How does someone get into travel photography?

I am extremely interested in pursuing a career in travel photography. I have numerous images from my previous travels and am curious how one gets into doing it for magazines or what not without a professional degree.. or what some publishers are that look at possible travel shots for book deals. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated! This would be a dream come true for me. Thanks so much
most of my images are abstract photojournalistic in style. I have a fixation for hubs of communication and do not edit my images at all. I try and get the best images possible the first time, rather than go mediocre and fix it later.
the stories I have are of from a person with limited budgets, but mainly just my random encounters while travelling.
I was told that my narratives would be something people would want to read, but I also believe that pictures can tell more of a story than even words can.
Thank you so much for the tips thusfar, and I will most certainly be doing even more homework even after this question goes its case through here =]

First, a serious travel magazine look for professional work, quality is essential.
Second, high level portfolio is needed. ( what will you show to photo editor ? )
third, high level photos need good equipment.

good luck

You must take up photography exam in London like ARPS and FRPS for travel photography, these Photography Titles are as similar as the academic degrees of ARPS (Bachelor of Arts) and FRPS(Doctor of Philosophy) or (PhD). in this world, nowaday,we are very important to the degree certificates,if you didn't have any degrees,company won't employ you to be Travel Photographer.

Every magazine on a monthly basis needs to put pictures into their journal and there are the regulars that write the articles and most of the time (not always) use their photos.

So to get yourself noticed by the editor you need to have technically perfect images, know your subject and captions need to be correct.

Now if you really want to make a sale you should write an article (MS Manuscript) of what you are submitting. Example: "Travel on a Budget in Europe", you could give the best times to go, best ways to travel while there etc etc. Doing the writing means the editor does not have to worry about doing anything but proofing it and sending it to the press and you getting paid for it.

But you need to do your home work.
1. You need to know about that magazine if you can buy it at the news stands do it, if not contact them for a copy.

2. See if there was a recent article about "Travel on a Budget in Europe", if the article is older than 5 years you stand a good chance of making a sale (this is because newer readers have not read the article and older readers need to be re-freshed) .

3. Make sure when contacting the editor you get the right person (new editor would not like this). You can find out about a magazine by looking at the "Masthead" either towards the front or back of the magazine.

4. A magazine has about a 4 month lead time so try and get your articles to them in time for "Christmas", "Summer Vacation" etc.

A good source for a lot more information is the "2007 Photographers Market" handbook which you can find at Amazon.com.

Hope this helps and you submit your images.
Kevin