How Travel Tech Companies can Slay Marketing for a Piece of the Pie!

In the digital age, where competition is fierce and the stakes are consistently high, companies are constantly fighting to capture the attention of wanderlust-filled customers. Hence, killer marketing has become the ultimate weapon in this battle, as it's not only about having a top-notch product or service, but it’s also about standing out in the crowd and leaving a lasting impression. Welcome to the exciting realm of travel tech marketing…

‘Book the Unusual’

One example of a successful marketing campaign in the travel tech industry is Booking.com's ‘Book the Unusual’ campaign. This campaign, launched in 2016, featured a series of quirky, offbeat accommodations, such as treehouses, igloos, and even a houseboat, and encouraged customers to book unique and one-of-a-kind experiences. The campaign was popular because it tapped into the growing trend of travelers seeking out unique and authentic travel experiences. Instead of just promoting the usual hotels and resorts, Booking.com showed customers that they can have an extraordinary experience if they just step out of their comfort zone.  

The campaign was a hit with customers because it resonated with the idea of people finding their own unique experiences through travel and it gave a sense of relatability to the brand. It also helped Booking.com to establish itself as a platform for unique and alternative accommodation options which helped to differentiate it from its competitors.

‘Find Yours’

Another example is Expedia's ‘Find Yours’ campaign, which was launched in 2018. This campaign featured a diverse range of real customers sharing their personal travel stories and the unique experiences they had. The campaign aimed at promoting the idea of "finding yourself" through travel and it was a hit with customers because it resonated with the idea of personalization and self-discovery. Expedia's campaign was able to reach a wide audience through its diverse cast, which helped to create a sense of relatability for the brand. The campaign also helped Expedia to establish itself as a platform for personalization and self-discovery which helped to differentiate it from its competitors.

Many travel tech companies also rely heavily on social media marketing to reach their target audience. Companies like Airbnb and Vrbo regularly post pictures and videos of their properties, as well as testimonials from satisfied customers, to entice potential guests to book through their platform. They also use social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to run ads, and offer promotions and special deals to their followers. By using social media, these companies can effectively reach their target audience and create a sense of community and connection with their customers. Social media also allows these companies to gather data and insights on their customers, which can help them to tailor their marketing campaigns to specific segments of their audience.

In addition to social media, many travel tech companies also use influencer marketing to reach their target audience. Companies like KAYAK and Hopper partner with popular travel bloggers and influencers to feature their products and services, in order to reach a wider audience. By partnering with influencers, these companies can tap into the influencer's audience and gain credibility from the influencer's reputation. Influencer marketing also allows these companies to reach a specific segment of their audience, as most influencers have a specific niche or theme that they focus on.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is another important aspect of digital marketing for travel tech companies. By optimizing their websites and content for search engines, these companies can increase their visibility and reach a wider audience. By using keywords, meta tags, and other SEO techniques, these companies can improve their search engine ranking and make it easier for customers to find them.

Email marketing is also an effective tool for travel tech companies looking to reach their target audience. By collecting email addresses from their customers, these companies can send targeted promotions, special deals, and other marketing content to a specific segment of their audience.  

In addition to these examples, many travel tech companies also use other forms of digital marketing such as display advertising, video marketing, and mobile marketing. Display advertising, which includes banner ads and rich media ads, allows companies to reach a wide audience by displaying ads on various websites and platforms. This type of advertising is particularly useful for reaching a specific segment of the audience, as it allows companies to target ads based on demographics, interests, and other factors.

Video marketing is another effective way for travel tech companies to get their message across. By creating engaging and informative videos, these companies can showcase their products and services, and provide a sense of personalization and connection with their customers. Video marketing also allows companies to reach a wide audience, as videos can be shared on various platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, and social media. Mobile marketing on the other hand, is also an important aspect of digital marketing for travel tech companies.

Companies must optimize their websites and marketing campaigns for mobile. This includes creating mobile-friendly websites and apps, as well as running mobile ads and sending text message promotions.

Successful campaigns often tap into current trends and focus on storytelling, personalization, and building a sense of community.  

Want to tell a better story? Don’t forget to pour that extra special secret sauce into your campaigns: content that resonates deeply.  

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