I’m a travel creator, these are the things that helped me most
I’m making travel content for a while, and one of the first things I noticed is that brands already have plenty of nice photos and polished videos.
What they often need more of is content that helps people understand what the experience actually feels like.
These are the things that helped me improve the most:
A) Make the video useful
When I film a hotel, tour or activity, I try to include the details I would want to know before booking.
How far is the hotel from the centre? What does the room look like in normal lighting? Is the experience better for couples, families or solo travellers? Is it worth the price?
The videos that get the most saves and questions usually answer something specific. Pretty footage helps, but people also want practical information.
B) Show the full experience
Hotels already have professional shots of the room, pool and restaurant.
I try to show the parts that make the stay feel real: arriving, checking in, opening the curtains, going down for breakfast, walking around the area and seeing what the place feels like at different times of the day.
The same applies to activities.
For a cooking class, I’d rather show people making mistakes, talking with the chef and eating together at the end than only film the final plate.
Those small moments make it easier for viewers to imagine themselves there.
C) Give the product a reason to appear
This matters a lot when working with travel apps, eSIMs, booking platforms or luggage brands.
I usually introduce the product through a situation that already makes sense in the video.
Maybe I’ve just landed and need internet, I’m trying to organise a group trip, or I’m packing for four days with only a carry-on.
That gives the product a clear role in the story and makes the content feel more natural.
D) Start with places near you
You don’t need an international trip to build a travel portfolio.
Local hotels, restaurants, spas, tours, countryside stays and weekend activities can give you plenty of material.
Brands mainly want to see whether you can create a good story around a place or service.
You can also make sample content for travel apps from home using screen recordings, voiceovers and planning-style videos.
E) Pitch a specific idea
Generic messages like “I love your hotel and would love to collaborate” are easy to ignore.
I get better responses when I include a clear concept.
For example, I might suggest a video about spending a quiet weekend outside the city, or a guide to visiting the area without following the usual tourist route.
That gives the company something concrete to react to and shows that I’ve looked at what they offer.
F) Pay attention to saves and questions
Views are useful, but travel content often gives stronger signals through saves, comments and direct questions.
When people ask for the location, price, itinerary or booking details, there’s a good chance they’re genuinely considering the experience.
I always save screenshots of those results because they’re useful when pitching the next client.
The biggest thing I’ve learned is to create content from the point of view of someone planning the trip.
Show the details, answer the questions people usually have and make the experience easy to imagine.
Any travel UGC creators here? Which type of collaborations have worked best for you?