The Travel Creator space ISN'T saturated...

Hi , it’s Aakanksha 👋

Okay I need to get something off my chest.

Every time someone slides into my DMs saying “the travel content space is too saturated, should I even bother?” I feel this deep urge to shake them a little 😭

Because here’s the thing. I almost didn’t start because of this exact fear. I wanted to start in my second year of college. I didn’t. I waited TWO full years because I kept telling myself it was too late, too crowded, too competitive.

Two years I’ll never get back.

So today I want to flip the script on the fear that’s been stopping you because this is the EXACT fear I had. And in my opinion, it’s the exact reason why right now is the right time to start.🥳

Let’s actually think about this for a second.

When you scroll your feed and see viral travel reel after viral travel reel that’s not proof that travel content is saturated. That’s Instagram showing you what you already like. It’s an algorithm, not a census 🫣

And secondly platforms have completely changed. Instagram, YouTube used to be audience-first platforms. They’re now discovery-first. Which means, “number of followers” don’t matter, “quality of content does”. Even a small creator with a good video can hit a million, but a big creator with a bad video won’t.🤯

Also? Saturation is a sign of demand🙈. When I was 10, travel content meant a National Geographic documentary or a basic travel show that was it. Now people want specific, diverse, relatable travel content. Budget travel. Solo girl travel. Broke travel. Van life. India travel. There is a subniche for every single kind of traveller and yours doesn’t exist yet because YOU haven’t made it.😇

Okay, here’s what I’d do if I was starting from absolute zero today.

1. Stop chasing trends. Build on value + your own opinion.

This is the thing I’d drill into my creator mindset from day ONE.

Trends have a 72-hour lifespan. But more importantly when you chase trends, you’re making the same reel as every other travel creator who saw the same sound. Will people follow you? Maybe. Will they REMEMBER you? Will they feel connected to you? No.

When I post something where I’m on camera, talking directly, saying something I actually believe it outperforms the aesthetic trend reel EVERY single time. Because people follow aesthetics, but they stay for personality👇🏼

2. Go series style..not random daily posting.

Forget posting every day, the algorithm no longer rewards daily posting → because it even pushes videos that are 2-3 months old, as long as it’s RELEVANT! YAY!! Which means three INTENTIONAL pieces of content per week, shot with purpose, will beat seven random posts every time 🥹

People consume content like TV now. They want the NEXT episode. They want to come back.

Series = people follow you to find out what happens next.

THAT is the actual growth mechanism.

3. Pitch smart, not scared.

Don’t wait for 10K. Don’t wait to feel ready.

Here’s what most people get wrong: they pitch based on follower count. But brands don’t just care about how many followers you have they care about engagement, niche fit, and the quality of your content.😅

I was pitching hotels and travel companies when I had 2,000 followers. Not with a big number, but with a clear value exchange → here’s my content, here’s what I can do for you, here’s my audience. The answer was sometimes NO. But sometimes it was a free stay in Udaipur. And that free stay became the content that GREW my page.😭

The earlier you start learning how to pitch, the earlier you start earning from this. Don’t save pitching for when you feel worthy. Start NOW, learn fast.

The better your content (hooks, storytelling, editing, on-camera confidence), the easier it is to justify a higher rate because brands are paying for quality, not just reach.

Treat those skills like assets: take a course, study creators you admire, and practice your future pricing power comes from how well you can execute.

You don’t need to be anywhere special. When I had no money, I’d take the metro across Delhi and film whatever I found. That was my content. Your story is basically just wherever you are right now in life, and that IS ENOUGH TO START!

The people who told me it was too late in 2020 were wrong. The people saying it now are wrong too. The market rewards motion. You don’t find your voice by waiting for the perfect moment. You find it by starting 😌

Okay first, I love that you’re even asking this at 18.

But here’s what I’d actually tell you: before chasing travel content, first figure out if you even love traveling. And the only way to know? Go.

So here’s the plan. In college, stop waiting for your parents to fund your life. Pick up a skill, video editing, graphic design, AI tools, anything the market will pay for, do internships, earn your OWN money. Then use that money to take your first real trip. See how it feels.

And here’s the secret advantage you have right now that you will never have again: TIME. Use your summers to volunteer at hostels. Travel on a shoestring. Make content with zero pressure. The goal isn’t to go viral at 18. The goal is just to get as much experience as you can get, before you decide this career path is for you! 😊

I just spent a week in the last Himalayan Kingdom on earth…Bhutan 🇧🇹✨

It amazed me in ways I truly didn’t expect, and I can’t wait to share more soon 🏔️💛

Tell me when did you first think about starting travel content? And what kept stopping you?

Hit reply. I’m GENUINELY asking 👇🏽

That’s it for this week’s Unpacked…see you next Wednesday with something new to unpack 👋🏽

Lots of love & sunshine,

Aakanksha

P.S. Next week I’m sharing the one thing that has opened more doors for me than any follower count ever did. It’s not what you think 👀