Creating relevant and up-to-date content is important for any brand, but even more so for a brand in the travel sector, trying to compete in a very busy market.
That's why for travel brands content should be about more than just pretty pictures and cool videos. Your content should craft experiences, build trust and, ultimately, encourage bookings.
As a brand agency, we’ve seen and created some great content for our clients. Here are 10 content ideas that will boost your brand’s presence while seamlessly integrating search-engine optimisation (SEO) and copywriting best practices.
1. Behind-the-scenes content
People love a glimpse behind the curtain. Showcase your team’s adventures, planning processes, or even the story behind your brand. Whether through blog posts or social media content, behind-the-scenes stories humanise your brand and build deeper connections with your audience.
2. Seasonal and event-based content
Create content that aligns with seasonal trends and events. Highlight destinations that are perfect for specific times of the year, such as winter wonderlands, summer beach escapes, or autumn foliage tours. This type of timely content can align with seasonal SEO trends and significantly boost traffic and engagement.
Top tip: At the start of each year, set aside some time with your team to create a content calendar for seasonal events. This will allow you to plan far in advance, taking advantage of early bookers as well as those who are more last-minute searchers.
3. “How to” guides
Provide valuable information that addresses common travel concerns. Create guides on topics like "How to pack light," "How to find affordable flights," or "How to travel solo safely." Offer practical tips, checklists, and resources that empower travellers to plan their trips with confidence. This demonstrates your brand's expertise and builds trust.
4. Interactive elements
Improve your website with interactive elements like maps and quizzes. Create interactive maps that showcase popular attractions and hidden gems. Develop quizzes that help travellers discover their ideal destinations. These interactive features increase engagement and encourage users to spend more time on your website.
5. Checklists
Travel can be very stressful, so why not create a section on your website designed to relieve this? Establish checklists that travellers can use throughout their journey, right from the booking process.
Checklists are a great way to get travellers and prospective travellers returning to your website. This means you have a greater chance of engaging them, getting their attention and possibly converting them into a client.
Some topic ideas include:
Pre-trip essentials checklist
This covers everything from booking flights and accommodation to arranging travel insurance, visas, and vaccinations. It's the ultimate guide to ensure travellers are fully prepared before departure.
Packing checklist (tailored to destination)
Create specific packing lists based on different destinations and climates. For example, a "Tropical beach packing list" or a "European winter packing list". This eliminates the guesswork and helps travellers pack efficiently.
Carry-on essentials checklist
Focus on items that are crucial for in-flight comfort and convenience, such as travel documents, medications, electronics, and comfort items.
Destination arrival checklist
Guide travellers through the initial steps upon arrival, including customs, immigration, transportation, and checking into their accommodation.
Daily sightseeing checklist
Help travellers plan their days with checklists for must-see attractions, recommended activities, and dining options.
Safety and security checklist
Provide tips for staying safe while traveling, including securing valuables, being aware of surroundings, and emergency contact information.
Budgeting checklist
Help travellers stay on track financially. Include items such as daily spending limits, currency exchange tips, and tracking expenses.
6. User-generated content
Encourage past customers to share their travel experiences through blog posts, social media takeovers, or video testimonials. Featuring user-generated content of real experiences fosters authenticity and trust while providing fresh content with minimal effort. Once you have their permission to use your content, you can add proper SEO structuring, including keyword-rich captions and metadata, which enhances visibility.
7. Infographics
Infographics are a great way to condense a lot of information and stories into easily digestible and visually appealing formats. This is a way you can transform boring statistics, intricate itineraries, and fascinating cultural insights into a visual narrative. They are highly shareable on social media and engaging for your audience. They can also be embedded within blog posts to visually enhance your content and improve user experience.
Top tip: Include your logo and contact details on every infographic you create. That way, even once it's downloaded off your website or social media, prospective travellers are reminded of your brand and associate you with knowledge and expertise.
8. Challenges
Create engaging content by setting travel challenges or conducting travel experiments. This can either be user-generated, asking your audience to write in with ideas, or you can conduct the experiments yourself. Some ideas include:
- "The 24-hour city challenge": Exploring a city on a limited budget and timeframe.
- "The local food challenge": Trying only local cuisine for a set period.
- "The budget backpacking challenge": Drawing up an accurate itinerary for your destination to see how long someone can travel on a very restricted budget.
- "The 'Say Yes' adventure": Saying yes to every opportunity that presents itself during a trip.
Document these challenges through videos, blog posts, and social media updates, encouraging audience participation and interaction.
9. Livestreams
Platforms like Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and Instagram Live allow real-time interaction, making your audience feel connected. Livestreams allow you to directly engage with your audience, while showcasing your knowledge and industry insights. You can use live chat, Q&A sessions, and polls, allowing viewers to participate in the experience.
Here are some livestream topic ideas for different types of travel brands:
For tour operators
- Live tour previews: Give potential travellers a sneak peek of what they can expect on your guided tours.
- Meet the guide: Introduce your expert guides and let them share stories about their favorite experiences.
- Adventure challenges: Stream live activities like ziplining, diving, or hiking famous trails to excite your audience.
- Behind-the-scenes of tour planning: Show how you craft incredible itineraries and prepare for guests.
For destination marketing
- Live city walks: Showcase local neighborhoods, hidden gems, and popular tourist spots in real-time.
- Cultural experiences: Stream live from festivals, food markets, or traditional performances.
- Q&A with locals: Have residents answer audience questions about their hometown and offer travel tips.
- Day in the life: Feature different people – chefs, artisans, or historians – to highlight unique aspects of the destination.
For travel agents
- Live travel deals: Announce exclusive discounts and limited-time offers with real-time Q&A.
- Packing tips: Host a live session on how to pack efficiently for different destinations.
- Destination comparisons: Compare two travel hotspots and help viewers choose where to go next.
- Travel planning sessions: Offer real-time advice on building an itinerary based on audience preferences.
After your livestream is over, you can embed it onto your website, transcribe it for SEO keywords, create supporting blog posts, and link to relevant pages on the rest of your website for an SEO boost.
10. Travel trends and insights
Most travellers want to know the brand they are choosing to work with is knowledgeable and up-to-date with industry trends. By writing about the industry and offering insight, you position your brand as a thought leader.
Optimising this content with strategic keywords will also ensure your insights reach a wider audience and establish your brand as an authority in the industry.
Final thoughts
By implementing these content ideas, your travel brand can create a compelling online presence that resonates with your audience and drives conversions. But remember, content creation – no matter what type – has to be consistent and of a high-quality.
If you need help creating content strategy that is consistent, SEO-optimised, and positions your brand well, contact Boost Brands today.
