From improved marketing and engaging travel experiences to fostering loyalty and offering exclusive perks, NFTs are reshaping the way travelers engage with and experience destinations.
The travel industry is beginning to implement and use NFTs as a new means of interacting with travellers, taking advantage of the benefits provided by the technology.
Here are some of the noteworthy advantages NFT tech offers to the sector.
Improved marketing
NFTs can create a significant buzz, reaching not only tech-savvy travelers but a wider audience. Travel companies can leverage this popularity by incorporating NFTs into their marketing strategies. Creating collectible NFTs can attract attention, increase reach, and showcase the brand's creativity.
Engaging Travel Experiences
Location-based NFTs enable travel agencies to track and record travelers' movements on the blockchain, ensuring the safety of sensitive data. This capability enhances the travel experience, allowing clients to track their exploration, participate in activities, and preserve memories through recorded videos and photos.
Driving engagement rates
Travel agencies and tour operators often face challenges in driving engagement rates, especially at less attractive destinations where limited entertainment and leisure options are available. However, NFTs (non-fungible tokens) can be a game-changer in overcoming this hurdle and boosting engagement.
With the ability to store GPS information, NFTs offer a unique opportunity for travel organizations to organize and launch scavenger hunts for travelers at various destinations. By participating in these scavenger hunts, travelers can easily prove that they have visited specific locations or taken part in required activities.
Fostering Loyalty
Repeat business is the lifeblood of the travel industry. It's crucial for companies, big and small, to build strong and lasting relationships with their clients, ensuring they return year after year. To achieve this goal, many travel companies implement loyalty programs. Now, NFTs (non-fungible tokens) can play a significant role in enhancing these programs and encouraging repeat business.
By leveraging NFTs, travel companies can reward travelers who complete activities and visit specific destinations. These rewards can be as simple as offering discounts on future bookings or purchases. Thanks to the capabilities of NFTs, companies can also grant their clients points, which they can redeem whenever they wish.
NFTs not only add a fun and interactive element to loyalty programs but also provide a seamless and secure way to store information about the rewards. This way, travelers can easily access and use their earned points or discounts at their convenience, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Real-Life Examples of NFTs in the Travel and Tourism Industry
Several travel companies and hotels have embraced NFT technology to achieve their goals. Let's take a look at several real-life examples of how NFTs are being applied in the travel and tourism industry.
Lago Mar Waterpark
Located in Texas City, Lago Mar Waterpark has taken a unique approach by offering NFT season passes. This was the first time a significant US attraction has utilized NFTs for this purpose.
The waterpark, with its stunning Lago Mar lagoon, has become a popular summer destination in Houston since its opening in 2020. In 2021, around 80,000 visitors purchased day passes to experience the lagoon. Since then, the waterpark has introduced NFT season passes to provide even more exciting experiences.
Lago Mar Waterpark offered four different NFT season passes, each showcasing a different video of people enjoying Texas's largest lagoon. Each NFT came with a bonus perk that NFT holders can enjoy. For example, the "Sailing NFT" granted special sailing privileges on Lago Mar, while the other three NFTs provided access to aquastrike, kayaking, or paddleboarding.
Regardless of which NFT a person purchased, they were granted unlimited access to Lago Mar Crystal Lagoon until the end of that year. The NFT season ticket also came with additional benefits, including discounts on food and drinks, a one-time pass to bring four guests to Lago Mar, and special seats and invitations to live entertainment events.
These real-life examples demonstrate how NFTs are adding excitement and exclusive perks to the travel experience, enhancing customer satisfaction and engagement at popular attractions like Lago Mar Waterpark.
Marriott International
Marriott International, known for its award-winning travel program with 30 exceptional hotel brands and a wide range of experiences, has joined forces with talented digital artists – TXREK, JVY, and Erick Nicolay – to create three unique NFTs. By doing so, Marriott Bonvoy has become one of the pioneering hospitality brands to venture into the world of NFTs.
These NFTs were unveiled as part of the "Power of Travel" campaign, inspired by Marriott's global travel program, at the prestigious Art Basel Miami Beach 2021 – a renowned art show for modern and contemporary art. Each NFT represents the artists' personal interpretation of travel experiences, highlighting the undeniable impact of travel on the human spirit.
Unlike other NFT releases that often involve charitable auctions, Marriott Bonvoy's NFT collection was crafted to generate excitement among art enthusiasts and showcase the brand's loyalty program. Additionally, this initiative positions Marriott as an early adopter in the emerging metaverse, where NFTs are expected to play a significant role.
Ca’ di Dio Hotel, Venice
Ca’ di Dio, a luxurious hotel nestled in the beautiful city of Venice, Italy, took a unique approach to welcome its first guests. Before officially opening its doors, the hotel decided to auction off a special one-night stay for one fortunate guest to experience the property in exclusive solitude before other guests arrived.
In an exciting twist, the hotel chose to conduct this extraordinary auction through the OpenSea platform. This bold move not only made Ca’ di Dio the first hotel in the world to complete a reservation entirely via NFT, but it also captured the attention of a global audience, creating quite a buzz.
Rosewood London Hotel
Rosewood London launched their Art Afternoon Tea, drawing inspiration from the renowned Surrealist artist, Salvador Dali. The 5-star luxury hotel spared no effort in providing customers with an immersive experience as they delighted in artful tea accompanied by a selection of colorful pastries. To elevate the experience further, Rosewood implemented augmented reality and NFT technology to create their first 'NFTea' collection.
In crafting this unique and innovative food based NFT, Rosewood London combined the exceptional pastry skills of Mark Perkins, the iconic artwork of Salvador Dali, and the technological expertise of SmartMedia Labs. The collection offered three exquisite pastries, each with its own distinctive charm.
The Queen of Hearts, an enchanting creation from Dali's 'Playing Card' collection, featured ruby peach jelly, almond sponge, and glazed strawberry mousse on a red sable heart. Next in the 'NFTea' set was the Metamorphosis of Narcissus, where a narcissus flower bloomed out of Dali's egg, creating an intriguing and visually captivating treat. Lastly, the Persistence of Memory portrayed a butterfly, one of Dali's most iconic symbols, symbolizing freedom, metamorphosis, and transformation.
Guests had the opportunity to enjoy these culinary works of art, with prices starting at just £72 per person. Rosewood London's 'NFTea' collection truly offered a remarkable blend of art, technology, and culinary expertise, providing an unforgettable experience for all who savored the delicious treats and admired the creative fusion of flavors and design.
Travala’s Travel Tiger Club
When Travala decided to incorporate NFTs into their platform, it wasn't surprising given their position as a well-known online travel agency built on blockchain technology. Travala offers its customers access to an impressive array of over 90,000 destinations listed on their platform, and they even allow payments in cryptocurrencies.
The introduction of the founders' edition Travala.com "Travel Tigers" NFTs brought an exciting twist to their offerings. This unique collection consisted of 1,000 utility NFTs, randomly generated on the Ethereum blockchain. These NFTs became available through the exclusive Travel Tiger travel club, allowing all members to acquire their very own distinct NFT.
These NFTs held a special role as keys, granting members access to the Smart Diamond rewards program. As Smart Diamond holders, travelers enjoyed a host of benefits, including points, bonuses, and discounts that made their journeys even more rewarding.
Each Traveling Tiger NFT featured a nomadic traveler, with each one possessing distinct and individual characteristics. These NFTs worked in conjunction with AVA, a multi-chain token accessible on the Binance Smart Chain (BEP-20), Binance Chain (BEP-2), and Ethereum blockchain (ERC-20).
As members of Travala's Smart Diamond Club, travelers were eligible for AVA-based giveback rewards. To unlock this esteemed status, they needed a Travel Tiger NFT and 2,500 AVA tokens. The program offered an enticing range of rewards, including smart discounts, proof of travel, travel drops, exclusive access, concierge access, and numerous others.
By embracing NFTs and combining them with their loyalty program, Travala added an exciting layer of engagement and value for their members. This innovation showcased their commitment to providing unique and rewarding travel experiences to all their customers.
Galileo Travel Futures Club
Galileo has launched an exciting new initiative called the Travel Futures Club, aimed at helping the travel sector recover from the losses suffered during the pandemic. This club utilizes blockchain technology to create a unique and rewarding experience for its clients. By purchasing $TRVL tokens, customers gain access to a range of benefits and opportunities.
The introduction of NFTs takes this offering to the next level. With NFTs, customers can mint the trips they've purchased using $TRVL tokens, making their travel experiences even more personalized and special. Holding and stacking $TRVL tokens alone already comes with numerous advantages. For instance, customers can enjoy additional spa and experience vouchers every month, benefit from a 15% discount on vouchers, and even earn free travel vouchers by building up their Travel Score.
The beauty of NFTs lies in their representation of an entire travel experience, which clients can redeem within the next 3 to 5 years. But here's the exciting part – clients are not bound to use them immediately. They have the freedom to resell the NFTs for a profit if they wish. This approach enables the industry to continue generating profits, eliminates the risk of cancellation fees, and offers both travel agencies and travelers peace of mind.
Currently, the Galileo Travel Future Club features Bali as the primary destination for NFT holders. However, the company is diligently working to expand the offering to include other exciting destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Italy.
To ensure the utmost security for customers' travel assets, especially in light of numerous cybersecurity threats, the Travel Futures Club provides free access to the Travel Futures Wallet. This secure platform offers a safe and reliable way to store Travel Assets until the perfect time comes for their use or sale.
Galileo's Travel Futures club is truly a remarkable step forward in the travel industry, combining cutting-edge technology with unparalleled benefits for their valued customers.
Dream Hollywood Hotel
Here's another exciting example of how NFTs are making their mark in travel marketing. You might already be familiar with the Dream Hollywood Hotel, a highly popular venue in Los Angeles. To stay competitive and stand out from the rest, the hotel made a bold decision to embrace NFT technology.
In a groundbreaking move, the hotel became the first in the world to host an NFT art exhibition. Collaborating with The Crypt Gallery, this partnership allowed the hotel to showcase a fascinating NFT exhibition right in its lobby. To ensure visitors have a clear understanding of NFTs and their benefits, the hotel's staff is readily available in the lobby to provide education and guidance.
Moreover, this luxury boutique hotel took things further by launching an exclusive VIP membership program called "Social Club," which centers entirely around NFTs. The NFT collection for this club is a limited edition and becoming a member grants access to a world of VIP privileges. From metaverse activations and exclusive events with the Crypt Gallery to enjoying poolside lounge chairs and expert concierge services, the perks are uniquely tied to the NFT membership.
As part of the Social Club, members are rewarded with a complimentary one-night stay in a luxurious suite and a generous 10% discount on hotel rooms and weekday poolside cabanas. And here's the fantastic part: NFT holders have the freedom to sell their NFTs, including all the fantastic membership benefits that come with them.
The Dream Hollywood Hotel's venture into NFTs is truly groundbreaking and demonstrates how this technology is revolutionizing the travel industry, providing customers with unparalleled experiences and opportunities.
AirBaltic
AirBaltic has taken an innovative step by becoming one of the first airlines based in Latvia to utilize NFTs in promoting its services and attracting more clients. Not only that, but the company also used NFTs to highlight the beauty of tourist destinations in Latvia, showcasing some of the country's most attractive cities.
To achieve this, AirBaltic created NFT art tokens inspired by Latvia's major cities and conducted an auction to sell these captivating NFT collectibles. The campaign proved to be a success, prompting AirBaltic to introduce the Planies NFT collectibles as part of their customer loyalty program.
The Planies NFT collection comprises an impressive 10,000 unique cartoon aircraft designs. By owning these NFTs, frequent flyers can save on additional expenses, providing them with even more reasons to choose AirBaltic for their travel needs. To further entice customers, AirBaltic ingeniously linked the NFT collection to their airBaltic Club, rewarding members who are also NFT holders with valuable loyalty points.
With fierce competition in the airline industry, AirBaltic's use of NFTs is a strategic move to foster lasting relationships with customers and encourage repeat business. As travelers continue their journey with AirBaltic, they have the exciting opportunity to collect exclusive NFTs, which can be traded along with the exceptional benefits they offer. This dynamic approach not only sets AirBaltic apart but also opens up new and rewarding experiences for its valued customers.
Lucky Ape Travel Club
Travel Lucky Ape stands out as the front-runner among NFT collections tailored specifically for metaverse enthusiasts and travelers alike. It proudly presents the very first NFT collection that grants travelers access to a variety of boutique hotels across the globe.
This remarkable collection comprises over 10,000 NFTs, all built on the immensely popular Ethereum blockchain. Holders of these NFTs enjoy the exciting privilege of attending community parties in exotic locations, all while reaping the numerous benefits available within the Metaverse.
At the heart of Travel Lucky Ape lies the exclusive Lucky Ape Travel Club NFT, acting as a coveted membership card to this elite club. Holders have complete freedom to trade or sell their NFT, adding a unique dimension to their travel experiences. What truly sets the Travel Lucky Ape NFT apart is its focus on catering to adventurous travelers seeking out extraordinary destinations like secluded, stunning manors, and exhilarating yacht parties.
The NFT holders gain access to The Odyssey Lounge, a remarkable portal that empowers travelers to reach their chosen destination with ease. Functioning as an exclusive online reservation system, The Odyssey Lounge accepts only NFTs as payment, ensuring a seamless and secure booking process.
Travelers can indulge in stays of up to 7 days, relishing the exceptional destinations available through the Lucky Ape Travel Club, including Miami, exotic Tulum in Mexico, Rio De Janeiro, Sosua in Dominican Republic, Bali, and Istanbul.
Flybondi
Flybondi, the Argentine-based low-cost airline, has partnered with TravelX to introduce NFT tickets for its customers. TravelX is a Web3 travel company that began its journey, with the goal of helping airlines issue tickets as non-fungible tokens.
Holidaymakers interested in these innovative tickets can easily purchase them directly on Flybondi's website using fiat currencies. When a passenger buys a ticket, they will receive an NFT ticket in addition to their regular e-ticket. To manage and store these NFTs efficiently, passengers can create a Ticket 3.0 account on the platform. What's exciting is that passengers can also modify their ticket details, transfer ownership, and even sell their NFT tickets at their convenience.
The introduction of NFT tickets brings greater flexibility to travelers' experiences. They can now buy tickets in advance without specifying concrete travel plans or declaring the actual travelers. This advantageous feature not only simplifies the booking process for passengers but also enables Flybondi to reduce customer service fees while increasing revenues through trading fees.
To develop the airline's NFT ticketing technology, TravelX utilized the Algorand blockchain. As the platform continues to grow, it aspires to onboard more airlines, paving the way for exciting Web3 opportunities for travelers.
Air Europa
Air Europa has also partnered with TravelX, the pioneering company that is building the travel industry's first blockchain-based distribution protocol, along with the blockchain platform Algorand, to introduce an innovative series of NFT flight tickets called "NFTickets."
These unique NFTickets offered purchasers exclusive access to a special Air Europa flight to Miami Beach, accompanied by exciting perks and events leading up to the premier art show of the Americas in December 2022. To make this experience even more special, every 14 days, a batch of ten NFTickets, in collaboration with renowned artists, were made available for auction on the travelxchange.com platform.
The captivating NFTicket series, entitled "The Art as the Destination," was thoughtfully curated by Ximena Caminos, who entrusted the first piece to the talented multi-disciplinary artist, Carlos Betancourt.
The NFTickets bring an extraordinary blend of travel, art, and exclusivity, giving ticket holders an unparalleled experience to look forward to. By combining cutting-edge blockchain technology with the magic of flight and art, Air Europa, TravelX, and Algorand have created a one-of-a-kind journey that celebrates the beauty of travel and the allure of art.
LynKey
LynKey, a global platform that utilizes Blockchain, AI, NFTs, and Metaverse technology to empower luxury resorts and vacation properties, has launched an ambitious project aimed at revolutionizing the travel and tourism industry. This groundbreaking initiative seeks to tokenize and offer NFT and Metaverse solutions valued at over $8 billion dollars.
The centerpiece of this project is the introduction of "Metamart," a cutting-edge NFT marketplace that allows tourism operators and developers to create unique and exciting experiences. These experiences, known as LynKs, can be accessed by the community within the LynKey ecosystem. The best part is that these experiences are not only easily accessible but are also offered at special rates to the community, thanks to the seamless blockchain systems that eliminate unnecessary intermediaries.
By embracing Metamart, the community not only gains access to these extraordinary experiences but also has the opportunity to earn rewards by supporting the LynKey ecosystem. Additionally, LynKey's NFTs are tradable on the Metamart platform, presenting a fantastic investment opportunity for the community to earn even more rewards.
Tiger Being
Tiger Being is making history in Asia by introducing the first-ever private travel club membership NFT. This exciting collection consists of 4,096 NFTs, each a unique digital collectible residing on the Solana blockchain. Every Tiger Being NFT is generated with its own distinct style and cultural background, offering a diverse and special experience for each holder.
As a Tiger Being NFT holder, you gain access to a world of exclusive experiences through collaborations with esteemed partners in the travel and hospitality industry. With your "NFT pass," you can seamlessly connect the virtual and real world, unlocking a series of unforgettable adventures.
Being a member of Tiger Being's NFT club has its perks – you automatically become part of an exclusive community, and your tokens act as potential admission tickets for a range of exceptional experiences. Imagine reserving rooms in top hotels in Hong Kong for extended stays, indulging in a private sailing adventure, or enjoying a travel-themed private feast.
What's more, certain Tiger Being tokens hold even more rarity, allowing you to combine tokens of varying values to upgrade your membership and access even greater benefits.
Tiger Being values community and interaction, which is why they have created a vibrant Discord community. Here, members can connect, share their extraordinary travel experiences, and embrace a lifestyle of exploration and excitement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NFTs hold great potential for transforming the travel industry. From improved marketing and engaging travel experiences to fostering loyalty and offering exclusive perks, NFTs are reshaping the way travelers engage with and experience destinations. Real-life examples of NFT adoption in travel demonstrate its growing popularity and the exciting possibilities it offers for both travel companies and their customers. As NFT technology continues to evolve, it is poised to revolutionize the travel industry, creating a more personalized, immersive, and rewarding travel experience for all.