Digital Marketing for Hotels: A Look At The Best of the Best

Is hotel digital marketing just about bringing in bookings? When doing a digital marketing strategy for your hotel, so much more needs to be considered. In the hotel business, the only time a customer should be “checked out” is when they’re a guest at your hotel. When it comes to hotel marketing in the digital world, however, your online audience should be “checked in” at all times.

Since Google recently launched an all-new design for hotel search results, which enables users to select and view a hotel interface straight from their initial search.

While the algorithm is “constantly changing,” it’s no longer enough to simply be listed on Trivago – in fact, hotel digital marketing strategies are all about ‘personalization‘ now. You need to consider the personalization of your hotel ads, your website, and anything related to your online presence.

Personalization is one of those trends your brand cannot ignore.

In a report from Think with Google on ‘The future of travel,’ a noteworthy 57% of travelers report that they would rather see travel brands “tailor their information based on personal preferences.” This, in turn, captures intimate travel experiences.

Get Personal When Telling Your Story

But how? You don’t just tell your story with a mere ‘About Us’ page, instead, you show your story. Do this by taking a holistic approach to your digital marketing strategy.

Here, you create an online brand so captivating that viewers count down the days until they’re your guests.

A prime digital marketing plan for a hotel comprises multi-platform storytelling, re-targeting, email marketing, and an easily indexable and premium-quality website (Google will love you).

Most certainly, both a presence and consistency across social media platforms are needed. Please note that the most captivating hotels will post at least 1-3 times daily.

Here, we take a look at how 5 of the best international hotels utilise a digital marketing strategy for hotels. They do this to elevate their status, increase brand awareness and of course, climb their way up the results.

1. COMO Hotels & Resorts

Image via @comohotels

COMO’s overarching “holistic approach” to digital marketing is evident throughout its hypnotic travel stories. Also, they take care with their breathtaking visuals and first-rate campaigns.

All these include retargeting, content marketing, search engine optimization, email marketing, and the use of both organic and paid advertising.

COMO prove that consistency is key everywhere, from social media to their alluring COMO Stories magazine.

2. InterContinental

Image via @intercontinental

Did you know that a monumental 76% of travelers post their trips on social media? Moreover, 49% of consumers rely on social media influencers’ recommendations when making a purchase.

Taking advantage of this comes InterContinental, who not only market content to perfection, but also capitalize from reposting and re-sharing influencers’ first-class travel experiences at their hotels.

Image via @intercontinental

For example, InterContinental recently reposted the above image from Julia Matyjasek. She is a social media influencer based in Amsterdam (@juliamatyjasek) with more than 10k followers.

This is a paramount example of how brands may utilize influencer marketing to personalize their identity. Moreover, create further relationships and spread awareness and unquestionably, motivate more sales.

3. Four Seasons

Image via @fourseasons

Established in 1960, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, otherwise simply known as ‘Four Seasons’, is an international luxury hospitality company. Their stellar reputation precedes themselves.

The name resonates with opulence and grandeur. Their global marketing strategy for their countless hotels and resorts globally resonates with this too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqSkMkAn8s_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

From their social media accounts, including an Instagram profile with 800k+ followers, and their visually-stimulating Four Seasons Magazine, down to their inviting pop-up event promotions, Four Seasons immaculately translate the very essence that sets them apart as an industry leader. This is great hotel digital marketing, strongly working the content marketing and SEO angles.

How? It’s simple, they know who they are and which audience they’re speaking to – the hallmark of any successful digital marketing for hotels.

4. The Upper House

Image via @upperhouse_hkg

Designed by renowned architect Andre Fu, The Upper House is one of Hong Kong’s most superior luxury hotels.

The Upper House comprises 117 studios and suites, providing exhilarating skyline views while gifting guests with the ultimate accommodation.

5. Mandarin Oriental

Image via @mo_hotels

Placing Primetime Emmy Award-Winning Actor, Rami Malek, as the face of their elite brand, at the same time as boosting their global ‘#ImAfan’ campaign, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group undoubtedly, execute the art of storytelling.

In our previous blog, The Rise of Emotional Marketing: What You Need to Know, we discussed how emotional marketing has fast become the primary focus, whereby a visitor with an emotional bond is “8 times more likely to become a customer“.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bssj9mLnRfW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Not only does the Mandarin Oriental serve as an exemplary model of digital marketing for hotels to follow suit, but they also procure a meticulous combination of emotional marketing, paid advertising, social influencer marketing, and organic advertising, executed so well that viewers are provided with a truly immersive journey.

Final Thoughts on Digital Marketing for Hotels

Digital marketing strategy for hotels needs to take into account with whole customer experience.

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Are you a marketer at a hotel? If you would like some help with your digital marketing, then contact us. We invite you to read more about our social media services, SEO services, and premium content writing offer.

Literally, hundreds of brands have seen phenomenal success working with our digital marketing consultants to get on the first page of Google and be the only choice against everyone else in Hong Kong.

Contact us today, and we can do the same for you.