Effective in-trip upselling starts with the itinerary, not a sales message. A useful offer fills an actual gap in the traveler’s plans. A poorly timed offer creates noise, even if the product itself is popular.

Build the minimum useful traveler profile

Record destination, arrival and departure dates, party size and interests shared by the customer. Check what is already booked. Avoid requesting personal information that is unnecessary for recommending or delivering the service. Confirm which communication channels the traveler wants to use.

Before departure: reduce uncertainty

Offer arrival transport and experiences that benefit from advance planning. Mention a real booking deadline only when the supplier provides it. Give the traveler time to review the meeting point, physical requirements and cancellation conditions before committing.

A simple message might read: “You arrive in Barcelona on Tuesday. Would you like us to arrange your airport transfer, or reserve a guided visit for your free morning?” Replace the destination and timing with verified trip details; do not present an automated guess as something confirmed.

On arrival: help first

Prioritise instructions for services the client has already purchased. If you make an additional recommendation, keep it short and nearby. Do not interrupt a pickup issue with a new sales offer. Put the booking and support links in distinct places so customers know which action to take.

During the trip: use context carefully

Consider remaining free time, product availability and weather suitability. Offer an indoor option when appropriate, but recheck opening hours and the booking cutoff. Do not imply that the traveler’s location is being tracked unless they have explicitly enabled that service.

Keep the message clear and truthful

Include what the experience is, why it fits, the date, duration and a link to current availability. Never invent limited stock, ratings or an expiring discount. Make it easy to decline further promotional messages and avoid repeated follow-ups after no response.

Evaluate the full booking outcome

Track delivered messages, clicks, completed bookings, refunds and support requests. A higher click rate is not success if customers cannot find an appropriate date or misunderstand the inclusions. Review results by trip stage to identify where the offer was actually useful.

Explore InTrip AI’s branded campaigns and the Toristy agent platform. Start with one destination, a clear customer segment and a small number of relevant products, then improve the workflow using real feedback.