The Tourism & Hospitality Diaries welcomes its newest member and guest writer, Karen Bryan. Karen will be writing on Travel in Europe and related issues. An introduction by Karen, in her own words, follows...


I am a UK based independent travel consultant and writer, specialising in less well known destinations in Europe. I started Europe a la Carte in 2002. I believe that by venturing, even slightly, off the well worn tourist track, you can see more of the real Europe. I knew that as a small travel business I would have to find a niche for myself. I could not compete with the large online travel companies with destinations such as Paris or Venice. The best way for me to promote the business is to write destination guides and have these guides published on as many other websites as possible. My first guide was about Lake Iseo in Lombardy, northern Italy. When you think of the Italian lakes it is Lake Como or Garda which spring to mind. The smaller, less commercialised Lake Iseo is a great alternative. It is home to the largest inland lake island in Europe, Monte Isola. It also helped that I did fall in love with Lake Iseo. Now when you do a Google search forLake Iseo. my guide comes up top of the list.



At first I built up a database of suppliers who would pay me commission for bookings made through my introduction but only if my client would be charged the same price they would pay if they booked directly with the supplier. As the database grew I found it was quite tortuous receiving the client's initial enquiry, then contacting the supplier, then getting back to the client with availability and price. Also if I was out of the office there would be even more delay in the process. Although I would receive less commission as an affiliate I decided this would be the best route for me as clients could them check availability and book immediately through the affiliate link. It would also free up time for me to write more guides.

I started a blog for the site in October 2006 after reading that it would increase my Google page ranking and number of visitors to the website. I also liked the idea of the interaction, that readers could post comments. I do enjoy writing posts for the blog and try to keep on the topic of travel in Europe.

Get in touch with Karen