Personalized entertainment experiences are increasingly popular among consumers, with the travel industry fully embracing this trend. As consumer expectations and interests evolve, the travel industry is adapting by providing personalized digital entertainment. While this concept is not necessarily new, it is establishing new standards of success within the industry. This growing emphasis on personalization has quickly become a key differentiator for travel brands looking to stay relevant by building loyalty and improving customer satisfaction.
TikTok’s Expansion Beyond the Phone
TikTok has revolutionized the short form content landscape on social media. Naturally, utilizing innovative ideas to stay relevant is at the forefront of their business strategy. One of the most striking examples of this is TikTok’s “Out of Phone” program; traditionally found on mobile social media, the “Out of Phone” program aims to bring content into everyday spaces, where travelers and non-travelers intersect, thus increasing exposure. TikTok is partnering with different venues and companies such as Westfield Malls, Rockbot, and Hope Hydration in order to achieve this initiative. By delivering short form content into these spaces, TikTok is positioning itself as a ubiquitous entertainment provider, ensuring content is accessible to consumers wherever they go.
Taxi Integration of Digital Out-of-Home Advertising
While strides for personalized entertainment have mostly been seen in the airline travel sector, the ground transportation sector has begun to implement these changes as well. Recently, Curb Mobility has entered into a partnership with Newsmax to deliver news content to passengers in more than 65 markets, covering over 15,000 vehicles. Given this piloting is successful, the goal is to add TikTok content into the mix; integrating short form content alongside traditional news will ensure passengers can have access to their preferred content while in transit.
The Role of AI and Cloud Technology in Personalization
While this trend of entertainment personalization is consumer driven, the amplification of it can be attributed to the advancements of AI. AI can analyze critical user information to make tailored recommendations for travel entertainment; elements such as watch history, demographics, and travel preferences are utilized to make personalized recommendations. The goal is to keep travelers engaged, either on a personal screen or in public displays, with relevant and engaging entertainment.
Conversely, another technological component that allows for this trend to flourish is cloud-based delivery systems. Cloud-based delivery systems, in this context, allow for seamless access to entertainment regardless of where or what device is accessing the content. Integration of cloud-based delivery systems in different travel environments is further shaping the traveler’s experience, aligned with general consumer trends.
Implications for Travel Brands and Advertisers
Building consumer trust is the hallmark of long-term engagement and loyalty. By delivering data-driven content that resonates on an individual level, travel brands can enhance passenger satisfaction, retention, and overall competitiveness in an industry where expectations are higher than ever. Embracing personalized entertainment also opens new avenues for targeted marketing campaigns that feel authentic rather than overtly promotional, allowing brands to leverage analytics for both content and strategic marketing initiatives.
This trend highlights the broader shift toward digital out-of-home advertising, blending traditional marketing with strategically placed, real-time engagement. As consumers grow less inclined to engage with ads at home, reaching them during travel offers a more effective path to conversion. For brands, it presents an innovative way to connect with audiences at key moments in their journey; for passengers, it delivers curated entertainment that makes transit more enjoyable. Pivoting to out-of-home advertising is, therefore, essential for travel and advertising brands to thrive in today’s consumer landscape.
Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Travel Entertainment
The future of entertainment is inevitably going to be dominated by personalized digital entertainment. From TikTok’s expansion beyond mobile to taxi-based digital out of home advertising platforms, the focus is on creating tailored experiences that engage, delight, and retain customers. For travelers, this means journeys that feel more customized, comfortable, and connected. For brands, it’s an opportunity to engage audiences in innovative ways and turn travel into an extension of their digital lifestyle. As technology continues to evolve, the brands that succeed will be those that embrace personalization as both a service and a marketing strategy.
If your travel business is ready to take the next step in entertainment innovation, now is the time to act. Contact us today to explore how we can help your business integrate new strategies.
Contributions to this blog by Anastasia Pedraza.