Useful advice starts with honest context.

Experience belongs to the traveller

First-person observations must belong to the named contributor. An editor can structure, clarify and research a story, but does not become the person who took the trip. Contributor biographies, visit dates and photographs require confirmation from the person concerned.

What a reviewed guide needs

Before publication, a guide needs a clear purpose, meaningful destination information, relevant sources, accurate attribution and an accountable editorial byline. Practical information should help a reader make decisions, rather than consist only of links to other websites.

Where a price, timetable, access rule or availability is included, the research should record its source and the date checked. A page’s review date represents an actual review; changing the date alone does not make an old story current.

Working with the archive

An old forum post is source material, not automatic approval for a new article. Its original author, trip date, context and reuse rights need consideration. Obsolete contact details, private information and spam do not belong in a new guide. Historic prices are not presented as current booking prices.

Photography

A contributor’s photographs should have permission and a useful caption. Licensed destination imagery is credited separately and is not described as evidence of a contributor’s visit. Unverified archive images are not used as if ownership had been established.

Commercial services

Owner-operated services and affiliate links must be recognisable. Commercial links use the sponsored relationship attribute. An operator listing is not evidence of personal use, and a commission arrangement is not a reason to invent an endorsement.

Research and personal accounts

Researched planning guides carry the publication’s editorial byline and a source check date. First-person travel reports carry the actual traveller’s name and visit context. Destination illustrations are credited to their photographers.