Content Marketing: Social Media in Travel – Key Trends for 2025
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Social media isn’t just another marketing tool for the travel industry—it’s become essential. But with so much changing, how can travel businesses and brands really use it to their advantage in 2025 and beyond? This article explores the key trends to watch.
Social Media's Influence on Travel Planning
Planning a trip used to mean endless scrolling through Google search results. But for many, especially younger travellers, that’s changed. Now, Instagram, Facebook, and Xiaohongshu are where the travel inspiration happens. A Statista study even found that a whopping 75% of travellers now use social media for travel inspiration and information. Why the shift? It’s a combination of factors.
- The Visual Power of Social Media: Social media offers highly visual content. Platforms like Instagram and Xiaohongshu provide stunning photos and videos—that are far more engaging than text-based search results, particularly appealing to younger generations who prioritise visual experiences.
- Discover Authentic Travel on social media: Social media offers a wealth of authentic travel experiences shared by real travellers. This firsthand information provides valuable insights and recommendations that go beyond typical tourist brochures. By searching hashtags such as “#JapanCulturalExperience” or “#KyotoHotelRecommendations” on Instagram, allowing them to discover lesser-known attractions and immerse themselves in local culture.
- Social Media Interaction: The interactive nature of social media provides a wealth of practical travel tips and advice often unavailable through traditional sources. Travellers can engage with other users and travel businesses via comments and direct messages to get answers to specific questions, including visa requirements, local transportation details, discounted tickets, and efficient ways to bypass long lines. This dynamic exchange of information makes planning a trip significantly easier.
Explore Further: Why Your Brand Needs KOCs on Xiaohongshu

Influencers are shaping Modern Travel Decisions
Today’s travellers are heavily influenced by social media personalities. Travel influencers and key opinion leaders (KOLs) build massive followings by sharing unique perspectives and personalised travel experiences. Studies show that almost half of travellers (48%) are influenced by KOL recommendations, while a massive 86% are swayed by user-generated content (UGC). In short, influence underscores the importance in today’s travel market.
Explore Further: What is UGC, PGC, EGC
The Rise of Authentic Adventures
The modern traveller is evolving. Gone are the days of superficial sightseeing; today’s adventurers seek authentic, meaningful experiences. Social media has become instrumental in facilitating this shift, offering a platform to share personal journeys, connect with fellow travellers, and discover enriching travel opportunities. This interactive environment empowers travellers to curate personalised itineraries, leading to more fulfilling and memorable trips.

A Platform for Sustainable Tourism
Growing environmental awareness is influencing travel choices. More and more travellers are prioritising sustainable options, seeking experiences that minimise their environmental impact while positively contributing to local communities. These eco-conscious travellers often share their sustainable travel experiences on social media, making these platforms powerful channels for promoting responsible tourism.
How to seize tourism business opportunities?
Create Engaging Travel Content
Social media presents a wealth of marketing opportunities for travel businesses. Creating engaging video content, such as destination highlights and food recommendations, combined with strategic hashtag use, can significantly boost brand visibility and attract potential customers. Furthermore, offering practical travel tips and resources—from visa information to skip-the-line strategies—positions businesses as valuable travel partners, increasing the likelihood of bookings.
Explore Further: Social Media Marketing 2.0 – Branded Content Network Strategy
Leverage the Power of KOLs
Influencer marketing is a powerful tool for travel businesses. Partnering with travel KOLs provides access to a highly engaged audience, increasing brand awareness and driving bookings. By inviting influencers to experience products or services firsthand and share their authentic reviews, businesses build trust and credibility, ultimately leading to stronger customer relationships and increased revenue.
Explore Further: 3 Ways to Maximise Influencer Marketing ROI with AI Technology
Encourage User-Generated Content
By encouraging travellers to share their experiences on social media and using this user-generated content (UGC) in marketing campaigns, brands create a more authentic and relatable brand image. This strategy not only boosts brand credibility but also fosters a sense of community and shared experience among customers.
Adfocate: Your Strategic Partner in Influencer Marketing
Navigating the complex world of influencer marketing can be challenging. Adfocate is here to simplify the process and deliver exceptional results. As your strategic partner, we provide expert guidance and tailored solutions to meet your unique marketing objectives. From identifying the perfect KOLs and KOCs to crafting engaging content and managing seamless campaigns, we handle every step of the process, ensuring maximum impact and return on investment.

Conclusion
Social media is no longer a supplementary marketing tool for travel brands; it’s the cornerstone of a successful strategy. Consumers increasingly rely on social platforms for travel inspiration, making a strong social media presence crucial. To thrive, brands must embrace influencer marketing, share authentic travel stories, and actively promote sustainable tourism initiatives, aligning with the values of today’s conscious traveller.
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