Before I get started, I wanted to start this post off by saying that I KNOW plus size people (as well as other diversities) are under represented in pretty much every industry going, but as this is something that is a little closer to my heart personally, I wanted a place to get my thoughts down – if anything.
I’ve had bits of this post written for months but for some reason I have been too scared to post it. That was, until I posted the following Tweet:
I’ve been noticing a lot lately that there is a lack of plus size bloggers being invited on group press trips and I REALLY want that to change soon. I know there’s probably not a lot I can do about it, but as a plus size travel blogger it can be quite soul destroying at times.
— Kirstyleanne ?✈️ (@kirstyleannee92) May 12, 2018
I had such a positive response to my Tweet that I decided that it was the right time to post this, in hopes it will help give me the extra push I need to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
God knows what yet, but I know I want this to change.
So, are plus size bloggers under represented when it comes to press trips?
It sure feels like it.
I am ALL for sharing someones success and absolutely everybody that gets invited on a press trip is fully deserving of what they achieve, but lately I can’t help but notice that there is a lack of diversity it comes to the people that are chosen to go, particularly when it comes to plus size people.
In fact, I think there is only one press trip in the last year or so where I have seen a plus size blogger amongst the group.
It makes me feel as though brands have a certain type of ‘look’ they want bloggers to have when it comes to press trips, as they want their target audience to aspire to be exactly like the people on their whisking away. But why can’t someone aspire to be like me?
I’m travelling to places I never thought I’d be able to see, facing fears on every trip and living the best life I could possibly live. What’s not to aspire too? Is it my size 24 body?
I could be imagining it though, right?
I find a lot of the time I am arguing with myself over the issue because it could simply be that the people chosen for the press trip/campaign are the absolute perfect fit, regardless of their weight or size. It just so happens to be that none of the people perfect for the campaign are plus size. It’s possible, right?
But then I get to thinking – there are so many kick ass plus size bloggers that I KNOW would also create some killer content for travel brands – so why aren’t they being invited too?
The content they produce is incredible so they deserve a spot just as much as anyone else.
It’s frustrating when I am trying to break into an industry that is already highly saturated, because at my current size I don’t feel like I stand a chance. I wish I didn’t feel like that, but with hardly any plus size people being chosen for the incredible opportunities, how am I supposed to feel?
I don’t know if there is a way to change this or how I’d even go about it, but trust me me this is something I want to change in the travel blogging community.
Kirsty Leanne
xoxo
