60 Must Watch Hospitality Marketing Trends for 2023
By Jordan Hollander
Last updated July 28, 2023
8 min read
The hospitality industry is highly competitive, and consumers have more options than ever before when it comes to choosing a place to stay. Hotels that don't follow the latest hospitality marketing trends are at risk of falling behind because they may not be effectively reaching and engaging with potential guests.
Your hotel may miss out on opportunities to reach and connect with potential guests in ways that are relevant and engaging. This could lead to lower occupancy rates, lower revenue, and ultimately, a loss of market share to competitors who are more effectively leveraging the latest marketing strategies.
Many of the latest hospitality marketing trends are centered around meeting evolving consumer needs and preferences, such as the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly travel, the desire for unique and personalized experiences, and the use of technology to enhance the guest experience. By not following these trends, hotels may be perceived as outdated or out of touch with consumer preferences, which could negatively impact their brand reputation and lead to a further decline in bookings and revenue.
Hotels that don't follow the latest hospitality marketing trends risk falling behind their competitors who do. By embracing these trends and staying ahead of the curve, hotels can better reach and engage with potential guests and create experiences that are more personalized and relevant, ultimately leading to higher levels of guest satisfaction and loyalty.
Hospitality Marketing Trends Drive Your Hotel's Bottom Line
Hospitality marketing is critical to hotel profitability because it helps hotels attract and retain guests, which is key to generating revenue. Effective marketing strategies can help hotels create awareness and interest in their property, differentiate themselves from competitors, and ultimately drive bookings and revenue.
In today's competitive hospitality industry, it's not enough to simply have a great location or property amenities. Hotels must actively market themselves to potential guests and differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace. Effective marketing campaigns can help hotels create a strong brand image and reputation, which is key to attracting repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
Hospitality marketing can help hotels better understand their guests' needs and preferences, allowing them to tailor their services and amenities accordingly. By understanding what guests are looking for, hotels can create experiences that are more personalized and relevant, ultimately leading to higher levels of guest satisfaction and loyalty.
60 Hospitality Marketing Trends to Watch
- Personalization: customized experiences based on guest preferences and behavior data.
- Sustainability: eco-friendly practices and a focus on social responsibility.
- Direct bookings: encouraging guests to book directly through the hotel's website or mobile app.
- Influencer marketing: collaborating with social media influencers to promote hotels and experiences.
- Mobile optimization: ensuring websites and booking platforms are optimized for mobile devices.
- Video marketing: using video content to showcase properties and experiences.
- Artificial intelligence: using AI to personalize experiences, automate customer service, and analyze guest data.
- Voice search: optimizing for voice-activated devices like smart speakers and voice assistants. SEO has been critical for hotel digital marketing but now hospitality businesses must think about content marketing in entirely new ways.
- Virtual and augmented reality: offering virtual tours and experiences to showcase properties and destinations.
- User-generated content: encouraging guests to share their experiences on social media and other platforms.
- Authenticity: providing unique and authentic experiences that reflect the local culture.
- Storytelling: using narratives to connect with guests and create emotional connections.
- Local experiences: promoting unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences in the surrounding area.
- Wellness: offering health and wellness-focused amenities and experiences.
- Local sourcing: using local and seasonal ingredients for food and beverage offerings.
- Social media marketing: using social media platforms to engage with guests and promote hotels and experiences.
- Contactless technology: implementing contactless payment, check-in, and other guest services.
- Micro-travel: offering shorter trips and experiences that are closer to home.
- Food and beverage experiences: highlighting unique and innovative dining experiences.
- Digital concierge: offering virtual concierge services to guests via mobile devices or chatbots.
- Multilingual marketing: targeting international travelers by offering content in multiple languages.
- Personal safety: prioritizing safety measures and cleanliness protocols for guests.
- Subscription services: offering subscription services for amenities like gym access, parking, or daily breakfast.
- Nostalgia marketing: using nostalgia to create emotional connections with guests.
- Workation: providing spaces and amenities for guests who are combining business and leisure travel.
- Staycation: promoting local staycations to encourage guests to explore their own region.
- Eco-tourism: promoting sustainable tourism and outdoor activities that minimize environmental impact.
- Hyperlocal marketing: targeting guests in specific neighborhoods or areas near the hotel.
- Social responsibility: partnering with local organizations and charities to support the community.
- Smart room technology: implementing IoT devices to enhance the guest experience and increase efficiency.
- Gamification: adding game-like elements to loyalty programs or other guest experiences.
- Subscription-based models: offering membership or loyalty programs that provide exclusive perks and discounts.
- Wellness travel: promoting travel that promotes mental and physical wellness, such as yoga retreats or meditation classes.
- Dynamic pricing: adjusting prices in real-time based on supply and demand. Revenue management systems are becoming increasingly integrated into hotel marketing stacks and strategies.
- Influencer-owned hotels: hotels owned or operated by social media influencers to cater to their fan base.
- Customer service chatbots: implementing chatbots for 24/7 customer service to address common questions or issues.
- Luxury co-working spaces: offering high-end co-working spaces for business travelers.
- Artificial reality (AR) advertising: using augmented reality to create immersive advertising experiences for guests.
- Hotel apps: creating a mobile app that provides guests with personalized recommendations, local events, and hotel services.
- Voice-activated hotel rooms: implementing voice-activated rooms that allow guests to control the lighting, temperature, and other amenities.
- Social media messaging: using social media messaging apps to communicate with guests and provide instant support.
- Unconventional room types: offering unique and unconventional room types, such as treehouses or igloos, to attract adventurous travelers.
- Micro-influencer marketing: collaborating with smaller, niche influencers to target specific audiences.
- Geolocation marketing: using location-based targeting to promote hotel offerings to guests who are nearby.
- Automated room service: implementing robots or drones to deliver room service or housekeeping.
- Group travel: offering group packages and services for families, weddings, or corporate events.
- Culinary tourism: offering food-focused experiences, such as food tours or cooking classes, to attract foodies.
- One-click booking: simplifying the booking process by allowing guests to book with a single click on social media or messaging apps.
- Slow travel: promoting travel that emphasizes a slower pace and deeper immersion in the local culture.
- Digital detox: offering packages and experiences that encourage guests to disconnect from technology and enjoy the natural surroundings.
- Hybrid experiences: trend where hotels merge virtual and in-person experiences, incorporating both digital and physical elements to create unique guest experiences.
- Hyper-personalization: trend where hotels use AI and personal data to offer guests customized services, such as personalized check-in experiences or customized amenities.
- Brand activism: trend where hotels align themselves with social issues and take a stand to improve the world, gaining customer loyalty and improving brand awareness.
- Inclusivity and diversity: trend where hotels aim to cater to all demographics, including marginalized groups, by offering more diverse services and showcasing inclusivity in marketing campaigns.
- Smart sustainable practices: trend where hotels prioritize sustainability and implement smart technologies to reduce their carbon footprint and appeal to eco-conscious travelers.
- Contactless guest experiences: trend where hotels use apps and digital tools to allow for a more streamlined and contactless check-in and check-out process.
- Virtual reality marketing: trend where hotels use virtual reality technology to showcase their property and offer immersive and engaging experiences to potential customers.
- Wellness at the forefront: trend where hotels focus on promoting wellness experiences, such as meditation and fitness, in their marketing campaigns to attract health-conscious guests.
- Experiential travel: trend where hotels create unique experiences that offer guests a sense of adventure and novelty, such as glamping or treehouse stays.
- Social media listening: trend where hotels actively monitor social media platforms to gauge customer sentiment and use the insights to optimize their marketing efforts and improve the guest experience.
Trend Spotlight: Metasearch
Personalization is becoming increasingly important in the hospitality industry, as guests expect hotels to provide experiences that are tailored to their individual needs and preferences. By using a CRM system, hotels can create a more personalized experience that meets the specific needs and desires of each guest, leading to increased satisfaction, loyalty, and repeat business.
A CRM system can help hotels anticipate guest needs and proactively offer personalized services, such as room upgrades or special amenities, which can enhance the guest experience and increase guest satisfaction. This level of personalization can also lead to positive word-of-mouth and online reviews, which can help to attract new guests and increase brand awareness.
Having a CRM system is critical for hotels to deliver personalized guest experiences that meet the evolving needs and expectations of guests, leading to increased guest satisfaction, loyalty, and profitability.
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Trend Spotlight: Personalization via CRM
It is important for hotels to diversify their distribution channels with metasearch management software because it can help them reach a wider audience and increase their online visibility. Metasearch engines are popular search platforms that allow users to compare prices and book directly with hotels or online travel agencies. By using metasearch management software, hotels can manage their presence on these platforms and optimize their performance, which can result in increased bookings and revenue.
Diversifying distribution channels with metasearch management software can also help hotels reduce their reliance on traditional distribution channels, such as online travel agencies or direct bookings, which can be costly and time-consuming. By leveraging metasearch engines, hotels can reach new markets, attract more potential customers, and increase their brand exposure. Additionally, metasearch engines typically offer more transparent pricing and greater flexibility, which can appeal to customers looking for the best deals and offers.
Metasearch management software can also help hotels better understand their target audience and monitor their competition. By analyzing data and performance metrics, hotels can identify trends and opportunities, and adjust their marketing and pricing strategies accordingly. This can help them stay competitive and relevant in the ever-changing travel industry.
Diversifying distribution channels with metasearch management software is important for hotels to increase their online visibility, reach new audiences, reduce their dependence on traditional distribution channels, and stay competitive in the market. By utilizing metasearch engines, hotels can increase their revenue and profitability, while delivering better value and experiences to their guests.
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If you're looking to get ahead of hospitality digital marketing trends, there are some things you can do to stay ahead of the game. First, you need to do some market research to understand your target audience better. This will help you develop more effective marketing strategies that resonate with your guests.
Next, you should embrace new technology and prioritize sustainability in your marketing efforts. This can help you appeal to consumers who are looking for environmentally-friendly options and unique experiences.
It's also important to personalize the guest experience, collaborate with influencers, and offer unique experiences that differentiate your hotel from your competitors. And don't forget to leverage social media to connect with your guests and showcase your brand personality.
The key is to stay adaptable and flexible as trends change so you can continue to engage guests and stay ahead of the competition. By following these strategies, you can keep your hotel profitable and relevant in a rapidly-evolving industry.