Ways to Promote Your Travel Business
I’ve always believed that marketing is about creating an experience before the experience actually happens—especially when it comes to travel.
Lately, I’ve been noticing a shift in how travel is being sold in the U.S.
People don’t just want vacations anymore; they want curated, aspirational experiences that make them feel part of a story.
And honestly, in such a competitive industry, it’s a good time to get creative and rethink how we market travel brands, blogs, and businesses.
One thing that has really caught my attention is how major travel brands are collaborating with pop culture and fashion brands to create immersive campaigns.
For example, Banana Republic’s recent collaboration with The White Lotus was pure genius.
It wasn’t just about selling clothes—it was about selling a lifestyle.
✅That got me thinking: What if smaller travel brands tapped into this strategy?
So, if I were running a travel business today, here’s exactly how I’d approach marketing it in unexpected, high-impact ways.
1. Create a Travel x Fashion Collab (Like White Lotus x Banana Republic)
One of the most brilliant travel marketing campaigns recently was Banana Republic’s partnership with The White Lotus.
They didn’t just launch a clothing line; they created an entire visual experience that transported people into the luxurious, sun-soaked world of the show.
The campaign was dripping with exclusivity—elegant resort wear, dreamy destinations, and the kind of effortless vacation aesthetic that makes people think, “I need to be there.”
How you can use this idea:
Partner with boutique fashion brands to create an exclusive travel-inspired collection. A beachwear brand could create a limited-edition line inspired by your travel destinations.
Work with influencers who embody the travel aesthetic you want to sell. Imagine a well-known adventure photographer creating a capsule collection of “gear for the modern explorer”—and every item links back to your travel business.
Luxury travel agencies could partner with high-end watch brands (think Rolex or Omega) to launch “timepieces inspired by the world’s most exclusive destinations.”
This strategy sells a lifestyle, not just a trip. And that’s what gets people emotionally invested.
2. Frame Travel as a Must-Have Identity Experience (Not Just a Vacation)
The most successful travel marketing campaigns today aren’t just selling destinations—they’re selling identities.
Why do people go to Bali instead of another tropical island?
Because it’s associated with self-discovery, wellness retreats, and spiritual awakenings.
Why do people want to visit Iceland? Because it’s edgy, adventurous, and for people who “don’t follow the crowds.”
How I’d market a travel brand using identity-driven storytelling:
Instead of “Book a Luxury Getaway,” say:
Only for those who don’t settle for the ordinary—an exclusive getaway designed for the world’s boldest travelers.
Instead of “Hiking Tours in Patagonia,” say:
For the seekers, the risk-takers, the ones who crave the untamed. This is not a tour—it’s a transformation.
This is what luxury brands do all the time—they make people feel like buying their product makes them part of an elite club. And honestly, travel should be no different.
3. Use AI & Influencers to Make Travel More Interactive
One thing I’ve seen take off is brands using AI and influencers to gamify the travel booking experience.
AI-Powered Travel Guides – Imagine an AI-powered chatbot that acts like a virtual travel concierge, helping users build custom itineraries in real-time. A brand like Expedia or Airbnb could do this beautifully.
Influencer-Generated “Day in the Life” Itineraries – Instead of boring blog content, have an influencer take over your brand’s Instagram Stories for a day and show their personal travel experience. Real, unfiltered, engaging.
This makes travel planning feel like an experience before the trip even starts.
You can also employ influencer marketing to reach a wider audience.
4. Use Paid Ads to Target High-Intent Travelers (The Right Way)
I see so many travel brands wasting money on Facebook and Google ads that don’t convert. The problem?
They’re too broad and don’t target people based on their actual travel intent.
Here’s how I’d run paid ads for a travel business:
✔️ Run Lookalike Audiences Based on Real Customers – If you have past clients who booked a luxury retreat, you can create Facebook Lookalike Audiences to find more travelers with similar spending habits and interests.
✔️ Use Retargeting – The travel industry has longer sales cycles. People rarely book a trip the first time they see an ad. Retarget website visitors with ads that address their hesitations:
Still dreaming about Italy? Let’s make it happen—here’s a limited-time exclusive offer.
✔️ Leverage “Narrative Ads” Instead of Salesy Promotions – Instead of a generic “Book Your Next Trip” ad, run a storytelling video that feels cinematic. Think Airbnb’s “Live There” campaign—emotional, personal, and immersive.
5. Create a Travel Blog
While social media can expose you to a large audience, not everyone has an account.
Others prefer to read blogs for travel tips, ideas, and recommendations.
Developing a website and adding a blog section to it will allow you to showcase your business as an expert in the industry while providing relevant information for your clients, leading to more traffic.
Through storytelling, you can also create an experience for them before they book a trip with you, so feel free to consider this.
When preparing your content, consider using search engine optimization to index your posts and rank high on Google search pages.
6. Turn Travel Into a Social Status Symbol
Travel has become a status symbol. People flex their vacations the way they used to flex designer bags.
That’s why luxury travel brands should lean into this trend rather than avoid it.
Here’s how I’d do it:
✔️ Create a Private Travel Club – Offer VIP travelers early access to exclusive trips (only for “elite members”).
✔️ Make Travel an “Insider’s” Game – Offer mystery trips where only select travelers get the full itinerary—everyone else just gets teasers.
✔️ Turn Trips Into Digital Collectibles – Imagine selling limited-edition digital postcards as NFTs that travelers can “collect” from each destination.
The goal? Make travel feel like a rare, exclusive, and high-status experience.
Promote Travel Business: Travel Marketing Needs to Be More Creative
With so much competition, you can’t just promote “discounted flights” or “best hotel deals” anymore.
People want travel to feel aspirational, personal, and exclusive.
That’s why brands like The White Lotus x Banana Republic collab worked—it sold a lifestyle, not a product.
If I were launching a travel business today, I’d focus on if i want to promote travel business:
✅ Luxury brand collabs to elevate exclusivity
✅ Identity-driven messaging that makes people feel part of something
✅ Paid ads that target actual high-intent travelers
✅ AI & influencer-led content that immerses people in the experience
✅ Status-driven marketing that makes people want to brag about their trips
Because let’s be real—travel isn’t just about the trip anymore. It’s about who you are when you take it.
Want to build a high-impact travel marketing campaign? Let’s brainstorm something brilliant.
