When it comes to travel, we don’t usually give guidebooks our first thought. We would first go to websites such as TripAdvisor, Yelp, or Travelocity.
To be honest, a lot of people might think that travel guidebooks are old and outdated. Many might see them as even obsolete!
However, the travel guidebook is definitely making a comeback, and it’s for the good. At present, there is a 5% increase in sales over the last couple of years, which means there is an increase in demand for these guidebooks. Whether you’re a traveler, a publisher, or a writer, there are some things you can definitely pick up in this article about how you can use or make a travel guidebook that’s functional and modern.
“The key to putting travel guidebooks in a contemporary light is treating them like a magazine. Whenever a new attraction in a local area comes up, you can feature it in the next issue. This is a good way to keep travel guidebooks updated and useful for tourists,” remarked Douglas Knight New Canaan, a known travel expert.
If you are interested in ideas on what makes a great travel guidebook, read further to find out more.
5 Ideas That Make a Great Travel Guidebook
1. Off The Beaten Path
Often, old travel guidebooks would contain cliche attractions and places to visit in a local area. Since people already know where they’re going before their trip has taken place, a good idea would be to include a section where travelers can read about the “hidden gems” or places “off the beaten path”. These are restaurants, resorts, and other spots which may not be the most popular destination for many but still gives a wonderful experience.
“A lot of travelers may have a lack of awareness in places where the locals go, so it is a good idea to include such a section in the guidebook,” Douglas Knight New Canaan adds.
2. Travel Coupons
Perhaps a good way to entice customers into purchasing travel guides is by promoting local businesses through coupons found in the book. This is definitely a win-win situation as people would not only be knowledgeable about the place they’re visiting, they can also score good deals on restaurants, hotels, or attractions they prefer.
In a separate page, include relevant coupons that customers can cut out and present to local businesses in the area. This can include discounts, buy one get one offer, or even a free pass to something fun. It’s also a way for the travel guidebook company to give back to the community by promoting local businesses in the area.
3. Trusted Opinions
Writing is all about credibility. When making a travel guidebook, people want actual reviews of personalities they trust. One way of making the guidebook something interesting for the readers is including a famous celebrity or media personality opinions.
A lot of people don’t know some writers, travelers, and chefs, so sometimes there’s a little boost of engagement when someone they recognize is seen in the travel guidebook. Even just a simple review can help pique the interest of the readers. Whether that certain personality enjoyed the food, stayed at the resort or whatnot, there’s always something interesting to say when famous people become a part of promoting tourism.
4. Volunteer Opportunities
Some travelers not only want to set foot and take pictures to post on social media, they also want to do something to contribute to the community.
A great idea for a travel guidebook is to show places where travelers can visit and have an opportunity to lend a helping hand, donate resources, or participate in an event that they would cherish forever.
Travel guidebooks can include contact details of these foundations that accept volunteer work. A lot of non-profit organizations are having difficulties due to the lack of staff members. Opening this position to willing tourists can also help in the shortage of manpower, and at the same time, promoting volunteerism in the community.
5. Budget comparisons
The problem with most travel guidebooks is that they are often geared to luxury tourists. This shouldn’t be so. To sincerely help all kinds of travelers with varying spend capacities, it is important to give out vital information for all types of budgets.
These include which accommodations to stay in, what restaurant gives the best value for money, and which places have free admission. In this way, budget travelers will also get the opportunity to get useful information in travel guidebooks.
“Travel guidebooks are definitely not a thing of the past. We just have to find ways to reinvent it to suit the needs of the new generation. These guidebooks can be considered one of the best sources of reliable travel information if each of them are well-researched and curated to cater to all kinds of tourists,” Douglas Knight New Canaanremarked.