on the business, have ensured its distribution in the largest bookstores in Brazil such as Saraiva, Cultura, Fnac, Leitura, Curitiba, among other regional stores.
O Viajante travel guides, although written in Portuguese, are also sold online, through the publisher’s website, for the Latin American market, especially to Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Peru.
Internet support
O Viajante is also a popular website – www.oviajante.uol.com.br, for 15 years on the internet. The website is member of Brazil’s largest portal, UOL.
Contact
In case of doubts or clarification, we are at your disposal for further information at the e-mail oviajante@oviajante.com.
Best regards,
Trilhos e Montanhas Com Mkt Int Ltda
Rua Marcílio Dias 1524
Porto Alegre/RS – Brasil
Fone 55 51 3231.2905 / Fax 55 51 3086.4548
oviajante@oviajante.com | www.oviajante.uol.com.br