In an age where memories matter more than material things, experience gifting has quietly risen to the top of consumer wish lists. Whether it's a hot air balloon ride over Tuscany, a luxury spa day in the Cotswolds, or a last-minute city break to Prague, more people are choosing to give (and receive) unforgettable moments over traditional gifts.
Yet despite this trend, the travel and hospitality sectors have been slower than others to fully embrace experience gifting as part of their gift card strategy.
Let’s explore why experience gifting is such a powerful tool for this industry - and how a well-managed gift card program can turn it into serious commercial impact.
Why experiences win hearts (and wallets) 💘
Consumers today are looking for connection, adventure, and personalisation. Experience gifts tick all the boxes. They’re:
- Emotionally engaging – people remember an experience long after the price tag is forgotten.
- Highly shareable – cue the Instagram stories, TikToks, and glowing reviews.
- Perfect for all occasions – from birthdays and anniversaries to ‘just because’.
Plus, they’re often aspirational purchases - which means a gift card may be the nudge someone needs to finally book that boutique hotel or fly first class for the first time.
Where travel brands could do more 🚀
Despite growing consumer appetite, many travel and hospitality businesses still treat gift cards as an afterthought. We get it - you’re busy running complex operations. But here’s what’s being left on the table:
- Massive B2B opportunity: Experience gift cards are a top performer in reward and incentive programs. Think corporate gifting, loyalty schemes, employee perks, and beyond.
- New customer acquisition: When someone gifts your brand, they’re essentially endorsing you. And the recipient? Likely someone new to your business.
- Low-discount, high-margin sales: Gift cards are often redeemed at full price and typically lead to basket spend above the value of the card. In travel and leisure, this can be a huge uplift, with a £50 gift card quickly turning into a £300 getaway.
- Omni-channel magic: Whether online, in-person, or via a travel agent — the right program ensures your gift cards work everywhere your brand does.
What's holding brands back? 🤔
Here’s what we hear most often:
- “It’s too complex to manage across multiple systems.”
- “We don’t have the internal resource to optimise it.”
- “Our current program is fine... for now.”
But with the right partner (👋), none of those are deal-breakers. At Tillo, we help travel and hospitality brands launch, manage, and grow powerful gift card programs - across both consumer and B2B channels. We handle the tech, the integrations, the reporting, and even the relationships.
All you need to do? Dream up the kind of experiences your audience will love - and let us help you turn them into giftable moments.
Ready to elevate your brand with experience gifting?
The demand is already there. Your competitors are catching on. And your customers are waiting to gift your next great adventure.
Now’s the time to unlock the overlooked power of experience gifting - and we’re here to make it easy.
👉 Let’s talk about your gift card strategy.
