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13 Hospitality Marketing Strategies to Increase Bookings

By 2027, the , and with such incredible growth, you need an effective hospitality marketing strategy to stay competitive.

The question is, what are the elements of a top-notch hospitality marketing strategy, and how can you build one that suits your business? 

A great hospitality marketing strategy should revolve around the customer. By showcasing your unique selling points and highlighting the customer experience, whether through your unique accommodations, tourism activities, or culinary connections, you can build awareness, increase bookings, and create loyal customers.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at all there is to know about hospitality marketing, why it’s important, and explore 13 strategies to help you create a bulletproof marketing plan for your hotel.

1. Building a Strong Online Brand Identity

Effective branding begins with a clear understanding of your mission, vision, and values. All of these elements should be condensed into your authentic brand story.

While the art of storytelling is a skill all its own, it doesn’t mean you can’t start by developing your brand’s identity.

Developing a Compelling Value Proposition

Start by identifying your customer segments and their specific needs and wants to assess if your value proposition aligns with their expectations. In doing so, you can refine your offerings and seek out new marketing opportunities.

For instance, some hotels will focus on the , as it’s one of the most profitable in the industry. From there, they’ll build a brand identity around the types of amenities that segment is looking for. 

The Importance of Customer Experience and Satisfaction

Every guest interaction should align with your brand’s identity. Reinforce your core values both online and in person.

Train your staff to provide service that reflects your brand’s standards, especially in conflict resolution, whether at the hotel or on review platforms.

Guest feedback is crucial. This includes knowing how to respond to negative reviews effectively.

The Role of Pricing and Revenue Management

Offering the right accommodation to the right clients at the best prices and times is one of the best ways to market your hotel. 

To get this right, there are often data and analytics involved. These insights can help:

• Predict demand
• Understand consumer spending habits
• Identify peak booking periods
• Analyze competitor pricing strategies
• Create dynamic pricing packages

2. The Importance of Online Presence

The value of a strong online presence should be pretty clear by now. 

Guests extensively research hotels online, so it’s essential for your hotel to maintain a positive digital presence from all angles.

While building this presence involves thoughtful planning and execution, some elements are more important than others.

Visual Design and UX

As we said before, in hospitality marketing, the customer experience is everything. It’s what drives both new and repeat business. 

A well-designed website, with attractive, consistent visuals, easy navigation, and engaging content, can optimize the user experience and encourage visitors to explore further (and hopefully, book).

Building Trust and Credibility

Positive reviews are what drive conversions in the hospitality industry. 

It’s always a good idea to encourage your happy guests to share their experiences on platforms like Yelp and TripAdvisor, and then highlight those reviews on your site. 

This not only helps with your credibility but also gives potential future guests a feeling of assurance when choosing your hotel.

Enhancing User Engagement

Most website visits last , and with such short attention spans, it can be difficult to keep visitors engaged. 

The key here is often interactive content. 

Beyond your basic imagery and long blocks of blog post text, you want to integrate content that keeps users clicking. For example, you might consider a map where potential guests can check out local destinations by scrolling around or a high-def video of your hotel’s most stunning features.

3. Content Marketing & SEO for Hospitality

are two of our main focuses here at ºÚÁÏÉç.

Because over to entertain them, solve their problems, and offer unique experiences, having diverse content as part of your hospitality marketing is key. 

As a bonus, this type of marketing in the hospitality industry generates three times more leads for .

Figuring out what kind of content will work requires some strategizing. 

Keyword Research Tools and Techniques

Search intent is what drives SEO. We like to think of it as the “why” behind user searches. When we know what people are searching for, we can attract more organic traffic. 

This is where keyword research comes into play. 

You can use tools like or to explore long-tail keywords, keyword difficulty, search volumes, and locations, while also tracking and optimizing your strategy for better results.

Creating High-Quality, Engaging Content

Content should offer value. The most successful hoteliers often focus on broader, destination-based content. 

For example, if you look at the blog for one of our clients, Luxo Italia, you can see that they’ve highlighted local experiences, like hidden authentic eateries and private tours, establishing themselves as a trusted authority in Italy while attracting and engaging potential visitors in their target audience.

4. On-Page SEO Best Practices

Once you have a decent understanding of SEO overall, you can focus on On-Page SEO. 

This involves optimizing elements on your website, such as content, code, and internal links, to improve user experience and search engine visibility. Here is an overarching view of what SEO entails:

• Focuses on User Experience: Fast load times and a mobile-friendly design.
• Content Creation: High-quality, relevant content.
• Internal Link Flow: Structuring your site to guide visitors easily through pages.
• Engagement Items: Interactive elements like videos and quizzes.
• Simple with a Good CMS: Tools like WordPress make On-Page SEO easier to manage.

Check out our On-Page SEO guide for an ‘essentials’ checklist.

5. Local SEO for Hospitality

Since over , a strong local SEO strategy is just as important as a broad one.

Hotels have to optimize their site for location-specific keywords to improve visibility in local search results, as that’s what people will be looking for.

Our Local SEO Guide for Hotels takes you through a checklist of everything you need to know!

6. SEO Technical Optimization

While many are comfortable with on-page SEO, technical SEO is where things start to feel daunting.

This is because it involves optimizing your site’s backend, including elements like site structure, page speed, and mobile-friendliness. 

The ultimate goal. however, is to enhance search engine crawling, indexing, and ranking, so you can improve your site’s visibility and performance in SERPs.

Check out our in-depth Technical SEO Guide to learn more.

7. Advertising and Promotions for Hospitality

Digital channels are now leading the way for hotel advertising and promotion.

With ever-evolving technology, there are endless paid media platforms, services, and techniques you can use to highlight your hotel’s unique features and attract more guests.

Let’s look at a few hospitality marketing strategies you can consider implementing.

Paid Advertising Channels

• Search Engine Marketing (SEM): SEM places paid hotel ads at the top of search results, targeting potential customers as they actively search for services
• Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: PPC ads are highly cost-effective for hospitality marketers. In fact, they offer an .
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Nearly , and as such, SEO should be a key part of your hospitality marketing strategy.
• Local SEO: By targeting local keywords, listing on travel directories, and optimizing your Google Business Profile, you can optimize your local search rankings.

Social Media Advertising

Next to PPC, social media advertising is one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies. There are many ways to include social media in your digital marketing plan:

• Social Media Platforms: Find out where your audience is and advertise there, whether Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook.
• Targeted Advertising Options: Make sure you’re utilizing the vast array of targeting features available on each platform so you’re not wasting money advertising to the wrong audience. 
• Influencer Marketing: With the right influencers vouching for your business, you can build credibility and trust, all the while helping with your brand awareness.

Display Advertising

Finally, we have display advertising, which you’ve likely seen in the form of banners, images, and links sprinkled around sites and search platforms. The goal of this tool is to drive consumers to your hotel’s website for more information or bookings.

• Ad Types: Display ads can include images, videos, and more. Regardless of the type of ad, the point should be to showcase your hotel’s best features.
• Targeting and Remarketing Strategies: Remarketing helps re-engage visitors who browsed your site without booking, offering discounts to encourage their return.

8. Email Marketing and Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

To this day, email marketing is one of the most powerful tools in the hospitality industry, with global revenue expected to .

It’s the perfect vessel for driving bookings and nurturing leads, not to mention maintaining customer relationships. 

Plus, if you have a strong CRM, you can personalize and optimize every email interaction.

9. Social Media Marketing Strategies

Whatever your content and marketing strategies may be, make sure they align your with social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok. 

For example, you might share stunning images of your hotel’s destination to drive engagement on Instagram or focus on UGC on TikTok. Both of these strategies, while inherently different, should focus on the same value proposition. 

It’s also important to add that consistency is crucial. Posting daily or several times a week will keep your feed active and visible on your followers’ timelines.

10. Online Reputation Management

Over . If your online reputation isn’t up to par, you’re likely falling behind.

This is where reputation management comes in. 

Here in the U.S., you can focus on key review sites like TripAdvisor and Google to make sure your messaging and reputation are consistent across all channels.

However, if your business relies on a specific market (e.g., India, China, UK), you’ll want to keep an eye on that country’s leading review sites to gain a fuller understanding of your guests’ opinions.

11. Public Relations and Media Relations

With public relations, you can better align with your customers and give them a deeper understanding of your brand. 

It might be worth having a PR team to create news releases about your services and handle any bumps in the road.

Whether you choose to do this alone or work with a professional (and we can’t stress this enough), don’t forget to keep your messaging consistent across all channels for the best results.

12. Partnerships and Collaborations

Who doesn’t love a good partnership, especially when it’s beneficial for both sides.

In the hospitality industry, many businesses will team up with local attractions for discounts to bring in more guests or work with relevant online businesses to improve their website’s SEO with valuable backlinks. 

Many even collaborate with influencers by offering free stays in exchange for them sharing their experiences on social media.

13. Event Marketing and Sponsorships

Sponsoring a hospitality event is a smart way to boost your brand’s visibility and connect with your audience.

To make it work, however, you have to be clear about your goals, pick the right event, and find relevant sponsorships. 

Partnering with respected local businesses or big-name brands builds trust and adds appeal. Put on a good event with a social media presence, and attendees will spread the word to their friends and family.

Measuring Marketing Performance

So, how do you know if your hospitality marketing campaign performed like you dreamt it would?

Data analytics can give you a better idea of what worked and where there’s room for improvement.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Hospitality Marketing

Beyond your standard operational KPIs, such as cost per occupied room (CPOR), average daily rate (ADR), and revenue per available room (RevPAR), there are KPIs specific to marketing that you’ll want to keep an eye on. 

For example, it’s important to track KPIs like return on ad spend, social media engagement, and email open rates to gain insights for future campaigns.

Analyzing Marketing ROI

In hospitality marketing, ROI tells you how well your marketing dollars are working. In short, it’s the difference between what you earn and what you spend. 

A positive ROI means your efforts are paying off, while a negative one shows a loss. Factors like seasonal booking, local events, and the economy as a whole can sway ROI. Luckily, new technology makes tracking ROI based on these factors easier. 

From CRM systems and Google Analytics for insights to revenue management systems for smart pricing, there are endless tools for ROI tracking and management. 

Using Customer Feedback to Improve Marketing Strategies

​​Customer feedback is one of the best tools for improving marketing strategies in hospitality. 

Many successful hotels use in-depth customer experience tools to easily collect and analyze feedback, allowing customers to essentially guide their decisions and drive improvements.

Of course, trying to be efficient with feedback data from hundreds of sources can feel impossible, especially if you don’t have the time, resources, or bandwidth. 

Luckily, there are plenty of streamlined feedback management systems on the rise, , helping hospitality businesses build loyalty and encourage repeat visits by analyzing and articulating feedback data into actionable strategies. 

2024 Trends in Hospitality Marketing

Whether it’s adapting to new customer behaviors or leveraging technology, staying on top of hospitality marketing trends can help you stay ahead.

The Rise of Experiential Marketing

Experiential marketing comes in many forms. However, in hospitality and tourism, we usually view it as a unique way to create memorable interactions with guests. 

From branding events to on- or off-property experiences, experiential marketing gives customers unique ways to interact with your hotel, whether in-person or online. 

The Importance of Sustainable Practices

If you want to enhance your brand’s reputation and spark conversations, it’s time to start embracing sustainable and socially responsible practices. that 84% of consumers don’t want to interact with brands that have poor environmental practices. 

Find ways to implement waste reduction, energy conservation, and community outreach, and highlight those practices in your marketing materials. 

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Automation

The global AI market is projected to grow at a , according to Precedence Research. Not only can AI streamline hotel operations, but it can also offer valuable insights for future marketing.

For example, today, many travelers book through aggregators or leave hotel websites without booking. AI can address this by simplifying interactions and saving time.

Think chatbots for instant guest communication or personalized recommendations based on location and demographic data. 

The Role of Data Analytics in Hospitality Marketing

If we learned anything from the big shift in 2020, it’s that even the most experienced hospitality managers will never be able to guess how customer behavior might shift. 

Rather than relying on speculation, we need to start turning to data for clear insights. Begin viewing your website analytics and booking data to spot trends. Who’s still booking, and who isn’t? Which market segments are growing or lagging? Are there key geographical patterns? 

With these insights in hand, you’ll be able to fine-tune your marketing strategies for better results.

Core Concepts in Hospitality Marketing

The best hospitality marketing revolves around personalized messaging, smart market segmentation, and using visual platforms to tell stories.

Top hotel marketers know how to highlight a hotel’s key offerings and build lasting customer relationships.

Even user-generated content, such as reviews, are becoming core pieces of modern marketing strategies, as they help create a customer-focused approach.

Case Studies

Marina Inn

ºÚÁÏÉç partnered with Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, focusing on a digital transformation to enhance the resort’s luxury online presence. 

The initiative included a website redesign, SEO optimization, and a custom WordPress CMS to streamline content management. 

This ultimately boosted user experience, engagement, and bookings while reflecting the resort’s upscale ambiance.

Musha Cay

ºÚÁÏÉç collaborated with Musha Cay, owned by David Copperfield, to create a visually stunning and highly functional website that showcases the island’s unique luxury. 

The redesign focused on immersive user experience through custom animations and streamlined navigation. 

It was complemented by strategic SEO enhancements to elevate online visibility and captivate prospective visitors, effectively mirroring the exclusive and enchanting atmosphere of Musha Cay.

Optimize Your Marketing Strategy with ºÚÁÏÉç

If you’re willing to adapt and innovate, there are endless possibilities.

With an in-depth understanding of hospitality marketing tactics that work, strategies that prioritize customer-centric and data-driven approaches, and the current travel zeitgeist, your hospitality business can thrive. 

Of course, finding success with any great marketing strategy starts with having an experienced agency on your side.

Let our team of luxury hospitality marketing experts help you build a custom plan to broaden your audience and open your hotel brand up to the higher echelons of the industry.

Get in touch with us today to learn more!