Hotel Marketing Trends to Watch in 2024
Learn how to leverage the leading hotel marketing trends to gain a competitive edge.
Hotels are constantly adapting to new trends and technologies to keep up with the changing needs and preferences of guests. This means that hoteliers and their teams must stay updated with the latest trends in hotel marketing to ensure that they remain relevant in the industry.
Discover the top hotel marketing trends set to dominate the industry in 2024, and how you can use them to stay ahead of your competition.
What Do Statistics Reveal About Hotel Marketing in 2023?
Before exploring the upcoming trends that will dominate the industry in the coming year, take a look at the current guest behaviours and statistics shared by Amra & Elma.
- More than half (55%) of all users who like hotel pages on Facebook do so to obtain information about the hotel.
- Almost 60% of all hotel bookings are made online.
- After a positive experience, 40% of hotel guests are likely to leave a review, while 48% of guests would do the same after a negative experience.
- Hotels that showcase high-quality photos on their website observe a 15% increase in conversion rates.
- Websites with videos have a 53 times greater chance of appearing on the first page of Google search results when compared to websites without videos.
What do these statistics reveal? Online presence and digital marketing are crucial for hotels to succeed. With the majority of users seeking information on social media platforms and booking hotels online, hotels need to maintain an engaging online presence. The statistics on guest reviews remind us that providing exceptional customer experiences is crucial for building a hotel's reputation.
This data also highlights the importance of visual content. Consumers rely on online platforms to make travel decisions, investing in online marketing strategies and delivering excellent guest experiences should be a top priority for hotels. By paying attention to the visual content provided to potential guests, hotels can attract more visitors and create a lasting impression.
2024 Hotel Marketing Trends
Automated Bookings Will Continue to Rise
According to Cvent, 85% of event planners are more likely to choose a hotel or venue for simple meetings if they have the option to book online. As the demand for hotel rooms and event space continues to rise and staffing remains limited, automated booking is a technology becoming increasingly necessary to keep up with the workload.
Hotels that are proactive in showcasing live availability and offering instant booking of venue spaces will have an advantage over those that still engage in time-consuming back-and-forth communication.
Journey-Focused Campaigns
As more travellers invest in receiving a tailored travel experience, the demand for personalised hotel experiences is increasing. Nowadays, 90% of consumers expect brands and retailers to provide personalised experiences.
To stay ahead of the game, hotels must invest in ways to connect with potential customers throughout all stages of the purchasing journey and beyond. This means using relevant data to create a personalised experience and segmentation to focus on a guest's particular preferences. Hotels should offer packages, services, amenities, and offerings that guests are most likely to find appealing. A customer's journey doesn't end once they check out. In the coming year, the ‘check-in to check-out’ customer journey is set to transform into a year-round campaign strategy that encourages clients to become community members and engage with an array of hotel content, distributed on various channels.
Short Form Videos
Short-form videos (between 3-60 seconds) were one of the fastest-growing forms of marketing content in 2023 - and the trend is predicted to continue into 2024. Society is both producing and consuming content at an astronomical rate. Our collective digital attention spans are looking for easily digestible content that catches the eye while being informing, educating, and entertaining. No pressure on your social media marketing team, right?
The good news? Not all short-form videos need to be polished to perfection. Consumers prefer a balance between appealing aesthetics and raw footage. Videos that offer a glimpse behind the scenes, meet-the-team footage, or industry Q&As can be a great way to engage with the audience. This gives marketers ample room for creativity. When planning your hotel marketing content for 2024, spend time on your short-form video strategy. A smart strategy to boost efficiency and save time on shooting and editing is to record a bunch of footage at once and spread it out over time.
To attract more online traffic to your hotel's website, consider using short-form video ads on popular search engines like Google. In these ads, showcase your hotel's unique amenities, culture, and experiences. Include a link that directs consumers to where you want them to go, such as your main hotel website, social media pages, or event venue profile. This can help increase your hotel's visibility and attract more potential guests to your website. For more information on how to optimise your TikTok video content for SEO, click here.
Branded DMs
Branded direct messaging is a hotel marketing trend that takes social media messaging to the next level. Companies are embracing this strategy to connect with their digital audience and add another layer to the customer-centric purchasing journey. It also helps to increase brand awareness and develop a unique and consistent social voice.
To achieve fiscal and productivity goals, increase brand visibility, and open up a new line of communication that appeals to members of your target audience, incorporate branded direct messaging into your 2024 hotel marketing strategy. Remember, consistency is key - ensure all team members can respond to consumer messages with the same social brand voice and promptly respond to any questions.
The Ultimate Guide to Hospitality Technology: Transforming Your Hotel in 2024
Brought to you by iVvy and the esteemed Australian Good Food & Travel Guide, this comprehensive eBook is your gateway to mastering hotel operations in the modern era. And it's absolutely free!
What You'll Discover:
Effortless Efficiency with Automation:
Learn how automation can revolutionise your hotel’s operations, from seamless reservation management to enhancing guest communication, and how it saves time and money.
Mastering Hyper Personalisation:
Dive into the art of personalizing customer experiences. This section equips you with the tools and insights to offer tailored services that delight guests and set your establishment apart.
Innovative Smart-Tech for Kitchens:
Explore cutting-edge kitchen technology that's transforming culinary processes, enhancing resource management, and improving overall efficiency.
Data-Driven Success Strategies:
Uncover how collecting, analysing, and interpreting data can reveal valuable insights into customer preferences, operational efficiency, and market trends.
Boost Your Bookings with Instant Engines:
Discover how instant booking engines can increase bookings, amplify revenue, and enhance guest satisfaction.
About iVvy
iVvy is a leading global SaaS cloud-based technology solution designed to streamline booking and event management operations for venues worldwide. Our comprehensive platform offers a range of powerful features, including instant booking functionality and centralised function diary, to enhance the efficiency and productivity of venue operators.
With an integrated revenue management and distribution platform, iVvy equips hotels, restaurants, stadiums, and universities with the necessary tools to seamlessly manage inquiries, bookings, and event logistics. Including advanced reporting and analytics features, iVvy offers venues greater visibility into their business performance. This invaluable data empowers decision-makers to make informed choices, optimise revenue, and maximise the utilisation of group rooms, meeting spaces, and event facilities.
iVvy's scalable solutions cater to the unique needs of the travel, MICE, and events industries. Our global team, available 24/7, provides dedicated support to clients in five countries, ensuring seamless operations and prompt assistance whenever required.
We are proud to serve some of the world's most renowned hospitality groups, major corporations, travel companies, governments, associations, stadiums, universities, and nonprofit organisations.
To learn more about iVvy and our comprehensive product suite, visit ivvy.com
Brittany George
Content Marketing Manager
iVvy
