Ah, the travel industry: where wanderlust meets technology, and the possibilities for digital marketing for travel are endless. If you’re a travel brand looking to stand out in a crowded market, 2025 is your year to make waves. But let’s face it: with all the new trends, tools, and ever-changing algorithms, staying ahead isn’t just challenging—it’s a full-time job. That’s why more travel brands are looking to outsource their marketing efforts to agencies that specialise in driving results so you can focus on what you do best: making travel dreams come true.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll take you through the essential components of marketing for travel in 2025.
1. The Power of Personalisation: Make Every Traveller Feel Like a VIP
Let’s get personal, shall we? Personalisation is the way to win customer loyalty in 2025. Travellers expect brands to speak to them directly, not just as one in a sea of thousands. Whether it’s tailored emails, personalised landing pages, or dynamic ads that reflect their previous searches, showing that you know your customer’s preferences is important.
For example, if you’re promoting a luxurious spa retreat in Bali, don’t just blast out a generic email. Instead, segment your list based on customer behaviour, preferences, and past interactions. Show them a package that’s perfect for their dream getaway. It’s like knowing that your mate would love that cosy cabin in the mountains while your other friend wants to get a tan on a beach in Mexico. Make it happen.
For example, Emirates sends personalised emails to customers and potential travellers titled “Our Destination Picks for You.” These emails feature handpicked destinations based on previous search history or past holidays, making the recommendations feel relevant and tailored. This level of personalisation goes a long way—it adds value, builds trust, and makes customers more likely to engage with the brand.
Pro Tip: Data is your best friend. Use CRM tools, customer feedback, and browsing behaviour to gather insights and make your travel marketing as personal as possible. Agencies specialising in marketing for travel brands are experts at collecting and analysing this data to give you actionable insights.
2. Social Media: The Perfect Blend of Personality and Performance
Social media isn’t just about posting pretty pictures of palm-fringed beaches anymore—it’s a powerhouse for both brand-building and revenue generation. The key to success? A blend of organic and paid strategies.
Organic Social Media
Building a strong brand identity is crucial in travel marketing, and organic social media is the perfect way to showcase your personality, engage with your audience, and create a sense of community. Whether it’s stunning destination photography, behind-the-scenes hotel tours, or humorous travel memes, organic content helps establish your brand as a go-to source for inspiration.
Authenticity is key—travellers don’t just want to see polished marketing shots; they want real experiences. This is why user-generated content (UGC) performs so well. Encourage past guests to share their experiences and reshare their content to build credibility and trust.
Paid Social Media
If organic social is about building relationships, paid social is about results. With data-driven targeting, paid campaigns allow you to reach the right travellers at the right time. Whether it’s Instagram ads promoting an exclusive resort offer, Facebook retargeting to nudge potential bookers, or TikTok Ads amplifying a trending video, paid social ensures you get in front of the audiences that matter.
The best part? You don’t have to choose between organic and paid—both work together for a well-rounded social strategy.
Pro Tip: Agencies that specialise in marketing for travel and tourism can craft targeted paid social campaigns that drive conversions while keeping organic content fresh and engaging.
Influencer Partnerships in Paid Social
Influencer ads and sponsored content fall under the paid social strategy, helping brands maximise reach and engagement. Whether it’s an Instagram Reel featuring a dreamy hotel stay, a TikTok video of travel tips or a Facebook story takeover, influencer partnerships bring brands to life in a way that resonates with their audience while driving measurable results.
3. TikTok: Where Your Travel Brand Becomes a Viral Sensation
Sure, Instagram is great for travel photos and Pinterest is perfect for dream boards, but have you seen what TikTok is doing for travel brands? In 2025, TikTok is officially the digital travel brochure of choice—minus the paper cuts.
TikTok has transformed how travellers discover destinations, activities, and experiences. Short, punchy videos showcasing jaw-dropping travel spots, funny behind-the-scenes clips of hotel stays, or real-time reactions to local adventures? That’s your golden ticket. The key is to keep it authentic and unpolished. TikTok users want to feel like they’re part of the journey, not just passive observers.
Just look at how P&O Cruises have nailed this with their latest TikTok content. They created an authentic video that looks like it could be from any creator, tapping into the “spend the day with us…” trend. The video effortlessly showcases the cruise experience in a way that feels natural and engaging—proving that raw, real content resonates far more than overproduced, polished videography
Brands that tap into this trend are seeing massive success. Think about it: a quirky travel influencer discovering a hidden gem in the heart of Venice or a 5-star resort offering exclusive “behind-the-scenes” sneak peeks. It’s all about authenticity and creativity, and it’s what makes TikTok such an exciting platform for travel marketing.
Pro Tip: Partner with micro-influencers for authentic, relatable content that resonates with TikTok’s audience. Or get your team involved in creating fun, engaging travel content to show off your brand’s personality. Employee-generated content (EGC) is the next big thing!
4. Social Proof and Reviews: Because Trust is Everything
In 2025, word of mouth is still the most powerful tool in your travel marketing arsenal. But here’s the twist: the new word of mouth is digital—and it’s called “reviews.” Trust is more important than ever, and what better way to show that your travel service is top-notch than glowing reviews from real customers?
Encourage satisfied travellers to leave reviews across multiple platforms, from your website to Google and TripAdvisor. Let’s be honest: We all look at TripAdvisor reviews before choosing where to go on holiday.
Positive reviews are like gold in the travel marketing industry because they build credibility and trust. And don’t forget to respond! Customers love knowing that their feedback is valued, and brands that engage with reviews (both positive and negative) show they care.
Pro Tip: Use UGC (user-generated content) from social media to supplement reviews. Repost customer photos, videos, and experiences to showcase your travel offerings in real-life scenarios. Nothing speaks louder than a real person sharing their joy with the world.
5. SEO: Getting Found When It Matters Most
No one is going to book a trip to Thailand if they can’t find you in a Google search, right? SEO for travel marketing is more competitive than ever. It’s not just about ranking for generic terms like “holiday packages” anymore—it’s about getting found for specific, long-tail keywords that match what travellers are actually searching for.
Think about the search habits of potential travellers: “best budget-friendly European holiday,” “luxury safari tours in South Africa,” or “all-inclusive beach resorts for honeymooners.” These types of long-tail keywords show intent and can lead to more qualified traffic.
Pro Tip: Invest in local SEO to target travellers looking for specific destinations or experiences. Don’t forget about Google Business Profile—local search can make all the difference in attracting those in-market travellers.
6. Outsource to Experts: Why You Need a Travel Marketing Agency
Here’s the truth: travel marketing is complicated. From understanding the latest trends to mastering the art of storytelling, there’s a lot to juggle. If you’re a travel brand looking to stay competitive, it’s time to consider outsourcing your marketing to a travel marketing agency that specialises in this dynamic industry.
By partnering with an agency, you gain access to expert knowledge, cutting-edge tools, and an experienced team that can implement strategies to drive tangible results. Plus, you get to focus on what you do best—creating unforgettable travel experiences—while the agency handles the heavy lifting of digital travel marketing.
Pro Tip: When choosing an agency, look for one with a strong portfolio in marketing for travel and a proven track record of delivering results. The right agency will help you scale your business and stay ahead of industry trends.
Conclusion
This is just the start of what’s possible for marketing for travel in 2025. Whether you’re fine-tuning your travel marketing strategy, doubling down on TikTok, or investing in paid social, the opportunities are endless.
At Hummingbird, we specialise in marketing for travel, helping brands like yours cut through the noise with expert strategy, creative content, and data-driven campaigns. Whether you need social media management, SEO, or paid ads that actually convert, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch today!
Recommended read: 5 TikTok Tips for Luxury Travel Brands
