Travel demand is surging back, and it’s no secret that the tourism industry is looking for creative ways to stand out.
According to the latest insights from Skift's Global Travel Outlook 2025, global travelers are expected to increase their spending by 9%, signaling steady industry growth and a strong appetite for memorable experiences.
With travelers eager to explore again, flexible payment options like travel eGift cards are emerging as a powerful tool to capture demand and boost bookings.
In this article, we’ll explore how brands can leverage travel eGift cards to offer a seamless, frictionless way for people to recharge, reconnect, and rediscover the world.
Who Is This For?
- Small business owners exploring ways to attract local and international tourists
- E-commerce specialists interested in selling or promoting travel-related gift cards
- Tourism boards needing tools to stimulate reviving post-pandemic tourism
- Hospitality managers seeking a competitive edge in a crowded market
Tapping Into Post-Pandemic Wanderlust
Lockdowns and travel restrictions led to a buildup of “vacation hunger” and now, travelers are eager to make up for lost time.
According to the 2025 Global Travel Trends Report, 77% of global respondents say they plan to take more or the same number of international trips compared to last year.
People are booking with renewed enthusiasm, and travel eGift cards offer a frictionless way to turn that intent into action. Here’s why:
- Flexibility: Recipients can redeem eGift cards whenever they’re ready, removing the pressure of a fixed travel date.
- No Geographical Limits: Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an international voyage, eGift cards can be used for multiple destinations.
- Springtime Boost: As the weather warms up, people want to explore new places. A spring travel card can be just the nudge they need to book.
Offering digital travel vouchers also caters to spontaneous planners. If your target audience decides they need a break next month, eGift cards become a frictionless solution that fits easily into last-minute plans.
How Travel eGift Cards Can Boost Bookings
1. Attract New Customers
Traditional marketing efforts can be hit-or-miss and often costly. In contrast, travel marketing incentives, like bonus-value or discounted digital travel vouchers, offer clear, tangible value to potential customers with minimal risk.
These cards work because they:
- Grab attention with upfront value
- Appeal to price-conscious travelers
- Provide a compelling reason to try your brand for the first time
It’s a smart, scalable way to attract new users without relying on aggressive promotions or heavy discounts.
2. Drive Repeat Business
Travel eGift cards don’t just bring people in; they keep them coming back. Offering digital travel vouchers tied to future travel builds loyalty and creates a sense of continuity in the customer journey.
For example:
- A hotel could offer a $100 travel gift card for a guest’s second booking
- Airlines might include travel eGift cards in frequent flyer promotions
- Tour operators could reward returning customers with credits for their next trip
Small incentives like digital travel vouchers go a long way toward increasing retention and encouraging repeat behavior.
3. Encourage Word-of-Mouth & Referrals
People love sharing great deals—especially when they involve travel. Digital travel vouchers are easy to forward, re-gift, or talk about online, turning happy customers into active promoters.
How this helps you grow:
- Builds organic reach through personal recommendations
- Fuels social sharing and UGC (user-generated content)
- Boosts brand credibility via peer-to-peer trust
Incentivizing reviews, referrals, or social shares with a small bonus digital travel gift card can amplify the impact of your campaign.
4. Tap Into Seasonal Themes
Spring brings renewed energy and, for many, a strong desire to get away. Tying your referral or incentive campaigns to seasonal moments makes them feel more relevant and urgent.
Try framing your campaigns around:
- “Spring Break Adventures” which are perfect for families or students
- “Fresh Start Getaways” targeting those craving a mental reset
Marriott's Bonvoy eGift card program saw a 34% increase in redemptions when they introduced seasonal theming and flexible redemption options. According to their 2024 investor report, these seasonal travel incentives generated $120 million in additional revenue.
These campaigns align your brand with the emotions and momentum of the season, helping you capture attention and drive bookings.
Benefits of Offering eGift Travel Vouchers
Frictionless Redemption
Digital travel gift cards are easy to use and instantly satisfying. Customers simply enter a code at checkout on supported booking sites—no physical cards or mail delays.
- Saves on fulfillment time and costs
- Offers immediate value to the user
- Reduces friction, improving conversion rates
Global Reach
Unlike traditional gift cards, digital travel vouchers can go wherever your customers are. This makes them ideal for brands looking to scale internationally or reach remote audiences.
- Supports multiple currencies and regions
- Appeals to travelers booking cross-border experiences
- Enables reviving post-pandemic tourism beyond local markets
Data-Driven Insights
Each travel gift card redemption tells a story about your audience’s travel behavior. Use that data to shape smarter campaigns.
- Track destination preferences and spending patterns
- Identify what incentives convert best
- Refine messaging and targeting over time
This feedback loop makes your referral and reward campaigns more effective with every run.
Implementing Travel eGift Cards Strategically
Launching a travel eGift card program is simple, but to make it truly effective, you need a thoughtful strategy. From choosing the right partners to designing compelling offers, each step plays a role in how well your campaign performs.
1. Choose the Right Partners
Your travel gift cards are only as valuable as where they can be used. Focus on aligning with travel partners that your audience already trusts or aspires to engage with.
Look for:
- Airlines with strong regional or international routes
- Hotel chains or vacation rentals that offer flexibility and wide availability
- Tour or experience platforms that make the trip more memorable
Partnering with reputable brands helps build immediate credibility and appeal.
2. Create Targeted, Timely Offers
A compelling campaign starts with the right message at the right time.
Try campaign ideas like:
- "Spring Season Special" – Buy a $50 eGift card, get a $10 bonus
- "Book Now, Travel Later" – Encourages future trips with no immediate booking pressure
- "Gift a Getaway" – Perfect for Mother's Day, graduations, or seasonal gifting
Limited-time offers with clear value drive urgency and increase engagement.
3. Seamless Technology Integration
Managing a rewards program doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Platforms like Toasty allow you to create, distribute, and track eGift vouchers without hidden fees or operational headaches.
- Easy-to-use dashboard or API
- No complex onboarding required
- Fast setup for seasonal or ongoing campaigns
Whether you're running a spring travel push or a year-round loyalty program, integration should be simple and scalable.
Key Takeaways
- Travel eGift cards offer a flexible, digital way to satisfy pent-up travel demand.
- Spring is a prime season to launch reviving post-pandemic tourism campaigns.
- Align eGift offers with travel marketing incentives that engage both new and returning customers.
- Streamline distribution and redemption with a user-friendly platform for global reach.
- Use seasonal themes, like spring break or holiday getaways, to spark interest and urgency.
- Gather data insights to refine future campaigns and tailor offers.
FAQs
Are travel eGift cards only for flights?
No. Travel eGift cards can cover flights, hotels, tours, and even local experiences, depending on your chosen partners.
Can small businesses benefit from offering travel eGift cards?
Absolutely. Even smaller hotels, tour operators, or bed-and-breakfasts can attract new customers and build loyalty with eGift-based promotions.
How do I ensure my travel eGift cards are user-friendly?
Focus on easy redemption, such as partnering with platforms that allow one-click or simple code entry during checkout. Also, provide clear instructions and expiration details.
Do I need a big budget to launch eGift campaigns?
Not necessarily. You can start with lower-value cards or run targeted promotions for specific occasions, then scale as you see results.