Back Whether your customers are paddling through rapids at breakneck speeds, scaling cliffsides, or grabbing a post-hike coffee decked out in your gear, they’re making a statement about who they are and the kind of life they want to lead. This deep connection between product and purpose makes outdoor and adventure retail unique, but it also presents a challenge. With long purchase cycles and an increasing number of lower-cost competitors, how can you strengthen customer loyalty to your brand? Adventure isn’t confined to a store shelf and loyalty programs shouldn’t be either. Perks that fuel your customers’ passions, adding value to their lives are key — perks like travel rewards.
Our recent Travel Rewards in Retail study found that 67% of outdoor and adventure retail loyalty members said they book between four and eight trips per year (compared to 21% across all categories). Two-thirds also demonstrate a strong interest in booking travel directly through their retail loyalty program if given the option, and 57% would switch to their brand’s travel portal if pricing were better than other sites. These all point to a significant opportunity for retailers in this category to engage customers between purchases while creating market differentiation and driving a new incremental income.
Turning Travel Loyalty into Profit
Loyalty programs are sometimes viewed as a cost center, but they don’t have to be. Outdoor and adventure retail brands integrating travel booking into their loyalty offerings can negotiate significant discounts with travel suppliers while retaining a margin. For example, if a hotel offers 30% off stays, you can pass 25% to your customer and bank the rest, converting your program into a revenue-generating engine.
Discounts only represent one piece of the pie. Allowing members to earn points on travel booked through your portal, which can then be reinvested in the brand or redeemed for other attractive items, should be a major focus of your strategy. Our survey found that 62% of outdoor/adventure consumers would use their points to buy more products from their preferred brand, while 64% would purchase everyday items such as groceries or gas, reinforcing the role of relevant and flexible redemption options to your program’s success.
Unlike fast-moving consumer goods, outdoor retail requires a different approach to loyalty that aligns with how customers shop and travel. With many only making large purchases every few years, the slow accumulation of points is unlikely to resonate. Providing travel perks that offer immediate value, such as discounted lodging, waived baggage fees, or adventure travel package deals, creates an instant incentive for engagement.
Personalizing your Perks
Outdoor and adventure brands serve diverse audiences; loyalty strategies should reflect these differences. Premium lifestyle brands, which emphasize heritage and exclusivity, would benefit from rewards that offer unique experiences like guided expeditions or eco-luxury stays. Technical performance brands, catering to serious athletes and explorers, can improve their programs by providing access to adventure race entries or specialized workshops. More utility-driven brands, which focus on durability and function, can inspire loyalty with discounts on national park passes and gear rentals while traveling.
Understanding these nuances and configuring your program to be an extension of your brand identity allows you to capture your customers’ travel demand with a unique value proposition that might be unavailable through other loyalty platforms.
Standing Out in a Dynamic Market
The outdoor retail industry faces growing challenges from knockoffs and budget alternatives that mimic premium designs without the same level of quality or innovation. While these lower-cost options may tempt price-conscious shoppers, a strong loyalty program shifts the focus from price alone to long-term value. Loyalty programs that include exclusive benefits, such as members-only adventure opportunities and personalized travel perks, reinforce authenticity and build trust, making it easier for customers to justify continued loyalty and harder to rationalize switching to an unfamiliar competitor.
Loyalty in outdoor and adventure retail isn’t just about transactions — it’s about supporting the experiences that consumers desire. A well-executed travel rewards program strengthens customer engagement, encourages repeat purchases, and positions the brand as an essential part of the customer’s journey. Travel incentives can also be a powerful acquisition tool, attracting consumers who may not have initially considered a brand but are drawn in by the added value. Over time, this deepens brand affinity and increases customer lifetime value.
By integrating travel rewards, loyalty is no longer solely tied to occasional purchases. When your brand offers exclusive travel perks, seamless booking options and meaningful rewards, the customer relationship can develop into something much larger — an ongoing partnership in adventure.
Download our study Travel Rewards in Retail: An Overlooked Strategy for Building Stronger Loyalty, to learn how arrivia can help your brand drive revenue, higher customer lifetime value and sustained engagement through travel.