Travel technology company NextTrip, Inc. has announced the launch of Compass.tv, a travel discovery channel and app featuring over 1,000 hours of video content. 

The platform aims to convert viewers into customers by allowing them to book vacations directly through the channel using NextTrip’s Booking Engine.

Compass.tv targets Millennials and Gen Z, who increasingly use video for vacation planning. 

The platform offers free video content showcasing travel experiences through popular social media influencers. NextTrip partners with Dooya Media Group to expand Compass.tv’s offerings by collaborating with influencers who have large travel-focused followings.

The platform’s Content Creator Program incentivizes influencers with a revenue-sharing model and integrates content-to-commerce funnels with targeted ads and affiliate travel offers. Compass.tv operates as part of the NextTrip ecosystem, working alongside the company’s website, tools, and exclusive deals.

At launch, Compass.tv will feature partnerships with several influencers and content creators:

1. Paul “Barbs” Barbato, creator of Geography Now, a viral geography channel with nearly 4 million followers and over 450 million views.
2. Global Child TV, an inspirational travel brand hosted by Augusto Valverde, exploring destinations with celebrity guests.
3. INSIGHT TV, a global channel operator providing unscripted travel programming.
4. Off the Fence, an Academy Award-winning factual studio owned by ZDF Studios, offering a range of travel content.

“Compass.tv provides viewers the opportunity to virtually explore places they’ve always wanted to visit through the eyes of experienced globetrotters and storytelling of local insiders,” said Bill Kerby, CEO of NextTrip, in a news release.

Kerby added that content partnerships allow for travel documentaries, virtual tours of the hottest destinations, and deep dives into regional culture, “all easily accessible and free for viewers.”

Compass.tv is currently available on iOS and Android applications and web browsers. In the coming months, NextTrip plans to expand the platform’s availability to partners such as Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.

The launch of Compass.tv reflects a trend in the travel industry towards video-based discovery and planning, particularly among younger demographics.

A recent report examining influence in the travel sector identified authenticity & reliability, experiential authority, comparative information, and reliability as four key factors shaping consumer choices in 2024.

Another survey found that 45% of Canadian Gen Z respondents admitted to choosing specific locations solely to post on social media. Similarly, 38% of Canadian Millennials reported selecting their entire travel destinations based on the pictures they would be able to share online.