Educating Travelers About World Currencies

By C. Jackson
March 23, 2021

I don’t know how many gyms have used this phrase in their advertising, but just because it isn’t original doesn’t make it irrelevant: Summer bodies are built in winter. Before COVID, this was a much less complicated concept. Lots of people join gyms during winter than at any other time, particularly right after the holidays.

With the advent of several vaccines poised to halt COVID-19 in its tracks, many travelers are starting to make plans for vacations, business trips, and more. One good thing that came out of the pandemic for many was that the inability to travel left much higher budgets for future trips than they would have had before social distancing, travel restrictions, and lockdowns.

Keep this in mind when you’re developing blog content for 2021. While it is still uncertain when major tourism will resume, one thing is clear: People are tired of holing up at home, and they are eager to make plans for their next getaway. This is why it’s important to start developing content now that is poised for success in the upcoming months.

One area of travel content marketing that is very under-served is educating travelers about the differences in world currencies and how to be prepared when traveling overseas. Travelers make many common mistakes when it comes to carrying money, exchanging money, and safeguarding against things like theft and accidental loss.

This is why, I think, travel marketers need to zero in on content that educates about topics like this, more than things like destination blogging right now. Get your readers thinking about planning a successful trip before restrictions are lifted and their attention shifts to destination-based content once again. Today, I want to offer a few content ideas that I think will help you get the creative juices flowing and assist you in organizing a travel blog marketing plan that keeps readers well-engaged as they wait to plan their dream vacation for (hopefully) later this year.

Leveraging Your Blog

Just a quick word about the importance of a solid blog presence as we begin…

If your blog is tied to a specific travel agency, education content can serve as a detailed FAQ when people have questions. Instead of spending undue time typing out long-form answers to travelers’ questions about things like world currencies and managing money abroad, why not provide them a link to your blog instead? From there, you can capture more emails and build up a larger list through which to market your content to an even wider audience.

Providing answers to common questions about money-related topics is a great way to free up time and ensure that your potential clients have a way of making informed choices about their travel options. It also positions you as an expert and tells readers that you’re thinking about their needs. You want the notion of a good experience working with you to be effectively communicated through your content. Your blog is a great place to start.

Of course, all of the above also pertains to travel content marketing since readership is the heartbeat of your marketing plan. Keep the advice above in mind, and you will have a much more solid foundation to build upon when it’s time to start developing more destination-based content once again.

Exchange Rates

Ok, I’ll admit it. If I were asked a single question about this topic I’d be lost without a map without doing some good research. I’d also be in good company. Most people have no idea how exchanging currency works or what value their currency has in comparison to other countries. In some cases, US dollars go much further in local currency, while in others, the dollar isn’t nearly as strong.

Understanding rates of exchange, how they fluctuate, and the value of goods and services overseas can help travelers make smarter decisions about the trips they plan. Help your readers decide on a destination by educating them about how far their money will actually go when they get there.

I also recommend developing content on the various modes of currency exchange since some work in favor of the traveler and others work in favor of the person or entity making the exchange. Compare using currency exchanges to going through a local bank. Is it better to carry cash, or should your readers be investing in traveler’s checks? How long will it take to get the money they need going through a bank versus a currency exchange? These are all questions that you can answer in your blog, and doing so will build trust in your content, brand, or agency with your readers.

Places That Accept Your Country’s Currency

Some travelers just want to keep things simple. “Where can I travel with nothing but my debit card and do business without any hassles?” There are a surprising number of places around the world where travelers can do just that. I recommend dedicating at least a portion of your blog content to educating travelers about using their own country’s currencies abroad.

Remind your readers that all the same rules apply when it comes to exchange rates. Provide tips on how not to get scammed and how to read receipts to ensure that they aren’t getting taken for more money than they expect to spend. Educate about the differences in security with debit and credit cards used overseas versus using them at home.

Talk about the necessary safeguards they should be taking to ensure that they get their money back in instances of theft or accidental loss. For some reason, these are things that many travelers neglect to learn beforehand. You can use your blog to answer questions in this area that your readers may not even know they have. That positions you as even more of an expert and also builds a huge degree of trust.

Cryptocurrencies and Overseas Travel

Though many people still have apprehensions about using cryptocurrency while traveling, it is one of the more secure ways to pay in places that accept it. Even better, there are fewer blurred lines when it comes to just how much money is being spent.

Since most cryptocurrencies are international, it is easier (in most cases) to keep up with how much money is being spent while traveling, not converting dollars to euros, pounds, or anything else. For example, learning how to use Bitcoin can help keep trips within budget and keep more of the user’s money safe. Zero in on cryptocurrency-related topics and show readers how safe and efficient they can be for covering travel-related expenses.