In the fast-paced travel industry, standing out from competitors and reaching the right audience can be a tall order. Traditional app stores, though powerful, are saturated with thousands of travel apps competing for user attention. As travel app developers look for innovative ways to get noticed, mobile Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have become game changers. But the only catch is that you need to use the right and the best app marketing services such as mobile OEM experts to leverage this medium.
As of August 2024, the Google Play Store had approximately 2.3 million apps. By 2024, the Apple App Store will feature approximately 1.81 million applications, including 472,000 games. By leveraging OEM advertising, travel brands can bypass the crowded app store environment and put their apps directly in front of potential users the moment they pick up a new device.
With prominent OEMs like Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO, and Vivo expanding into their own app stores and ad platforms, mobile marketers now have a fresh way to tap into emerging markets, offer precision-targeted ads, and create high-visibility campaigns that genuinely reach users at just the right time.
Let’s explore how using the right app marketing services to run mobile OEM ads can fuel travel app growth and elevate user acquisition strategies beyond the limits of traditional app stores.
Why mobile OEM advertising is key for travel apps
Travel is one of the most competitive and dynamic app categories, with demand fluctuating by season, event, and region. OEM advertising brings several unique advantages that help travel brands capture users across these variables more effectively. Here’s why:
Reaching untapped markets
The big players in mobile OEMs—especially in Asia and emerging markets across Latin America and Africa—have immense reach and a loyal user base. Did you know that the Samsung user base in Europe is massive, amounting to over 31% of the market share in 2023? For travel apps targeting these regions, advertising through mobile OEMs offers direct access to audiences who may rely more on OEM app stores than on conventional platforms like Google Play. By sidestepping traditional app store competition, travel apps can reach previously untapped audiences and establish a presence in high-growth regions.
High visibility through Dynamic Preloads
One of the most significant advantages mobile OEMs provide is Dynamic Preloads. This feature allows users to choose which apps to download during the setup process.
Imagine a scenario where a user turns on their brand-new smartphone, and the device recommends your travel app. Since they are in the process of setting up the device, there is a high likelihood that they will download the app. It is a great way to create instant visibility and brand awareness without having to compete in crowded app store listings.
Image by Angela Huang from Pixabay
Cost-effective user acquisition
Last year, app developers invested $12.2 billion in acquiring new U.S. users, making up over 40% of the $29 billion global user acquisition (UA) advertising expenditure. In contrast, Japan and South Korea, the next largest markets, saw UA spending of $3 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. The U.S. alone surpassed the combined UA investment of the top 10 markets.Â
If you want to cut down on costs, you should partner with the right app marketing service to run mobile OEM ads. Due to lower competition on OEM platforms, travel brands can achieve premium placement at a fraction of the cost of mainstream app stores.Â
With performance-driven models, mobile OEM ads focus on installs, keeping acquisition costs manageable while maximizing the return on investment. Travel apps can thus scale up their user acquisition without breaking the bank, which is an essential advantage for smaller brands or startups with limited budgets.
Localized precision and personalization
Mobile OEMs, with their advanced data capabilities, offer brands an opportunity to reach users with localized ads that resonate culturally and linguistically. Travel apps can leverage this targeting to promote region-specific offerings, from local transportation services to accommodation options.Â
For example, a campaign in Southeast Asia could highlight travel deals specific to that area, while a European campaign might focus on seasonal vacation packages.
Strategic benefits of OEM advertising for travel apps
In addition to these direct benefits, there are several strategic advantages to using OEM advertising that make it a worthwhile investment for travel app marketers.
Enhanced brand safety and fraud protection
In 2023, ad fraud led to a staggering loss of $84 billion in advertising spending. This amount is projected to escalate to $172 billion by 2028, as per findings from Juniper Research. To protect your advertising budget, consider investing in Mobile OEM advertising.
With minimal intermediaries between the advertiser and the end user, mobile OEMs provide a safer ad environment, reducing fraud risks commonly associated with broader ad networks. This direct-to-user approach ensures that your travel brand’s ads are shown in a secure setting, creating authentic connections with users without the risk of click fraud, bot traffic, or false engagement metrics.
‘Image by Pam Patterson from Pixabay
Seamless integration with app analytics
Leading mobile OEMs have established partnerships with major mobile measurement platforms (MMPs), enabling travel app marketers to track, optimize, and refine campaigns in real-time. For travel apps that rely on precise performance data to fine-tune ad spend, this integration is invaluable. It allows brands to make data-driven decisions based on actual user engagement, app installs, and lifetime value metrics, ensuring every ad dollar contributes to growth.
Versatile advertising options for increased engagement
Mobile OEMs offer flexible ad formats like banners, interstitials, and in-device placements (e.g., in-app drawers or notifications) that help capture user attention without disrupting their experience. This versatility is especially useful for travel brands looking to test different ad creatives, refine calls-to-action, and optimize campaigns based on user behavior. By placing ads in native environments, travel apps can achieve better engagement while building awareness organically.
Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay
Leveraging Open Anonymous Device Identifier (OAID)
Privacy is a growing concern for users, and mobile OEMs have responded with privacy-friendly options like the Open Advertising Identifier (OAID). This alternative to the IDFA and Google Advertising ID (GAID) allows advertisers to target audiences without compromising user privacy, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations. For travel apps, this is a powerful feature, as it enables targeted advertising without the need for personal data—a perfect way to reach users while respecting their privacy.
Getting started: How to launch your travel app campaign on mobile OEM platforms
If you’re ready to explore the potential of mobile OEM advertising for your travel app, here’s what you need to research before picking the right app marketing services:
Identify your target markets
Start by identifying the regions where mobile OEMs have a strong presence and align with your target audience. Many OEMs typically focus on Asia and emerging markets, but each region has its own dominant player (e.g., OPPO in Indonesia and Xiaomi in India).
Develop targeted and localized creative assets
Travel apps are experiential by nature, so creating compelling visuals and messages that resonate with users is critical. Focus on region-specific images, culturally relevant language, and CTAs that feel tailored to each location.
Choose the right Ad Formats
OEMs offer a range of formats, so test different options to see what works best for your audience. Consider interstitials, banners, and Dynamic Preloads to drive user engagement and awareness. Dynamic Preloads are particularly effective for travel apps, as they place your app directly onto users’ devices, giving you an edge over competitors in the app store.
Use analytics for continuous optimization
Track your campaign performance through OEM partnerships with analytics platforms to gain insights into engagement, installs, and revenue. It will allow you to make data-backed adjustments to optimize performance and identify successful strategies for future campaigns.
Conclusion
With the rapid evolution of the mobile landscape, OEM advertising offers travel app marketers a compelling new way to reach audiences and scale growth beyond traditional app stores. From expanding into emerging markets and targeting users with personalized ads to utilizing preloads for instant visibility, mobile OEMs offer a strategic edge in an increasingly competitive space.Â
Travel brands that embrace these opportunities can stand out, connect with users on a more personal level, and drive installs where it matters most.
So, if you’re looking to break free from the constraints of traditional app stores, consider the power of mobile OEM advertising to propel your travel app’s growth. Tap into new regions, reach users right at the moment of device activation, and watch your user base grow in exciting, innovative ways. With OEM ads, your travel app can journey beyond the app store and thrive in the global mobile marketplace.
Make the shift today. Connect with AVOW! We provide the best app marketing services to promote your travel app worldwide through mobile OEM advertising.