The holiday season is one of the most lucrative periods of the year for affiliate marketers. With travel demand peaking and readers actively planning vacations, Christmas getaways, and New Year’s Eve events, there's a noticeable sense of urgency in search behavior.
People are ready to spend, act fast, and finalize plans which makes it the perfect time to fine-tune your blog content and maximize affiliate earnings. This article walks you through a long-form strategy that blends SEO, affiliate tactics, and user behavior insights for the best results.
Ideally, you’d start preparing your holiday content strategy 3 to 6 months in advance. This gives your posts time to index, rank, and build momentum. But even if you’re just getting started now, there’s still plenty of opportunity. With smart updates and targeted tweaks, your existing content can still capture a share of the holiday travel bookings.
Before diving into content strategies, it's worth looking at what the numbers say.
We’ve analyzed Stay22 data showing which cities are seeing the highest volume of bookings between November and February.
| Trending Travel Destinations | |
| 1 | Bangkok |
| 2 | London |
| 3 | Tokyo |
| 4 | Paris |
| 5 | Chiang Mai |
| 6 | Rome |
| 7 | Osaka |
| 8 | Kyoto |
| 9 | Vienna |
| 10 | Hanoi |
| 11 | Budapest |
| 12 | New York |
| 13 | Madrid |
| 14 | Lisbon |
| 15 | Barcelona |
Topping the list are Bangkok, London, and Tokyo, followed closely by other major cities like Paris, Chiang Mai, and Rome. This signals continued strong demand for both classic winter destinations in Europe and warm-weather getaways in Asia. The list also includes culturally rich cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Hanoi, which suggests travelers are looking for authentic, experience-driven holiday travel.
Your existing content is a goldmine. Start by identifying blog posts that performed well last December or are already ranking for relevant keywords. Then, update them with:
Seasonal keywords like “Christmas markets in [City]” or “New Year’s Eve hotels near [Venue]”
Time-sensitive CTAs that align with the urgency of the season
New affiliate links tailored to holiday travel trends
Adding a few targeted updates can transform a steady performer into a seasonal hit.
To make your updates more effective, look at the search terms driving traffic to these posts. Use tools like Google Search Console to find holiday-related queries that are already bringing people to your site. Once you know what people are searching for, naturally integrate those phrases and tailor your affiliate offers to match the intent. This data-driven approach helps ensure your refreshed content actually aligns with what readers are looking for now.
Public transport guides are a highly effective content format, especially around the holidays when travelers are navigating busy cities and unfamiliar systems. Consider creating practical articles such as:
These posts serve two purposes: they help readers plan their trip more confidently and keep them on your site longer. Including affiliate links to nearby accommodations and Stay22 maps within these transport-focused guides can lead to increased conversions. This type of content consistently performs well and adds real value for your audience.
Affiliate links shouldn’t be buried at the bottom of your content. Make them visible and strategically placed to catch users when they’re most engaged. Best practice is to include affiliate links:
Within the first few paragraphs
After describing a key benefit or tip
At the end as a final nudge
This layout guides readers naturally through the content while giving them multiple opportunities to click.
Adding a Stay22 map to your blog post makes it much more actionable. Readers can instantly see nearby accommodations, compare prices, and book without leaving your site. For example, if you’re writing a guide on Christmas in Prague, embed a map showing hotels near the Old Town Square or main Christmas market. This adds practical value for the reader and boosts your commission potential.
Generic travel guides can get lost in a crowded content space. Instead, zoom in on specific audience needs by creating niche guides. Think:
Family-friendly Christmas destinations: spotlight cities with winter attractions for kids
Pet-friendly NYE stays: list accommodations where pets are welcome
Budget holiday trips: recommend affordable Christmas markets or destinations with lower travel costs
These niche angles help you stand out and better match reader intent.
Holiday planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some travelers book months in advance while others wait until the last minute. Cater to both:
Early-bird content: Plan these posts 3–6 months before the holidays. Titles like “Where to Spend Christmas 2025 in Europe” perform well.
Last-minute bookings: In November and December, focus on urgency. Example: “Why Now Is the Best Time to Book Christmas in Croatia”
Post-holiday deals: In January, shift toward winter getaways or “New Year, New Trip” content for people planning ahead.
Having content ready for each phase ensures you stay relevant throughout the season.
Everyone writes about Christmas in Paris or New Year’s Eve in Vienna. But there’s growing interest in off-the-beaten-path locations. If you’ve visited a lesser-known destination during the holidays, it could be your secret weapon.
With less competition for keywords and content space, you have a better shot at ranking well and catching readers’ attention.
Include unique tips, photos, and personal experiences to build trust and authority. These details often lead to higher engagement and better conversion rates.
Identify your best-performing posts from previous years and double down. Promote them across your channels:
Re-share on social media
Boost top posts with paid ads
Repackage content into newsletters for your email list
This strategy lets you get more mileage from content that already converts well.
Not all content will be a hit the first time around. But don’t give up on posts that show promise. Use your Stay22 dashboard to pinpoint:
Posts with lots of impressions but few bookings
Content with traffic spikes but poor click-through on affiliate links
Try repositioning affiliate links, adding Stay22 maps, or tweaking the title to make it holiday-relevant. Even small changes can unlock hidden potential.
You don’t have to implement every strategy listed here. Focus on one to three areas that align best with your content strengths and your audience’s behavio. By zeroing in on a few high-impact actions, you’ll be better positioned to capture holiday travel interest and convert it into meaningful affiliate revenue.