✨ Welcome to our series, TravMedia's Travel Writer of the Week! ✨

Each week, we'll be shining a spotlight on one of the incredibly talented, passionate, and inspiring Journalists or Editors from our amazing community.

This week, we'd like to shine the spotlight on freelance travel writer - Vivienne Dovi. 

We hope you enjoy - happy reading !!

Where are you based?

I'm bicontinental: I split my time between London, UK and Dakar, Senegal (when I'm not on the road, that is!)

What outlets do you write for? Who is your audience? What are your travel specialties?

I write primarily for Black travellers looking to explore culture and activities throughout the diaspora, and for non-Black travellers who want to understand the Black travel experience. My niche is amplifying Black stories through adventure, luxury, food, culture, and events — either from a personal lens or by sharing the stories of others.

I mainly write for UK consumer and trade publications, including Conde Nast Traveller, Travel Weekly, Time Out, Nat Geo Traveller, Lonely Planet, and more.

Are you in-house or freelance (or both)?

Freelance

What are your professional pet peeves?

People who are indirect or impolite. If we share a goal, let's be transparent enough to achieve it together. I also can't stand when people feel entitled to share opinions on topics that don't concern them, instead of just asking questions to understand. And using seniority as an excuse to be unkind is never okay.

In your past professional life you were …

Working in media planning, completing my MSc in African studies at the University of Oxford, then pivoting into public relations (which I still do alongside journalism).

Where would you like to return to?

As a lover of amapiano music, I'd love to return to Johannesburg, South Africa, for the nightlife scene. I'd also love to return to Grenada. I have no notes on the country, it's amazing!

What's on your bucket list?

Anywhere in South America with thriving Black communities. Colombia, Brazil, you name it.

Where do you travel for fun?

Dakar used to be where I travelled for fun before I split my time there! Now I travel to Abidjan, Ivory Coast for the incredible events and nightlife scene, and the food. But honestly, since I travel so much for work, I prioritise finding fun in most places I visit, alongside my assignment.

Your funniest (or most harrowing) travel story is …

I travelled to the Philippines with the goal of visiting El Nido. I flew into Cebu and was warned that a typhoon might be coming. With only one full day there, I went swimming with whale sharks before canyoneering (it was honestly one of the best experiences I've had). My guide was lovely, and I met some great people jumping off rocks with me. On the last jump, a submerged rock was closer to the surface than I thought, and I drove my toes into it at a perpendicular angle. The pain was so blinding that I had to be dragged out of the water and couldn't walk on my left foot.

Normally, I'd rest at the hotel after an ordeal like that — maybe even go to a hospital — but when I got back, the hotel staff reminded me about the typhoon. The only flight leaving for El Nido was the next day.

So that's how I ended up being wheeled through the airport and onto a plane with a busted foot. Once I got to El Nido, the adrenaline of being on a new island kicked in, so I went island hopping, swimming, made friends and even partied. I definitely felt the consequences once I got back to the UK though…

What advice would you give your younger professional self?

Keep taking control of your career and standing up for what you believe in — especially when it comes to advocating for representation of Black travellers and stories, even when it falls on deaf ears or shakes the table. You'll eventually find the right editors to work with (you have!) who support your stories, and that's far better than conceding and feeling unfulfilled.

What nugget would you like to add that we haven't touched on?

Diversity is often a buzzword, but inclusivity still isn't prioritised. Having worked on both sides, I know PRs can — and should — make a genuine effort to be more inclusive towards Black journalists. When we make requests, listen to them. Fellow travel journalists need to put in the work to be real allies. Editors and publications should recognise how many Black travellers are hungry for these stories. Yes, there's a business case, but more importantly, it's just the right thing to do.

And there's no excuse anymore to only frame African and Caribbean destinations as sun, sand and safaris. Not every commission should spin the same tired wheels; invest in moving the needle. Real commitment to change needs to come from allies, not just Black editors and journalists. Show up for us.

How best should people contact you?

For all things journalism, PR and commission-related, email me at vivienne@melanintravel.com