If you’re the person in your friend group or family whose idea of travel planning includes coordinating Pinterest boards and TikTok collections full of outfit inspo and photo opportunities, there’s a good chance you don’t just love to travel — you also love to post about it. And if that’s the case, what if I told you there might be a way to get your next vacation to pay for itself?
If you’re already visualizing the perfect post-trip photo dump to post before you even book your next trip, you’re essentially halfway through the work that a lot of travel brands will sponsor creators to produce. That’s right, there’s a wide range of programs that pay creators and ambassadors to create travel content and influence others to book trips as well. Depending on the program, a travel ambassadorship or content creation opportunity can translate into perks like commissions, affiliate links, hosted stays, free activities, and even straight up paychecks. And many of them welcome college students to join!
If you’re still beginning your travel content creation hustle — or if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to start — these roles might be a great way to gain professional experience, while also gaining some pretty sweet life experiences as well.
So, if you’re ready to make your vacation carousel into something more, these nine travel ambassador and creator opportunities are waiting to help you take on the world.
Get Your Guide Content Creator Program
Instead of using the platform to just get a guide for your next destination, give your own with Get Your Guide’s Content Creator Program. In exchange, you’ll receive a monthly commission starting at 8%, professional development opportunities through Get Your Guide, and even the chance to participate in travel activities and experiences sponsored by the platform. Social media creators and writers are both welcome to apply.
Madpackers Creatorship Program
The Madpackers Creatorship Program works with accepted creators to design and record content in exchange for free stays (and sometimes free food!) in hostels, and the brand recently opened up applications to travel bloggers as well. Should you end up working with this group, you’ll be joining a team of other influencers and creatives and receive full credit for your work, which could get published across multiple platforms.
Wander Ambassador Program
If hostels aren’t your speed, don’t worry: Wander is looking for ambassadors to market its luxury properties. Accepted ambassadors will receive perks like free stays, Wander merchandise, and commissions any time a Wander property is booked through an ambassador’s referral link.
ParaVista Creator Program
ParaVista provides creators accepted into its network an opportunity to connect with various types of venues in exchange for either free stays, or free stays with additional compensation from the host. Regardless of which one you end up with, any time someone uses a creator’s referral code, the creator is guaranteed a 2.5% commission by ParaVista.
Tour Radar Ambassador Program
Tour Radar’s looking for creators who run the gamut of creative mediums and experience levels to produce content marketing experiences and destinations. Accepted creators start by earning commissions off referral links, and can work up to receiving spotlights in the company’s newsletter, free trips, and other compensation.
Expedia Group Travel Creator Program
If you’ve ever built a digital storefront, you’ll have no trouble as an Expedia creator. Accepted creators can create collections of all their travel favorites, from experiences to airlines to hotels, and market them with content in exchange for commissions.
Breeze Airways College Ambassador Program
If you’re heading off (or back) to campus this fall, consider applying to Breeze Airways’s College Ambassador program. As you build your professional experience and network by creating on and offline connections to market the brand, you’ll also accrue some flight perks!
Rove Content Creator Program
If you avidly collect miles on your daily purchases, Rove is the perfect match for you. Their program invites creators to exchange content for affiliate links and commissions, merchandise, and, with time and experience, funded collaborations, trips, and professional development opportunities.
EF Ultimate Break Brand Ambassador Program
If you’ve ever taken an EF Ultimate Break trip, or will be doing so in the future, you’re likely eligible for this ambassador program. In exchange for promoting the program on campus (and online), you’ll build up your resume and earn some miles for your inevitable next trip with the program.