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The Best In Travel Guide to Building a Travel Community From Scratch

Written by Rob Embury - Best In Travel

Build your tribe, share the journey, and turn your passion for travel into something bigger

Starting a travel community isn’t just about pretty photos or passport stamps. It’s about creating connection, belonging, and shared adventure. Whether you want to host epic group trips, grow your influence, or simply connect with people who love travel as much as you do — this step-by-step guide will help you get started the right way. Let’s dive in!

1. Start with Your Niche 🎯🌐

The travel world is big — your niche helps you stand out. When you’re clear on who you’re speaking to, your content becomes more magnetic.

Ask yourself:

  • What kind of travel lights me up?
  • Who do I want to build this with?
  • What makes my perspective unique?

Niche inspiration:

  • Female solo travelers in South America
  • Digital nomads in Asia
  • Family-friendly city breaks
  • Queer adventure seekers
  • Luxury wellness retreats in Europe

🧑‍🏫 Pro Tip: The more specific your niche, the easier it is to attract the right people.

group of women standing on rock fragment

2. Learn to Create Awesome Content 📸🎥📝

You don’t need to be a pro — but your content should feel authentic, helpful, and aligned with your vibe.

  • Photos: Focus on good lighting, people-focused shots, and clean edits. Try Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed.
  • Videos: Use Reels or TikToks to share quick tips, trip highlights, or behind-the-scenes travel.
  • Writing: Be human. Share your thoughts, experiences, and advice like you’re chatting with a friend.
  • Podcasts: Create a travel podcast and connect with other successful travel communities or community hosts – invite them as special guests and engage their audience as well as your own.

📲 Tools to check out:

  • Canva for graphics
  • CapCut or InShot for video edits
  • Grammarly for clean writing

man in black jacket holding camera during daytime

3. Master Social Media Strategy 📱✨

You don’t have to be everywhere — just where your people are.

Platform Best for
Instagram Visuals, reels, stories, carousels
TikTok Viral content, fast tips, relatable storytelling
Facebook Groups Deeper discussion and community feel
YouTube Long-form content and trust building
Discord Casual chats and deeper engagement

🕐 When to post?

  • Weekdays: Early morning (7–9am) or evenings (6–9pm) — based on your audience’s time zone
  • Weekends: Late mornings are your best bet
  • Always check your platform analytics to fine-tune timing

🌎 Seasonal posting tips (adjust per hemisphere):

  • Jan–Mar: New year goals, wellness escapes, summer planning
  • Apr–Jun: Spring breaks, festivals, cherry blossoms, shoulder season hacks
  • Jul–Sep: Europe summer, wildlife safaris, nature adventures
  • Oct–Dec: Christmas markets, tropical escapes, NYE getaways

high angle photo of person holding turned on smartphone with tall buildings background

4. Share Smart and Stay Relevant ⏰📆

Keep your content calendar aligned with global search trends, major events, and travel cycles.

🗓️ Monthly inspiration:

  • January – Resolution trips, snow escapes, New Year motivation
  • March – Spring breaks, cherry blossoms, Ramadan travel
  • June – Festival season, surf trips, national park hikes
  • September – Off-peak Europe, workations, foliage getaways
  • December – Holiday season, winter sun, NYE bucket list ideas

🎯 Pro Tip: Tailor your content for your audience’s region — summer in Australia means beaches, not skiing!

group of people on seashore during daytime

5. Build Real Relationships 🤝🌐

The heart of your community is the people in it.

  • Ask questions in your captions
  • Respond to every DM (especially early on)
  • Share your audience’s stories and celebrate their wins
  • Jump into related creator communities, Facebook groups, or Discord servers

Who to connect with:

  • Other creators in your space
  • Local businesses and tour operators
  • Tourism boards and destination brands
  • Your own followers — don’t forget to listen

🤗 People remember how you make them feel — so keep it kind, helpful, and welcoming.

people holding shoulders sitting on wall

6. Host Events and Trips That Bring People Together 🧳🌍

Once you’ve built a small, engaged audience, it’s time to go IRL.

Start small:

  • Brunches, hikes, or photo walks in your hometown
  • Zoom chats or live Q&As
  • Local collabs with cafes or coworking spaces

Then grow:

  • Weekend retreats in your region
  • International group trips — beach escapes, city breaks, hiking tours
  • Partner with trusted platforms to manage bookings and logistics

🚀 Pro Tip: Keep it easy. Offer payment plans, clear itineraries, and great communication throughout.

📸 Don’t forget to capture the magic. Social proof from past trips helps grow trust for your next one.

man taking selfie while sitting

7. Stay Curious and Keep Growing 🎧📈

Listen, learn, and keep evolving. Your community will tell you what’s working — and what’s not.

Ways to stay connected:

  • Run Instagram Story polls
  • Send post-trip surveys
  • Check analytics to see what content gets saved, shared, or clicked

Opportunities to explore:

  • Launch a travel club with paid membership for exclusive perks
  • Offer trip planning services or templates
  • Collaborate with brands that align with your values
  • Start a newsletter or podcast to go deeper

🌟 Stay flexible, stay authentic, and don’t be afraid to test new ideas.

woman facing Machu Picchu

Final Thoughts

Starting a travel community isn’t about chasing followers — it’s about building belonging. When you focus on connection, value, and shared passion, your community will grow naturally.

✅ Choose your niche
✅ Create content with personality
✅ Show up consistently
✅ Build trust and friendships
✅ Host meaningful experiences
✅ Keep listening and evolving

Whether your community is ten people or ten thousand, you’re creating something powerful — a space where people feel seen, inspired, and ready to explore the world together 🌍❤️

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