Leaderboard · Hospitality & travel
Hotels & vacation rentals
Marketing plays for hotels & vacation rentals, ranked by votes.
Photo: Engin Akyurt
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1
Win back past online travel agency guests with a direct offer
Pull the list of guests who booked through online travel agencies in the last twelve months from your property management system. Send them an email offering a discount for booking directly on your site or by phone next time, and mention that direct guests get first pick of room upgrades. Send it eight to ten months after their stay, before they start planning again.
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2
Send a pre-arrival upsell email seven days before check-in
Set up an automated email that goes out seven days before arrival to every confirmed direct guest, offering early check-in, a room upgrade, an airport transfer, or a welcome basket as add-on purchases with a simple reply-to-book link. Keep the list to three options so the choice stays easy.
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3
Build a shoulder-season campaign around one local event
Pick a slow month on your calendar and pair it with a nearby festival, harvest, or off-peak activity, then build a short email and Instagram series that frames that month as the best time to visit: fewer crowds, milder weather, and a special nightly rate for stays booked in that window. Send the series to your full list six weeks ahead.
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4
Package a stay with a local restaurant or activity partner
Approach one nearby restaurant, spa, or tour operator and agree to bundle a fixed add-on, a dinner credit, a spa treatment, or a guided outing, with a stay booked directly through your site. List the package on your booking page and in your welcome email, and split promotion evenly between both businesses' social channels.
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5
Post a weekly room or unit reveal on Instagram
Choose one room, suite, or vacation rental unit each week and post a short video walkthrough on Instagram, pointing out one detail guests would not see in a listing photo, like the view from the balcony or the quality of the linens. Use the same opening shot each week so the series is recognizable, and link that unit's direct booking page in the caption.
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6
Text a review request the morning guests check out
Set up an automated text message that goes out the morning of checkout, thanking guests by name and linking directly to your Google Business Profile review page. Follow up once by email three days later only if they have not left a review yet.
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7
Mail a welcome offer to new residents near your property
Get a list of households that moved into your area last quarter from a local mailing list provider, and send a postcard offering a discounted staycation rate for a friend or family visit. Include a code tied to that mailing so you can track redemptions.
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8
Host a quarterly mixer for local businesses at your property
Invite nearby shop owners, wedding planners, and tour guides to a short evening gathering at your property, showing off a renovated room or common space. Ask each guest to bring one card or flyer to leave for the others, and collect names for a referral list you follow up with the next week.
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9
Set a standing returning-guest rate for repeat direct bookings
Create a rate code that is automatically lower than your best public rate, reserved for guests who have booked directly with you before. Email past direct guests the code once, tell them it never expires, and mention it again in your annual shoulder-season campaign.
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10
Leave a referral card in every room with a friend discount
Print a small card for the nightstand that offers the guest a discount on their next stay and a matching discount for a friend they refer, with a short code and your direct booking site printed clearly. Mention the card once at checkout so guests remember it exists.
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