Founded in 2007, Go Backpacking is an independent travel publication created by travel writer Dave Lee. Through destination guides, travel tips, and personal storytelling, the site helps readers explore the world with curiosity and confidence.
Go Backpacking offers several opportunities for travel blog advertising, including sponsored articles, editorial collaborations, and destination campaigns.
Brands and tourism organizations partner with Go Backpacking to reach travelers who are actively researching destinations and planning future trips. Popular destination guides, such as our Oahu scenic drive story, regularly attract readers planning upcoming trips.
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Go Backpacking at a Glance
Today, Go Backpacking reaches more than 23,000 readers each month and features over 2,800 travel articles covering destinations across six continents.
Founded: 2007
Articles published: 2,800+
Monthly readers: 23,000+
Annual readers: 275,000
Domain Authority: 52
Audience: travelers from the United States and around the world
Primary topics: destinations, travel tips, adventure travel, and food experiences
Professional Affiliations
Dave Lee has been a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) since 2011.
He is also a media member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and has attended several international and domestic industry events.
Audience Profile
Readers of Go Backpacking are independent travelers seeking authentic experiences around the world. Most visitors arrive while researching destinations, planning itineraries, or looking for practical travel advice.
Many readers are actively planning upcoming trips, making Go Backpacking a valuable platform for travel brands looking to reach travelers during the decision-making stage.
Who Reads Go Backpacking
- Independent travelers planning domestic and international trips
- Backpackers, hikers, and adventure travelers
- Couples planning destination trips and experiences
- Travelers interested in food, culture, and local discoveries
- Expats and digital nomads living abroad
The core audience consists primarily of college-educated millennial travelers from the United States.
Audience Demographics
| Location | Age | Gender |
| 46% United States | 20% aged 18-24 | 53% female |
| 10% United Kingdom | 18% aged 25-34 | 47% male |
| 4% China | 18% aged 35-44 | |
| 2.75% Germany | 16% aged 45-54 | |
| 2.4% Canada |
Past Brand and Destination Partnerships
Over the years, Go Backpacking has partnered with many respected travel brands and tourism organizations, including:
- G Adventures
- Viator
- Get Your Guide
- Turkish Airlines
- Allianz Travel Insurance
- New Orleans & Company
- Visit San Antonio
- Visit Maine
- Visit Sweden
- Japan National Tourism Organization
These partnerships have included sponsored articles, destination campaigns, press trips, and editorial collaborations.
Ways To Collaborate
Go Backpacking offers several ways for brands to connect with its audience of engaged travelers.
Campaign Minimum
To ensure partnerships align with our editorial standards and audience value, collaborations typically start at $175, depending on the scope of the project.
Sponsored Articles & Editorial Features
Sponsored articles allow brands to share a story, product, or destination with Go Backpacking's audience through editorial-style content that aligns with long-term travel and adventure.
We prioritize content that provides practical value to independent travelers and may decline submissions that do not align with our audience.
We're especially interested in partnerships that help travelers stay on the road longer-through remote work, teaching abroad, and practical long-term travel strategies.
Option 1: Guest-Contributed Articles
Starting at $325
Provide a well-written, original article for review and publication. All submissions must align with Go Backpacking's editorial standards and audience, and may be edited for clarity, tone, and fit.
Includes:
- Up to 2 contextual links
- Light editing and formatting
- 700-1,500 words
- Publication within 1-2 business days after approval
Option 2: Sponsored Articles Written by Go Backpacking
Starting at $650
For brands seeking a more authentic, story-driven approach, I create original articles tailored to your campaign and written in the same voice and style as other Go Backpacking content.
These pieces are designed to feel natural to readers while delivering meaningful exposure for your brand.
Includes:
- Original research and writing
- Up to 3 contextual links
- SEO optimization
- 1,000+ words
- 3-4 business day turnaround
All sponsored content is clearly disclosed in accordance with FTC guidelines.
Brand Mentions Within Existing Content
Relevant brands may be mentioned in existing articles when they add value to readers and align naturally with the topic.
Examples include:
- Travel services
- Tours and experiences
- Travel gear
- Destination resources
Starting at: $175
All placements are editorially reviewed to ensure they are relevant and useful for readers.
Display Advertising
Our display ad inventory (including banners and video units) is managed exclusively by Mediavine. Click here to sign up.
Destination Campaigns and Press Trips
Go Backpacking occasionally partners with tourism boards, travel brands, and tour operators on larger campaigns, including:
- Press trips
- Destination features
- Travel itineraries
- Social media promotion
- Photography and storytelling
These collaborations may include sponsored content, editorial coverage, and social media. If you are planning a destination campaign, feel free to get in touch to discuss ideas.
Editorial Standards
Maintaining reader trust is a top priority. Sponsored content and brand collaborations are always clearly disclosed, and all partnerships must align with Go Backpacking's audience's interests.
Content is evaluated to ensure it provides genuine value to travelers and fits naturally within the site's editorial focus.
Go Backpacking does not accept placements for unrelated industries or bulk link-building campaigns. We prioritize collaborations with brands in travel, outdoor gear, tourism, transportation, and travel technology.
Partnership Guidelines
Go Backpacking works best with brands in the travel and outdoor industries, including:
- Tour operators and travel experiences
- Travel gear and backpack companies
- Tourism boards and destination marketing organizations
- Airlines and transportation companies
- Travel technology platforms and apps
Partnership opportunities are considered on a case-by-case basis.
To protect the integrity of our editorial content, Go Backpacking does not accept partnerships related to gambling, adult content, essay-writing services, or other industries unrelated to travel.
Payment
Invoices are issued after the work is completed. Payment is typically processed via PayPal, though alternative payment methods can be discussed if needed.
Contact
If you're interested in advertising or collaborating with Go Backpacking, please include the following details in your email to dave (at) gobackpacking.com:
- Your company or client name
- The website being promoted
- The type of collaboration you're interested in
- The destination, product, or service you'd like to feature
This helps ensure potential partnerships are relevant for our readers.