Travel books can be a particularly hard sell these days. Never a huge share of the nonfiction market, the demand for travel books has dropped dramatically since September 11, 2001, as Americans eschewed overseas travel and continued the trend of staying closer to home for leisure trips. That said, there may be opportunities in the travel category if you find the right angle to tie into current trends and forecasts.

Travel books are usually purchased by people who are actively planning or considering a trip to a specific location. Rarely do people buy travel books out of general curiosity. When organizing your travel book, remember to provide the essential information travelers need, such as contact and price information for lodging and dining options, train schedules, directions to attractions, and so on.

Regional Travel

Many travel books focus on a specific region of the country like New England, the Southwest, or the Rocky Mountains. These books usually spotlight lesser known attractions and activities, and include at least a little of the area's history and culture. Readers of these guides want to know where to stay, where to dine, and where to shop, as well as what there is to do. Often, they look for suggested itineraries and how much various activities and amenities will cost.

Interest in regional travel has increased over the past several years, as Americans have abandoned lengthy vacations in favor of shorter trips, usually staying closer to home. Activities and sites that provide insight into American history and culture also are enjoying greater popularity, as travelers — especially those with children — show a heightened desire for so-called “heritage tourism.” Book proposals that tap into this growing travel segment may have a better chance of piquing an agent's or editor's interest.

Other Travel Topics

After the slump following the September 11 attacks and the economic slowdown, traveling seems to be picking up again, but today's travelers have different concerns. There is less interest in overseas travel, and even leisure travel to big cities seems to have tapered off in recent years. Safety and security issues, and the delays caused by extra security measures, are of more concern to today's travelers. Both business travelers and leisure travelers are placing more emphasis on value; they don't necessarily want the cheapest fare or lodging or meal, but they do want high-quality service and amenities for their money. Travel books that take these new factors into account have a better chance of tapping into an otherwise overfilled niche.