Summer is a peak season for travel, dining, and shopping. As tourists explore new destinations, they seek convenient ways to spend money—and gift cards provide the perfect solution. From shopping centers to restaurants and entertainment venues, digital gift cards can drive revenue while offering a seamless customer experience.
Why gift cards are perfect for summer travel
- Convenience for tourists – Travelers don’t always carry cash or want to use their credit cards abroad. Gift cards offer a secure payment alternative, allowing them to enjoy their trip without financial concerns.
- Boosting local shopping – Shopping centers can promote location-based gift cards, encouraging tourists to spend at participating stores. These gift cards can be used across multiple merchants, creating an interconnected shopping experience.
- Experience-driven gifting – Hotels, amusement parks, and cultural attractions can use gift cards to create memorable experiences. A gift card for a sunset cruise, theme park, or guided city tour adds excitement to any vacation.
- Encouraging repeat visits – Travelers who receive a local gift card may be inclined to return to the same destination in the future, increasing tourism and customer loyalty for businesses.
Retailer strategies for promoting gift cards this summer
- Offer travel-themed gift cards with seasonal designs – Summer-themed digital gift cards featuring beaches, sunsets, or landmarks can appeal to tourists looking for convenient gifting options.
- Partner with local attractions and bundle experiences – Collaborate with local tour operators, museums, or entertainment venues to create package deals that include gift cards for easy and fun spending.
- Run digital campaigns targeting tourists and summer shoppers – Leverage online advertising, social media, and influencer marketing to attract travelers before they arrive at their destination.
- Provide discounts or bonuses for tourists using gift cards – Offer a discount on a future purchase or bonus credits when visitors use a gift card. This encourages them to spend more and return before their trip ends.
- Promote through hotel and travel partners – Work with hotels, airlines, and travel agencies to include gift cards in vacation packages or offer them as booking incentives.
- Enable multi-use & cross-location redemption – Tourists love flexibility. Ensuring that a single gift card works across various locations—such as partner restaurants, shops, and attractions—can enhance its appeal.
Conclusion:
Gift cards are more than just a holiday season trend—they’re a valuable tool for summer spending. Whether it’s a traveler purchasing a last-minute gift, a family looking for entertainment, or a local business driving tourist engagement, digital gift cards provide a simple yet effective way to boost retail revenue. Retailers that embrace digital gift cards can tap into the lucrative tourism market while providing visitors with an easy, enjoyable way to shop and experience new places.
Statistical Arguments for Gift Card Solutions:
66.7% of consumers normally spend more than the gift card value
38.4% consumers say they have bought digital gift cards
21.7% of customers said they had become regular customers after receiving gift cards, increasing from 2019
30% of gift cards expire before the funds are fully redeemed.
(<– Learn more about the significant growth of the digital gift card market)
Learn more about Smart Octopus Solutions:
Together with a co-founder, Jurij Triller, CEO of Smart Octopus Solutions, has developed this smart gift card solution that offers a closed loop to customers and partners, unlike comparable products. In this interview with ACROSS he talks about the advantages of being independent from a major player like Visa or Mastercard, what data insights he can ensure as a result, and why personalization and customization are key. Read more
