The hotel technology company creates Luxury Digital Vouchers to help premium hotel brands thrive online this festive season
This Black Friday marked another milestone for Journey’s luxury hotel partners, achieving an impressive £6 million in gift voucher sales. The UK leader in hotel gift vouchers reported an 18% year-on-year growth in sales, reflecting both the enduring appeal of luxury experiences and the growing demand for meaningful, high-quality gifts.
Early risers wasted no time snapping up bargains, with peak sales occurring between 8 a.m and 11 a.m. Shoppers not only bought more but also spent more, with order values increasing by 12% compared to last year. At its busiest, a voucher was sold every three seconds —a testament to the allure of indulgent getaways and experiences.
Simon Bullingham, CEO at Journey, says, “This year’s Black Friday shopping event has been an extraordinary start to the festive season, with an 18% year on year growth in luxury hotel gift voucher sales. We’re delighted that our hotel voucher technology helps our hotel partners thrive online.”
Cyber Monday followed closely as the second-largest sales day of the year, boasting a 17% increase in order volume. Together, these key shopping dates have solidified the Black Friday shopping event as a critical driver of success for Journey’s hotel partners.
With Christmas fast approaching and nearly 70% of consumers choosing to send hotel gift vouchers via email, Journey has also launched its Luxury Digital Vouchers – a first-to-market technology designed to elevate the online gifting experience.
December is the peak month for hotel gift voucher sales, generating nearly 40% of annual revenue. Recognizing the demand for unique, high-quality gifts, Journey has reimagined hotel digital vouchers to ensure they leave a lasting impression.
The new Luxury Digital Vouchers boast innovative features such as:
- Personalised audio messages – Add a heartfelt touch with a custom voice
- Premium voucher design – Sleek, sophisticated designs to suit any
- Animated voucher reveal – A visually engaging experience for
- Scheduled delivery date – Send the perfect gift at the perfect
- Downloadable PDF vouchers – Convenient and easy for the recipient to
Gift cards are the fourth most sought-after gift during the festive season and have become a staple of Christmas shopping. Journey’s Luxury Digital Vouchers cater to these trends, with 70% of purchases now made on mobile devices and afternoon tea and monetary vouchers topping the charts as the most popular options.
Interestingly, while women dominate gift voucher purchases throughout the year, men lead in December, purchasing three out of every five vouchers on Christmas Eve – proving that these digital vouchers are the perfect last-minute gift solution.
“Our Luxury Digital Vouchers have been crafted to make a lasting impression from the first click, combining convenience with a personal touch,” says Simon Bullingham, CEO at Journey. “We’re proud to help our hotel partners create unforgettable gifting moments this Christmas.”
Journey partners with over 750 leading hotels and resorts across the world. Discover more about Journey’s technology and services at journey.travel