World Hum: The Journey Continues

Travel Blog  •  World Hum  •  06.06.11 | 1:32 PM ET

It’s been a little quiet around here lately. Now we can tell you why, and share some good news.

As you may know, we started World Hum as a labor of love in May 2001. While working full-time, we built the site during early mornings, late nights and on weekends, publishing travel stories and blog posts. In 2007, the site was acquired by Travel Channel, which employed us full-time to edit it. We did that until last November, when we were laid off.

Since then, we’ve been working on our own writing projects and enjoying a little time off, and even traveling a bit. We’ve also been in talks with Travel Channel about the future of World Hum.

The good news is that we’ll be partnering with the company, which still owns the website. We’re going to edit the site on our own, however, and experiment with running it as an independent business. We’ll continue to publish great stories, and we hope to do some experimenting, too. In a way, it’s taking the site back to its roots.

Thanks to everyone who reached out to us as we’ve gone through this transition. Over the years, a thriving community of readers and writers has developed around World Hum: people who love to travel, are curious about the world and appreciate high-quality storytelling. It’s this community of engaged readers that keeps us going.

We’re happy to report that Eva Holland will continue to work as the site’s senior editor.

We hope you’ll join us for this next phase of World Hum. We’ll begin updating the site more often this week. As always, we welcome your feedback.

—Jim and Michael



22 Comments for World Hum: The Journey Continues

Sophia Dembling 06.06.11 | 2:55 PM ET

Wonderful news! We missed you and there’s been a big ol’ hole in the world without you.

Sophia Dembling 06.06.11 | 2:56 PM ET

Hmph. Don’t know my own url. fixed it. Someday we’ll crank up Flyover America again, I’m sure.

Mikeachim 06.06.11 | 4:58 PM ET

Surgery couldn’t remove the grin from my face.

Welcome back. Truly, I’ve worried.

Nancy D. Brown 06.06.11 | 5:01 PM ET

Welcome back, Jim, Michael, Eva and the World Hum team.

If you ever need equestrian travel related content, you know where to find me.

Kelsey 06.06.11 | 5:45 PM ET

Welcome back. You were missed.

pam 06.06.11 | 5:46 PM ET

Freaking awesome. What else can I say?

Melanie@TravelsWithTwo.com 06.06.11 | 5:48 PM ET

Well played! It’ll be good to have you around again, virtually speaking. :)

Rory Moulton 06.06.11 | 6:03 PM ET

Exhale…and smile. Great news. Best of luck as you transition [back] to relative independence. Can’t wait to dig into some new articles.

Please let me know if this longtime reader/producer of profitable news and travel websites can help. (Gratis, of course. It is the least I can do after reading the best travel writing on the web for free all these years.)

Without a doubt, WH produces the highest quality travel “content” on the web for what I can only assume is one of the more affluent, literate, loyal and engaged travel audiences on the web. That is your value proposition. Now go forth and monetize.

Nick 06.06.11 | 6:21 PM ET

Great news - welcome back!

Ben brazil 06.06.11 | 6:24 PM ET

Glad you’re back! ! We missed you!

Chris @CAroundTheWorld 06.06.11 | 6:58 PM ET

So glad you guys are back, and have a chance to keep doing what you love. Can’t wait to see how it goes!

Doug Mack 06.06.11 | 9:32 PM ET

This made my day—scratch that, *month.* Thrilled to see WH back in action, and can’t wait to see what you have in store!

Benjamin Keene 06.06.11 | 11:51 PM ET

Very happy news indeed. I honestly can’t wait to see what you’ll publish first.

Sheila Callahan 06.07.11 | 5:29 AM ET

Welcome back.

Jennifer @ Approach Guides 06.07.11 | 9:59 AM ET

Welcome back! Great news!

Heidi Noroozy 06.07.11 | 12:45 PM ET

Happy to see you back. Missed the blog in the past few weeks.

Kevin Fay 06.07.11 | 4:38 PM ET

That’s great news, Mike and Jim! So glad to hear you’ve ironed things out; can’t wait to see how the new direction plays out. And psyched to hear that Eva will be back, too. Congrats to all of you!

James Dorseoy 06.08.11 | 1:18 PM ET

This is really good news.  Let us know when to start sending in new stories.

James Dorseoy 06.08.11 | 1:19 PM ET

Great news.  looking forward to your submissions opening again soon.

Roger 06.10.11 | 6:06 PM ET

Hardly a day has passed where I have not checked to see if World Hum was back. Now, I’m on vacation in Trinidad & Tobago and I see that you are finally back. This is wonderful news.

Wendy 06.17.11 | 5:01 AM ET

Congrats on getting back on your virtual feet! I’ve enjoyed your articles for a long time and like to tweet my favourites. Hopefully I can contribute something, too!

Tokyo Aaron 06.18.11 | 8:18 PM ET

Welcome back, guys! Glad you got everything worked out…

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