Hoteliers know that generating awareness is critical to driving bookings. But with so many marketing channels and strategies to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start.  To help you out, we’ve put together a list of 50 hotel marketing strategies that you can use to get more people interested in your property.

1. Utilise Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) 

One way to ensure that your hotel appears at the top of relevant search engine results is to utilise SEO. This can be done through a variety of means, such as including relevant keywords in your website content, blog posts, and even social media posts. You can also use online tools like Google AdWords to create targeted ads that appear when potential customers search for specific terms related to your hotel.

2. Develop an Email Marketing Strategy 

Email marketing is a great way to reach potential customers who may be interested in your hotel. To create a targeted email marketing campaign, you will need to gather a list of email addresses from potential customers. You can do this by including an opt-in form on your hotel’s website. Once you have your list of email addresses, you can create a series of email messages promoting your hotel and the special deals and discounts you are offering. You can also use email marketing to cultivate relationships with past guests by sending them updates about what’s new at your property. Make sure to segment your email list so that you are only sending relevant information to those who are interested in receiving it. Otherwise, you run the risk of turning off potential customers with irrelevant or excessive messages.

3. Create Compelling Social Media Content 

In today’s digital world, social media is a powerful tool that can be used to reach a wide audience with relative ease. By creating compelling content and engaging with potential customers on social media, you can pique their interest and encourage them to book a room at your hotel. Some ideas for social media content include sharing photos and videos of your property, highlighting special deals or packages, and highlighting what makes your hotel unique. You should also make sure to respond promptly to any questions or comments left by potential customers on your social media pages.

4. Invest in Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising 

If you want to reach potential customers who are actively searching for hotels in your area, investing in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is a great option. With PPC ads, you can create laser-focused campaigns targeting specific keywords related to your property. When potential customers click on one of your ads, they will be taken directly to your website where they can learn more about your hotel and book a room.

5 . Develop Local Relationships 

One way to generate more interest in your hotel is by developing relationships with local businesses. This can be done by offering discounts or special rates to your guests at your partnership owned companies. For example, you could offer a discount at a local restaurant or spa. This will show your guests that you have a vested interest in the community and that you’re willing to go above and beyond to provide them with a great experience.

6. Create a marketing plan for each season 

To make the most of the year, it’s important to create a marketing plan for each season. This ensures that you are always promoting your hotel in the most effective way possible. For example, during the summer months, you could focus on generating bookings from families who are looking for a vacation destination. During the winter, you could focus on generating bookings from business travellers who are looking for a place to stay during their work trips. By tailoring your marketing efforts to each season, you can ensure that you are always attracting the right guests to your hotel.

7. Focus on generating online reviews 

Generating positive online reviews is one of the best ways to encourage potential customers to book a room at your hotel. Online reviews provide an unbiased look at what it’s like to stay at your property and can help convince potential guests that your hotel is the right choice for their needs. To generate online reviews, you can include links to review sites in your email marketing campaigns and social media posts. You can also encourage guests to leave reviews after their stay by including information about review sites in your hotel’s guest book.

8. Offer special deals and discounts 

Who doesn’t love a good deal? Offering special deals and discounts is a great way to entice potential customers to book a room at your hotel. You can promote your deals and discounts through your hotel’s website, email marketing campaigns, and social media posts. Just be sure to include all the relevant information such as the dates of the promotion, the discounts being offered, and any terms and conditions that apply.

9. Create compelling content 

One way to attract potential customers to your hotel is by creating compelling content that showcases what your property has to offer. This could include blog posts, articles, photos, and videos that highlight the unique features of your hotel. You can promote your content through your hotel’s website, email marketing campaigns, and social media posts. When creating content, be sure to include relevant keywords so that potential customers can easily find your hotel when they are searching online.

10. Use data to inform your marketing decisions 

Using data to inform your marketing decisions is a key part of running a successful hotel. There are several ways to collect data about your guests, such as using surveys, customer feedback forms, and web analytics. This data can be used to improve your hotel’s marketing efforts by helping you understand what potential guests are looking for and how they found out about your hotel. By using data to inform your marketing decisions, you can ensure that your hotel is always attracting the right guests.

11. Develop a tone of voice and style for your brand

Your hotel’s voice and style should be consistent across all of your marketing materials. This includes your website, email campaigns, social media posts, and any other content that you create. Developing a consistent voice and style will help potential guests easily recognise your hotel’s brand. When creating content, be sure to use the same language, tone, and style throughout.

12. Make sure your hotel’s website is up to date

Your hotel’s website is one of the most important tools in your marketing arsenal. Potential guests will use your website to learn more about your hotel and decide whether or not to book a room. To ensure that potential guests have a positive experience on your website, be sure to keep it up to date with the latest information about your hotel. This includes your hotel’s rates, room availability, amenities, and contact information. You should also regularly add new content to your websites, such as blog posts, photos, and videos.

13. Invest in photography and videography

High-quality photos and videos are essential for attracting potential guests to your hotel. These visuals should showcase the best features of your hotel and give potential guests a taste of what it’s like to stay at your property. You can use photography and videography to create content for your hotel’s website, email marketing campaigns, and social media posts. You can also use them to create ads and promotional materials.

14. Start collaborating with influencers

Influencers are people with a large following on social media who can help to promote your hotel. You can start collaborating with influencers by reaching out to them and asking if they would be interested in featuring your hotel on their social media channels. If you have a budget for marketing, you can also offer to pay influencers to promote your hotel. When working with influencers, be sure to provide them with all the relevant information about your hotels, such as your rates, room availability, and amenities. Also, be sure to do your research – only work with influencers who have a genuine interest in your hotel and who will be able to reach your target audience.

15. Host a contest or giveaway

People love contests and giveaways, so hosting one is a great way to attract potential guests to your hotel. To run a contest or giveaway, simply create a social media post and include a call-to-action for people to enter. Make sure to promote your contest or giveaway across all of your social media channels and include relevant hashtags so that potential guests can easily find it. Be sure to also include the prize that you will be giving away, as well as the rules of the contest or giveaway.

16. Create a virtual tour of your hotel

A virtual tour is a great way to give potential guests a realistic preview of what it’s like to stay at your hotel. You can create a virtual tour by using photos and videos to create a 360-degree view of your hotel. You can also use virtual reality technology to create an even more immersive experience. Virtual tours are a great way to showcase your hotel’s best features and give potential guests a taste of what it would be like to stay at your property.

17. Use Google AdWords

Google AdWords is a form of online advertising that allows you to place ads on Google.com and other Google-affiliated websites. When someone searches for a keyword that you are targeting, your ad may appear on the search results page. You can use Google AdWords to promote your hotel to potential guests who are searching for hotels in your area. When creating your ad, be sure to include relevant keywords, as well as a call-to-action to encourage potential guests to click on your ad and visit your hotel’s website.

18. Optimise your hotel’s website for search engines

One of the best ways to attract potential guests to your hotel is to ensure that your hotel’s website appears as high as possible on the search engine results pages (SERPs). To do this, you’ll need to optimise your website for search engines. This includes adding relevant keywords to your website’s content, as well as creating backlinks to your website from other high-quality websites. For example, you can add your hotel’s website to online directories, as well as create blog posts and articles that link back to your hotel’s website. By optimising your hotel’s website for search engines, you’ll be able to attract more potential guests to your property.

19. Use retargeting ads

Retargeting ads are a form of online advertising that allows you to target potential guests who have already visited your hotel’s website. When someone visits your hotel’s website, a cookie is placed on their computer. This cookie then allows you to show them ads for your hotel as they browse the internet. Retargeting ads are a great way to keep your hotel top-of-mind with potential guests and encourage them to book a stay at your property.

20. Advertise on hotel booking websites

Another great way to attract potential guests to your hotel is to advertise on hotel booking websites. When people are searching for hotels, they will often visit these websites to compare rates and find the best deal. By advertising on these websites, you’ll be able to reach potential guests who are already interested in booking a hotel room. When creating your ad, be sure to include relevant keywords and a compelling offer to encourage potential guests to click on your ad and book a stay at your hotel.

21. Sponsor a local event

If there’s a local event happening in your area, consider sponsoring it. This is a great way to get your hotel’s name out there and attract potential guests who are attending the event. When people see your hotel’s name associated with a local event, they’ll be more likely to remember your hotel when they’re looking for a place to stay.

22. Promote your destination

One of the best ways to attract potential guests to your hotel is to promote your destination. When people are planning a trip, they often choose their destination first and then look for hotels in that area. By promoting your destination, you’ll be able to reach potential guests who are interested in visiting your area. You can promote your destination by creating travel guides, writing blog posts about your area, and even creating videos about your destination.

22. Create a Google Business account for your hotel

Google Business is a free tool that allows you to promote your business on Google.com and other Google-affiliated websites. When people search for hotels in your area, your hotel’s listing can appear on the search results page. Your hotel’s listing will include your hotel’s name, address, phone number, website, and even photos. Creating a Google Business account is a great way to get your hotel’s name and information in front of potential guests.

23. Audit your OTAs

If you’re relying on online travel agencies (OTAs) to help drive bookings, it’s important to audit your OTAs regularly. This will help you ensure that they are still providing value for your hotel. When auditing your OTAs, look at factors such as the number of bookings they’re generating, the quality of the leads they’re sending, and the commission rates they’re charging. For example, if you’re not happy with the number of bookings an OTA is generating, you may want to consider cancelling your contract with them. You can easily manage everything for your OTAs, including pricing, through Preno.

24. Optimise your hotel’s website for mobile

With more and more people using their smartphones to book hotel rooms, it’s important to make sure that your hotel’s website is optimised for mobile. This means creating a mobile-friendly design and making sure that your hotel’s information is easy to find and navigate on a smartphone. You can use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to see how well your hotel’s website performs on mobile devices.

25. Create a loyalty program

Creating a loyalty program is a great way to encourage guests to keep coming back to your hotel. When you create a loyalty program, you can offer guests rewards for booking hotel rooms, dining at your hotel’s restaurants, and using your hotel’s amenities. You can also offer guests exclusive deals and discounts that are only available to members of your loyalty program. For example, you could offer a 10% discount on hotel rooms for guests who book three or more nights.

26. Implement upselling techniques

Upselling is a great way to increase your hotel’s revenue per guest. When you upsell, you offer guests additional products or services that they may be interested in. For example, you could offer guests an upgrade to a hotel room with a better view or a package that includes access to your hotel’s spa. Upselling can be done both before and during a guest’s stay.

27. Offer package deals

If you want to attract guests who are looking for a great deal, consider offering package deals. Package deals are hotel rooms that are bundled with other services, such as dining, spa treatments, and activities. By offering package deals, you’ll be able to offer guests more value for their money, which will make them more likely to book a room at your hotel.

28. Create a seasonal pricing plan

If you want to maximise your hotel’s revenue, consider creating a seasonal pricing plan. Seasonal pricing allows you to charge more for hotel rooms during peak times, such as summer and holidays, and less during off-peak times, such as winter. By implementing seasonal pricing, you’ll be able to increase your hotel’s revenue without having to increase your hotel’s room rates.

29. Offer early bird discounts

If you want to encourage guests to book hotel rooms early, consider offering early bird discounts. Early bird discounts are hotel rooms that are discounted for guests who book their stay at least 30 days in advance. By offering early bird discounts, you’ll be able to fill up your hotel rooms during slow times and increase your hotel’s revenue.

30. Offer a discount for hotel rooms booked at the last minute

If you want to fill up your hotel rooms during slow times, consider offering a discount for hotel rooms booked at the last minute. Last-minute discounts are hotel rooms that are discounted for guests who book their stay within 14 days of their arrival date. By offering last-minute discounts, you’ll be able to fill up your hotel rooms during slow times and increase your hotel’s revenue.

31. Create a full-proof PR plan

A great way to build awareness for your hotel is to create a PR plan. A PR plan is a document that outlines the goals, strategies, and tactics that you’ll use to promote your hotel. When creating a PR plan, you’ll need to consider what media outlets you want to target, what kind of press coverage you want to generate, and what kind of events you want to host. By creating a PR plan, you’ll be able to build awareness for your hotel and drive bookings.

32. Get listed on more hotel booking websites

If you want to increase your hotel’s visibility and drive bookings, you should list your hotel on as many hotel booking websites as possible. Hotel booking websites are online travel agencies that allow guests to compare hotel prices and book hotel rooms. When you list your hotel on hotel booking websites, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience and increase your hotel’s chances of being booked. It’s important to adopt a powerful PMS, such as Preno, to help manage all your OTA listings. It will allow you to manage your bookings, and pricing, from within one simple-to-use dashboard.

33. Create branded welcome gifts

Welcome gifts are a great way to make guests feel special and appreciated. When you create branded welcome gifts, you’ll be able to leave a lasting impression on your guests and increase the chances of them staying at your hotel again in the future. For example, you could create a welcome kit that includes your hotel’s branded toiletries, a hotel-branded notepad and pen, and a hotel-branded key card holder. This way, when guests use these items, they’ll be reminded of your hotel and the great experience they had while staying there.

34. Get your employees to promote your hotel on social media

Another great way to promote your hotel is to get your employees to share your hotel’s content on their social media accounts. This way, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience and increase the chances of your hotel being seen by potential guests. You can also offer incentives for employees who share your hotel’s content, such as hotel room discounts or free meals.

35. Allocate more of your budget to marketing during peak seasons

If you want to drive more bookings during peak seasons, you should consider allocating more of your hotel’s budget to marketing. This way, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience and promote your hotel more effectively, by putting it in front of more eyes when your rates are the highest. For example, if you know that summer is your hotel’s peak season, you should start planning and budgeting for your hotel’s summer marketing campaign at least six months in advance.

34. Cooperate with other hoteliers in your destination

If you want to build awareness for your hotel and drive bookings, you should consider cooperating with other hoteliers in your destination. This way, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience and promote your hotel more effectively. For example, you could cooperate with other hoteliers to create a joint marketing campaign or host an event.

35. Create a 2-step booking process through your website

If you want to increase bookings through your hotel’s website, you should consider making a 2-step booking process. This means that guests will first enter their information on your website and then they’ll be redirected to a third-party website to complete the booking. By making a 2-step booking process, you’ll be able to reduce the chances of guests abandoning their booking. Additionally, you’ll be able to collect data on potential guests so you can target them with remarketing campaigns.

36. Provide excellent customer service now, during and after guest’s stay

If you want to encourage guests to book with your hotel again in the future, you need to provide excellent customer service now, during and after their stay. This means going above and beyond to meet their needs and exceed their expectations. For example, you could offer early check-in or late check-out for guests who are travelling on business. You could also offer a complimentary breakfast for guests who are staying more than one night. By providing excellent customer service, you’ll be able to increase guest satisfaction and encourage guests to book with your hotel again in the future.

37. Engage with potential and current guests online

Another great way to promote your hotel and encourage bookings is to engage with potential and current guests online. This means interacting with them on social media, responding to reviews, and answering any questions they have about your hotel. By engaging with guests online, you’ll be able to build a rapport with them and increase the chances of them booking with your hotel.

38. Define your unique value proposition

When you’re promoting your hotel, it’s important to define your unique value proposition. This is what makes your hotel different from other hotels in your destination. For example, if you’re a luxury hotel, your unique value proposition might be that you offer the best rooms and the best service in town. If you want to attract families, your unique value proposition might be that you offer the best amenities for families. By defining your unique value proposition, you’ll then be able to tailor your marketing messages to highlight what makes you stand out above the rest.

39. Reward direct bookings with a discount or complimentary amenity

If you want to encourage guests to book directly with your hotel, you should consider rewarding them with a discount or complimentary amenity. For example, you could offer a 10% discount on the room rate for guests who book directly with your hotel. Or, you could offer a complimentary breakfast for guests who book directly with your hotel. By offering a discount or complimentary amenity, you’ll be able to encourage guests to book directly with your hotel instead of through a third-party website. You’ll also be able to offer this deal year-round so people will begin to know your hotel for it.

40. Take advantage of remarketing campaigns

Remarketing is a great way to increase bookings for your hotel. This involves targeting potential guests who have visited your website but didn’t make a booking. For example, you could show them ads for your hotel on other websites they visit or you could send them emails with special offers for your hotel. To be able to remarket, you need to set up a tracking pixel on your hotel’s website. This will allow you to collect data on potential guests so you can then target them with ads or emails.

41. Develop partnerships with travel agents and tour operators

If you want to increase bookings for your hotel, you should consider developing partnerships with travel agents and tour operators. This way, they’ll be able to promote your hotel to their clients and increase the chances of them booking with you. To develop partnerships with travel agents and tour operators, you can start by attending trade shows and networking events. You can also offer them a commission on every booking they make with your hotel, which gives them an incentive to sell rooms at your hotel.

42. Highlight how safe your hotel is

In today’s climate, many people are looking for hotels that are safe and clean. So, if you want to increase bookings for your hotel, you should highlight how safe it is. You can do this by sharing pictures and videos of your hotel’s safety measures on social media and on your website. You can also include information about your hotel’s safety measures in your marketing materials. By highlighting how safe your hotel is, you’ll be able to increase bookings from people who are looking for a safe and clean hotel.

43. Create holiday-specific packages

If you want to increase bookings during the holidays, you should consider creating holiday-specific packages. You could create a Christmas package that includes a tree in the room and complimentary holiday cookies. Or, you could create a New Year’s Eve package that includes a champagne toast and party favours. By creating holiday-specific packages, you’ll be able to attract guests who are looking to celebrate the holidays in style.

44. Participate in hotel-specific marketing campaigns

If you want to increase bookings for your hotel, you should consider participating in hotel-specific marketing campaigns. For example, you could participate in a “Best Rate Guarantee” campaign where you offer to match or beat the rates of other hotels. Or, you could participate in a “Kids Stay Free” campaign where you offer complimentary stays for children. By participating in hotel-specific marketing campaigns, you’ll be able to increase bookings from people who are looking for the best deals on hotel rooms.

45. Take advantage of your in-house restaurant or bar to host events

Your hotel’s restaurant or bar is a great place to host themed events to bring in guests. For example, you could host a wine-tasting event or a meet-and-greet with a local celebrity. You can also join in on events around your city, such as restaurant month. These types of events will not only bring in guests, but they’ll also create a buzz around your hotel.

46. Host conferences and business events

If you want to increase bookings for your hotel, you should consider hosting conferences and events. This is a great way to attract guests who are looking for a place to stay while they’re in town for a business. You could offer special rates for conference attendees, as well as complimentary amenities like breakfast or Wi-Fi. By hosting events at your hotel, you’ll be able to increase bookings and fill up your hotel during slower periods.

47. Market your hotel for ‘Bleisure’ travellers

Bleisure is the newest traveller trend on the rise. These are business travellers who extend their stay to enjoy leisure activities. To appeal to bleisure travellers, you should highlight the ability to comfortably work in your rooms, as well as all the acitivities and attractions that are nearby.

48. Make your hotel a ‘Staycation’ destination

If you want to increase bookings for your hotel, you should consider making it a ‘staycation‘ destination. This means that you would offer special rates and packages for people who are looking to stay close to home. You could also offer special amenities, such as complimentary breakfast or early check-in/late check-out to those that live in the same city.

49. Highlight your cleaning protocols

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to highlight your hotel’s cleaning protocols. You should include information on your website about how often rooms are cleaned and what type of cleaning products are used. You should also consider displaying a badge or certification from a third-party organisation that verifies your hotel’s cleaning protocols.

50. Offer contactless check-in

In order to make your hotel more attractive to potential guests, you should consider making your check in/check out process keyless. This means that guests will be able to use their smartphones to unlock their room doors. Keyless entry is becoming increasingly popular and it’s a great way to make your hotel stand out from the competition.

There are many hotel marketing strategies you can use to increase bookings for your hotel. By using these strategies, you’ll be able to attract more guests and increase the chances of them booking a room at your hotel. Try implementing some of these hotel marketing ideas and see how they can help increase bookings for your hotel.