While marketing is a behind-the-scenes function, virtually everything that managers do is seen by current and potential customers at some point. Their work is on display. When it comes to marketing in the hotel industry, sound strategies ensure success. What do top managers do differently?
A strong hotel marketing strategy is the foundation for growing your brand, increasing direct bookings, and standing out in a competitive industry. But strategy isn’t just about creating big-picture plans, it’s about the choices made every single day. Whether you’re managing a boutique hotel or a large resort, your daily actions have a direct impact on how your hotel is perceived and how well it performs. The best marketing managers don’t leave their day up to chance. They follow intentional habits that help align day-to-day marketing activities with long-term business goals.
The best hotel marketing managers don’t begin their mornings by randomly checking emails or wandering through a vague to-do list. Instead, they start with a plan. They take a few quiet minutes at the beginning of the day to ask: What needs to get done today? What’s the top priority? What will move the needle?
That simple habit makes a huge difference.
When you start your day with intention, you’re more likely to focus on tasks that actually support your hotel’s marketing strategy, rather than just reacting to the flood of messages, meetings, and last-minute requests that inevitably pop up.
Without a clear goal, it’s easy to let the small things, like answering emails or adjusting a social post, consume the whole day. But when you have a focused plan, you’re able to manage your time better and stay on track. You’re not just “busy”, you’re making progress.
For hospitality marketers, this often means setting daily goals related to:
Here’s a helpful mindset shift: think of your daily plan as a mini-version of your larger hotel marketing strategy. Each goal you set should support the hotel’s broader objectives, like increasing occupancy during low seasons, boosting brand awareness, or improving guest loyalty.
What if unexpected things come up during the day? That’s part of the job! Hospitality is unpredictable. But even when things shift, having a goal helps you quickly reprioritize without losing focus entirely. You’ll be able to decide what truly needs your attention and what can wait.
Does this really matter that much? Absolutely. Over time, these small daily actions compound. Starting your day with a goal builds consistency, keeps you aligned with your strategy, and helps you become more proactive instead of reactive. And in the fast-paced world of hotel marketing, that’s how you stay ahead.
If you’ve ever worked in a hotel, you know things can change quickly. A last-minute event gets added, a big group cancels, or weather changes travel plans. That’s why one of the most important parts of a hotel marketing strategy is communication, not just with guests, but with your team.
Great hotel marketing managers don’t work in isolation. They regularly check in with key departments to make sure everyone’s on the same page. It’s not just about sharing updates, it’s about building strong relationships across teams so information flows smoothly.
For example, staying in close contact with the revenue management team is essential. They know what rooms are selling, what rates are trending, and where the hotel needs a boost. That insight helps marketers adjust campaigns and promotions in real time. If revenue managers notice a dip in bookings next month, marketing can act fast to fill those gaps with special offers, paid ads, or email pushes.
Event and corporate planning teams are also crucial. These teams often know about upcoming events or potential issues before anyone else. Maybe a large wedding was just booked, or a corporate retreat is on the horizon. By talking regularly with these teams, marketers can prepare campaigns that highlight those events, or use them as hooks for broader promotions.
But internal conversations aren’t where it ends. Top hotel marketers also schedule regular check-ins with external partners, like:
These touchpoints ensure that your hotel's message stays aligned across all channels, from your website and social media to guest emails and press releases. It also helps prevent common (and costly) mistakes, like promoting a package that’s no longer available or running a campaign during a major blackout date.
How often should I check in with other departments? Weekly check-ins are ideal for fast-moving teams, but even a quick daily huddle or shared task board can help. The goal is to stay in sync without slowing everyone down.
What’s the best way to keep communication organized? Use shared tools like Slack, Trello, or a simple shared Google Doc to track updates. Clear channels make it easier for everyone to contribute without things falling through the cracks.
What if teams don’t see marketing as a priority? That’s where relationship-building matters. Show how your efforts support their goals, filling rooms helps revenue, promoting events helps planners, and good branding supports everyone’s success.
At the end of the day, hotel marketing is a team sport. The more you communicate, the better you can respond to changes, support your teammates, and deliver a great guest experience. A connected team creates a coordinated strategy, and that’s how hotels win.
One of the most overlooked parts of a successful hotel marketing strategy has nothing to do with ads, websites, or social media. It has to do with people, the team behind the scenes who keep everything running smoothly. Great marketing managers know that if you want to build a strong brand, you have to start by building up your team.
In the hospitality industry, praise and recognition go a long way. Hotel staff work hard, often during nights, weekends, and holidays. From front desk associates and housekeepers to event planners and concierge teams, everyone plays a role in shaping the guest experience. When a manager takes the time to say, “You did a great job,” it can completely shift someone’s day.
Why does this matter for marketing? Because happy employees lead to happy guests.
When team members feel appreciated, they’re more likely to:
These all contribute to a stronger reputation, online and off. Positive guest experiences often result in glowing reviews, return visits, and word-of-mouth referrals, all of which support your overall marketing goals.
Examples of Simple but Effective Praise:
Isn’t complimenting people HR’s job? Not at all. While HR handles formal recognition programs, daily encouragement and praise should come directly from team leaders and managers. A quick thank-you in person or via message can have a huge impact.
What if I don’t want to seem fake? Be specific. Instead of a vague “Great job,” mention what exactly impressed you. Authentic praise feels real because it is real.
Doesn’t this take up too much time? It takes less than a minute, and the return is worth it. A strong internal culture boosts guest satisfaction, productivity, and even your bottom line.
In the hotel world, marketing isn’t just about what guests see, it’s about what they feel when they interact with your staff. A motivated, appreciated team is your most powerful marketing asset. So take the time to celebrate wins, big and small. When your team feels valued, they’ll reflect that positivity in every guest interaction, and that’s the kind of brand image no ad can buy.
When it comes to building a successful hotel marketing strategy, some of the best insights don’t come from reports or spreadsheets, they come directly from your guests. The most effective hotel marketing managers know that listening to the people staying at and booking the hotel is one of the smartest things they can do.
Whether someone is checking in for a family vacation, booking a wedding, or organizing a business conference, they all bring something valuable to the table: their perspective. They see your hotel through fresh eyes and can often point out things you might overlook, both the great experiences and the things that need improvement.
By having casual conversations with guests or reaching out for feedback after their stay, you can gather helpful information about:
This kind of feedback helps you better understand what matters most to your audience, so you can fine-tune your marketing messages, update your packages, or improve the guest experience in ways that actually matter.
Ways to Collect Guest Feedback:
What if the feedback is negative? Negative feedback can feel discouraging, but it’s actually a gift. It tells you where expectations aren’t being met, giving you a chance to fix issues before they hurt your brand long-term.
How do I make sure guests feel comfortable being honest? Create a welcoming, open-door environment. Let guests know their opinions matter and that their feedback helps make the hotel better for everyone.
Can I really use this feedback in my marketing? Absolutely. If guests consistently rave about your rooftop pool or friendly staff, highlight those features in your ads, website copy, and social posts. Let your marketing reflect what real people already love about you.
Ultimately, marketing isn’t just about promoting your hotel, it’s about understanding what guests want, need, and enjoy. The more you listen, the more relevant and effective your hotel marketing strategy becomes. Talking to guests, and truly hearing them, helps you shape an experience they’ll remember and want to share. And that’s how great hospitality turns into great marketing.
A big part of an effective hotel marketing strategy is knowing your product inside and out. And in hospitality, your product is your property, the rooms, the lobby, the pool, the restaurant, and even the smallest details like signage or lighting. The best marketing managers make it a point to walk the property regularly and see it from the guest’s perspective.
Why is this important? Because what you promote should reflect what guests are actually experiencing. If your Instagram is showing off the rooftop lounge, but the lounge hasn’t been updated in years, there’s a disconnect. Great marketing starts with an honest, up-to-date view of what’s working, and what’s not.
Here are a few things smart hotel marketers look for during these walkthroughs:
Reading guest reviews also plays a big role here. Guests often mention things you might miss, both the positive highlights and areas needing improvement. Use those insights to fine-tune your messaging and help management identify potential upgrades.
How often should I walk the property? At least once a week, and ideally after any big event or seasonal change. It keeps your perspective fresh and ensures your marketing stays aligned with reality.
What should I bring on a walkthrough? A phone for photos, a notebook or digital checklist for notes, and a mindset of curiosity. Look at the space through a guest’s eyes.
Isn’t that operations’ job? Operations teams handle maintenance, but marketers are responsible for understanding how the property looks, feels, and performs in the eyes of potential guests. It’s a shared responsibility.
Knowing how your hotel looks is important, but knowing how it performs is just as essential. That’s where data comes in. Today’s hotel marketing strategy depends on numbers that go far beyond just occupancy rates or revenue. You need to understand what’s working, what isn’t, and why.
Modern hotel marketers rely on tools like Google Analytics, CRM systems, booking engines, and even review management platforms to track performance and spot trends. When you take time to dig into this data, you gain a clearer picture of how guests find you, what they engage with, and what leads them to book.
Here are some of the key data points marketing managers review regularly:
Do I need to be a data expert to use these tools? Not at all. Many platforms are designed to be user-friendly, and most offer dashboards that make it easy to track key metrics. You just need to know what you’re looking for, and why it matters.
How often should I review the data? Weekly reviews are a good habit, with a deeper dive monthly or quarterly. Consistency is key.
What if the numbers aren’t improving? That’s where testing comes in. Try changing your messaging, targeting different audiences, or updating your offers. The data tells you what’s not working, so you can pivot and improve.
At the end of the day, reviewing your property and reviewing your data go hand in hand. One shows you the experience you’re offering; the other shows you the impact it’s having. When you stay close to both, you’re in a stronger position to create a hotel marketing strategy that connects with guests, fills rooms, and builds long-term success.
In hotel marketing, it’s easy to focus on the fun stuff, like designing ads or writing social media captions. But the most successful marketing managers know that revenue tells the real story. You can’t build an effective hotel marketing strategy without understanding how your work is impacting the bottom line.
Revenue data gives you a clear view of what’s working and where there’s room for improvement. One of the most valuable tools in this area is the pace report, a snapshot that shows how your current bookings compare to previous months or years. If you notice a slowdown in bookings for next month, that’s your signal to act fast with a new offer or a targeted campaign.
But it’s not just about how much money is coming in. Smart marketers dig deeper to understand where it’s coming from and who is booking. For example:
This kind of data helps you focus on quality over quantity. Instead of trying to fill every room with last-minute discounts, you can build strategies that attract high-value guests, like long-term business travelers, repeat customers, or group bookings.
Do I need to check revenue every day? Not necessarily, but weekly check-ins are a great habit. They help you stay ahead of trends and spot issues before they become bigger problems.
Isn’t revenue management a separate department? It is, but marketing and revenue teams need to work closely together. Marketing brings in the demand, and revenue management helps set the right pricing and forecasting. It’s a partnership.
What if my campaigns aren't showing a clear revenue impact? Look at the full guest journey. Sometimes marketing doesn’t lead directly to bookings but influences brand awareness or drives email signups that convert later. Tracking ROI across multiple touchpoints is key.
When marketing decisions are backed by solid revenue data, you’re not guessing, you’re strategizing. You’re making informed choices that help your hotel grow in a sustainable and profitable way.
It’s not just about knowing your own numbers. Great hotel marketing managers also pay close attention to what the competition is doing. After all, your guests have options. Understanding how your hotel stacks up can help you make smarter decisions and stay one step ahead.
Competitive analysis isn’t just about copying what other hotels are doing, it’s about learning from them. By observing their strategies, you can spot new trends, find areas where you’re falling behind, and even discover gaps in the market that you can fill.
Here’s what to look at when checking out the competition:
One of the easiest ways to stay informed is by using a hotel marketing intelligence platform. These tools give you insight into competitor pricing, ad campaigns, web traffic, and more, without needing to dig manually. Even signing up for competitors’ newsletters or following their social channels can offer helpful clues.
Won’t it distract me to watch competitors all the time? It’s about balance. Check in regularly, not obsessively. Use what you learn to make your own strategy sharper, not just to imitate someone else’s.
What if their hotel has more resources than ours? That’s okay. You can still compete by being nimble, creative, and guest-focused. Sometimes, a personalized campaign or clever local promotion can outperform a big-budget one.
How do I know if we’re doing better or worse than them? Benchmark your key performance indicators, like direct bookings, website traffic, or social engagement, against theirs. Even small shifts can give you an edge.
In today’s competitive hospitality market, what you don’t know can hurt you. But staying aware of your competition helps you stay current, creative, and confident. When you understand both your own performance and what’s happening around you, you can build a hotel marketing strategy that’s not just reactive, but resilient and forward-thinking.
One of the most valuable habits any hotel marketing manager can build is simple: they read, often. It might sound basic, but keeping up with industry news, marketing trends, and fresh ideas is what helps good marketers stay great. In a world that’s constantly changing, especially in the hospitality industry, knowledge really is power.
Whether it’s a shift in travel habits, a new social media platform, or updates in Google’s search algorithm, there’s always something new to learn. Reading helps you stay ahead of the curve so your hotel marketing strategy doesn’t fall behind.
But let’s be honest, there’s a lot out there. The amount of information can feel overwhelming. That’s why smart marketers don’t try to read everything. Instead, they find a few trusted sources and curate their reading list.
Here are some recommended resources to follow:
Even just 15 minutes a day, while you sip your coffee or between meetings, can spark new ideas for your next campaign, help you solve a problem, or inspire you to try something new.
How do I find time to read when I’m already so busy? Start small. Pick one article a day or skim a weekly newsletter. It adds up quickly and doesn’t have to take a lot of time.
What if I’m not sure what’s worth reading? Sign up for newsletters that summarize top stories or follow industry experts on LinkedIn. You’ll start to see which sources deliver the most value.
Can reading really help my marketing? Absolutely. Reading helps you stay creative, understand what competitors are doing, and adapt to changes before they impact your bottom line. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep your strategy sharp.
Reading isn’t just a nice habit, it’s a form of professional development. The more informed you are, the more confident and effective you’ll be as a hotel marketing leader.
Setting goals is important, but reviewing those goals regularly is what truly sets top hotel marketing managers apart. It’s easy to set targets at the beginning of the year and then get swept up in the daily rush. But when you take time to step back and reflect, you get a better sense of how your hotel marketing strategy is performing, and where to adjust.
Think about your big-picture goals. Are you trying to:
Now ask yourself: Are we on track? The only way to know is by checking in regularly.
Quarterly marketing audits are a great way to stay focused. They help you compare your current numbers to where you were last quarter, or even last year. You can see what’s working, what’s stalled, and what needs more attention.
Other helpful tools include:
How often should I review my marketing goals? Quarterly is ideal for in-depth reviews, but you should keep an eye on key metrics weekly or monthly. Regular check-ins help you course-correct early.
What if I’m falling short on my goals? That’s okay, it happens. Use the data to understand why, then adjust your tactics. Maybe your audience has shifted, or a campaign needs to be refreshed.
Should I involve the whole team in goal reviews? Yes! Marketing works best when everyone’s aligned. Share progress and invite ideas from different departments. It builds buy-in and often leads to better strategies.
At the end of the day, goal setting isn’t a one-time task, it’s an ongoing process. The more intentional you are about reviewing and refining your goals, the stronger your results will be. Your hotel marketing strategy should grow and evolve just like your business does.
The best hotel marketing managers know what it takes to keep the “No Vacancy” sign up. Do you?
If you need help ensuring your hotel marketing strategy is driving forward key goals, let us know.
Tags: Hotel Marketing
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