Your travel website has amazing destinations, stunning photos, and detailed itineraries. Yet, somehow, you're stuck on page five of Google.
The travel industry's search competition gets fiercer each year. Big players like Expedia and Booking.com dominate the top spots.
But here's the thing: travelers don't always want the big booking sites. They're looking for authentic experiences, local insights, and specialized knowledge.
Your smaller travel site can compete—if you get your SEO right.
How?
Let’s take a look at how to get started with travel SEO.
Understanding Travel Search Behavior
Travelers use search engines differently than other consumers.
They might start with broad terms like "best places to visit in Thailand," and then narrow down to specific searches like "boutique hotels in Chiang Mai with pool."
Your content needs to match this journey. Map out the complete search path your ideal travelers take.
A family planning a Disney trip might start with "Disney World vs Disneyland," move to "best time to visit Disney World," and end up searching "Disney World fast pass tips 2025."
Each stage needs targeted content. (More on this later!)
Local Search Optimization
Local search rules travel SEO. Your destination pages must include location-specific details that searchers look for.
Don't just write "beautiful beaches." Specify "15-mile white sand beach along Phuket's west coast."
Include practical details like nearby airports, local transportation options, and seasonal weather patterns.
Remember to optimize your Google Business Profile if you have a physical location. Add local landmarks, attractions, and neighborhoods in your content naturally.
Recommended read:
Local SEO Checklist: A Guide to Dominate Local Searches
Mobile Optimization Matters Most
Most travel research happens on phones. Pull out your phone right now and check how your site looks.
Can users easily tap your menu items? Do images load quickly?
Test your booking forms on mobile. Are they easy to fill out?
Google prioritizes mobile-friendly travel sites, especially for location-based searches.
At Kreative Machinez, we've seen travel sites double their mobile traffic just by fixing basic usability issues.
Create Content for Different Travel Stages
Match your content to where travelers are in their planning journey.
Early-stage planners need inspiration. Think "hidden gems in Southeast Asia" or "best time to visit Morocco."
Mid-stage planners want specifics: "2-week Thailand itinerary" or "Morocco desert tour costs."
Ready-to-book travelers search for logistics: "Bangkok to Chiang Mai overnight train booking" or "Marrakech riad with airport transfer."
Create content for each stage. If you need help with it, get in touch with us today.
Kreative Machinez has a team of content specialists who have worked with well-known travel brands.
Our strategists and writers understand the industry and can create content that search engines love to rank higher.
Technical SEO for Travel Sites
Travel sites have unique technical needs. Your image optimization matters more than most industries. Travelers expect stunning visuals that load fast.
Implement schema markup for hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
Structure your URLs logically, like.com/destination/activity instead of random numbers.
Set up proper canonicalization for similar destination pages. Consider implementing AMP for your blog posts to capture mobile traffic.
Visual Search Optimization
Travelers decide based on what they see. Optimize your images with descriptive file names and alt text.
Instead of "IMG_12345.jpg," use "sunrise-santorini-oia-blue-domes.jpg."
Create image-rich content like virtual tours and 360-degree photos.
Add location data to your images when relevant.
Seasonal and Time-Sensitive Content
Travel search patterns change with seasons. Update your content regularly to reflect seasonal changes, events, and new attractions.
For instance, create dedicated pages for annual events in your destinations.
Add seasonal information to your destination guides. Think "Paris in winter" or "Thailand during monsoon season."
Keep pricing information current based on changing seasons.
Also, Consider creating content about upcoming events at least 6-12 months in advance.
User-Generated Content and Reviews
Real traveler experiences boost your SEO value. Encourage guests to leave detailed reviews.
You can feature traveler stories and photos (with permission).
Also, create spaces for travel tips from past visitors.
Monitor and respond to reviews across platforms. This fresh, authentic content helps your SEO while building trust with potential customers.
Link Building for Travel Sites
Build links through local partnerships. For instance, you can connect with hotels, restaurants, and attractions in your destinations.
Also, guest posts on travel blogs that complement your niche.
Create linkable assets like comprehensive city guides or unique travel tools.
Our team at Kreative Machinez specializes in building high-quality backlinks that signal authority to search engines. Check out
A Beginner’s Guide to Link Building to learn more.
Final Thoughts
Travel SEO combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of traveler behavior.
At Kreative Machinez, we've helped travel businesses big and small capture their share of organic search traffic.
Remember, success in travel
SEO comes from blending technical excellence with authentic, helpful content that truly serves your travelers' needs.
Get in touch with us today and let’s work to boost your site’s search ranking and conversions.
