5 Types of Evergreen Blog Posts Every Destination Brand Needs

When you work in destination marketing, it’s easy to get caught up in the fast-paced cycle of seasonal roundups, trending topics, and “what’s happening now” updates. But if that’s all you’re focusing on, you’re missing a major opportunity to build long-term traffic and visibility with evergreen blog posts. 

Evergreen content attracts travelers, answers important questions, and builds trust long after it’s published. When done right, it can bring consistent traffic to your site with nothing more than an occasional refresh. In my opinion, it’s a non-negotiable for any DMO that wants to stay top-of-mind for its target audience (and for Google). 

As a freelance writer who’s written for heaps of destination brands over the years, I’m about to break it all down for you. Let’s dig into what evergreen content actually is, why it matters, and the five types of evergreen blog posts every travel-focused brand should have on deck. 

What is Evergreen Content?

To put it simply, evergreen content is blog content that doesn’t go out of style. Unlike seasonal posts or event-based updates, evergreen blogs stay relevant for years after you publish them. They cover timeless topics that travelers are constantly searching for, no matter the season. Think “best things to do in Asheville” or “how to get around Charleston without a car.” 

Instead of a topic that produces quick, short-lived traffic spikes—like a guide to NYE events in Miami this year—evergreen blog posts are steady, slow-burning posts. They continue showing up in search results again and again. Think of this type of content like the little black dress of content. It’s never not useful.

Why Do I Need Evergreen Blog Content?

Content creation takes time. You want the kind of blog posts that don’t just live for a week and then disappear into the abyss of your website archive. Don’t get me wrong, time-sensitive content is important too. Whether it’s seasonal, news-centric, or trend-based, those are all great for attracting readers in the short-term. The only problem? They quickly lose relevance.

Evergreen blog posts, on the other hand, don’t stop working for you. They keep showing up in search, answering questions, and staying relevant no matter when you read them. When travelers are planning a trip to your destination, evergreen content is the ultimate tool.

Evergreen blog content helps your destination brand:

• Build long-term, organic traffic through SEO
• Establish trust and authority with potential visitors
• Answer common traveler questions without repeating yourself
• Convert casual lurkers into action-takers
• Work smarter (not harder) when it comes to content planning

Instead of scrambling to write something new every time a holiday or festival rolls around, you can rely on your evergreen content to hold it down in the background and bring you new leads while you focus on other things. 

5 Types of Evergreen Blog Posts Your Destination Brand Needs

These are the high-impact, easy-to-refresh blog post formats every tourism business, DMO, or travel brand should be using to build traffic and trust.

1. The “Ultimate Guide” Post

Best for: First-timers and SEO gold

This is the anchor content that helps travelers understand your destination at a glance. Think of it as your digital welcome packet. These long-form blog posts should give a 360-degree overview that helps someone plan their whole trip from start to finish.

Search engines love comprehensive, well-organized content that covers a topic in depth—and readers love having everything they need in one place. These guides also tend to rank for multiple keywords over time, making them an SEO powerhouse.

Evergreen travel guide ideas:

• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Asheville, NC
• Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Banff National Park
• A Nature Lover’s Guide to Coastal Maine
• The Ultimate Solo Traveler’s Guide to Tokyo
• A Local’s Guide to Exploring Santa Fe

2. “Best Of” Lists

Best for: Showcasing your local gems

Quick to scan and endlessly clickable, “best of” lists are perfect for sharing your favorites and showing off what makes your destination special. They also rank well for high-volume keywords like “best restaurants in [city]” or “top things to do in [region].”

These posts are naturally optimized for list-based search queries, which are some of the most common in travel-related Google searches. Readers love them because they’re quick to read, visually digestible, and helpful in making fast decisions.

Evergreen “best of” topic ideas:

• The 10 Best Local Coffee Shops in Portland
• 7 Best Sunset Spots in San Diego
• The Best Family-Friendly Activities in Charleston
• 5 Must-Visit Wineries in Virginia’s Wine Country
• Where to Find the Best Tacos in Mexico City

3. FAQ & “How-To” Posts

Best for: Building trust + snagging featured snippets

These posts make you the helpful expert travelers turn to when they’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about logistics. They’re often the first touchpoint someone has with your brand, so it’s important to make them warm, clear, and insanely useful.

Search engines love this format because it’s aligned with natural-language queries and voice searches. (Think: “how to get from JFK to Manhattan.”) And when you answer clearly and concisely, you’re more likely to land that coveted featured snippet spot in Google.

Evergreen how-to blog ideas:

• How to Get Around Venice Without a Car
• Do You Need Travel Insurance for a Trip to Thailand?
• What to Pack for a Trip to the Scottish Highlands
• How to Get From the Airport to Downtown Reykjavik
• Do You Tip in Japan? A Guide to Japanese Tipping Etiquette

4. Hidden Gems or “Local Secrets” Posts

Best for: Standing out and connecting with curious travelers

These posts are the ones that make readers feel like they’ve been given the inside scoop. You’re offering a behind-the-scenes look at the less touristy side of your destination, which is perfect for second-time visitors or those craving a more off-the-beaten-path experience.

Google loves unique, original content—and so do your readers. Posts like these help differentiate your destination from competitors and signal to search engines that you’re offering authentic, local insight that can’t be found on every other site.

Evergreen “hidden gem” topic ideas:

• 7 Hidden Gems in New Orleans That Locals Love
• Underrated Beaches in Crete You Shouldn’t Miss
• 5 Secret Spots for Wine Lovers in Sonoma
• Unique Places to Stay in the Smoky Mountains
• Quirky and Unusual Attractions in Berlin

5. Evergreen Itineraries

Best for: Planners and Pinterest lovers

Who doesn’t love a well-planned trip? Itinerary posts give structure to travel dreams and make your destination feel doable. These are also highly shareable (and pin-able), so they’re great for long-term traffic and engagement.

Travel itineraries tend to rank for long-tail keywords like “3-day itinerary in Barcelona” or “one week in New Zealand.” They also keep readers on your page longer, which signals to Google that your content is valuable and worth ranking higher.

Evergreen itinerary ideas:

• The Perfect 3-Day Weekend in Savannah
• One Week in Iceland: The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary
• 4 Days in Paris for First-Timers
• How to Spend a Relaxing Weekend in Sedona
• 5 Days in Costa Rica for Eco-Adventurers

Ready to Let Your Content Work For You?

So, evergreen content or time-sensitive content? A solid strategy should have both, but if you have to focus on just one, evergreen is the way to go. Evergreen blog posts support your SEO strategy, answer your audience’s burning questions, and build your brand’s authority online. If your destination brand hasn’t been investing in evergreen blog content, now’s the time to start. 

Need a hand? For blog posts that are informative, optimized, and highly engaging, I’m here for you. As a freelance travel writer, I specialize in blog content that bridges the gap between storytelling and strategy so you can show up, stand out, and get discovered by the travelers who are already searching for you. 

Learn more about my blog packages, or get in touch to discuss your next project and find out how I can help your brand achieve its content goals.