2025 February Featured Journalist of the Month: Christopher Hoelzl

Christopher is a TV producer and co-founder of the Parks Channel. He was part of the founding executive team that started the Smithsonian Channel, and before that I worked for Discovery and wrote for Time-Life Books. He is originally from Colorado and love the outdoors. His TV career has allowed me to pursue his passion for history, science and nature through visual storytelling. Christopher’s programs have won EMMYs, Peabody, Grierson, RTS and New York Festival awards. 

1. What got you into travel writing?
My parents were great travelers, and passed on their curiosity about the world. I blame them for my love of travel. Telling others about your journey is a great way to relive the experience. 

2. What’s the most challenging part of being a travel journalist for you?
 Packing. I’m always afraid I’ll make the wrong choices and regret it later.

3. What is the most rewarding aspect of travel journalism? 

I love the genre. I live in hope someone will one day write something as funny and interesting as P.J. O’Rourke’s Holidays in Hell. 

4. What is something you wish people knew about travel journalism? 

Modern media means developing your own brand to cultivate an audience. The most successful ones master social media platforms. 

5. What have you enjoyed most about being a NATJA member?

I had no idea there were so many interesting people going to so many interesting places and sharing their knowledge openly. NATJA is a community of articulate nomads. 

6. How have cross-cultural experiences shaped your point of view of the world? 

A great way to understand your own culture is to see it through the eyes of others. When you have to rely on other people in a language you don’t know it breeds humility. 

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