I used to think that visuals for websites had to be big, bold, and photographic – think sweeping drone shots of mountains or crystal-clear images of tropical beaches. That belief stuck with me through my early days of building travel web sites and digital guides. I’d spend hours browsing stock photo sites, trying to find that perfect image. And even when I did find something usable, it often didn’t quite match the rest of the site. The colors clashed. The vibe felt off. The load time was awful.
Then one day, while using a travel page dedicated to European rail tickets, I stumbled into something unexpected: clipart. Clean, minimal, and surprisingly modern. It wasn’t the tacky kind I remembered from Microsoft Word in the early 2000s ( I created by first travel website in 1999 when download times were slooow and the available clipart generic) – it was stylish, scalable, and perfect for the kind of storytelling I was trying to do. Even better? I realized I could use ChatGPT, Gemini or a similar AI platform to generate custom clipart tailored exactly to the tone and topics of my content.
That was a turning point.
Let’s dive in.
In this guide, I want to share everything I’ve learned about using travel clipart—what it is, why it matters, and how you can create it effortlessly using ChatGPT or similar AI programme. I’ll also walk you through real examples, share prompt ideas, and explain how these visuals have transformed the way I build and brand travel websites.
What Exactly Is Travel Clipart – and Why Should You Care?
At its core, travel clipart is a collection of stylized illustrations that represent travel themes: think suitcases, passports, landmarks, or campfires. Unlike photos, these images are simple, often minimal, and easy to customize. They help organize information visually without overwhelming users.
Here’s why I now rely on clipart more than stock photography:
- Consistency: I can maintain a uniform visual style across all pages.
- Speed: Clipart loads faster than high-res images, which improves UX.
- Clarity: Icons and illustrations can communicate ideas faster than text or photos.
Whether you’re building a site about luxury cruises or backcountry treks, clipart helps set the tone in a subtle but effective way.
My Process: Using ChatGPT and AI to Generate Travel Clipart
The first time I generated clipart with ChatGPT, I was stunned at how easy it was. All I did was type a prompt like: “Generate a minimalist line-drawing clipart of a hiker with a backpack on a mountain trail.”
Within seconds, I had a usable, on-brand illustration that I could plug right into my website. Here’s how you can do it too:
- Describe what you want – Be specific about the subject (e.g., a beach scene, a passport, a hot air balloon).
- Choose a style – Flat design, cartoon, vector, line art—whatever fits your site’s tone.
- Pick a background – Transparent is usually best for flexibility.
- Define colors – Monochrome or align with your branding palette.
- Specify dimensions – Small icons or banner-sized graphics? You decide.
What surprised me most was how much creative control I suddenly had—no more hunting through endless image libraries.
10 Clipart Prompts That Worked Wonderfully for Me
After weeks of testing different visuals on various pages, these were the clipart prompts that delivered the best results for my travel projects:
- Airplane in Flight
Prompt: “Generate a modern, flat-design clipart of a commercial airplane in flight with a blue sky background.”
Use it for: Blog posts about flying tips or your site’s flight booking section. - Passport and Boarding Pass
Prompt: “Create a minimalist clipart of a passport with a boarding pass peeking out.”
Use it for: Pre-departure checklists or visa requirement pages. - Backpack and Hiking Boots
Prompt: “Generate a vector-style clipart of a backpack and hiking boots resting on a rock.”
Use it for: Trekking guides or outdoor adventure sections. - Map with Location Pin
Prompt: “Create a flat-design clipart of a folded map with a red location pin on it.”
Use it for: Interactive maps or itinerary builders. - Beach Umbrella and Sun Lounger
Prompt: “Generate a colourful clipart of a beach umbrella and sun lounger on a sandy beach.”
Use it for: Coastal getaway or resort pages. - Safari Jeep and Binoculars
Prompt: “Create a stylized safari clipart showing a jeep with binoculars and savannah grass.”
Use it for: African wildlife tours or national park blogs. - Camera with Polaroid Photos
Prompt: “Generate a cartoon-style clipart of a travel camera with instant photos spilling out.”
Use it for: Photo galleries or user-generated content sections. - Mountain with Trail Sign
Prompt: “Create a line-drawing clipart of a mountain range with a trail sign in the foreground.”
Use it for: Hiking maps, nature tours, or exploration articles. - Suitcase with Stickers
Prompt: “Generate a flat design clipart of a suitcase covered in travel stickers.”
Use it for: Packing lists, travel gear guides, or beginner traveler blogs. - Hot Air Balloon
Prompt: “Create a whimsical clipart of a hot air balloon floating over hills.”
Use it for: Romantic or bucket-list destination pages.
How I’ve Used Clipart to Upgrade My Travel Websites
Once I had a collection of clipart ready, I started experimenting. Here’s how these small visuals made a big difference:
- Navigation menus became friendlier with small icons next to each section.
- Itineraries felt more intuitive when I swapped bullet points for matching visuals.
- Infographics (like packing checklists or destination comparisons) came to life with themed icons.
- Blog formatting improved—clipart helped break up dense text and guide the reader’s eye.
- Custom badges and labels (like “Eco-Friendly” or “Editor’s Pick”) added professionalism.
Quick Tips for Using Clipart Effectively
I learned a few best practices the hard way—here’s what I recommend:
- Stick to one visual style across your site to avoid a disjointed look.
- Use transparent backgrounds so images integrate seamlessly.
- Compress your clipart to keep load times fast.
- Don’t overdo it—clipart should enhance content, not distract from it.
- Always double-check usage rights if you’re pulling from third-party sources.
(Pro tip: Clipart generated with ChatGPT doesn’t require attribution.)
Final Thoughts: From Reluctant Designer to Visual Storyteller
What started as a workaround – finding visuals when I didn’t have photos – turned into a key part of how I tell travel stories online. Clipart gave me flexibility, consistency, and a surprising amount of creative joy. I no longer worry about sourcing the perfect image because I can generate one that fits exactly what I need.
And honestly, I wish I had started sooner.
So if you’re building or updating a travel website – whether it’s a full-fledged booking engine or a personal blog – try incorporating a few custom illustrations. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference they make.
Need help generating your first clipart? Just type a prompt – and watch your visuals take flight.
