Creating quality content is the single most important marketing tactic a tourism business can implement.
Not only is content still King, but it is the driving force for increasing brand awareness, website traffic, engagement, trust and ultimately, booking and sales.
“Great content is the best sales tool in the world.” – Marcus Sheridan.
And that’s why the humble old blog post is still one of the most successful tourism marketing content strategies available today.
Blogging is the tourism marketers’ holy grail as it offers a plethora of options to create highly searchable and engaging content, both for humans and the Google gods.
So why do many find blogging hard?
In truth, coming up with new tourism related blog post topics can be time-consuming and daunting. Even more challenging is coming up with a raft of great content ideas that will bring you the right traffic and resonate with your tourism audience.
Fortunately, tourism and destination marketing are uniquely positioned as they offer a wide range of inspiration and plenty of content ideas.
So, if you are running low on creativity, here are our favourite 20 go-to blog post topics that successfully drive traffic and engagement. We have also included real-life examples to inspire your own tourism posts.
1. The Listicle Post
Listicles (also known as ‘list posts’) are written in a list-based format and are by far the easiest way to create a blog post. They are a short list of 10 to 20 items based on a specific theme. When enhanced with additional information about why that item made it to the list, they easily consolidate information and give your target audience a quick and informative read.
This blog post is based on the Listicle format.
2. The Best Of Post
Research shows that the word ‘best’ is among the most common keywords in online tourism and travel searches. ‘Best Of’ blog posts usually cover a specific niche or topic.
People are always looking for the best when travelling and routinely type:
- The best hotels in x
- The best tours in x
- The best winery in x
- The best coffee shop in x
Tip
This post type can incorporate a listicle format if you want to include several ‘best ofs’ in your region.
Where to Fine the Best Coffee in the Barossa – The Best Of Post
3. The How-to Post
Not often used in tourism marketing, but the how-to or explainer post is a fabulous way to share knowledge. It is an informative post that teaches the reader how to complete a task using step-by-step instructions.
Tip
This is the ideal blog post type if you have a traditional, regional or family recipe, as people are constantly typing out ‘how to make…’ I know I am and it has led me on a number of travel adventures around Australia.
4. The Itinerary/Guide Post
Who doesn’t want local knowledge and ideas when travelling? This type of post can not only tick a few boxes for you but also complementary tourism business in your region.
5. The Vs Post
Also known as the ‘differences’ post, it is used when clarifying the differences between two items. Used a lot in wine tourism with blog posts such as – The difference between Cabernet vs Shiraz or Clare Valley vs Eden Valley Riesling. Can you taste the difference?
Tip
Don’t get competitive and make this about you having the best product. Use it as an explainer post extolling the differences between the two items.
6. The ‘Curated Content’ Post
Collecting User Generated Content (UGC) from your fans and curating it into a blog post will not only enable your fans to do the heavy lifting in content creation but will also ensure you have unbiased, evergreen content for your blog.
FURTHER READING: User Generated Content in Tourism – A Quick Guide
7. The Meet the Local/Interview Post
Memorable holidays are made by people and experiences. So incorporate an interview with one of the local characters.
Example
Barossa Australia does this well, especially in their ‘Humans of the Barossa’ series, based on the locals talking about their experiences living and working in the region.
8. The Behind the Scenes Post
Behind the scenes content gives people an inside look at who you are and what your tourism business represents. It also helps humanise your offerings and build loyalty and trust. Plus, it gives a peek behind the curtains, offering a feeling of inclusion that allows for an even deeper connection.
9. The Recipe Post
As mentioned in the How To Post, a recipe post is a winner for food travellers, but it doesn’t need to end there. Include the story behind the recipe, as this makes for another opportunity to connect with travellers.
Tip
Don’t just call it a recipe; incorporate keywords that will help optimise search. Nan Burge’s Fool Proof Scones Recipe is a great example. Who doesn’t want a foolproof scones recipe? Even better when it’s an authentic recipe by the original matriarch of the Burge wine dynasty.
10. The History Post
Every tourism operator or destination has a history. Showcasing that to your travel audience will be unique to your brand.
Example
Seppeltsfield Road has a towering reminder of the winemaking past with a mausoleum that sits majestically atop a hill along the road. It’s a major drawcard for tourists. The businesses along the nine-kilometre route decided to pay homage to this tourist attraction. Now, this blog draws traffic globally to the Seppeltsfield Road website.
11. The Checklist Post
With our increasingly time-poor lifestyles, even getting ready to go on a holiday can seem like a chore. A Checklist of what to bring on holiday or what to do on holiday will help any stressed traveller.
12. The FAQs Post
A well-crafted Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page on your tourism website will make life easier for you, your staff, and your guests. Not only does it alleviate the pain of answering the same questions repeatedly, but it also helps Google search rankings.
So besides a FAQs page, why not create FAQs posts about your region, your tourism or destination offerings.
13. The New Release/Product Update Post
This one is a no-brainer… promote your own business by advising travellers of your latest offerings.
14. The Your Business Story Post
The About (Our Story) Page on your tourism website is usually the second most visited page on a website. But if your business has a long and rich history spanning decades, only some details should be put on this page. That’s where you can build out different stories or timelines in your blog.
15. The Mistakes to Avoid Post
You have to be a bit game about doing this type of post. Don’t peeve fellow tourism operators or the overarching destination by posting about things to avoid in your region. Instead, a fun post on The One Mistake to Avoid When Trying Fresh Sucked Oysters or Avoid This if You are a First Time Visitor to X makes a practical yet informative post and offers a different viewpoint.
16. The Seasonal Post
Tourism is seasonal, and we all know the high-low seasons and what to charge during these peaks and troughs. To encourage people who want to travel during a particular season, why not add tantalising ideas of what to do each season.
Tip
Don’t forget to update the post each year and refresh it with new content such as new offerings. Google loves refreshed content and so do we humans!
17. The To-Do or Must-Visit Post
Similar to the Guide/Itinerary post, this is an insider manual on the possible things to do when visiting your region. This is a widely used post for destinations. Still, tourism operators can gain excellent coverage by adding a post like this to their website.
18. The Review Post
A new restaurant just opened, or an art gallery? Why not review in a blog. Obviously, get permission first.
19. The Video Post
70% of people who watch travel related videos will choose a destination based on the video content they have viewed. Video creation has become super easy with smartphones. So create a video, upload to YouTube and then embed it into your post.
20. The Not Everything has to be a Post Post
Blogs don’t just have to be the written word. They can be videos, infographics, or podcasts.
Wrapping it Up
There are limitless opportunities to create a raft of great content for your tourism business or destination. Blogging also allows you to create genuine, relevant content and enables linking to other tourism websites. Creating backlinks to other operators or the main tourism destination helps improve their website rankings. Which is a win for them.
But also for you, as you can create a strategy where you ask others to share your blogs or link on their website to yours. WIN WIN for all!
And if you’re starting from scratch and unsure how to write a blog, take a read of our How to Write Great Tourism Website Copy. It’s choc full of ideas, tips and inspiration.
Remember that you are, first and foremost, writing for your audience. And by making the readers that visit your website happy, you’ll also please the Google gods.
Need More Help?
We work with tourism operators and destinations to increase their search rankings and grow website traffic and conversions. If you need help, reach out.
