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What is Global Girl Travels?

GGT is a point of inspiration to plan travel to Asia, Oceania, Micronesia, and beyond. Through vivid stories and photographs, I introduce you to lesser-known destinations while sharing travel tips to save time and money. I stick to the motto: “Travel like a lady. Budget like a boss.”

Jessica Peterson of Global Girl TravelsAbout Jessica

Jessica Peterson is a travel filmmaker, photographer, and journalist. She released her first documentary film about indigenous culture on Guam in 2016, after having lived nearly 7 years on the Pacific island. Jessica then spent two years on the Great American Roadtrip in her Airstream trailer.

Jessica has been traveling the world since she was 21. She started a career in music journalism at 19 and has since expanded her skills to include marketing, photography, web design, and filmmaking. See portfolio…

She is the creator of The Guam Guide, the island’s most popular site. After moving from Texas to Guam in 2009, Jessica started traveling to Asia, Africa, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and Palau, to name a few. In fact, most of her travel has occurred in the last seven years.

In 2011, Jessica quit her full-time job to be an independent blogger, journalist, photographer, and filmmaker. Building on the success of her first blog, The Guam Guide, Jessica launched Global Girl Travels in 2014.

History

In 2014, Jessica went behind the scenes at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. From the pit, she photographed Lorde, SBTRKT, OK Go, Bombay Bicycle Club, Travis, Foster the People, and Outkast.

United Airlines invited Jessica on press trips to Australia and Hong Kong. She has since worked with hotels and tour companies in China, Iceland, and Sydney.

In February 2015, her cover story and photography appeared in United Airlines Hemispheres Magazine. Jessica’s work has also been published in MSN, AOL, Citysearch, Jezebel, The Dallas Morning News, The Dallas Observer, Outside Magazine, Fubiz, Reuters, and Lonely Planet.

In 2016, Jessica completed her first documentary, “American Soil, Chamorro Soul,” about the people of Guam. From fundraising to directing, Jessica is a born entrepreneur, wearing as many hats as it takes to complete a project. She wrote, directed, produced, and edited the film. The trailer has been viewed more than 1 million times and was the centerpiece in the Guam International Film Festival.

Also in 2016, Jessica was hired by Tastemade Travel to produce video content for the company’s popular travel app. She hosted monthly Facebook live events to Tastemade Travel, which has nearly half a million followers. Jessica regularly produces travel videos for Tastemade, such as this China video which racked up 1 million views in one day.

She was twice hired by Barcelo Hotels in Dominican Republic to produce destination travel videos, which she wrote, directed, and starred in.

In addition to Global Girl Travels, she is the creator of The Guam Guide, a business she manages from sales and accounting to web design and publishing. She produced more than 200 travel TV segments for The Guam Guide, which aired on Guam broadcast news channels.

In 2017, Jessica’s Niagara Falls footage was featured on CNN Great Big Story.

She produced a documentary short for CNN Great Big Story about Compton Jr. Posse, a non-profit in a tough neighborhood keeping kids on horses and off the streets.

Also in 2017, Jessica traveled to Mexico to produce three more travel films for Barcelo Hotels. She landed in Fairbanks, Alaska to shoot film and photographs for Matador Network in partnership with Explore Fairbanks.

Jessica photographed the cover of the October 2017 Alaska Magazine.

Jessica’s films, Niagara, Bali Aria, and Alaska: Unsetting Sun have been featured in the National Geographic Travel short film showcase.

Ovation, an arts channel with 50-million subscribers, launched a new travel channel called Journy with Global Girl Travels as one of eight series to premier on it.

In March 2018, Jessica became a full-time travel filmmaker for Matador Network.

See Jessica’s LinkedIn profile.

FAQ

What makes your travel blog different?

I’m a writer, but I’m also a visual communicator so I use photography and video to tell my story. I don’t object to the term “blogger,” but I’ve been a writer for longer than I’ve been a blogger, so I strive to create unique and well-crafted stories that are also practical travel guides to regions that are less explored. You will also notice that I’m obsessed with indie music, so I sometimes cover music festivals and concerts.

How can you afford to travel so much?

Guam is the gateway to Asia so I took advantage of this proximity while I lived in the Pacific. I was a direct flight away from China, Japan, Korea, and Philippines. I purchase tickets using mileage programs and I often stay in budget accommodations. Some of my travel is sponsored. Read my post about how I can afford to travel…

What are your favorite destinations?

I have honestly loved every place I’ve visited! Bali, Iceland and New Zealand blew my mind. See my 15 favorite travel experiences…

Where have you been?

I’ve traveled to 115 cities in 25 countries including U.S.A., Canada, England, France, Jamaica, Japan, Guam, South Africa, Spain, Australia, Palau, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali, Borneo, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, New Zealand, Macau, Saipan, Manila, Shanghai, Dominican Republic, and Iceland. See all destinations here…

Who takes your pictures?

I take all the photos, except some of the ones of me, which are taken by my husband or a hired photographer. I also take self-portraits when I travel solo.

Which camera do you use?

I jumped from Canon to Sony in 2015. I shoot with a Sony a7SII mirrorless DSLR, 24-240mm, 50mm, 12mm fisheye, and my iPhone. I shoot RAW and edit in Photoshop. Read my photography gear guide.

Who designed your blog?

I did. Need help with your blog? Email me.

How can we work together?

Visit my portfolio page to learn more…

Can I advertise my brand or blog on your site?

Paid advertising opportunities are available but limited, so please contact me to inquire. I do not publish free ads or do free product reviews, so please don’t ask!

Are you hiring?

Not at this time.

Comments 11

I like your website very much!

Thanks, Nico!

Beautiful website! You are a talented photographer and writer.

Thank you, Rachael.

Hafa Adai. Love the stuff you’re doing around the world including my home region of Micronesia. Keep it up. -Vid

Thanks, Vid. That means a lot!

Great article! Your so inspiring and can’t wait to see your film.

Hafa Adai! Glad I happened onto your site. I’m originally from Guam and look forward to heading back to visit soon. I’ll check out more of your info.

Hafa Adai! Enjoy your time back on island. Check out my other site, http://TheGuamGuide.com, for the latest in entertainment, dining, and activities.

I would love to live in the South Pacific one day!

Great travel blog and articles! Love your photos!

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