Most travel companies don’t know why they are incurring costs for a website!

Let’s be honest—when was the last time you, as a travel companies owner or marketer, truly looked at your website and asked, “What purpose is this serving?”

Not just in a meeting. Not just when the developer sends an invoice. But genuinely… sat with the thought.

Because here’s the reality: most travel companies are bleeding money through their websites without even knowing where, how, or why.

---

1. The Website Isn’t a Brochure Anymore—It’s a Tool (If You Let It Be)

Somewhere down the line, we began treating websites like fancy digital brochures. Pretty sliders, stock images of mountains, neatly listed itineraries, and a “Contact Us” button tucked away in the footer.

But here’s the thing: a website isn’t just a showpiece—it should work for you, 24/7. Imagine hiring an employee who shows up every day, talks to your customers, closes sales, builds your credibility, and never sleeps. That’s what your website could be.

But is yours doing that? Or is it just… sitting there?

---

2. Design Is Easy. Purpose? That’s the Real Work.

Most travel brands pour money into how the site looks but skip over the “why” and “what next.”

Ask yourself: “What’s the exact journey I want a visitor to take on this site?”

Is it just to read your blog posts and leave?
Or should they:

• Browse a trip?
• Compare options?
• Schedule a call?
• Book directly?
  

If you don’t know, your developer certainly won’t. And now you’re spending lakhs every year on a digital asset with zero direction. That stings, doesn’t it?

---

3. Analytics: The Ghost Town No One Visits

Let’s get real. How often do you check your website analytics?

If your answer is “once in a while” or “what analytics?”, then the website is costing you more than you realize. It’s not just the money you pay to build or maintain it—it’s the opportunity cost of not using it to understand customer behavior, drop-off points, or what’s working.

Without data, you’re flying blind. And in the travel business, that’s a luxury no one can afford.

---

4. The Copy Feels… Copy-Pasted

Travel is personal. Emotional. Sensory. Yet, most travel websites sound like they were written by a chatbot in 2011.

“Escape to the serenity of the mountains.”
“Unwind on pristine beaches.”

Come on.

Where is your story in this? Where is the voice, the tone, the warmth that makes someone trust you over the 1000 others selling the same beach in Bali?

Great travel websites don’t just inform—they connect. And that connection is where conversion happens.

---

5. You’re Spending on Maintenance Instead of Momentum

Let’s talk money. Not the abstract kind, but the invoices and UPI screenshots kind.

Many travel companies pay monthly retainers for website “support,” yet go months without any major update or feature release. What exactly are you paying for? A security update? A plugin renewal?

Your website shouldn’t be a fixed cost. It should be a growing asset.

If you’re not using it to:

• Launch campaigns
• Collect leads
• Run seasonal promotions
• Tell new stories
• Update dynamic content

Then you’re maintaining a garden you never plant anything in. What’s the point?

---

6. Where’s the Real You?

This one’s personal.

I remember chatting with a boutique travel brand owner over coffee. She was frustrated. Her website looked sleek, but leads were dead. After some digging, I asked: “Where are you in this?”

Her reply? “I didn’t think anyone cared.”

But people do care. In a world of faceless travel portals, a human voice stands out like a campfire in a cold forest.

Show your team. Share stories from trips. Let users peek behind the curtain. The moment your brand starts feeling human, it becomes magnetic.

---

So… What Now?

If any of this struck a nerve, that’s good. Because awareness is the first step to turning things around.

Start by asking:

• What is the one goal my website should serve this year?
• Are my pages guiding users to that goal clearly?
• What am I tracking—and what am I ignoring?
• Does my website reflect the real story, heart, and voice of my brand?

And maybe, just maybe… it’s time to stop treating your website like a one-time investment and start treating it like the living, breathing business partner it was meant to be.

---

Final Thought

Travel is full of beauty, uncertainty, adventure, and emotion. Your website should be too. Perfect designs and perfect code don’t mean anything without a pulse. And maybe that’s the real reason most travel companies don’t know why their websites are costing them—because they forgot to ask themselves what it’s truly supposed to do in the first place.

So ask.

And then build from there.

---

Manoj Mishra

---

Manoj Mishra is the Director of Zenith Leisure Holidays. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its operations to 14 countries and over 60+ cities across India, while successfully diversifying into MICE, forex, and destination management services.

An alumnus of IHM Kolkata and IIM Kolkata, he is at the forefront of Zenith’s digital transformation journey and is actively involved in incubating tech startups. Deeply committed to the travel industry’s growth, he serves on the board of IHMCTAN and provides advisory support to institutions like IITTM and IGNOU. His passion for social change is reflected in initiatives such as Zenith Campus, ZenKhushi NGO, and Mithila Kala Sansthan, all aimed at empowering rural women. A curious reader and adventure
enthusiast, Mr. Mishra lives by Zenith’s core philosophy—valuing the journey just as
much as the destination.

Zenith Hospitality is a $1 billion trusted name in travel, with a strong presence in India and around the world, operating through 64 offices across India and 12 global branches. With nearly 3 decades of experience and over 3 million happy customers, we have become the go-to partner for both travellers and corporates. We offer the perfect blend of local support and international reach, making us the preferred choice for travellers and businesses alike. Our group includes top-tier services such as Zenith Holidays, Zenith Forex, Zenith MICE, Zenith Events, Zenith Umrah, Zenith Insurance, Zenith Aayu, Zenith Weddings, Zenith Luxury Stays, Flights, Hotels, and Zenith Visa Services. We help people to create amazing travel memories with ease and confidence.