Creating travel brochures is more than just a school project – it's an engaging way to develop crucial skills in research, design, writing, digital literacy, and destination marketing.
As educators increasingly seek innovative ways to combine practical skills with subject learning, travel brochure creation stands out as a versatile educational tool that brings geography, history, and cultural studies to life.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore how students can create professional-quality travel brochures using modern digital tools like Touch Stay, and we'll analyse 16 outstanding examples from leading tourism organisations worldwide.
Whether you're a teacher looking for project ideas or a student seeking inspiration, this guide will help you create engaging, informative travel brochures that meet educational objectives while developing real-world skills.
In this blog we’ll cover:
- How to craft a perfect travel brochure
- 16 beautiful examples of travel brochures for students
- Tips for success
How to craft a perfect travel brochure
Creating an effective travel brochure involves careful planning, thorough research, and thoughtful design. Let's break down each step of the process.
1. Research the destination
Comprehensive research forms the foundation of any successful travel brochure. Students should:
History & culture:
- Research the destination's historical development
- Identify key historical events and their impact
- Understand cultural evolution over time
- Find interesting historical facts and figures
- Study architectural developments and influences
- Research famous historical figures connected to the location
Cultural elements:
- Study local customs and traditions
- Research local cuisine and dining customs
- Understand religious and cultural practices
- Identify cultural festivals and celebrations
- Learn about local arts and crafts
- Research traditional music and dance
Practical information:
- Research climate and best times to visit
- Investigate transportation options
- Study accommodation choices
- Understand local currency and costs
- Research visa requirements and travel documents
- Identify emergency services and healthcare facilities
- Study local laws and regulations
Local attractions:
- Identify major tourist sites
- Discover hidden gems and local favourites
- Research opening hours and admission fees
- Find special events and seasonal activities
- Study guided tour options
- Research family-friendly activities
- Identify photo opportunities
2. Get images and visuals
Visual content brings your brochure to life and helps readers connect with the destination:
Photography guidelines:
- Use high-resolution images that showcase key attractions
- Include a mix of landscape and detail shots
- Show people enjoying activities when possible
- Ensure proper lighting and composition
- Consider seasonal variations in imagery
- Include both daytime and nighttime shots
- Capture local wildlife and nature
- Show authentic local life and culture
Essential visual elements:
- Maps highlighting key locations
- Infographics showing climate data or visitor statistics
- Icons for different activities or services
- Diagrams of historical sites or buildings
- Timeline graphics for historical context
- Transportation route maps
- Walking tour maps
- Safety information graphics
Visual organisation:
- Create a consistent colour scheme
- Use white space effectively
- Establish a clear visual hierarchy
- Maintain consistent styling throughout
- Include captions and credits for all images
- Organise content in logical sections
- Use headers and subheaders effectively
- Include page numbers and reference guides
3. Create a template
Using Touch Stay's digital guidebook platform offers numerous advantages over traditional paper brochures.
Here's how to make the most of the platform:
Setting up your digital brochure:
- Choose your template
- Select from professional layouts
- Customise colours and fonts
- Adjust spacing and sections
- Set up navigation structure
- Add branding elements
- Configure header and footer
- Set up table of contents
- Add content sections
- Create clear category divisions
- Set up logical content flow
- Include interactive elements
- Add contact information
- Insert social media links
- Create reference sections
- Add downloadable resources
- Optimise for different devices
- Ensure mobile responsiveness
- Test on various screen sizes
- Check loading speeds
- Verify all interactive elements
- Test navigation functionality
- Ensure image optimisation
- Check link functionality
16 beautiful examples of travel brochures for students
Here are 16 inspiring travel brochure examples that demonstrate effective design, engaging content, and practical information:
1. VisitBritain: Discover England
This classic travel brochure from VisitBritain (in partnership with Infinity Holidays) showcases the beauty and diversity of England. It features stunning photography, clear layout, and informative content about popular destinations, historical sites, and cultural experiences.
2. New Zealand Tourism: 100% Pure New Zealand
New Zealand Tourism's ‘100% New Zealand’ travel brochures emphasise the country's natural beauty, adventure opportunities, and Maori culture. They feature stunning aerial photography and inspiring narratives.
3. Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO): Discover Japan
JNTO's travel brochures showcase Japan's rich history, traditional culture, modern cities, and natural wonders. They feature intricate designs, high-quality images, and detailed information about specific regions.
4. Iceland Tourism: Inspired by Iceland
Iceland Tourism's travel brochures highlight the country's unique landscapes, geothermal wonders, and outdoor activities. They include striking photography and minimalist design to create a visually appealing and informative brochure.
5. Tourism Ireland: Ireland
Tourism Ireland's travel brochures highlight the country's stunning landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality. Dramatic photography and local knowledge is used to capture the essence of Ireland.
6. Swiss Tourism: Switzerland Tourism
Swiss Tourism's travel brochures emphasise the country's stunning mountain scenery, charming villages, and world-class skiing. They use a clean, modern design and feature high-quality photography.
7. South African Tourism
South African travel brochures showcase the country's diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultural experiences. They often use vibrant colours and bold typography to create an energetic and engaging brochure.
8. My Canada Trips
My Canada Trips' travel brochures highlight the country's vast wilderness, diverse cities, and friendly people. They often use stunning photography and engaging text to inspire travellers.
9. Visit California: California
Visit California's travel brochures showcase the state's diverse landscapes, from the beaches of Southern California to the mountains of the Sierra Nevada.
10. Paris Tourism & Convention Authority: Paris Pass
Paris Tourism & Convention Authority's ‘Paris Pass’ travel brochures showcase the city's romantic charm, historical landmarks, and world-class museums. High-quality photography is used to create a sophisticated brochure.
11. Rome Tourism: Roma
Rome Tourism's travel brochures highlight the city's ancient history, Renaissance art, and delicious cuisine. They often use classic design and historical imagery to create a nostalgic and informative brochure.
12. Tourism Malaysia: Malaysia, Truly Asia
Tourism Malaysia's travel brochures highlight the country's diverse cultures, stunning beaches, and lush rainforests.
13. Barcelona Tourism: Barcelona
Barcelona Tourism's travel brochures highlight the city's stunning architecture, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. They use colourful design and high-quality photography to create a vibrant brochure.
14. Destination Vancouver
Destination Vancouver's travel brochures highlight the city's natural beauty, diverse culture, and world-class dining scene. They use dynamic layouts to create an exciting and informative brochure.
15. Visit Maldives: The Sunny Side of Life
Visit Maldives' travel brochures showcase the country's stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious resorts. They use high-quality images of idyllic scenery to create a dreamlike brochure.
16. Tourism Thailand: Amazing Thailand
Tourism Thailand's travel brochures highlight the country's diverse culture, stunning temples, and delicious cuisine.
By analysing these examples, students can learn about effective design principles, persuasive writing techniques, and the importance of clear and concise information.
Tips for success
- Writing style:
- Use active, engaging language
- Keep sentences concise and clear
- Include interesting facts and statistics
- Write for your target audience
- Maintain a consistent tone
- Use storytelling techniques
- Include local terminology with explanations
- Add personal touches and insights
- Design principles:
- Follow a clear hierarchy of information
- Use consistent spacing and alignment
- Choose readable fonts
- Balance text and images
- Include clear calls to action
- Maintain brand consistency
- Use colour psychology effectively
- Ensure adequate contrast
- Interactive elements:
- Add clickable maps
- Include video content where appropriate
- Use pop-up information boxes
- Create interactive timelines
- Include social media integration
- Add booking links
- Incorporate user feedback forms
- Include sharing capabilities
Conclusion
Creating effective travel brochures is a valuable educational exercise that combines research, design, and communication skills. With Touch Stay's digital platform, students can create professional-quality brochures that go beyond traditional limitations, incorporating interactive elements and real-time updates.
Key takeaways for successful brochure creation:
- Start with thorough research
- Plan your visual strategy carefully
- Use a consistent design approach
- Include practical, actionable information
- Take advantage of digital capabilities
- Consider your audience throughout
- Test and refine your content
- Keep information current and accurate
By following the guidelines in this guide and drawing inspiration from our curated examples, students can create engaging, informative travel brochures that not only meet educational objectives but also develop practical skills for the future.
Ready to start creating your own digital travel brochure? Sign up for Touch Stay today and transform your travel content into interactive, engaging guidebooks that inspire and inform.
