Landing brand collaborations is one of the biggest milestones for any travel creator.
But the challenge is finding the right opportunities - with so many travel brands and creators out there, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start, who to contact and how to stand out.
In this guide, we'll break down exactly where to find travel brand collaborations so you can start pitching brands right away.
Start With the Right Mindset
Before you dive into sending pitches or scrolling through opportunities, it’s important to start with the right mindset about collaborations.
A brand partnership isn’t just about “getting free trips” or “scoring products.” It’s a professional exchange of value: the brand gets exposure, content or conversions, and you get compensation, experiences or long-term opportunities.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Think beyond freebies → Paid campaigns, long-term ambassadorships, affiliate programs and UGC projects are all forms of collaboration.
- Focus on alignment → Work with brands that fit your niche (luxury travel, budget backpacking, adventure, sustainability, etc.) so the partnership feels authentic to your audience.
- Quality > quantity → A handful of strong, well-aligned collaborations will serve you far better than chasing dozens of one-off deals.
When you start seeing collaborations as partnerships (not handouts) it becomes much easier to pitch confidently and build lasting relationships with brands.
Now lets dive into where to find brand collaborations and sponsership opportunities.
1. Dedicated Platforms & Apps
Platforms designed for creators are one of the easiest ways to find collaborations, especially if you’re just starting out. These marketplaces connect creators with brands that are actively looking for partnerships, which means the opportunities are warm, not cold.
Travel Collabs
Travel Collabs is a travel-specific platform sharing weekly collaboration opportunities with tourism boards, hotels and travel-related brands. Instead of spending hours searching and pitching, you can browse a curated list of brands actively looking for travel creators.
Other Platforms to consider
- AspireIQ, CreatorIQ & Influence.co → Larger influencer platforms that list campaigns across many niches, including travel.
- Collabstr & Tribe → Smaller apps where you can find brand deals and one-off projects.
2. Use Social Media to Connect With Brands
Social platforms aren’t just for posting your own content, they’re powerful tools for networking and discovering opportunities. Don’t overlook LinkedIn - it’s one of the best places to connect directly with decision-makers in the travel industry and discover opportunities that never make it to public platforms.
Search job titles like Influencer Marketing Manager, Brand Partnerships Manager, or Social Media Manager at travel companies, airlines and tourism boards. These are usually the decision-makers for collaborations. Don’t just connect, send a short personalized note introducing who you are and what you do.
Instagram & TikTok
Many brands add “📧 for collabs” in their bio - take note of these addresses and reach out via email. You can also follow brands you’d love to work with, engage with their content genuinely and build a relationship before pitching.
3. Pitch Directly via Email Outreach
Another way to find brand collaborations is by reaching out directly to brands, hotels or tourism boards you already know about and would love to work with.
Make a list of your dream travel brands (airlines, hotels, tourism boards, or gear companies) and find the right person to contact, like a social media or marketing manager.
To find the right contact, you can check the brand’s website for a “Press” or “Media” page. If that fails, look on LinkedIn for people with titles like Influencer Marketing Manager or Social Media Manager.
Tools like Hunter.io or simple Google searches (e.g. “Brand + press contact”) can also help.
A well-targeted email can open doors to opportunities you won’t find on platforms or social media. Brands, hotels and tourism boards receive countless generic requests, but a thoughtful, professional email can set you apart.
4. Attend Travel Networking Events
Face-to-face connections are still one of the most effective ways to discover travel collaboration opportunities. Networking events allow you to meet brand representatives, tourism boards and other creators in person, so you can exchange ideas and build relationships.
Major travel trade shows
Events like ITB Berlin, WTM London, TBEX, and IMM Asia bring together hundreds of brands in one place, giving you direct access to partnership decision-makers.
Creator retreats and workshops:
Smaller, niche gatherings offer more personal interactions, one-on-one meetings and chances to build long-term relationships.
Tips for making the most of events:
- Set clear goals: Identify 3-5 brands you want to connect with or sessions to attend.
- Come prepared: Have your business card or a digital media kit ready.
- Follow up: After the event, send a short thank-you email or LinkedIn message to the contacts you made.
5. Online Communities & Groups
If travelling to events isn’t always possible, online communities are a great way to stay connected and spot opportunities early. These groups often share exclusive collaboration leads, insider tips and mentorship opportunities.
- Facebook Groups: Search for travel creator, influencer, or content creator communities. For example: “Travel Bloggers & Influencers” and “Travel Creator Collaborations.”
- Discord Servers: Many travel creator communities host channels dedicated to collaboration requests and brand opportunities.
- Forums & Slack Channels: Smaller, niche communities can offer high-quality leads and networking opportunities you won’t find elsewhere.
Make sure to gngage consistently - answer questions, share insights and contribute to discussions. Being an active, helpful member increases the chances brands or other creators will notice you.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide is helpful in showing you the many ways to find travel brand collaborations, from dedicated platforms like TravelCollabs, to LinkedIn, direct email outreach, networking events like IMM Asia and active online communities.
The key is to explore multiple channels, stay consistent and focus on opportunities that align with your niche and audience.
Now it’s your turn: start making a list of the brands and platforms that excite you, and take the first step toward building meaningful collaborations. The right opportunity is out there and with a bit of strategy, persistence and creativity, you can start connecting with the brands that fit you best.
If you’re serious about landing collabs (& making money) with your travel content - here are the best resources to help make it happen 👇
- 🔓 Travel Collabs Pro - Get unlimited access to the full library of travel collab opportunities - updated weekly.
- 🚀 Travel Collabs Playbook - A system for pitching, following up & securing deals - with templates, scripts and first-hand advice.
- 💸 Travelpayouts - Earn passive income from your blog or social media with the largest affiliate network for travel creators.
- 🏨 Stay22 - Maximize your hotel booking commissions with AI that skyrockets conversions (if you're a travel blogger, you need this).
