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.
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:
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.
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:
It’s a smart, scalable way to attract new users without relying on aggressive promotions or heavy discounts.
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:
Small incentives like digital travel vouchers go a long way toward increasing retention and encouraging repeat behavior.
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:
Incentivizing reviews, referrals, or social shares with a small bonus digital travel gift card can amplify the impact of your campaign.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Data-Driven Insights
Each travel gift card redemption tells a story about your audience’s travel behavior. Use that data to shape smarter campaigns.
This feedback loop makes your referral and reward campaigns more effective with every run.
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:
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:
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.
Whether you're running a spring travel push or a year-round loyalty program, integration should be simple and scalable.
No. Travel eGift cards can cover flights, hotels, tours, and even local experiences, depending on your chosen partners.
Absolutely. Even smaller hotels, tour operators, or bed-and-breakfasts can attract new customers and build loyalty with eGift-based promotions.
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.
Not necessarily. You can start with lower-value cards or run targeted promotions for specific occasions, then scale as you see results.