Tonya Fitzpatrick, Esq., co-founder of World Footprints, a multi-award-winning social impact travel media platform grounded in the Ubuntu principle, “I am because we are,” was appointed by Maryland Governor Wes Moore to the Maryland Tourism Development Board. She has proudly served on NATJA’s Board for several years. Nominated for Travel Unity’s DEI Champion Award, and with World Footprints also nominated for Travel Unity’s Community Impact Award, Tonya has been credentialed to cover the Olympic and Paralympic Games, various White House events, and prominent arts and cultural gatherings like the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. She has been recognized as Black Travel Journalist of the Year (Black Travel Summit), Female CEO of the Year for Social Impact (CEO Monthly), and Iconic Woman for ALL (Women Economic Forum). As co-host of the award-winning World Footprints podcast, she has interviewed luminaries such as the late Dr. Maya Angelou.
A seasoned speaker, Tonya is a 3x TEDx speaker and she has presented at conferences around the world, including ITB Berlin, the Women Economic Forum, NYU Tisch Center of Hospitality, the New York International Travel Show, and the Travel and Adventure Show. She currently serves as Board Secretary of The Explorers Club, and she is a former UN Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women. Additionally, she has performed in two improv showcases in Washington, DC, and appeared in a 46 hour film project, several commercials and industrials in the area. A lawyer and sought-after travel expert, Tonya has appeared on national and local network stations in Washington, DC and around the country. She has also been featured in Success Magazine, AAA World, MSNBC, U.S. News & World Report, Black Enterprise, NBC, CBS, and in leading books and podcasts, including Frommers and Traveling with AAA.
1. What got you into travel writing?
It all began with a conversation at a happy hour, where I was prompted with some life-coaching questions. That conversation, along with my husband ,Ian’s follow-up, led us to start a travel agency. Soon after, this led to multiple television appearances in Washington, DC, and caught the attention of the city’s top talk radio station. We were invited to create a travel talk show, and after several months, we left terrestrial radio to continue our show on a digital platform. That was in 2009. We were early podcasters, and World Footprints, as it exists today, grew out of that podcast.
2. What’s the most challenging part of being a travel journalist for you?
One of the toughest parts of travel journalism is making a stable living. It’s why so many of us end up with full-time jobs on the side that we have to balance with travel and writing assignments. I still work remotely as a contract attorney myself.
For journalists of color and those with different abilities, the hurdles are even higher. There’s often limited access to press trips and paid assignments, which means there are fewer opportunities to build a portfolio or gain visibility. This lack of access not only holds back individual careers but also limits the diversity of voices and stories in travel journalism overall, making it harder for many talented people to break through and thrive.
3. What is the most rewarding aspect of travel journalism?
For me, I take great pleasure in knowing that I am making a difference in the world. I love sharing stories that illuminate our common humanity and I really love finding and sharing stories that no one else is telling. I’m a natural educator and our World Footprints mission allows me to tap into that gift.
4. What is something you wish people knew about travel journalism?
It is very hard work and this life is not as glamorous as it appears.
5. What have you enjoyed most about being a NATJA member?
Beyond NATJA’s close-knit, family feel, the organization has been integral to our growth. The professional development sessions have offered us invaluable learning opportunities, and the network within NATJA is vast, with members of extraordinary caliber. Attending NATJA conferences feels like a family reunion, giving us the chance to reconnect with beloved friends and colleagues. We’ve been fortunate to collaborate with many NATJA members over the years. Our editor, Terri Marshall, is a fellow board member, and many of our most prolific contributors are part of the NATJA family.
6. How have your cross-cultural experiences shaped your point of view of the world?
Growing up in a multicultural family, cultural differences were just “normal” for me. But it wasn’t until I lived outside my familiar environment that I realized how much more there was to discover. I came to understand that I don’t know what I don’t know. This broader perspective showed me that, while our differences make us unique, they are also our greatest strengths—something to be celebrated, not feared. With each new cultural experience, I feel more alive, constantly learning and deepening my faith in humanity and I love sharing my new knowledge.
