Right now, is the most opportune time to adopt the most powerful tool for increasing bookings and driving measurable revenue.

I recently attended a gathering in Las Vegas with a cross-section of people from both Vegas and LA. Since I’ve been focused on an AI project, I was curious to get a sense of how prevalent AI is in their lives. As an extrovert, I had conversations with quite a few people.

For some, terms like AI, GenAI, and AI agents represent concepts moving so fast they can barely keep up — and I get that. It’s true for me too. But for others, it’s already becoming a powerful tool that’s helping them do more, faster. I fall into this group. Though I’ve been involved in AI since 2018, I’m still amazed at how quickly it’s evolving — and how deeply it’s starting to affect people, businesses, and entire industries.

One of the clearest examples of How GenAI is transforming an industry, is what’s happening in travel content marketing.

A Quick Parallel: Travel vs. eCommerce

During COVID, the travel industry was devastated — while at the same time, eCommerce exploded. Both industries are focused on conversions, but they experienced opposite realities. eCommerce brands had to get increasingly sophisticated to win the “buy” box. Travel brands were just trying to survive. Fast forward to now:

• In 2020, very few eCommerce brands had video.
• In 2025, video is a must — because it drives discovery, engagement, and conversion.
• The latest trend in eCommerce? GenAI-powered video optimization.

Meanwhile, in travel, most brands are still not applying the same optimization strategies — especially around long-tail keywords, localized formats, and conversion-driven content.

So for the Travel Marketing Innovators, Here’s the Opportunity:

• 66% of travelers watch videos while planning a trip
• 65% use video to help choose a destination
• 54% use video to select accommodations
• 63% use it to discover things to do

Video isn’t just effective — it’s essential.

How Big Is the Challenge?

To show up where travelers are looking, you’d need video content for:

• Every key amenity
• Every room type
• Every nearby attraction
• Every signature experience (spa, rooftop bar, wine tour, etc.)
• Every target language
• Every platform (YouTube, Shorts, Reels, TikTok, Booking.com, Expedia)

Creating all that before GenAI used to be expensive and time-consuming.

Enter GenAI — and a New Era of Video Strategy

GenAI now allows travel marketers to create conversion-optimized, keyword-targeted video at scale — faster, smarter, and far more affordably.

It opens up a real competitive advantage: More visibility. Faster iteration. Smarter targeting. And most importantly — more revenue

Case in Point: The Luxury 5-Star Hotel

Let’s say you’re marketing a luxury hotel in a high-interest destination.

A GenAI-powered content strategy allows you to generate a multitude of high-performing videos, tailored to drive direct bookings, improve OTA performance, and increase brand discoverability across platforms.

Here’s a sample list below of what that might look like. Every destination and every hotel is different. Part of our service at Destinate is where we do deep in-depth keyword research to recommend specific video content to match content with search (Google and other platform search, as well as AI search inquiries)

1. A polished property overview for YouTube and your website
2. A search-driven video titled “Top 5-Star Hotels in [City]”
3. Vertical videos like “What $500/night gets you in [City]” for TikTok, Shorts, and Reels
4. Room-by-room walkthroughs, highlighting top features for travelers comparing options
5. Seasonal and event-focused campaigns: “Where to Stay for [Event] in [City]” or “48 Hours in [Destination] This Fall”
6. How I spent 24 hours in [Destination]
7. Best place to watch the sunset in [Destination]
8. I wish I knew this before going to [Destination]
9. I tried [Local Dish] — here’s what happened
10. 48 Hours in [Destination]
11. Went to [Destination] in [Season] — didn’t expect this
12. Why I picked [Destination] for my bachelorette party
13. How we spent our family reunion in [Destination]
14. Planning a wedding in [Destination]
15. [Destination] is perfect for family vacations
16. [Destination] surprised us — here’s why we’ll return
17. Do this before you go to [Destination]
18. I wish I knew this before visiting [Destination]
19. Don’t fly into [Destination] before watching this
20. Top 10 neighborhoods to visit in [Destination]
21. [Destination]’s best day trips
22. Which hotels in [Destination] are best for business travelers
23. Where to stay if you’re attending [Destination] Convention Center
24. Love food? Explore this neighborhood in [Destination]
25. The best street food in [Destination]
26. The best boutique hotels in [Destination]
27. Which hotel to choose for your first trip to [Destination]
28. Best rooftop bars in [Destination]
29. What $500/night gets you in [Destination]
30. 3 reasons I booked [Hotel Name]
31. How we chose the perfect resort for our honeymoon
32. Where to stay in [Destination] without breaking the bank
33. My experience as a solo traveler in [Destination]
34. What to expect if you’re traveling to [Destination] in winter
35. The ultimate 3-day / 5-day / 7-day itinerary for [Destination]

Each one of these videos is an answer to a question your potential guests are already asking.

GenAI makes it faster and more affordable than ever to produce video content — at the scale modern travel marketing demands.

Three Strategic Video Tactics Travel Brands Should Be Using Now

To unlock the full value of GenAI, it’s not just about what you produce — it’s how you format, localize, and place it.

1. Vertical Format (Reels, TikToks, Shorts)

These short-form platforms dominate the inspiration phase — especially for Gen Z and Millennial travelers.GenAI enables scalable creation of mobile-native, scroll-stopping video designed to:

• Showcase standout experiences
• Tap into social trends
• Deliver results with less spend

2. Localized & Customized Versions

If your guests speak multiple languages, your videos should too. GenAI makes it fast and cost-effective to create:

• Subtitled and voiceovered versions
• Content aligned with regional pricing, currency, and cultural cues
• Targeted edits for specific traveler types (families, honeymooners, business travelers)

3. Platform-Optimized Videos (Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda)

Travelers don’t just browse on OTAs — they book. GenAI allows you to create high-conversion OTA videos that:

• Load fast and highlight key value points
• Build trust with short, well-edited visuals
• Convert undecided browsers into confirmed guests

Hotels using video on their OTA listings have seen 20–30% higher conversion rates.

The Bottom Line

Hotels with keyword-optimized videos across the right platforms can expect 15–25%+ increases in bookings. This isn’t hypothetical. It’s what happens when you stop thinking of video as branding — and start treating it as performance content

• GenAI doesn’t just make video faster — it makes it work harder.
• It’s the bridge between traveler demand and your next booking.
• Early adopters will move faster, test smarter, and grow quicker.
• Everyone else will play catch-up.

Interested in Joining our Pilot Program

We’re looking to work with a select group of leaders, specifically innovative tourism boards or hotels to co-create GenAI-powered video systems that drive real business results.

If you’re ready to boost visibility, increase bookings, and lead your market with scalable, conversion-optimized video — let’s explore the potential fit.

DM me on LinkedIn and mention “pilot”