Introduction
Summer is peak season for the travel industry: hotels, airlines, ferries, and attractions all see demand skyrocket. In 2024, European travellers recorded over 3 billion overnight stays in tourist accommodations — a 2.2% increase over 2023, according to the European Commission. But in a crowded market full of offers and “destination dupes”, standing out takes more than discounts: it takes data, differentiation, and constant optimisation.
Summer Offers — time-sensitive deals for peak season — have become a powerful lever for travel brands looking to maximise revenue from June to August. Unlike early booking, Summer Offers target last-minute travellers who need an extra push to book fast. In 2024, these offers represented 28% of last-minute hotel bookings in Europe, with 15% year-on-year growth.
Here are some essential tips to help you design successful Summer campaigns and get the most bookings this season:
1. Craft irresistible (and urgent) offers
- Flash discounts: “–20% Today Only” can boost conversion rates by up to 12%.
- Themed packages: e.g. gourmet dinner + spa night + late check-out — perfect for weekend getaways.
- Exclusive extras: free room upgrades, parking, or local experiences (tastings, tours).
- Time-limited windows: set 24–72 hour periods and use countdown timers on your site and in email campaigns.
2. Use CPA affiliate marketing to minimise risk
At Affilired, we’ve been running affiliate campaigns for the travel and leisure industry for over 20 years.
- You only pay for confirmed bookings turning your budget into a 100% performance-based investment.
- Global affiliate networks: showcase your Summer Offers on hundreds of travel websites, blogs, promo code pages and cashback platforms in key markets like the UK, Germany, the US, and LATAM.
- Dynamic scaling: adjust your CPA (cost per acquisition or commission per booking) by market based on demand and profitability.
3. Target last-minute travellers
Booking behaviour changes under time pressure. Focus on:
- Millennials and Gen Z: seek “instant experiences” and decide after checking social proof on TikTok or Instagram.
- Business travellers: value flexibility and speed (24h check-in, express transfer).
- Families on road trips: combine stays with local parks or kid-friendly attractions.
- Beach lovers: drawn to all-in-one “stay & surf” or “beach club access” offers.
Adapt your messages and channels:
- Instagram Stories for younger audiences.
- Google Display banners with strong CTAs.
- Emails with subject lines like “Summer Offer ends in 12h”.
- Promo codes and offers through affiliates to attract savvy deal-hunters.
4. Onsite tools to seal the deal
- Urgency pop-ups: “Only 3 rooms left at this rate!”.
- Smart chatbots: deliver personalised discount codes in real time.
- Rate comparison widgets: prove your direct website is cheaper.
- Fast forms: 4 fields + integrated payment on the same page.
5. Multi-channel and multi-device is key
Travellers are on the move in summer. Combine:
- Mobile: Stories, push notifications.
- Desktop: in-depth search, blogs, planning.
- Email: exclusive offers, upselling.
- Offline: QR codes in airport/station brochures.
Ensure consistency across all touchpoints to reinforce your message.
6. Track, optimise, and remarket
- Key metrics: CPA, CR (conversion rate), clicks, and sales.
- Real-time analytics: Use Google Analytics 4 + performance reports like those from Affilired.
- Remarketing tactics:
- Send reminders with an extra 5% off for users who visited the offer
- Use urgenci remarketing emails like “Only 2 hours left” for uses who abandoned the checkout page.
Conclusion
Summer Offers are not just discounts—they’re value-driven experiences crafted for the spontaneous traveller. Combine attractive proposals, affiliate marketing, precise segmentation, and onsite tools to boost your summer conversions. With an agile strategy and the right data, your campaigns will become the go-to option when the heat kicks in.
Don’t miss this window of opportunity. Make this Summer your most profitable one yet.