Influencer marketing isn’t only a passing development—it’s turn out to be the key sauce behind profitable vacation spot campaigns, remodeling passive wanderlust into actionable journey plans. The numbers converse for themselves: the business grew from a modest $1.7 billion in 2016 to a staggering $32.55 billion by 2025.
And the development reveals no indicators of slowing down, with 63.8% of entrepreneurs planning to collaborate with much more influencers. However it’s not nearly greater budgets—it’s about smarter methods. Suppose genuine connections, long-term partnerships, and the candy spot of micro-influencers who supply excessive engagement at a decrease value.
One marketing campaign that completely encapsulates these shifts is the Cincy Area’s influencer-driven journey. With a intelligent mixture of storytelling, interactive itineraries, and seamless reserving integration, it turned curiosity into concrete journey plans. However how did they pull it off, and what can manufacturers study from their success?
Maintain studying to uncover the within scoop on this marketing campaign and uncover the highest campaigns shaping the way forward for vacation spot advertising and marketing.
1. Cincy Area’s Street to Success: The Influencer-Infused Journey Itinerary That’s Stirring Up Midwestern Appeal
In relation to vacation spot advertising and marketing, typically essentially the most sudden locations go away the largest impression. Enter the Cincy Area, the place Midwestern heat meets Southern hospitality.
Their newest influencer-driven campaign, aimed toward wooing vacationers from Atlanta and Cleveland, was greater than only a journey information—it was a masterclass in mixing genuine experiences with digital storytelling. Here is how they made vacationers fall in love with the Cincy Area, one influencer-led itinerary at a time.
Strategic Method Highlights
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Focused Markets: Targeted on vacationers from Atlanta and Cleveland—fly and drive markets, respectively.
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Creator Choice: Selected influencers with not simply massive followings however a knack for compelling storytelling that might ignite wanderlust.
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Social-First Marketing campaign: Steller’s platform was used to create interactive itineraries that includes immersive video content material.
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Automated Reserving Journey: Built-in social content material with seamless reserving instruments, guiding customers from inspiration to motion.
The Marketing campaign That Took Off
Steller’s creator-led marketing campaign took over social feeds, from breathtaking avenue artwork in Covington, KY, to bourbon-tasting adventures in Cincinnati’s historic lager tunnels. Two creators lived like locals, exploring the area’s meals scene, historic landmarks, and vibrant arts tradition.
What made this marketing campaign really pop was the seamless connection between inspiration and motion. Because the influencers shared their tales, viewers had been drawn into Steller’s video-infused itineraries, every providing a digital map to their very own journey. 30% of viewers dove deep, exploring itineraries with interactive video guides, lodge strategies, and even reserving choices proper of their DMs.
That’s some next-level journey planning, of us.
And simply so as to add a cherry on prime, one of many itineraries shortly grew to become the most-shared itinerary on Steller, with over 12,000 customers saving it for their very own future journeys—a serious feat in a platform that includes over 60,000 journey choices. The content material didn’t simply vanish after posting both; it was strategically featured on the Steller platform homepage and Go to Cincy’s web site, making certain that Cincy’s appeal continued to shine lengthy after the marketing campaign’s preliminary burst.
Impression and Outcomes: Exceeding Expectations
The end result? A content material avalanche that reached over 838K individuals, producing 12.2 million impressions—and that is just the start.
With a $1.2M earned media worth and a $2.05 CPM, this marketing campaign wasn’t only a success—it was a strategic victory. Engagement charges had been off the charts, with a shocking 8.24% social engagement price (far above the everyday 6.7% for Instagram and a pair of.7% for TikTok). The Cincy Area didn’t simply meet their objective of boosting consciousness—they exceeded it, dramatically growing journey intent of their goal markets.
And one of the best half? This was just the start. The marketing campaign was so profitable that the Cincy Area continued its partnership with Steller to maintain the momentum going.
2. Tennessee Tourism’s Street to Success: From BBQ to Moonshine, This Marketing campaign Was a Smokin’ Hit
In relation to street journeys, there’s no place fairly like Tennessee—until you’re in Atlanta, after all. Tennessee Tourism knew they needed to begin their summer campaign with a bang, so that they kicked issues off with an occasion that wasn’t simply your common “meet-and-greet.” They went large with whiskey, moonshine, BBQ, and dwell tunes. Oh, and did I point out the influencers? Discuss an ideal recipe for achievement. Right here’s how they turned a street journey right into a viral sensation.
Strategic Method Highlights
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Goal Market: Targeted on the Atlanta market with a grant-driven initiative to spice up consciousness.
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Kickoff Occasion: Hosted a one-night street journey meet-up with Tennessee’s finest—three dwell bands, tastings of whiskey and moonshine, and a Memphis BBQ grasp.
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Influencer Engagement: Partnered with travel influencers and bloggers to amplify the message and share the love by way of social and weblog content material.
The Occasion That Bought Atlanta’s Consideration
Tennessee Tourism knew that with a view to seize the eye of Atlanta’s vacationers, they wanted an occasion that was as unforgettable as a street journey down the Nice Smoky Mountains. So, they threw a one-of-a-kind kickoff social gathering, and it delivered. Suppose smoky BBQ, moonshine tastings, river paddles, and dwell music, all rolled into one good Tennessee night time. Add 150+ influencers, media, and PR of us, and you have got your self the best setup to create some critical buzz.
However it didn’t cease there. The influencers took this social gathering on the street, creating 32 distinctive weblog posts and producing content material that unfold like wildfire throughout the net. With a hashtag trending on Twitter, the marketing campaign reached an enormous 117 million impressions throughout platforms—46.3 million of these simply on Twitter. The dwell tweets? 150 tweets with a attain of 330K. Protected to say, Tennessee was trending in additional methods than one.
Social Media Success That Goes Past the BBQ
The marketing campaign didn’t simply prepare dinner up some good vibes; it served up critical outcomes. 13 million Instagram impressions, 466.9K Fb impressions, and 117 million complete impressions proved that the influencers’ content material wasn’t simply eye-catching—it was changing followers into vacationers. Plus, these 117 pins on Pinterest (one among which was repinned a whopping 1656 occasions) instructed everybody that Tennessee wasn’t only a place to go to; it was the place to be.
Impression: The Street Journey to Victory
This marketing campaign wasn’t nearly throwing a killer social gathering—it was about getting individuals to see Tennessee in an entire new gentle. From BBQ lovers to whiskey connoisseurs, the occasion and influencer content material made it clear: Tennessee’s bought all of it.
With 4.4K impressions within the first three weeks alone and a strategic deal with influencers who know how you can seize the spirit of journey, Tennessee Tourism exceeded expectations and made summer time journey plans an entire lot extra thrilling.
3. #BeSeduced by Abu Dhabi: A Voyage Privé Marketing campaign That Gave Vacationers Extra Than Simply Solar and Sand
Whenever you consider Abu Dhabi, what involves thoughts? Luxurious lodges, artwork, tradition, and… sure, the enduring desert landscapes. Effectively, Voyage Privé and the Tourism Board of Abu Dhabi turned up the warmth on this metropolis’s attract by partnering with a few of France’s prime influencers to point out its hidden treasures—and the outcomes? A captivating campaign that hit the candy spot between wanderlust and conversion.
Strategic Method Highlights
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Objective: Drive consciousness and conversions by showcasing Abu Dhabi’s cultural richness by way of immersive influencer-generated content.
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Goal Viewers: City French vacationers, aged 25+, who’re seasoned in world journey.
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Content material: A mix of pictures, movies, and Instagram Reels to showcase influencers’ all-inclusive stays within the metropolis’s finest lodges.
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Platforms: Instagram, the place vibrant visuals converse louder than phrases.
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Influencers: Seven handpicked life-style, journey, and household influencers who might seize each the class and hidden gems of the vacation spot.
Influencer-Led Storytelling with a Cultural Twist
The #BeSeduced marketing campaign wasn’t about simply displaying off Abu Dhabi’s well-known skyline—it was about peeling again the layers and immersing followers within the metropolis’s wealthy cultural experiences. Influencers like Iris Mittenaere, Lucie Kakuta Mambenga, and Floral Coquerel weren’t solely handled to luxurious stays in Voyage Privé’s accomplice lodges however had been additionally given the possibility to discover the town’s arts, tradition, and leisure scene in tailored experiences designed for them.
The marketing campaign unfolded over 4 seasons, with every pair of influencers uncovering completely different sides of the town. From native artwork museums to the bustling markets and tranquil desert escapes, the creators shared their journey by way of Instagram tales, posts, and interesting Reels—each bit designed to make their viewers really feel like they had been proper there beside them, having fun with each second.
The outcomes? Completely mesmerizing. With a staggering 28.4 million complete impressions, the marketing campaign ignited huge buzz. The engagement price? A scorching 13.2%—means above the same old influencer publish efficiency. Complete interactions reached 475K, proving that not solely had been individuals watching, however they had been additionally captivated sufficient to have interaction.
Influencer Magic: A Showcase of Tradition and Connection
The influencers didn’t simply cease at posting lovely pictures—they instructed tales. From Flora Coquerel‘s shoots at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to Iris Mittenaere‘s stroll by way of the Presidential Palace, every influencer introduced their private contact to the marketing campaign. Their Reels, showcasing cultural experiences in Abu Dhabi, grew to become the spotlight, creating content material that was as shareable because it was inspiring.
The marketing campaign wasn’t nearly selling a location; it was about weaving a story that related followers to the soul of Abu Dhabi. And with 504 items of content material created, the message unfold far and extensive, resonating with an enormous viewers who noticed the town not as a vacation spot, however as an expertise ready to be explored.
4. Coastal Grandmother Goes Viral: How Carmel-by-the-Sea Rode the TikTok Wave to Success
Transfer over, millennials—there’s a brand new social media trend that’s bought everybody speaking, and it’s making its solution to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Enter the Coastal Grandmother—a way of life impressed by basic Nancy Meyers films, cozy interiors, and, after all, leisurely afternoons full of ebook golf equipment and tea.
Should you thought the time period was a unusual development for grandmas, suppose once more. This marketing campaign took Carmel-by-the-Sea, one among California’s most picturesque locations, and made it the epicenter of a viral TikTok second, attracting a recent and younger viewers with simple fashion.
Strategic Method Highlights
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Goal Viewers: Gen Z, the social media-savvy technology that controls $143 billion in spending energy.
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Platform: Primarily TikTok, with a secondary deal with Instagram, the place Carmel-by-the-Sea’s viewers was most engaged.
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Marketing campaign: Partnered with influencer Lex Nicoleta to convey the Coastal Grandmother development to life in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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Further Contact: A social media giveaway timed completely with Mom’s Day weekend to additional enhance engagement and entice extra eyes on the marketing campaign.
TikTok Meets Coastal Appeal
Carmel-by-the-Sea is thought for its stylish coastal vibes, and because it seems, it’s the proper setting for the Coastal Grandmother life-style—suppose cozy cottages, afternoon walks, and perhaps slightly baking or studying by the ocean. The Abbi Agency capitalized on this by inviting Lex Nicoleta, a way of life influencer with a loyal Gen Z following, to expertise the city in all its “grandmotherly” glory. Lex shared her expertise with three participating TikTok movies, bringing Carmel-by-the-Sea’s appeal to the forefront with fashion and authenticity.
@lexnicoleta Greatest weekend ever in Carmel !!!!! @VisitCarmel #carmelbythesea #ad ♬ original sound – lex nicoleta
The outcomes had been sufficient to make Nancy Meyers proud. 152,800 views on TikTok and 17,000 engagements from Lex’s loyal followers proved that the influencer’s viewers was hooked. However it wasn’t nearly viral movies—Carmel-by-the-Sea’s TikTok followers grew by a jaw-dropping 1867% within the three months following the partnership.
Instagram Magic & Earned Media Buzz
However the marketing campaign didn’t cease there. The influencer additionally took her love for Carmel-by-the-Sea to Instagram, the place a strategically timed giveaway led to spectacular outcomes. The competition reached 25,000 accounts, and 470 new followers had been added in only one month.
The most effective half? The publish generated the most feedback of any publish in 2022, together with the third most profile visits—an engagement trifecta that even seasoned entrepreneurs would envy.
All this social media exercise additionally generated 295,000 earned media views from top-tier shops like Vogue and The New York Instances. Not unhealthy for a small city on the West Coast, proper?
The Takeaway
By tapping into the Coastal Grandmother development, Carmel-by-the-Sea not solely gained unprecedented visibility but in addition efficiently attracted a brand new, youthful viewers. This marketing campaign proves {that a} good development, when mixed with strategic influencer partnerships, can flip a quiet coastal city right into a social media sensation.
From TikTok virality to Instagram engagement and earned media success, Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Coastal Grandmother marketing campaign was a textbook instance of how you can trip the viral wave to success.
5. Kefalonia Takes the Highlight: How Advertising Greece Turned an Island right into a Social Media Sensation
If Greece has ever been a dream vacation spot for you, there’s a great probability this marketing campaign made you rethink your subsequent trip. Advertising Greece, in partnership with MODERNSPEAK, took to the gorgeous island of Kefalonia and turned it right into a social media paradise.
With influencers from throughout Europe and the U.S. selling all the things from its crystal-clear waters to its wealthy cultural heritage, this marketing campaign proved that Greece isn’t nearly historic ruins—it’s about trendy journey, too.
Strategic Method Highlights
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Goal Viewers: Primarily vacationers from the UK, Poland, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, France, and the United States, with an eye fixed on out of doors and life-style fanatics.
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Influencer Choice: 4 creators, fastidiously chosen from over 100 candidates, with a mixture of mid-tier influencers (100-250K followers) and micro-influencers (10-100K followers), making certain attain with out shedding the authenticity that smaller audiences crave.
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Content material Focus: Excessive-quality journey, out of doors, and life-style content material showcasing Kefalonia’s magnificence, tradition, and actions.
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Logistics: Advertising Greece and MODERNSPEAK dealt with all the things, from journey preparations to making sure every influencer’s keep was personalized to suit their area of interest, making your complete course of seamless {and professional}.
The Marketing campaign That Sparked Wanderlust
From the second influencers stepped off the airplane in Kefalonia, the marketing campaign had success written throughout it. Armed with gorgeous visuals, the content material creators produced 125 fascinating posts, spanning all the things from seashore photoshoots to exploring the island’s hidden gems.
In complete, these influencers reached a 311K viewers throughout numerous platforms, driving 245K likes and feedback, and producing $633K in earned media worth—discuss ROI.
The engagement price? A stellar 21%, proving that the content material wasn’t simply being seen, it was sparking actual curiosity. These interactions weren’t simply numbers on a display; they represented actual individuals connecting with the vacation spot, saving their favourite posts, and planning future journeys to the island.
The Takeaway
Advertising Greece’s marketing campaign for Kefalonia didn’t simply market a vacation spot—it created a buzz that had audiences lining up for a visit to the island. With a strategic mix of influencers, customized journey experiences, and seamless coordination, Kefalonia went from a picturesque gem to a must-visit on each traveler’s listing.
If this marketing campaign is any indication, Greece is able to rule the journey scene for years to return.
6. Thailand’s Social Media Takeover: How Steller Remodeled a Tight Marketing campaign Price range into Thousands and thousands of Impressions
On the earth of vacation spot advertising and marketing, typically a good price range and tight timeline are extra of a problem than a setback, particularly if you’re attempting to achieve Gen Z and Millennials who’re infamous for being choosy with their journey {dollars}.
Enter the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and their partnership with Steller, who had been tasked with the near-impossible: to market Thailand’s vibrant tradition and pure magnificence, whereas staying inside a set price range and restricted timeline. Spoiler alert: They nailed it.
Strategic Method Highlights
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Goal Viewers: U.S. and Canadian Gen Z and Millennial vacationers, with a deal with these on the lookout for inexpensive but unforgettable experiences.
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Influencer Choice: Steller recognized 6 influencers, every with an eye fixed for cultural exploration, journey, and life-style, good for concentrating on the adventurous and budget-conscious youth demographic.
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Content material Technique: A mixture of 90 influencer posts, immersive video-infused itineraries, and focused amplification through Steller’s ecosystem (homepage placements, emails, push notifications).
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Logistics: Steller took full management of logistics, from influencer vetting to flight bookings, lodge stays, and on-the-ground coordination.
The Marketing campaign That Went Far Past Expectations
TAT’s transient was clear: get individuals enthusiastic about touring to Thailand and ensure they will simply act on that pleasure by planning their journeys. And the outcomes? Steller exceeded expectations in a serious means.
What was initially a 15M impressions objective was smashed with 126.8M impressions—that’s over 8x their unique goal. Not solely did they ship an enormous attain, however in addition they delivered 1.8M video views and 3.01M complete attain, proving that the correct influencers can flip buzz into actual engagement.
Every influencer was assigned a area, and their itineraries had been filled with fastidiously curated actions that ranged from purchasing for conventional Thai clothes in Bangkok to indulging in world-class delicacies in Hua Hin, island hopping by way of Koh Phi Phi, exploring historic temples, and diving into Chiang Mai’s espresso scene.
The important thing? Every expertise was fastidiously tied to the viewer’s journey bucket listing, bringing Thailand’s various choices to life in bite-sized, extremely shareable content material.
The Takeaway
In an period the place advertising and marketing budgets don’t at all times align with large expectations, Steller confirmed that with the correct influencers, tailor-made content material, and savvy amplification, you’ll be able to punch effectively above your weight. Thailand didn’t simply get extra impressions—they bought extra vacationers. And with the correct mix of cultural exploration, journey, and mouthwatering delicacies, this marketing campaign had individuals not simply dreaming of Thailand however reserving their journeys.
The Way forward for Vacation spot Campaigns
From viral tendencies to culturally tailor-made content material, essentially the most profitable campaigns share a typical thread: strategic influencer partnerships that interact and encourage. By tapping into the facility of relatable content material and offering immersive, actionable experiences, manufacturers can successfully flip buzz into bookings.
The rise of video-infused itineraries and focused viewers engagement are shaping the longer term, urging manufacturers to proceed experimenting and embracing innovation of their campaigns.
Often Requested Questions
What’s vacation spot advertising and marketing within the context of influencer campaigns?
Vacation spot advertising and marketing includes selling a selected location to potential guests. When mixed with influencer advertising and marketing, it leverages influencers’ attain to showcase the vacation spot’s points of interest authentically.
How do influencer advertising and marketing campaigns profit vacation spot promotion?
Influencers present genuine content material that resonates with their followers, serving to locations attain focused audiences, construct belief, and drive tourism.
What metrics decide the success of those campaigns?
Key metrics include engagement charges, attain, web site visitors, and conversion charges, indicating how effectively the marketing campaign attracts and influences potential guests.
How do locations choose acceptable influencers for his or her campaigns?
Locations usually select influencers whose viewers demographics align with their goal vacationers and whose content material fashion matches the vacation spot’s model picture.
What are the challenges in executing vacation spot influencer campaigns?
Challenges embrace making certain genuine content material, measuring ROI, managing logistics, and sustaining compliance with promoting rules.
How do influencer campaigns evaluate to conventional vacation spot advertising and marketing strategies?
Influencer campaigns typically supply greater engagement and authenticity, whereas conventional strategies might attain broader audiences however with much less customized impression.
What position does user-generated content material play in these campaigns?
User-generated content amplifies authenticity, as potential guests belief peer experiences. Encouraging vacationers to share their experiences extends the marketing campaign’s attain and credibility.
How do locations measure the ROI of influencer advertising and marketing campaigns?
ROI is measured by analyzing metrics reminiscent of elevated web site visitors, social media engagement, and precise bookings or visits attributed to the marketing campaign.
In regards to the Writer
Author
Kalin Anastasov performs a pivotal position as an content material supervisor and editor at Influencer Advertising Hub. He expertly applies his website positioning and content material writing expertise to boost each bit, making certain it aligns with our pointers and delivers unmatched high quality to our readers.
