It’s never too early to start thinking about your Christmas marketing strategy—especially if you’re in the hospitality industry. Hotels have to be extra festive and accommodating during the holiday season, and that means starting your preparations early.

It’s important to remember that it can be tough to stand out during a busy time of year when everyone is competing for the attention of potential guests. That’s why, your marketing needs to extend beyond what you do before a guest stays in your hotel.

Creating an amazing guest experience at your hotel is essential for keeping people coming back, and it also helps you to connect with your guests. Word-of-mouth marketing is a powerful tool for promoting your hotel, so take the time to do everything you can to make sure that each guest leaves happy.

That being said, let’s explore 11 effective Christmas marketing strategies that hotels can try in 2023.

Get Started Early

To make the most of the holiday season, it is crucial to start preparations early. By doing so, you can avoid the last-minute rush and ensure that every aspect is executed to a high standard. From meticulously crafting a captivating Christmas display in the lobby, complete with twinkling lights and festive ornaments, to ordering extra towels and pillows to accommodate the influx of guests, early planning allows you to attend to every little detail with precision.

Additionally, beginning preparations ahead of time enables you to take advantage of early bird discounts offered by suppliers, allowing you to secure the best deals and maximise cost savings. So, don’t wait until the eleventh hour; start conceptualising and organising your holiday preparations as soon as possible, ensuring a seamless and delightful experience for both your staff and guests.

Customise Your Website

Your website is often the first introduction potential guests have to your hotel, so make sure it’s looking its best. An easy way to do this is to add some festive touches such as garland, twinkly lights, or a holiday-themed header image.

Whenever you change your website, be sure to update the copy as well. You should make sure to mention any special Christmas deals or packages that you’re offering and let visitors know what makes your hotel the perfect place to stay during the festive season.

Additionally, consider creating a special Christmas offer specifically for website visitors. This might be something like “Stay 2 nights and pay for 1”, or “Book by December 20th to receive an early bird discount”. If you can incentivise guests to book earlier, they’ll be more likely to do so, plus it means that your marketing efforts will people sooner rather than later.

Send Out a Newsletter

An email newsletter is a great way to reach your existing customers and remind them that Christmas is coming. For example, you could send out a newsletter targeted at couples or families with young children, featuring information about the festive activities that would most appeal to them. Or maybe you have some special Christmas deals for corporate clients. Either way, make sure your email is personalised to the recipient so it doesn’t feel like a generic advertisement.

Take it that set further by including a delightful seasonal gift, like a beautifully designed printable recipe card. By offering valuable and engaging content, you can ensure that your emails stand out from the crowd and provide readers with something they truly enjoy. It’s important to avoid being just another hotel sending out marketing emails. Instead, focus on creating meaningful connections and delivering valuable content that resonates with your audience.

Get Festive on Social Media

Social media is a great place to spread festive cheer amongst your followers, so make sure you’re taking full advantage. You could offer discounts or special offers exclusively through social media, such as “Book a family room from December 21st-24th and receive 15% off”.

During Christmas, you could even offer free breakfast or a discount on an extra to guests who share their festive holiday snaps at your hotel. This is a great way to get guests involved and build a fun, community feel on your social media pages.

Offer Discounts and Packages

Everybody loves a good deal, so offer discounts and packages on stays during the holidays. You could offer a percentage discount off room rates, or include complimentary breakfast or parking in your rates. You could also create a special Christmas package that includes things like tickets to local holiday events or activities, dinner at your hotel’s restaurant, and even a complimentary gift or decoration. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s attractive enough to entice people to book with you instead of your competitors.

Create Room-Service Christmas Bouquets

Add a touch of luxury to your room service offering by creating special Christmas bouquets. These can be delivered to guests’ rooms along with their breakfast orders on Christmas morning. This can include traditional holiday fare such as cinnamon rolls, pastries, and fresh orange juice. You could even offer a special Christmas hamper with traditional foods like turkey or lamb, and include some festive treats your guests are sure to love.

Make sure to include a handwritten note wishing them a happy holiday season, and you’ll show your guests that you care about the little details. This will make their stay even more memorable and increase the chances of them returning to your hotel in the future.

Offer Something for Free

Who doesn’t love getting something for free? Especially during the holidays, when the spirit of giving is in the air. As a thoughtful gesture, you can consider offering your guests a complimentary upgrade to a better room type, complete with luxurious amenities and breathtaking views.

Additionally, why not go the extra mile and surprise them with complimentary tickets to local attractions, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the vibrant culture and experiences of the destination?

By providing these delightful perks, not only will your guests feel valued and appreciated, but it will also create lasting memories that will make them eager to return and stay with you again in the future.

Set Up a Secret Santa

If your hotel has a communal Christmas tree, consider organising a delightful Secret Santa gift exchange. This festive activity not only brings joy and excitement but also fosters a sense of community among your guests. Imagine the delight on their faces as they receive thoughtful and unexpected presents!

To help get everyone on board, make sure to include the rules of the exchange in your welcome packet or on your website. This way, guests will have all the information they need to participate and make the most out of this heartwarming tradition. Spread the holiday spirit and create lasting memories for your guests this Christmas season.

Create a Guide to Local Festive Activities

Guests staying at your hotel over the holidays will want to know about all of the great festive activities taking place in your city or town. So why not put together a guide? Include information on where to find the best Christmas markets, ice-skating rinks, Santa’s grottos, etc. Or, if you’re about to enjoy a summer Christmas, include information on the best beaches and outdoor activities to enjoy during the holidays. You could even partner with local businesses to offer discounts or special offers exclusively for your guests.

This is also a great thing to include in your marketing emails, as it could persuade guests to come stay who haven’t planned anything for Christmas yet. Make sure to update the guide every year, and your guests will appreciate having a reliable resource for all the fun holiday activities in your area.

Collaborate With Local Businesses

As we just mentioned, collaborating with local businesses is a great way to create a festive guide for your guests. But you can also use local partnerships to help promote your hotel through the holiday season.

For example, you could work with restaurants and other businesses to offer exclusive discounts or packages to your guests. This not only helps you boost bookings, but it also allows you to build valuable relationships with other businesses that may be able to offer your guests even more value in the future. Plus, it helps to support your local community and economy. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Show Your Compassion

The holiday season can be tough for some people—those who are away from home, those who are dealing with personal problems, etc.—so it’s important to remember them in your marketing efforts.

For example, you could donate a portion of proceeds from each booking made during December to charity, or include information about local support services in your guide to festive activities (e.g., crisis lines). A little compassion goes a long way!

So, make sure that your hotel’s holiday marketing efforts are not only about promoting your business but also about spreading joy and kindness to those in need. Your guests will appreciate it and you’ll be making a positive impact on your community.

As you can see, there are many ways that you can use the holiday season to promote your hotel and increase bookings. Whether it’s offering special deals, creating festive content, or collaborating with local businesses, there are endless opportunities to get creative and stand out from the crowd this holiday season.