Creating a travel guide for your city can be a very profitable endeavor. Not only will you provide tourists with valuable information about where to go and what to see, but you can also charge for advertising and listings in your guide. Additionally, many people are willing to pay for a custom-made travel guide tailored to their needs.
According to the website Statista, the global market for travel guidebooks was worth an estimated $2.3 billion in 2017. This number is expected to grow to $2.8 billion by 2022. So if you’re thinking of publishing a travel guide for your city, now is the time! However, you might not know where to start. Here are a few things to consider.
Identify Your Target Audience
It might feel tempting to go generic with your travel guide, especially if you’re starting. But to be successful, you need to identify your target audience and cater to their specific needs. Are you writing for families? Business travelers? Adventure seekers? Once you know your target audience, you can tailor your content to appeal to them.
The language will also be different depending on your target audience. For example, if you’re writing for families, you’ll want to use language that is easy to understand and free of jargon. But if you’re writing for business travelers, you can be more specific and include insider tips they might not find in other guides.
Tourists might have to incorporate a different language translated into their country’s language. If your city is a hotspot for international travelers, you’ll need to consider this when writing your guide.
Research Your City
You might think you know your city like the back of your hand, but you might feel surprised by what you can discover. When writing a travel guide, it’s essential to research and include all the best attractions, restaurants, hotels, and so on. This is where talking to locals can come in handy. They might know of hidden gems that you would never have thought to include in your guide.
Additionally, it’s essential to research the history of your city. This will give tourists a better understanding of the culture and help them, even more appreciate the landmarks and attractions.
Finally, don’t forget to research the competition. What are other travel guides out there for your city? How can you make yours stand out?
Decide on the Format
Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to decide on the format of your guide. Will it be an online guide or a printed one? Or maybe a combination of both? Each option has pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh them before deciding.
An online guide is more flexible and can be updated more quickly than a printed guide. You’ll also reach a wider audience since people can access your guide from anywhere in the world. However, an online directory can be more brutal to sell since people might not be willing to pay for something they can find for free elsewhere.
On the other hand, a printed guide can be more expensive to produce. But it can also be more lucrative since people are often willing to pay for a physical product. Plus, a printed guide allows you to include advertisements, which can generate additional revenue.
If you’re unsure which format to choose, you could always start with one and then branch out later. For example, you could launch your guide online and create a printed version once it’s been successful.
Highlight the Best of Your City
Once you’ve decided on the format, it’s time to start writing! When doing so, be sure to highlight the best of your city. Include both well-known attractions and hidden gems that only locals know. Remember to appeal to your target audience and give them the necessary information.
If you include a map in your guide, mark all the essential landmarks and attractions. You might also want to involve walking or driving tours so people can explore your city at their own pace.
When writing descriptions, try to paint a picture of what it’s like to experience each place. This will help readers imagine themselves there and get excited about visiting.
Finally, don’t forget to include practical information like where they can find specific attractions. Middle Eastern tourists might be missing the food they feel used to, making it necessary to find the best places to buy spices and other groceries. Moreover, you can direct them to popular Middle Eastern cuisines in your city. Those are the parts that can help make your guide stand out.
Final Thoughts
Publishing a travel guide to your city can be a great way to boost tourism and generate revenue. But it’s important to consider all the factors before getting started. Use this article as a guide to help you plan and write the best possible travel guide for your city.
