November 20, 2025 — Leads & Copy — While travel companies invest nearly $8 billion annually in digital advertising, much of it fails to translate into actual bookings.
NextTrip, Inc (Nasdaq:NTRP) aims to bridge this gap by using methods from the gaming industry to connect inspiration with transactions. According to NextTrip, traditional guest journeys resemble a web more than a direct funnel, creating disconnects between the dreaming and the booking process.
Ian Sharpe, NextTrip’s Chief Operating Officer of Media, leverages his 25 years of experience at Atari and EA Sports to implement a data-driven lifecycle management framework. Sharpe explained that unlike simply selling a product, the company focuses on ensuring ongoing engagement and offering additional content throughout the customer’s lifecycle.
NextTrip’s approach, “Watch. Scan. Book. Go,” aims to create a seamless experience. For example, a viewer watching a documentary about Morocco on the JOURNY channel can scan a QR code on their phone, which will direct them to a booking page featuring time-sensitive offers related to that destination. The company said this method facilitates immediate conversions during the moment of inspiration.
According to Sharpe’s team, interactive overlays and QR codes drive 4-10 times more engagement compared to standard travel industry newsletters. Data suggests QR codes have increased visitor engagement by 45% and guest satisfaction by 35% when used to provide relevant information and offers.
NextTrip focuses on event-anchored promotions linked to specific occasions such as World Cup matches, concerts, and weddings, compelling travelers who are already planning to attend, according to Sharpe. The company produces content such as “I Do,” which follows families gathering for destination weddings, creating emotional resonance while capturing booking intent in real time.
NextTrip’s multi-platform strategy includes Roku, Apple TV, iOS, Android, FAST channels, and social media partnerships with Jungle Media. This comprehensive strategy ensures the brand meets audiences where they are already consuming media, from TikTok to long-form documentaries.
NextTrip is positioning itself to capture a significant share of the $10.9 trillion global tourism economy, citing their recent LOI for the acquisition of the GoUSA channels from BrandUSA. This acquisition aims to expand their reach to 100 countries across more than 20 platforms. Furthermore, the December launch in Southeast Asia via KC Global Media is expected to reach over 300 million homes worldwide. Sharpe stated their goal is to ensure that anyone can connect with anyone, from Morocco to the Maldives, London to Vancouver.
The company says long-form content on JOURNY is crucial for high-value bookings, while short-form content creates initial interest. Short-form content acts as a gateway to getting people to watch more and investigate more before booking their holiday.
NextTrip transformed JOURNY from a FAST channel on Samsung TV with a reach of 17 million viewers into a comprehensive video-on-demand platform and app. They are producing original content across wellness travel, sports travel, and destination exploration, allowing them to serve different customer motivations and preferences without losing overall thematic consistency.
Sharpe’s team emphasizes that they are not trying to gamify the experience, but instead leverage gaming-derived insights to enhance loyalty, offers, and calls to action. The company’s proprietary overlay technology enhances interactive capabilities without disrupting the viewing experience, making “Watch.Scan.Book.Go” effective at scale.
NextTrip’s ultimate goal is to create a “social compact” in which advertising dollars fund engaging content that helps people discover and book experiences. The company says their platform strategy aims to facilitate what tourists want to do and where they want to go, then facilitate it as seamlessly as possible.
Kristen Owens, Media Contact, media@vanderbiltreport.com
Source: Vanderbilt Report
Source: Vanderbilt Report
