Top Travel Brands Prepping for Summer 2025 Campaigns
As temperatures rise, so does the competition among travel and lifestyle brands aiming to capture consumer attention. From nostalgia-driven relaunches to bold new partnerships, here’s how seven top brands are gearing up for the summer 2025 push in Q2.
1) Coca-Cola: Nostalgia that pops
Coca-Cola isn’t just a beverage brand; it’s a staple of summer vacations, beach trips, and road trips. With the return of its iconic “Share a Coke” campaign, the brand is hyper-personalizing the experience with interactive QR codes on bottles, unlocking customizable digital experiences. Expect major social amplification, IRL activations, and influencer collabs to drive engagement all summer long.
Tip for agencies and adtech:
Leverage interactive experiences by integrating AI-powered personalization into campaigns. Consider partnering with Coca-Cola to create gamified experiences or targeted programmatic ads that enhance brand recall.
2) UGG: Serving “Big Spring Energy”
Known for its cozy footwear and now expanding into summer styles, UGG is a go-to brand for vacationers seeking both comfort and fashion. UGG’s “Big Spring Energy” campaign, headlined by K-pop star Hanni, highlights the versatile GoldenRise sandal, designed to go from poolside to party. Think bold billboards in major metros, TikTok takeovers, and experiential pop-ups keeping the buzz alive well into the summer.
Tip for sponsorship opportunities:
Collaborate with UGG on experiential activations at beachside resorts, music festivals, or summer fashion events to amplify visibility.
3) Nintendo: Leveling up brand partnerships
Whether it’s handheld gaming on flights, in cars, or at vacation rentals, the Nintendo Switch is a travel essential for gamers. Nintendo is stepping into the sports marketing arena with its partnership with the Seattle Mariners. With the Nintendo Switch 2 launch on deck, this cross-promo play puts the brand front and center with baseball fans. Expect co-branded events, interactive stadium experiences, and major OOH placements.
Tip for agencies:
Explore in-game advertising opportunities or branded content integrations within the Nintendo ecosystem to reach engaged gaming audiences.
4) Gap: Nostalgia meets next gen
Gap is the perfect travel companion for vacation wardrobes, offering everything from comfy travel fits to vacation-ready styles. Riding a wave of 90s and Y2K nostalgia, the brand’s latest campaign pairs iconic logo pieces with fresh faces from TikTok and Instagram, driving both digital and in-store traffic. Bonus: They’re leaning into collabs and limited drops to keep momentum high.
Tip for martech:
Provide Gap with data-driven insights on consumer behavior to optimize influencer partnerships and measure campaign performance across platforms.
5) Tourism Australia: Experience the unexpected
Tourism Australia is dedicated to promoting travel experiences across the country, from vibrant cities to remote landscapes. Moving beyond traditional beach imagery, its “Experience Australia” campaign spotlights immersive cultural experiences and local adventures. Featuring Indigenous-led tours and eco-friendly attractions, the initiative leverages streaming partnerships and influencer-led content to capture international travelers’ interest.
Tip for sponsorships:
Co-create content with Tourism Australia that highlights sustainable tourism efforts, offering authentic storytelling opportunities across travel media platforms.
6) Vrbo vs. Airbnb: Vacation rental smackdown
As top players in the vacation rental space, Vrbo and Airbnb are essential brands for summer travelers booking stays. Vrbo recently launched a cheeky billboard campaign targeting Airbnb right outside its headquarters. While the gloves are off, both brands are expected to ramp up paid media, influencer partnerships, and in-app promotions as they compete for travelers this summer.
Tip for adtech:
Offer performance-based ad solutions for both brands to maximize return on investment in their competitive digital campaigns. Emphasize AI-powered bidding strategies and real-time analytics.
Personalization matters, and campaigns like Coca-Cola’s demonstrate that consumers crave tailored experiences that connect them to the brand. Nostalgia also remains a powerful tool, with brands like Gap and Coca-Cola proving that tapping into memories from the past can resonate across generations. Meanwhile, strategic partnerships drive impact, as shown by Nintendo’s collaboration with the Seattle Mariners, which highlights the power of cross-promotion. Brands aiming to win the summer should double down on storytelling, lean into experiences, and create campaigns that resonate both online and IRL. Ready to see how your brand stacks up?
