How to Get Travel Backlinks: Top 9 Strategies to Rank Higher

Being in the travel business can sometimes feel like you’re always playing catch-up with the big guys. Platforms like Booking.com and TripAdvisor seem to rule the world of travel bookings. Then there’s Airbnb dominating vacation rentals, Skyscanner and Google Flights owning flight searches, and Lonely Planet setting the standard for travel guides.

For smaller travel agencies or even passionate travel bloggers, it can feel like your site is invisible next to these giants. And here’s another challenge: depending on your business type, you’ll need local backlinks. For example, if you run a boutique hotel or a regional tour company, getting backlinks from community blogs or area-specific directories can be a game-changer.

But let’s be real—local links can be tricky to acquire. Smaller local websites often have lower Domain Ratings (DR), and there are fewer options to begin with. But still, they’re worth the effort.

It’s not easy, but with the right approach, you can make it happen. Let’s dive into how to do just that.

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1. Collaborate with Influential Travel Bloggers

Collaborating with travel bloggers is one of the most effective ways to build high-quality backlinks while showcasing your brand to a targeted audience. The key is to approach this collaboration strategically to ensure the partnership delivers real value for both sides.

First of all, the goal is to secure backlinks from bloggers whose niche aligns with your business. For example:

• A luxury resort should partner with bloggers specializing in high-end getaways or romantic escapes.
• Eco-tourism businesses should seek collaborations with sustainable travel bloggers.
• Regional tour operators can benefit most from bloggers with strong followings in that specific location or those who write detailed destination guides.

This niche alignment ensures backlinks fit naturally into their content, making them valuable for SEO and credible for readers.

Now let me share with you some practical steps to make it work:

Step 1: Find the Right Bloggers

First, start looking for bloggers with:

• Good Domain Rating (DR): Use tools like Moz or Ahrefs to check their DR. A DR of 30+ is solid; 50+ is even better.
• Strong Niche Fit: Ensure their content aligns with your business. A blog focused on budget travel might not work if you’re a luxury resort.

Easy Tip: Mid-tier bloggers often provide the best value for link building. They’re more accessible than top-tier bloggers but still have solid SEO authority.

Step 2: Personalize Your Outreach

When you reach out, focus on how your collaboration benefits them and their audience. Mention why their blog is a great fit for your brand and suggest content ideas that naturally include links, such as:

• Destination Guides: “Top 5 Boutique Stays in [Your Area]”
• How-To Travel Tips: “How to Plan the Perfect Adventure in [Your Destination]”
• Personal Reviews: A detailed experience of staying at your property or using your services.

Easy Tip: You can even offer something valuable in return, like a complimentary stay or tour.

Step 3: Ensure the Backlink Is Natural

Backlinks work best when they’re embedded in content that feels organic to the reader.

• A hyperlink in a sentence about your hotel’s unique features, like “The [Hotel Name] offers stunning views of [Location], making it a perfect retreat for couples.”
• Links in practical resources, like “Book your stay at [Hotel Name] here.”

Easy Tip: Avoid placing links in obvious promotional sections, as search engines may devalue those.

Here are five bloggers with solid reputations and SEO value to consider collaborating with in the travel niche:

1. Danielle Desir (The Thought Card)

• Focus: Affordable luxury and financial tips for travelers.
• Ideal for brands that offer premium experiences with budget-friendly options.

2. Oneika Raymond (Oneika the Traveller)

• Focus: Cultural travel and diverse global experiences.
• Perfect for showcasing destinations rich in culture or off-the-beaten-path adventures.

3. Lauren Bath

• Focus: Luxury travel and visually stunning experiences.
• Great for visually captivating destinations or properties.

4. Gloria Atanmo (The Blog Abroad)

• Focus: Bold storytelling and unique experiences.
• Ideal for brands wanting to stand out with quirky or niche offerings.

5. Salt in Our Hair (Hannah & Nick)

• Focus: Instagram-worthy destinations and travel guides.
• Perfect for brands with photogenic locations or experiences.

Real-World Example

To see how this strategy works in action, look no further than Delta Vacations’ partnership with Oneika Raymond, to show just how easy and enjoyable travel planning can be with their services. Oneika, loved for her vibrant storytelling and passion for cultural experiences, shared her journey of booking a dream trip using Delta Vacations.

In her blog post, she walked her readers through the process of bundling flights, hotels, and activities in one simple package. She didn’t just write about the logistics—she brought the experience to life with personal tips, stunning destination photos, and heartfelt reflections on how Delta Vacations made her trip effortless. Of course, she included handy backlinks to their site, so her audience could dive in and plan their own adventures.

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2. Publish Guest Posts on Niche Travel Sites

Guest posting is one of those strategies that works so well because it’s straightforward: you create valuable, relevant content for someone else’s travel blog, and in return, you get a high-quality backlink and exposure to their audience.

For instance:

• If you’re a boutique hotel, you could write “5 Hidden Gem Stays in [Destination]” for a luxury travel blog.
• Or, if you run eco-tours, you might pitch “How to Travel More Sustainably in [Destination]” to a blog focused on green travel.

To do this right, you can by looking for travel blogs that align with your niche and audience. Use tools like Google search or browse terms like:

• “adventure travel blog” + “write for us”
• “luxury travel site” + “guest post”

You can also check out Linkee’s list of travel guest posting sites and choose the one that best aligns with your business.

But don’t just stop at “Do they accept guest posts?” Dig deeper:

• Is the audience a match? If your blog is about off-the-beaten-path adventures, don’t pitch to a blog focused on family travel.
• Do they have strong SEO? Look for blogs with a Domain Rating (DR) of 40+ using tools like Ahrefs or Moz.
• Are they active? Make sure the blog is updated regularly and has a loyal, engaged audience.

Once you’ve found the right blog, send a personalized email that stands out. Start by referencing a specific post or detail you loved—something that shows you’re not just another cold pitch.

Then, introduce your idea for a guest post with a hook that grabs their attention, like, “I have an idea for a post that will have your readers packing their bags—literally!”Tie it directly to their niche, such as “5 Hidden Treks in [Destination] That Most Travelers Miss.” Highlight how your post will bring fresh, valuable content to their audience.

End with a friendly call-to-action, like “Does this sound like something you’d love to feature? I’d be thrilled to work together!” Keep it confident, concise, and compelling.

Real-World Example

If you’re looking for an easy way to boost your visibility and build backlinks, the Hostelworld Blog is a great option. With a Domain Rating of 62, it’s a trusted site that invites guest posts on travel tips, destination guides, and budget-friendly advice. Their audience loves real, useful insights, so it’s a perfect fit if you’ve got something valuable to share.

You could write something like “10 Amazing Hostels for Budget Travelers in [Destination],” and include a link to your site in a way that feels natural and helpful.

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3. Leverage Digital PR for Travel Backlinks

Digital PR is all about creating stories that are so interesting or unique that journalists and travel writers can’t resist sharing them. Think newsworthy trends, data-driven insights, or fresh takes on popular travel topics.

When you produce content that’s timely and engaging, it naturally catches the attention of major publications. These stories often earn you high-quality travel backlinks from trusted, authoritative websites, which you probably wouldn’t get with traditional link-building strategies.

For example, imagine a travel agency conducting a survey on “Top Travel Destinations for 2024” based on traveler preferences. They create an eye-catching report filled with data, trends, and unique insights, making it irresistible to travel writers.

Reputable travel blogs like The Points Guy, Nomadic Matt, or Travel + Leisure could pick up the story, citing the travel agency as the source and linking back to their website.

Real-World Example

Imagine you're a traveler planning your next vacation, but you hate crowds. You’re always wondering: "Sure, Paris is beautiful, but how packed will it feel when I visit?" That’s the question we answered with a creative PR campaign for a travel niche client.

Instead of just reporting on the most popular cities—which has been done a million times—my team and I took a fresh approach. We looked at tourist density: the number of visitors per square kilometer in the busiest destinations. By doing the math and comparing cities this way, we gave travelers a clear and easy-to-understand metric to decide how crowded a place might actually feel.

The timing couldn’t have been better. We launched the campaign right as tourist season kicked off, when people were hungry for practical travel tips. The idea struck a chord and took off, earning 25+ mentions on major platforms like MSN(DR 92), Express (DR 92), and Kompas Travel (DR 87).

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4. Create Travel Infographics

Travelers love quick, visual information, and that’s exactly where infographics shine. The idea is simple: take complex travel data—like tourist density, budget breakdowns, or seasonal trends—and turn it into visually engaging, shareable graphics. Infographics allow you to present detailed information in a way that’s clear, fun, and easy to digest.

Why does this strategy work so well? First, travel content is incredibly visual, so eye-catching designs naturally grab attention. Second, people love sharing helpful visuals, especially when they offer quick insights like “Best Times to Visit Paris” or “Top Budget-Friendly Destinations.” By making your content both informative and visually appealing, you’re giving travelers something they’ll want to save, share, and link to.

The best part is that Infographics can fit almost any travel topic—packing tips, flight hacks, food guides, or even cultural events!

Here are some creative infographic ideas to grab the attention of top travel websites::

• "Budget Breakdown: How Far Does $1,000 Go in Popular Countries?" Compare how much travelers can expect to spend in various locations around the world—covering food, accommodations, and activities. Visualize it with charts, currency symbols, and icons for clarity.
• "Best Times to Visit the World's Most Iconic Destinations" Create a calendar-style infographic that shows the best months to visit top locations based on weather, crowds, and seasonal highlights.
• "Flight Hacks: How to Save on Airfare" Design an infographic that gives quick, shareable tips on finding cheap flights, like the best days to book, which airlines to monitor, and how to leverage stopovers.
• "Travel Safety: Tips for First-Time Visitors in Popular Countries" Showcase safety tips for travelers visiting major destinations, including cultural etiquette, scams to watch for, and emergency contact info. Use icons and illustrations for clarity.
• "Food Lover’s Guide: Must-Try Dishes Around the World" Feature iconic foods from different countries with colorful illustrations of dishes, quick descriptions, and maps showing where to find them.
• "World Festivals Calendar: Can’t-Miss Events by Month" Highlight cultural festivals, music events, and celebrations happening worldwide. Make it colorful, with photos and quick descriptions for each event.

Real-World Example

The "7 Travel Hacks for Booking Cheap Flights Online" infographic from Travel Trolley is a great example of content that hits the sweet spot. It’s simple, super practical, and easy on the eyes, with tips like booking early or skipping weekend flights that budget travelers can’t resist. The best part? It snagged 10 dofollow backlinks effortlessly. It just goes to show—when you create content that’s genuinely helpful and shareable, people can’t help but spread the word.

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5. Build a Resource Hub

If you’re looking to build travel backlinks, resource pages are one of the easiest ways to get results. Here’s how: you can either get featured on someone else’s resource page or build your own. Both approaches work for link building. In one case you get backlinks because your content is useful and informative, and in the other case, you just get listed on someone else’s resource page with a backlink to your website.

First, getting featured. Tons of travel blogs and websites have resource pages like “Best Travel Tools” or “Top Itineraries for Budget Travelers.” If you’ve created something genuinely helpful—a detailed itinerary, a packing guide, or a smart travel tool—reach out and let them know. Keep it friendly and to the point: “Hey, I think your readers would really find this helpful!” If it fits, they’ll usually add it.

The other route? Make your own resource page. Create a go-to hub packed with tools, tips, and guides travelers actually need. Something like “The Complete Toolkit for Stress-Free Travel” or “Must-Have Resources for First-Time Backpackers.” If your page is genuinely useful, other sites will start linking to it naturally as a reference.

It’s pretty simple: make it helpful, make it clear, and make it easy to share.

Real-World Example

Take a look at Of Whiskey and Words’ Travel Resources—it’s a great example of a resource page done right. It’s practical, well-organized, and full of tools and tips travelers actually use. If you’re building your own, focus on making it valuable, easy to navigate, and something people will want to share.

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6. Get Listed in Travel Directories

Travel directories might sound old-school, but they’re still an underrated way to build quality backlinks and get your site in front of the right audience.

You simply submit your site to well-established, authoritative travel directories—websites that curate trusted resources for travelers.

Both travelers and search engines see directories as reliable sources. For travelers, they’re a go-to spot to discover helpful resources, blogs, or tools. For search engines, getting listed in a reputable directory signals that your site is legitimate and relevant in the travel space.

The key is to focus on quality directories—those that are well-maintained, niche-specific, and actually add value. Avoid spammy, outdated ones. If you find the right ones and submit your site, you’ll gain a solid backlink. However, I think it’s very important to mention that most of such directories’ links aren’t going to be dofollow. But this doesn’t mean that the strategy has no purpose because getting listed in such directories isn’t just a backlink benefit, it gives exposure as well.

In short, we can say that directories are low-effort, high-reward!

Here’s a list of the best travel directories I’ve personally handpicked for you—only the ones that are actually worth your time:

1. TripAdvisor – The big one. Everyone knows it, everyone trusts it. Getting listed here means huge visibility with travelers worldwide.
2. Travel Inti – A straightforward, no-nonsense directory that connects travelers with agencies and services. Plus, it’s commission-free, which is a nice bonus.
3. TourRadar – If you’re into tours or travel experiences, this is the place to be. TourRadar connects travelers with operators for multi-day trips around the world.
4. Zicasso – Ideal for luxury travel. It’s all about connecting travelers with experts who build personalized, high-end itineraries.

Real-World Example

Here’s a cool real-world win: Viator scored a dofollow travel backlink from TripAdvisor—one of the biggest names in the travel game. You can see in the screenshot that TripAdvisor linked directly to Viator’s website (viator.com), through a text-based, footer link, which is huge.

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7. Use Broken Link Building for Travel Backlinks

Broken link building is when you find broken links on travel websites or blogs, and offer your content as a replacement.

Here's how it works:

You start by finding broken links on travel websites, blogs, or resource pages—basically, links that no longer work or lead to 404 pages. You can use tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, or even browser extensions to identify these broken links on relevant travel pages.

Once you spot a broken link, check the context of the page. Is it a guide, a list of resources, or a travel tip? Your content should be relevant to the link you're replacing. For example, if the broken link points to a budget travel guide, you’ll want to offer your own budget travel resource or article.

Then, you contact the website owner and offer your content as a replacement for that broken link. Since website owners want to keep their pages up-to-date and avoid broken links, they’re usually pretty grateful for the heads-up and will often replace the dead link with yours.

Real-World Example

To show you how this strategy works in action, I’m going to use Ahrefs. First of all, I choose a travel website or blog that’s relevant to my niche—let’s say a site about budget travel or destination guides.

Once I’ve got a target website( in this case, I’ve chosen Nomadic Matt), I enter the URL of that page into Ahrefs. Then, I go to the "Backlink Profile" section and filter for 404 errors. This will show me all the links on that page that are broken (i.e., they lead to pages that no longer exist). Now, I scroll through the list of broken links Ahrefs has found, paying attention to the ones that are relevant to my content (screenshot below).

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As you can see, these broken links are great opportunities if you have similar content to offer. In both cases, you can reach out to the site owner, let them know about the broken links, and offer your content as a useful replacement.

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8. Appear on Travel Podcasts

This strategy involves reaching out to travel podcasts and offering to be a guest. You pitch your expertise or travel experiences, and if they like what you have to say, they’ll invite you on to share your insights with their audience. But let’s not forget our primary goal- high-quality, travel backlinks. These podcasts often include a link to your website in the show notes, which gives you the perfect opportunity to earn a valuable backlink.

I’ve found some travel podcasts you might find useful, check it out:

1. The Travel Diaries – This one’s all about sharing personal travel stories, experiences, and tips. If you’ve got a unique travel story or some expert insights, this could be the perfect spot to get your voice out there.
2. Zero To Travel Podcast – Focused on giving practical advice for travelers who want to live a more adventurous life, especially around long-term travel and working while on the road. If that’s your jam, this podcast is a great fit.
3. The World Nomads Podcast – This podcast features inspiring stories from travelers and adventurers worldwide. If you’ve got a niche area of expertise, whether it’s travel hacks, unique destinations, or useful tips, this is a solid platform to share your knowledge.

Real-World Example

Here's a great example that shows how well this strategy works. In the episode "Orlando Uncovered: Destination Special" from The Travel Diaries Podcast, the host shares all the best tips about Orlando, and includes a link to Visit Orlando in the show notes. As simple as that!

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9. Get Featured in Travel Roundups

Being featured in travel roundups means having your website or content listed in a curated list of top travel resources. These could be anything from the best travel blogs to essential travel tools or top destinations. It's a way to get your work noticed alongside other well-regarded travel resources.

To do this, you can start by searching for travel roundups that match your niche. For example, if you blog about solo travel, look for lists like “Top Solo Travel Blogs” or “Must-Read Blogs for Solo Travelers.”

Once you find a relevant roundup, find the contact info for the person behind it (usually on their website). Then, send them a friendly email introducing yourself and explaining why you think your site or post would be a great addition to their list.  Let them know how it would be useful for their readers and why it stands out. Keep it casual but clear about how your content adds value.

If you don’t hear back after a little while, it’s totally fine to send a polite follow-up. Just remind them of your initial message and mention again why you think you’d be a great fit.

Real-World Example

To show how this works, I simply searched for "best travel blogs" and this page popped up as the first result: A Curated List with the Best TravelBlogs to Follow in 2024. The page has a high domain rating (DR) score, which means it’s a reputable and authoritative source. If I were in your place, I would just reach out to the creator of this list and suggest adding my content, making sure to highlight how it would add value to their roundup.

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What Websites Are More Likely to Link to Your Travel Brand?

Websites with a strong focus on travel or related niches are the best sources for valuable backlinks. Here are the key categories to target:

• Travel Blogs and Magazines: Trusted sources for travel tips and guides.
• Niche Travel Sites: Platforms focused on eco-tourism, luxury travel, or adventure niches.
• Lifestyle Websites: Sites covering travel alongside wellness, food, or culture.
• Directories: Trusted resources that list travel brands or services.
• Educational Platforms: Guides, tutorials, or courses in travel or tourism.
• Podcasts: Travel podcasts often link to guest sites in their show notes.

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Finding Prospects to Link to Your Travel Brand

Yes, I assure you that the strategies I’ve provided will absolutely work, and I’ve proven this with real examples. But let’s be real—the time you spend on these tasks can quickly add up. Here’s what it looks like if you do everything manually—and why Linkee can simplify this entire process for you:

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Instead of spending 10-15 hours manually searching for prospects, checking their SEO metrics, and reaching out, Linkee automates the entire process for you. Why spend days on tasks that Linkee can handle for you in a fraction of the time?

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FAQs About Travel Backlinks

1. What makes a travel backlink high-quality?

A high-quality travel backlink comes from a website that is relevant to your niche, has high authority (Domain Rating above 40 is a good indicator), and features content that aligns with your own. The link should be dofollow and placed naturally within relevant, well-written content. The more trusted and authoritative the website linking to you, the more SEO value the backlink holds.

2. How Long Does It Take to See Results from a Travel Backlink Strategy?

Results from a travel backlink strategy can typically take 3 to 6 months to show up in search rankings. While some immediate traffic might come through referral links, SEO improvements take time to be seen.

3. What Are the Risks of Acquiring Backlinks Too Rapidly for a New Travel Website?

Acquiring backlinks too quickly can raise red flags for search engines, especially for a new site. Google and other search engines may view rapid link acquisition as unnatural or manipulative, potentially leading to penalties or de-indexing. To avoid this, focus on building links gradually with high-quality, relevant sources. A natural backlink profile grows over time.