SMS Marketing for Travel Brands That Want to Grow

In the increasingly competitive travel industry, standing out and capturing the attention of potential travelers is more challenging than ever. With an ever-growing offering of destinations, experiences and travel deals available at their fingertips, consumers are inundated with choices. This means that innovative and effective marketing strategies have become essential for the survival and growth of travel brands.

This is where SMS marketing comes in—a game-changer in promotion and customer engagement. It provides a direct, immediate, and highly personal way to reach potential travelers. 

Let’s explore how SMS marketing can transform your travel business, helping you cut through the noise, engage with your audience on a deeper level, and ultimately drive more bookings.

Table of Contents:

• Why SMS Is a Game-Changer for Travel Marketing
• How to Create an Effective SMS Marketing Strategy
• Innovative Campaign Ideas

Why SMS Is a Game-Changer for Travel Marketing 

Boasting exceptionally high open rates that no other communication channel can beat, SMS guarantees promotional messages and important travel updates are almost always seen by recipients. 

The immediacy of SMS allows your travel brand to communicate real-time offers, last-minute deals, and urgent notifications directly to travelers, boosting sales potential and driving more revenue. 

In addition, the ability to personalize messages makes SMS a highly effective tool for creating tailored, relevant content that resonates with consumers. SMS also supports two-way communication, allowing your customers to easily contact you and get the information or service they need without delay.

Last but not least, unlike other marketing channels that require access to the internet, SMS is delivered straight to the customer’s phone, making it convenient especially when they travel and may not have an internet connection. 

All these benefits make SMS an indispensable component of any modern travel marketing strategy.

How to Create an Effective SMS Marketing Strategy for Your Travel Brand

Developing an efficient SMS marketing plan involves careful cross-channel coordination, personalization, and ongoing optimization to make sure it supports the goals of your ovearching digital marketing strategy. Here’s an overview of the steps required to build it from the ground up.

Segment Your Audience for Personalized Offers

Start by building an SMS subscriber list. Once you have enough subscribers, move on to segmenting the list—this is a crucial step to crafting personalized and compelling offers that resonate with your customers. 

By categorizing contacts based on specific interests, past bookings, or demographic information, you can tailor your marketing messages to meet the unique needs and preferences of each group. This level of personalization not only increases the relevance of your offers and chances for conversion but also improves customer engagement and loyalty.

Time Your Messages for Maximum Engagement

Timing is everything in SMS marketing, particularly in the travel industry where decisions can be highly time-sensitive. Sending your messages at the optimal time can significantly enhance engagement and increase the likelihood of bookings. Understanding your customers' habits and preferences is key.

For example, travelers are more likely to plan and book tours during the evenings or weekends when they have more free time to explore options. Additionally, sending timely reminders and last-minute deals during peak booking periods, such as holiday seasons or just before long weekends, can capture the attention of potential travelers right when they are most inclined to make decisions. 

By strategically timing your messages, your offers reach customers at the most opportune moments, maximizing the impact and effectiveness of your SMS marketing campaigns.

Incorporate SMS Into Multi-Channel Campaigns

Plan how SMS will work together with the other digital marketing channels you’re using. Strategic integration allows you to engage with your audience through multiple touchpoints, taking advantage of each channel’s specific benefits while supporting a unified marketing strategy. 

Here are a few examples of how you can combine SMS with social media, email and other digital channels:

• Email: After sending an email campaign, use SMS for follow-ups, especially if the email contains critical information or a call-to-action (CTA) that requires the recipients’ prompt attention.
• Social Media: Promote social media contests or campaigns through SMS to drive engagement and participation. Encourage SMS subscribers to follow your social media profiles for exclusive content.
• Website: Send exclusive promo codes or last-minute offers that can be redeemed on your website, driving traffic and conversions.
  
  

Innovative Travel SMS Campaign Ideas

In the travel industry, standing out requires creativity and innovation. Embracing smart campaign ideas can help you capture attention, spark interest, and ultimately drive bookings.

Read more: 10-Point Checklist for a Successful SMS Marketing Campaign 

Exclusive Deal Alerts

Send SMS alerts for exclusive deals or flash sales that are available for a limited time. This could include last-minute flight deals, accommodation discounts, or package deals. By capitalizing on the sense of urgency, last-minute deal alerts not only capture attention but also drive immediate action, making them an essential tool for filling empty slots and maximizing revenue.

🌟 Flash Deal Alert! Book your next getaway within the next 24 hours and save up to 30% on select destinations. Limited spots available! Hurry, book now: [Link] 🌴✈️

Seasonal Promotions

Tailor your travel promotions to match weather conditions or seasonal trends, enticing travelers with relevant offers that align with their wishes. Whether it's promoting sunny beach getaways during winter or ski resort discounts ahead of a snowstorm, leveraging weather-related promotions can inspire bookings by appealing to the travelers' desire for the perfect escape, no matter the forecast.

Loyalty Program Enrollment and Benefits

Notify loyalty program members about point balances, upcoming expiration of points, or special redemption offers. Also, consider SMS-exclusive rewards to encourage program sign-ups. Make it easy for the recipients and allow them to enroll by simply texting back “JOIN”.

Good news, [Name]! You've earned 500 bonus points in our loyalty program, bringing your total to [Points Total]! Redeem them towards exciting rewards or your next trip. Check out the rewards: [Link] ✈️🎁

Referral Programs

Introduce your referral program through SMS, where customers can refer friends and receive rewards. This is an excellent way to drive new customer acquisition while promoting the loyalty of existing ones. 

Share the joy of travel, [Name]! Refer a friend to us and you both get [Discount] off your next booking. Your exclusive referral code: [Code]. Start spreading the word: [Link] 🌍💼

Customer Experience Marketing

Make every touchpoint with your brand effortless and memorable by focusing on seamless interactions. For example, offer mobile check-in services and send boarding passes or hotel booking confirmations via SMS.

Skip the line, [Name]! Your mobile check-in is now open for your flight to [Destination], Departing on [Date]. Check in here and receive your boarding pass on your phone: [Link] 📲✈️

Content Marketing

Creating and distributing valuable content is crucial for engaging your audience and establishing your brand as an industry leader. Share travel tips and destination ideas tailored to the recipient's preferences or past bookings. These could be blogs or other forms of content that offer packing tips, must-see attractions, or lesser-known destinations.

Ready for your next adventure? Discover the hidden gems of Barcelona with our exclusive guide. Tap here for top sightseeing tips and local favorites: [Link] 🏰🍷

Or take it a step further and create personalized travel itineraries based on the traveler's interests and past behaviors. This could include suggestions for restaurants, cultural attractions, or events during their stay.

Excited about your trip to [Destination], [Name]? We've put together a personalized itinerary just for you, including places to eat, explore, and relax. View your itinerary: [Link] 🗺️🍝

Read more: 8 Companies That Use Mobile Marketing (And Are Scoring Big) 

Kick-Start SMS Marketing & Set Your Travel Brand for Success

If you’re looking to stand out in the competitive travel market, it is past time to integrate SMS into your marketing mix. SMS will help you grab your audience's attention, drive bookings and foster a good customer relationship. 

Start today by signing up for a free trial of Textedly to discover how easy it is to connect with your customers via SMS and take your brand to new heights!