As the holiday season approaches, it’s never too early to start planning. After all, Christmas is one of the busiest times to travel.
According to the AA, 12 million people were expected to travel during the Christmas period in 2016.
While guests make their preparations for the festive period, everything you do now can set you up to attract more bookings.
We’re all filled with more cheer come December time, and that’s precisely why hotels must ensure their marketing strategies reflect the spirit of the season. This festive attitude should stretch to your website, social channels and your hotel itself.
Travellers will be booking their travel arrangements with enthusiasm and excitement. A jovial presence during this time will see more guests primed to identify with your brand.
While we all smile a little easier during the holidays, we’re far more likely to accept and interact with festive related campaigns. This is the perfect time to enhance your brand’s online presence and make their stay a celebration to remember.
But it all starts with an effective marketing campaign. So here are 6 strategies you can adopt this Christmas.
Christmas email series
During the December days, an email series is a great way to reach out to guests every day without being pushy.
And with 75% of companies agreeing email offers a good to excellent ROI, a strategic email campaign could be a lucrative channel this Christmas.
For example, you could send an email with an advent calendar each day. Subscribers must click on the box daily for a chance to win a prize, such as a free Christmas lunch or spa package.
It’s a bit of fun for guests and builds excitement for receiving your emails.
If you want to cut the campaign shorter, you could run another giveaway promotion for the 12 days of Christmas.
Another idea for festive fun could be a treasure hunt on your website. Put a small, discreet picture of a snowman on your website in a different place every day. Then ask guests to find them all to win a prize.
Each daily email will reveal a clue. There’s no hard sell, just regular touchpoints.
Show your festive spirit
While in the holiday spirit, travellers will enjoy seeing holiday related material. Use your social channels to post relevant, festive content around what’s happening at your hotel. Regular snippets will generate post interaction, reach and even gain you followers.
For example, post pictures showing decorations in your rooms and lobby, or your staff in their Christmas outfits. Share snaps of your Christmas menu or staff putting up decorations.
To compliment the season further, adapt your social cover photos with pictures of Christmas trees, wreaths, festive symbols and the like.
Christmas events
Around Christmas, it’s likely travellers will be searching for holiday themed events to attend. By using your social platforms and blog, you’ll create intrigue for events happening in and outside your hotel.
Using your blog will also help generate more traffic to your website. By covering external events you’ll capture more browsers from the search engines looking for information about that event.
Are there any Christmas plays or winter wonderlands near you? These can be great motivators for guests. If your hotel ties in with the festive theme, that combo could be just the thing they’re looking for this December.
Perhaps you can hold a few seasonal cocktail evenings. Post photos of the drinks on social media and invite guests to attend a class to make them for themselves.
Or, what about a Christmas cookie cooking session or an arts and crafts class where they can make their own advent calendars and Christmas decorations…
Perfect for getting the whole family involved.
Christmas friendly website
This may require some minor investment, but it could be worth it to help you stand out to Christmas fanatical guests.
Fun and festive additions to your website shows you’re current and ready to provide that merry atmosphere travellers look for this time of year.
A winter theme with animated snow, baubles, Christmas wreaths, and maybe even a few cutesy creatures like reindeer or snowmen. These embellishments could make all the difference.
Christmas deals
Some hotels will likely promote holiday deals to entice guests to book. And your strategy should be no different.
As travellers shop around before settling on a hotel, the best rates are usually a factor in their decision making.
But to gain a competitive edge, you should consider what the competition is offering (including the OTAs) so you know you’re offering the best deals. Of course, don’t let these specials become so ridiculous you’re not making a profit.
Some suggestions are: discounts for room upgrades, meal and drinks vouchers, discounted or free tickets for attractions, or a free spa treatment.
Contests and giveaways
Social media contests are a great way to gain awareness for your hotel, boost engagement and build your following.
When done right, they can gain masses of attention. As more people interact with your brand on Facebook or Twitter, more people are likely to check out your own website.
There are numerous ideas you can use to form the basis of your contest:
The best Christmas cake contest — Get guests to upload a photo of the Christmas cake they’ve baked.
The best room decoration — Guests must share snaps of their decorated living rooms.
The best dance routine — Guests must upload a video of them dancing to their favourite Christmas song.
The ugliest Christmas jumper — Guests must share their ugliest holiday jumper photos.
The key to a successful holiday season is showing up and spreading the festive cheer. If you take the time to join in and add something special to the holiday happiness, you’ll be remembered and looked upon favourably.
Discounts and deals will certainly help you gain an edge, but your main priority should be maintaining holiday consistency across your website and social media presence. And then don’t disappoint when they actually turn up.
With an effective holiday marketing strategy you’ll get those bookings rolling in, and maybe even tempt them to return in the future.
%20Medium.jpeg)
