The travel industry is competitive, let’s be honest. With so many destinations to choose from and agencies vying for attention, getting your travel agency noticed online can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. But fear not! With the right approach, you can stand out. Whether you’re new to travel agency advertising or looking to take your travel brand to the next level, these six simple steps will help you start booking those dream holidays (for your clients and for you).
1. Know Your Audience (Because Not All Travellers Are the Same)
Let’s start with the most important thing you’ll ever do in advertising: knowing who you’re talking to. If your ads are aimed at beach lovers when your target audience is mountain hikers, you might as well be shouting into the void.
Before crafting your brilliant ad campaigns, get clear on who you’re speaking to. Are they sun-seekers chasing sunsets, thrill-seekers bungee-jumping off cliffs, or culture vultures wandering the streets of old European cities? The more you know about your potential clients, the more you can craft content that speaks directly to them.
Once you’ve got your ideal audience, use social media’s brilliant targeting tools to make sure your ads only land in front of the right people. Trust us, it’s much more effective than throwing darts in the dark.
2. Create Content That Makes Them Stop Scrolling
You’ve got seconds—literally seconds—to grab a person’s attention on social media before they scroll past your ad faster than you can say, “Book now.” So, what stops the scroll? Stunning visuals. Simple as that.
Think about it: Social media is a visual playground, so why not show off your most breathtaking destinations? Photos of crystal-clear waters, epic mountain views, or a group of friends toasting cocktails at sunset—they’re all winners. People love to daydream, and your job is to give them that dream.
But don’t just rely on stock photos! Real customer stories and user-generated content are gold. Keep it real, and keep it authentic. Let your past travellers tell the story for you through their photos and experiences. Authenticity is everything in today’s world of social media filters, and it makes your travel agency feel a lot more human.
3. Optimise Your Social Profiles Like You’re Optimising for a First Date
First impressions matter—whether it’s a first date or the first time someone lands on your brand’s profile. You wouldn’t show up to a date in your gym clothes (unless that’s your thing, no judgment), so don’t let your social media presence be anything less than clear and appealing.
Take Sani Resort, for example. They’ve nailed profile optimisation with a crystal-clear bio: Five luxury hotels. Three stunning natural worlds—beach, forest, wetlands. All in Greece. No confusion, no vague travel jargon—just straight to the point. Their logo as a profile picture? Instantly recognisable. Their Instagram feed? A visual dream. They don’t just introduce themselves; they make you want to pack your bags immediately.
The takeaway? Keep your bio sharp, your visuals on-brand, and your message obvious. Just like a good dating profile, your social presence should make people want to swipe right (or, you know, hit follow).
4. Boost Your Reach with Paid Ads
So, you’ve crafted the perfect post. Now, let’s make sure it reaches the right eyes. Enter: paid ads.
Paid social media ads are the way forward when it comes to reaching more potential customers. You’ve already defined your audience, and now you can serve them content that will make them think, “Wow, I need to book that holiday right now.”
From carousel ads to show off multiple destinations to video ads that bring the beauty of your destinations to life, paid ads let you get your message out there without relying on organic reach alone (because, let’s face it, sometimes organic reach just doesn’t cut it).
And the best part? You can track everything. Clicks, conversions, engagement—ads let you see what’s working and what’s not. This means you can tweak and optimise your campaigns.
Spark Ads: Take Advantage of TikTok’s Native Ad Format
TikTok is not just a platform for dance challenges—it’s a massive opportunity for travel agency advertising. And when you combine organic content with paid advertising through Spark Ads, you unlock a new level of engagement.
Spark Ads lets you use actual TikTok posts to power your campaigns. Whether it’s content from your own account or creator content (with their permission, of course), this ad format ensures that all the likes, comments, and shares generated during the promotion are attributed to your original posts. This means your content can get a genuine boost, making it even more authentic to the TikTok community.
The best part? You don’t have to create all new content for your ads. Leverage existing organic posts that have already proven popular or partner with creators to bring their authentic experiences to life. You can also use TikTok’s huge creator pool to start working with creators who fit your brand’s style, whether they have 1,000 followers or 1 million. It’s all about authentic content that connects.
Industry Examples
Here’s how some travel brands are getting it right with paid social media ads:
Contiki Travel knows exactly how to make TikTok trends work for them. They turned a viral trend into an in-feed ad that felt more like a friend showing off their latest adventure than a brand trying to sell something. Stunning real-world experiences, zero corporate fluff—just pure travel envy in video form. That authenticity paid off, making their ads stand out without feeling like, well, ads.
TUI UK kept things refreshingly simple—no over-the-top drone shots, no slow-motion pool splashes. Just a quick, 14-second clip showing what families actually care about: spacious rooms, kid-friendly activities, and plenty of food. Oh, and they smartly pushed their “free kids’ places” offer, making it an easy ‘yes’ for parents planning their next getaway.
Booking.com occasionally uses Instagram Story ads with a straight-to-the-point location spotlight. They showcased dreamy destinations with snappy, eye-catching visuals and a clear CTA—”Book Now.” No distractions, no unnecessary fluff. Just pure travel temptation in a few quick swipes. And let’s be honest, when you’re already picturing yourself there, clicking that button is the easiest decision ever.
5. Work with Influencers and Content Creators
In the world of travel agency advertising, influencers are a way to get people to know about your brand because their audience listens to what they have to say. But don’t just partner with anyone with a huge following—make sure they’re a good fit for your brand.
Find influencers who match your agency’s vibe. Are you targeting luxury travellers? Go for influencers who are all about five-star experiences. Running an adventure tour company? Team up with influencers who thrive on adrenaline-packed activities.
The key here is to look for authenticity. Influencers who genuinely believe in your brand and can share their own personal experiences are much more likely to bring you engaged customers who trust their opinions. Plus, their followers will see your travel agency as a trustworthy option for their next holiday.
6. Track Your Results Like a Social Media Detective
Last but not least—don’t just run your campaigns and hope for the best. You’ve got to track, measure, and analyse your results. Treat it like being a social media detective, investigating what’s working and what’s not.
Look at your ad performance, engagement rates, and conversion rates. If people are clicking your ad but not booking a trip, it’s time to reassess the offer or messaging. If your Instagram posts get tons of likes but no bookings, it’s time to refine your CTA or try a different type of content.
The beauty of social media ads is that you can always adjust your approach based on what the data tells you. So, be ready to pivot and make those tweaks to ensure your travel agency advertising is as effective as possible.
Conclusion
When it comes to travel agency advertising, social media is your best friend—if you use it right. By defining your target audience, creating eye-catching content, optimising your profiles, investing in paid ads, teaming up with influencers, and tracking your results, you’ll be well on your way to attracting customers and getting bookings in no time.
So, are you ready to make your agency the next big thing? We thought so. Let’s get started!
If you need a little help bringing your advertising strategy to life, Hummingbird’s expert team is here to guide you through every step. Get in touch with us today.
Recommended read: 2025 Travel Marketing Strategies You Can’t Afford to Skip
