12 Proven SMS Strategies to Boost Travel Package Sales

29 Oct 2025

Bri Barnett

The US travel industry, a market projected to reach $322.9 billion in revenue by 2030, is intensely competitive. In 2025 alone, it is projected to generate $233.93 billion, the highest in the market. To stand out and capture the attention of potential travelers who expect unique experiences, instant communication, and readily available deals, agencies need innovative marketing strategies. SMS marketing is a powerful solution, offering a direct, immediate, and personalized channel to connect with customers and drive sales.

In this blog, we will discuss proven SMS strategies that you can use to boost your travel package sales.

Why SMS Marketing Works for the Travel Business

In travel marketing, timing and relevance decide who will win the booking. Today’s travelers scroll fast and decide faster; they will ignore the promotion if it feels like noise. SMS marketing stands out in it, as it is personal, quick, and hard to ignore.

Let’s see how it stands strong against other marketing channels.

Channel	Speed	Open Rate	Personalization	Cost	Conversion Rate	Best Use Case
SMS	Instant	98%	High	Low	Very High	Flash deals, reminders, booking links
Email	Slow	20% to 30%	Medium	Low	Moderate	Detailed itineraries and newsletters
Paid Ads	Fast Visibility, Slow Action	Varies	Low	High	Low-Medium	Brand Awareness, Retargeting leads
Flyers/Print Ads	Very Slow	Hard to Measure	None	High	Very Low	Local promotions, exhibitions
Phone Calls	Immediate but time-consuming	100% answered only if picked up	High but intrusive	High	Medium	High-ticket travel consultations

Let’s understand how SMS beats email and Ads through a simple example discussed below.

Scenario	Email Campaign	Paid Ad Campaign	SMS Campaign
Goal – sell a 3-day Las Vegas travel package	Sent to 5,000 subscribers. Out of them, 900 opens -> 20 clicks	Shown to 10,000 people. Out of them, 200 clicks -> 8 bookings	Sent to 1,000 past leads -> 980 opens -> 60 replies -> 25 bookings
Result	High effort but low response	Costly clicks and uncertain intent	Faster decisions and higher ROI

SMS not only reaches but also connects; it also transforms travel offers into instant opportunities and browsers into confirmed travelers.

12 Proven SMS Strategies to Boost Travel Package Sales

Here are some proven SMS strategies designed to boost your travel package sales.

1. Smart Lead Qualification Through Two-Way SMS Conversations

No need to chase leads with multiple calls or emails. You can use two-way SMS to qualify travelers instantly. Two-way texting enables you to understand traveler intent more quickly, suggest personalized packages, shorten response times, and ultimately boost conversions. Engaging potential customers while their interest is fresh significantly increases the chance of conversion. You can automate responses using keywords like “BUDGET” or “DATES” so your team can follow up efficiently.

Hey Ema! Thank you for checking out our Miami getaway. Could you please share your travel dates and budget range? We’ll find you the best deal! Reply STOP to opt out - DreamScape Tours

2. Abandoned Quote Recovery Campaigns

Many travelers request quotes but do not complete bookings. You can send a gentle SMS reminder that can bring them back. When you send such reminders, it makes customers feel seen and often reignites their intent to book. You should send recovery text messages within 24 hours of the quote request to get the best results.

Hey John! Are you still thinking about that Boston package?

Grab 10% off before it’s gone.

Book here – [Link].

Reply STOP to out out – WanderNow.

3. Automated Deal-of-the-Day Based on Traveler Interests

You can use past data to send deals that match travelers’ preferences. For example, if someone booked a beach destination earlier, send similar offers. When you send such a personalized message, it won’t feel like marketing, but it will feel like recommendations. You can use CRM data to track favorite destinations and automate matching offers.

Hi, Johnson! Loved your last Hawaii trip? Enjoy 20% off our Honolulu adventure this week! Book here [Link]. Reply UNSUBSCRIBE to stop - JetGlobe.

4. Group Booking and Referral Incentive Texts

Travel decisions are often made in groups. You can capitalize on this by rewarding group bookings and referrals to multiply your sales. For referrals, automate the process: send a thank-you SMS with a unique code that applies when friends join. This strategy not only increases the average ticket size but also effectively rewards customer loyalty.

Hey, Jack! Bring your crew to Los Angeles.

Refer two friends for our Hollywood tour and get $100 off your next trip.

Share this [link] with your friends.

Reply STOP to opt out – DreamWay Travel.

5. Exclusive Pre-launch Offers

Everyone loves feeling special, especially travelers who book early. By using SMS to give loyal customers exclusive, early access to deals, you build excitement and a sense of exclusivity that drives quicker action.

Hi, Oliva! You’re on our VIP list. Get first access to our San Fransciso Summer Tour - 3 days before launch! Save $200 if you book now - [link]. Reply STOP to opt out - TravelLoom.

6. Dynamic Pricing Alerts for Real-Time Fare Drops

The prices of flights and hotels frequently change. Why not make that your selling point? You can send automated SMS alerts to notify customers the moment fares drop for their dream destination.

Good News, Lisa! Airfare to Orlando dropped by $120 today.

Your Disney vacation is just getting closer!

Book before midnight – [link].

Reply STOP to opt out – SkySprint Travel.

7. Cross-Sell Add-Ons Before Trip Confirmation

Once the customer books, it is the perfect time to offer add-ons and upgrades. You can use SMS to cross-sell experiences like tours, insurance, or car rentals.

Hey Mia! Your Denver adventure is confirmed. Do you want to add a scenic Rocky Mountain day trip at 20% off? Reply YES to upgrade. Reply STOP to unsubscribe - ExploreHub.

8. Location-Based SMS Offers During Travel Season

One thing that can make or break an SMS campaign is location and timing. You can send geo-targeted SMS deals for short getaways near major US cities. These hyper-local promotions can appeal to impulse travelers who want quick and easy escapes.

Hey, Daniel! It’s a long weekend ahead.

Escape from Chicago to Lake Geneva, WI – 2 nights/ 3 Days package just $399.

Book now – [link].

Reply STOP to opt out – TripNest.

9. Urgency-Driven Countdown Campaigns

A ticking clock always gets people moving. You can send countdown-style SMS for flash deals or limited seats.

Just 3 seats left for our Alaska Cruise Adventure, Ema! Offer ends in 3 hours. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Click here to book now - [link]. Reply STOP to opt out - OceanEdge Travel.

10. Seasonal and Festive Travel Promotions

People love to travel during the festive season. You can align your campaigns with major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Labor Day.

Celebrate Thanksgiving in style, Tom!

Save 20% on our New Orleans holiday package, valid till Nov 20.

Book here – [link].

Reply STOP to opt out – GlobeVista.

11. Re-engagement SMS for Dormant Customers

Reactivating past customers is less expensive than acquiring new ones. You can simply send “we miss you” messages with tailored offers.

Hey Rachel! It’s been a while since your last Seattle trip. Here is $150 off your next getaway. Let’s plan something new - [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out - GoExplore.

12. Loyalty SMS Campaigns With Reward Points

You can convert one-time travelers into repeat customers by rewarding them. Send SMS updates about their loyalty points, redemption offers, or surprise bonuses.

Hey Kevin! You’ve earned 1,200 points on your Las Vegas trip.

Redeem now for 10% off your next Florida adventure [link].

Reply STOP to opt out – WanderPlus.

How Can You Automate These SMS Campaigns?

It’s not easy to manage multiple SMS campaigns manually. This is why travel businesses rely on SMS automation tools like Textdrip. These platforms efficiently handle the scheduling of all types of campaigns, personal, seasonal, or triggered by customer actions. You can also send personalized messages using customer data through Textdrip.

You can also integrate your CRM so that every new inquiry, booking, or quote automatically triggers the right SMS sequence. It saves hours of manual work.

Best Practices for Travel SMS Marketing

You must keep your SMS marketing clean, respectful, and high-converting. Here are some best practices that you need to follow for SMS marketing.

Do’s	Don’ts
Keep the SMS character limit in mind and send texts under 160 characters.	Don’t send more than 3 to 4 texts per week.
Always include opt-out instructions.	Never use complex links or jargon.
Use customer’s first name.	Never send the same message to all.
Include urgency and a clear CTA.	Do not send messages late at night.

Grow Your Travel Brand ROI With Textdrip

Many travel agencies overlook SMS marketing, yet it is a priceless strategy for redefining the customer experience. If you want to differentiate your travel brand in the competitive market and boost travel package sales, integrate SMS into your marketing mix. SMS marketing will help you grab audience attention, drive bookings, and build a strong customer relationship. Automated SMS marketing platforms like Textdrip ensure your travel brand remains at the forefront of travelers’ minds.

Start today by booking a Textdrip demo to discover how easily you can connect with your customers through SMS and boost your travel package sales.