Travel Classics International 2026

32 years of connecting the best writers with the best editors in the land

Ticino, Switzerland (the Italian-speaking canton)

Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano

April 13-16, 2026

Registration open now

Conference Registration

Conference Fees:

Non-refundable Application Fee: $25 USD

Early Bird Conference Fee (until December 15, 2025): $800 USD

After December 15, 2025: $925 USD

Note: Total conference fee is due in full at the time of acceptance

Registration is not confirmed without your conference fee

Waitlisted attendees, provided they register before December 15, 2025, receive the early bird rate if and when accepted.

*All conference attendees are required to stay at Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano

Hotel fee is in addition to conference fee.

Accommodations (In addition to conference fee):

Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano

300 Swiss Francs per night (approx. USD $376) for Single; 370 Swiss Francs for Double occupancy (Approx. $463 USD). Taxes, resort fees, gratuities, Wi-Fi and daily breakfast are included with each guest room.

Qualifications:

Open to 45 professional travel writers who have published a minimum of three major magazine articles within the last 18 months. A list of publication credits must accompany the application, along with three qualifying clips. Website links accepted. Major magazines include national print publications with a circulation of 2 million or more; regional publications with a circulation of 3 million or more; well-recognized magazines in print 50-years or longer. Online stories associated with major print publications will be considered; personal blogs will not.

Application Notes:

If you are concerned about your qualifications, please contact Maren Rudolph at maren@travelclassics.com for confirmation on eligibility before paying the application fee.

You will be notified of your acceptance two weeks after receipt of your application. Once the conference is full, word will be posted on the website. If you are late in registering and would like to be put on a wait list, the $25 non-refundable application fee is still applicable. Attendees waitlisted before December 15, 2025 will receive the early bird rate if and when accepted. Qualified waitlisted attendees will have priority for the next conference in Santa Fe, NM.

Diversity and Inclusion

Travel Classics welcomes qualified writers of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Because Travel Classics strives to find an equitable balance between past attendees and new writers, great care will be given in the application review process. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance 2 weeks after receipt of their application. Qualified waitlisted attendees from the Quebec Conference will be accepted first. There is a $25 non-refundable application fee.

Refunds:

Complete payment is expected at the time of acceptance. If for any reason an applicant decides not to attend the conference, the conference fee will be refunded in full up until December 15, 2025. Refunds are at 50% between December 15, 2025 and January 15, 2026. After January 15, 2026, no refunds given unless Travel Classics is able to fill the conference spot. There will be no refunds given for any reason once the conference printed program is set. Qualified wait-listed attendees will receive priority for the 2026 Conference in Santa Fe.

See Terms and Conditions for Refund Schedule.

Your Conference and Accommodations fees include:

• 3 nights accommodations with breakfast and WIFI
• 3 scheduled breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
• Refreshments during 4 scheduled breaks
• All evening entertainment and activities (including transportation to and from offsite events)
• Editor presentations and one-on-one consultations with 7 or more editors
• Exposure on TravelClassics.com
• Exposure on Travel Classics social media handles
• Networking with 20 or more Tourism Destination heads from around the world
• Complimentary Pre and Post Tours, depending upon availability
• Complimentary Swiss train pass
• Not Included:
• Airfare
• Travel Insurance
• Transportation to and from airport to the hotel

Please read Terms & Conditions before completing your application form.

For more information, contact Maren Rudolph at maren@travelclassics.com.

How To Submit Your Application:

STEP 1: complete the form below, then click to download

STEP 2: submit this form on-line or mail to

Travel Classics
PO Box 288

Irvington, NY 10533

STEP 3: Email list of recently published articles, along with links to 3 of your favorite clips to maren@travelclassics.com. If you prefer, you may send PDFs or hard copies to the address above.

STEP 4: Mail your application fee to the address above or pay online using the PayPal link below. Note: With PayPal an additional 3% transaction fee applies. PayPal is preferable, only because this makes the refund process faster.

Your application fee must be received before your application will be considered.

Check here to indicate that you have read and agree to the Terms & Conditions (REQUIRED).

Pay online (via PayPal):

(fees + 3% service charge)

CONFERENCE FEES

A- Application fee $26.00

B- Early Bird Conference Fee $824. USD (Before December 15, 2025)

C Regular Conference Fee $928. (Between December 15, 2025 and January 15, 2026)

or mail your check to:

Travel Classics: P.O. Box 288, Irvington, NY 10533

Check here to indicate that you have read and agree to the Terms & Conditions (REQUIRED).