If you represent a travel agency and summer is right around the corner for you, we’ve got some excellent promotional strategies to make sure your business gets the boost it deserves this sunny season. Summer is the peak time for travelling, and therefore, the peak time for marketing your travel packages. The sun is in the sky, the future is bright and full of possibilities. That’s (hopefully!) how you’ll feel after going through our guide.
1. Early bird catches the worm
Two words: START. EARLY. Planning ahead is key when it comes to summer travel. A recent study found that 46% of U.S. travelers book their hotels and flights 1 to 3 months before departure.
For international trips, experts recommend booking 3 to 5 months ahead to secure better deals and availability. That means for you, your planning needs to start even earlier. Once you have your travel packages and rates ready, get the word out there well in advance so possible interested parties can sign up on time. This can mean 6-9 months in advance, even more for popular destinations!
Start your social media campaigns and send out newsletter announcements via email to your roster. Let’s catch the worm!
2. Turn up the heat with social media
Social media is where summer travel dreams come to life. People are already scrolling for inspiration, planning trips, and saving ideas for their next getaway so why not make sure your travel packages are front and center? Your visuals should instantly transport people to their dream vacation.
Use stunning beach shots, tropical sunsets, mountain retreats, or cozy city cafés to create that “I need a vacation now” feeling. Not a design pro? No problem! Use professionally designed travel templates to create your posts. Here are some post ideas:
- Top 5 summer getaways you need to visit this year!
- Which summer escape would you choose – beach or mountains?
- Quick video clips showing what a day looks like at your destination
3. Run campaigns with user-generated content
Seeing is believing. Nothing convinces potential travelers more than real stories and experiences from past customers. Take testimonials and reviews from your clientele for trips they’ve taken with you before. Post pictures and videos from their travels (with consent, of course).
Whether it’s about great accommodations, seamless planning, or an amazing itinerary, these real-life insights help build confidence in new customers. Hearing from other people about what a great deal they got is positive affirmation that can help you stay on top of customer’s minds. Share these on your website, social media, and marketing emails to reinforce the quality of your travel packages. Inspires others to book their dream trips.
4. Partner with influencers
Influencer marketing is a great way to tap into new markets and audiences without breaking the bank. People love discovering new destinations through their favorite travel bloggers, vloggers, and social media personalities. By partnering with influencers, you can build credibility, create excitement, and showcase your packages in an engaging way.
Look for travel influencers, lifestyle bloggers, or even local content creators with an engaged audience. They don’t need millions of followers. A micro-influencer with 10k-50k followers with a dedicated travel-loving community can be just as effective. Invite them to a subsidized trip. Let them document the trip through Instagram Reels, TikToks, or YouTube vlogs, sharing everything from accommodations to local experiences
5. Create a travel blog or website
When people plan their summer vacations, they’re searching for travel tips, destination ideas, and itinerary recommendations and this is where your content comes in! Creating engaging travel guides, blog posts, and even downloadable PDFs not only helps potential customers but also boosts your website’s SEO, bringing in organic traffic that can turn into bookings.
Make sure to repurpose your content too. While SEO will help your content rank on Google, give it an extra boost by promoting your best blog posts with Facebook & Instagram ads. A well-placed Pinterest ad can also bring in travelers searching for ideas. You can even turn your blog into a quick Reel or TikTok video summarizing the top tips to grab attention.
By creating engaging, informative, and visually appealing content, you’ll not only establish yourself as a go-to travel expert but also attract and convert more travelers this summer. Let the adventures begin!