Author: Amaka Chukwuma
Travel doesn’t come cheap. As such, avid travelers must find ways to fund their lifestyles. One solution is to find jobs or paid opportunities involving travel. That way, they can travel and earn income, which is the dream of many travel lovers.
Although it may seem like a pipe dream, numerous opportunities exist for those who want to make money while traveling. Here are some suggestions if you want to get paid to travel.
Become a Travel Blogger or Influencer
Becoming a travel blogger or influencer is a common path toward getting paid to travel and explore the world. Writing a travelogue and then posting them online are all examples of this. Sponsorships, advertisements, and affiliate programs are all ways to monetize a popular blog or social account after it has gained a sizable following.
With affiliate programs, you can earn a commission by promoting a product or service made by another retailer or advertiser. As of 2021, affiliate earnings ranged from less than $10,000 to more than $150,000, according to Statista.
Teach English Abroad
There is a significant need for English language educators in many regions of the world, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. South Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan make up the top five states to make the most money teaching. You can get paid to travel to these areas to teach English abroad and potentially earn between USD 1500-3000.
A good salary, free housing, and paid travel could be on the table, depending on where you go and who hires you. However, a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate are typically required for teaching positions.
Work in the Hospitality Industry
Another way to make money while traveling is to work in the hospitality industry. Managers, cooks, event managers, and bartenders in the hospitality industry are in high demand in many parts of the world.
You could look for work that includes board and lodging as part of the benefits package. Some jobs pay a set salary, while others have the potential for additional income through tips. For instance, the median pay for event managers is $56,183 per year.
Work on a Cruise Ship
If you want to get paid to travel and feel like you are on vacation every day, consider working on a cruise ship. It can be an exciting way to earn a living and travel the world. There are numerous available positions on cruise ships, including those in the entertainment, food and beverage, and housekeeping industries.
Most cruise lines provide free lodging and meals, besides your salary. However, the work can be physically demanding, and the hours can be lengthy.
There is no set salary for cruise ship workers because of the wide variety of positions available on board. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for all captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels is $98,330, though this number may be higher or lower depending on the specific position you consider.
Become a Tour Guide/ Manager
If you have a passion for travel and in-depth knowledge of a particular location, becoming a tour guide can be a lucrative way to share your knowledge while earning money. You can either work for a tour company or as an independent guide. You can earn a decent salary and receive tips, depending on the location and type of tour.
As a tour manager, you will organize and lead tours for groups of travelers. This may include coordinating the group’s transportation, lodging, and activities. The average wage for a tour guide is $39.018 per year, with a low end of $27,909.
Work as a Freelance Writer or Photographer
If you’re good with writing or photography, you can sell your work to travel magazines and websites. This may include travel guides, periodicals, and blogs. As a freelance travel writer or photographer, you can also offer your services to businesses in the travel industry, such as hotels and tourism boards.
You will photograph destinations, landmarks, and experiences for use in travel publications, websites, and marketing materials. Another option is to go into stock photography. It’s highly competitive and requires that you build a solid portfolio to succeed.
You can locate customers on websites like Envato Market and Shutterstock. Once you are signed up and upload photos, you get paid each time someone downloads your content. Selling stock photography might bring in $500 to $2,000 monthly.
Work as a Digital Nomad
The rise of remote work and the gig economy has made working from any location on earth easier than ever. You can offer your services as a freelancer from anywhere with an internet connection if you have a skill such as stock picking, web development, graphic design, or copywriting. This can allow you to travel while still earning a living.
According to data on digital nomad salaries, most remote employees earn between $10 and $30 an hour depending on their education, experience, and sector.
Work as a Flight Attendant
You’ll have the chance to visit a variety of places all over the world while working as a flight attendant, and you’ll get paid to travel to them. You will be in charge of ensuring the well-being and security of the passengers, in addition to providing them with food, beverages, and information regarding the flight.
However, there are physical requirements to meet. For example, no facial piercings, only one earring per ear (lobe only), and you must be 4’11 “-6’4” tall. Many airlines have stricter height restrictions. A high school diploma is necessary, with two years of college or more recommended. According to Salary.com, the total cash payment, which includes the base salary and any annual bonuses, can range from $75,467 to $107,584, with an average of $88,788.
Work in the Film Industry
Traveling to multiple locales for filming is part and parcel of the film industry. Imagine being a member of the Star Wars production team. You would have visited numerous unusual filming locations with beautiful sceneries across the world, including Tunisia, Ireland, and Norway.
Consider this choice if you are skilled in photography, video production, or performing. If you have a creative streak, start by applying as a film production apprentice. Some programs may provide a stipend, compensated time off, and even vacation.
Destination Campaigns
If you can invest time and effort to provide value for tourism boards, you open opportunities to secure paid media tours. You may agree to deliverables for an all-expenses-paid vacation and a monetary payment to a specific location or product in exchange for a free vacation.
If the destination and the campaign are relevant to your brand and you can deliver as promised, you have a good bargain. One of the keys to successful destination marketing is knowing how to capitalize on your audience by carving out a niche and providing valuable content for that group.
Youtube and Travel Videos
Getting paid to travel is absolutely doable by marketing your travel videos or making videos for YouTube. In case you were wondering, no professional video-making experience is required.
Helpful tools abound on the market that can make anyone a videographer. Licensing your vacation films to stock photo websites like Pond5 helps you make money from your content. You could also sell them to BlackBox, which would distribute your videos to different sites automatically. You get compensated each time your video is downloaded and used by someone else.
If you can consistently post videos on YouTube and gain a following, you can begin to earn money from ad revenue. You can make videos on anything that you are passionate and knowledgeable about, such as travel, the stock market, or gaming reviews.
Work For an International Nonprofit Organization
The world needs more kindness. You can help by working with international nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit organizations need people with diverse skill sets, ranging from accountants to creatives to managers.
If you can’t find paid employment, volunteering with one of these groups can provide you with free lodging, meals, transportation, and even a small stipend. Volunteering is your best bet if you want to see the world and help those in need; however, you shouldn’t count on it as a sustainable means to fund your travels.
Find a Nanny or Au Pair Opportunity
Nannies and au pairs provide full-time childcare for families. Many au pairs earn an income while living in a family’s house. You may find openings in different cities or countries. You get paid to live in a new place.
For an au pair position, you must commit to living with a family for at least a year and be able to communicate in the local tongue. Numerous websites exist that can connect au pairs with families around the world. As of Feb 7, 2023, the average annual pay for an AU Pair Nanny in the United States is $42,024 a year, according to ZIP Recruiter.
Explore House-sitting Opportunities
House sitting allows you to remain at someone’s home while they are away, freeing you from the confines of your accommodation. House owners may require pet and plant care, mail collection, and housekeeping services while away. To make the most of your time house-sitting in a new place, you can choose to house-sit in tandem with a side gig.
For instance, you can combine long-term house-sitting with writing or being a virtual assistant. There are numerous house-sitting websites to begin searching for house-sitting opportunities. Housesitters make an average of $25 per hour which isn’t bad if combined with other side gigs plus, you can save money on food and incidentals.
The best way to get paid to travel is what works best for you. The good news is you can keep testing until you find out. For instance, you can be a travel writer and still make travel videos. In addition to that, you can repurpose your content and use them on your social pages to get you on track to building a following and becoming an influencer.
Making money to travel isn’t a simple endeavor, but those who have successfully done it were consistent and patient with their growth. By sticking to what works for you, you can begin to fund your travel trips without breaking the bank.
This article originally appeared on Savoteur.
