In recent years, there’s been a shift from traditional advertising to data-driven, digital-first strategies. Hotels, venues, and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) that continuously adapt to changing traveler behaviors, increased competition, and evolving technology will most likely stay relevant.
In this blog, we’ll explore the most effective hospitality marketing strategies, covering digital tactics, data-driven decision-making, personalization, sustainability, and future-proofing your marketing approach.
The evolution of hospitality marketing
Marketing in the hospitality industry has changed significantly over the past decade. Traditional advertising methods like print ads and billboards have taken a backseat to digital marketing, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI). Key trends driving this shift include:
The rise of online booking platforms
More travelers than ever rely on OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) like Booking.com and Expedia to compare accommodations, pricing, and reviews in one place.
Event planners moved to platforms like the Cvent Supplier Network to source venues and submit RFPs. These sites have become essential for hotels and venues to stay relevant with rich, up-to-date profiles and targeted advertising.
The impact of social media
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and even LinkedIn have become essential tools for hospitality marketing. Travelers increasingly use social media for travel inspiration and event planners use it to find their next venue. Engage with guests and event planners through high-quality visuals, influencer collaborations, and interactive content.
Personalization expectations
The modern traveler or event planner expects a highly customized experience. AI-driven recommendations, dynamic website content, and tailored email marketing campaigns help businesses meet these expectations and build stronger relationships and partnerships. Building on partnerships with event planner clients helps improve your personalization as you learn their preferences and event goals.
The influence of sustainability
Travelers are more conscious of their environmental impact than ever before. According to the latest Cvent Planner Sourcing Report, an increased emphasis on sustainability will shape event planning priorities for 29% of European event professionals (40% in France), 35% of event professionals in Asia (46% in Thailand), and 25% of event planners in the Middle East and Africa (MEA).
Highlight your eco-friendly practices—such as reducing waste, using renewable energy, and offering sustainable travel options—to gain a competitive advantage.
AI in marketing
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming hospitality marketing through chatbots, predictive analytics, and automated personalization. Not only does AI save you time—especially with manual, repetitive tasks—but it also helps your whole business by anticipating guest preferences, optimizing pricing, and enhancing guest or event planner interactions.
Understanding today’s hospitality audience
Modern travelers and event planners have evolving expectations when engaging with hotels, venues, and CVBs. They seek seamless experiences, personalized recommendations, and trust-driven interactions.
With more options than ever, they expect hospitality brands to cater to their specific needs and deliver value at every stage of their journey.
This information is key when it comes to marketing to each segment. Here are some audience insights:
Leisure travelers: They seek authenticity, unique experiences, and sustainable options. Personalized recommendations, immersive local experiences, and wellness-focused offerings resonate with this group.
Event planners: They value efficiency, data-driven insights, and automation. Streamlined booking processes, robust reporting tools, and flexible event space configurations are crucial in their decision-making process. Many are also looking for hybrid and virtual event options.
Business travelers: Convenience, reliability, and loyalty rewards are essential to them. They prefer seamless check-ins, high-speed Wi-Fi, and business-friendly amenities.
Luxury travelers: They expect a high level of service, exclusivity, and bespoke experiences. They are willing to pay a premium for personalized concierge services, private excursions, and VIP treatment.
4 digital marketing strategies for hospitality
A strong digital presence is essential to capture attention and drive group, leisure, or transient bookings. Well-thought-out, tested digital marketing strategies keep you competitive and visible to potential guests and event planners. Here’s how:
SEO & content marketing
Search engine optimization (SEO) and content marketing play a critical role in increasing online visibility. Attract organic traffic and improve search rankings by optimizing websites, blogs, and landing pages for relevant keywords.
High-quality content—such as destination guides, event planning tips, and customer success stories—establishes credibility and engages potential guests.
Local SEO strategies, including Google Business Profile optimization and localized content, further enhance discoverability.
Social media & influencer marketing
Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn provide powerful opportunities for you to connect with your target audience.
Visually compelling content, such as stunning property photos, immersive videos, and behind-the-scenes stories, helps capture attention.
Partnering with travel influencers and industry thought leaders extends reach, builds credibility, and encourages user-generated content. Foster community and boost brand loyalty by engaging with followers through comments, live Q&As, and interactive polls.
Email & automation
Email marketing remains one of the highest ROI channels in hospitality marketing. Here’s why:
Personalized email campaigns nurture leads, promote special offers, and encourage repeat bookings.
Automated email workflows—such as birthday discounts, post-stay, or post-event follow-ups—help maintain engagement and build long-term relationships.
Segmenting email lists based on guest or event planner preferences and behaviors ensures messages remain relevant and impactful.
Cvent Supplier Network
The Cvent Supplier Network (CSN) is a vital platform for hotels, venues, and CVBs looking to attract event planners and corporate clients. With over 145K sourcing planners searching for meeting spaces daily, optimizing your presence on CSN significantly boosts group bookings.
Eye-catching profiles: Ensure your venue’s profile is complete with high-quality images, updated capacity details, and unique selling points. Include floor plans using Cvent Event Diagramming and any certifications you may have achieved.
Targeted advertising: Use Cvent’s paid advertising options to gain more visibility in search results and stand out to planners.
Lead management & analytics: Leverage Cvent’s business intelligence tools to track engagement, analyze RFP trends, and refine your sales strategy for better conversion rates.
4. Leveraging data & analytics for smarter marketing
Data-driven marketing has become a game-changer in hospitality marketing. Now it’s easier than ever to reach the right audience with the right message at the right time. Make more informed marketing decisions, increase engagement, and maximize revenue by tuning into the data and analytics behind your campaigns.
AI and predictive analytics
Artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analyticsplay a crucial role in modern hospitality marketing. These technologies help you analyze historical booking trends, seasonality, and customer behaviors to forecast demand and optimize pricing.
Meanwhile, AI-powered recommendation engines enrich the guest experience by personalizing offers, suggesting relevant amenities, and automating targeted promotions. Use predictive analytics to anticipate guest and event planner needs, refine your marketing campaigns, and improve conversion rates.
First-party data
First-party data—information collected directly from guests and customers—is one of the most valuable assets for hospitality marketers. Data from CRM systems, loyalty programs, and direct bookings is the key to creating highly personalized experiences.
For example, use past guest preferences to tailor room upgrades, dining recommendations, or exclusive discounts. With increasing concerns about data privacy, using first-party data is the easiest way to maintain compliance while building strong customer relationships.
Performance tracking
Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) is essential in everyday hospitality marketing. Metrics like website traffic, conversion rates, email open rates, and social media engagement provide insights into what’s working and what needs improvement.
But what about group performance tracking? Use Cvent Business Intelligence, for example, to understand your group performance better in terms of RFP response rate, conversion rate, bid rate, and more. Set custom alerts so you’re notified when your venue or portfolio is falling behind your set goals or competition.
Advanced analytics tools help you monitor campaign effectiveness in real-time, adjust strategies accordingly, and allocate budgets to high-performing channels.
5. The role of experiential marketing in hospitality
Use experiential marketing to create immersive, memorable interactions that strengthen guest loyalty and drive word-of-mouth promotion. Instead of just promoting a hotel, venue, or destination, experiential marketing invites potential guests and event planners to engage with the brand in meaningful ways.
Host live and virtual events: Bring your property to life through exclusive experiences such as behind-the-scenes tours, virtual reality walkthroughs, and live Q&A sessions with staff or event planners. These events give potential guests and clients a deeper connection to the space before they book.
Leverage storytelling and video: Capture and share compelling guest testimonials, behind-the-scenes content, and brand stories through engaging video formats. Whether it’s a day-in-the-life experience at your resort or a time-lapse of an event being set up in your venue, storytelling fosters emotional connections with potential customers.
Encourage user-generated content: Run interactive social media campaigns that encourage guests to share their experiences. Create branded hashtags, offer incentives for the best photos or videos, and feature user-generated content across your digital channels. This not only builds authenticity but also amplifies your reach through organic guest advocacy.
6. Personalization & customer engagement tactics
Guests and event planners want experiences tailored to their needs, and the right strategies can help you meet (and exceed) those expectations.
AI-driven chatbots: Instant communication is key. AI-powered chatbots provide real-time, personalized responses to guest inquiries, from booking assistance to event space recommendations. They enhance the customer experience while freeing up staff for more complex tasks.
Dynamic content: Your website and emails should adapt to user behavior. Whether it’s showcasing relevant offers based on browsing history or tailoring email campaigns to past booking preferences, dynamic content ensures your marketing feels personal and relevant.
Loyalty programs: Personalization goes beyond names in emails. Reward repeat guests with tailored perks, such as room upgrades, exclusive discounts, or VIP experiences based on their past stays and preferences. The more meaningful the incentives, the more likely guests are to return.
7. Revenue-driven marketing strategies for hotels & venues
While brand awareness is essential, hospitality marketing should also be a direct revenue driver. Here’s how to turn marketing efforts into measurable financial results:
Direct booking optimization
Reduce reliance on OTAs by making your website the most attractive leisure booking channel. Offer exclusive perks like discounts, complimentary upgrades, or flexible cancellation policies for direct bookings.
However, it’s no good hoping for more direct bookings without a seamless, mobile-friendly booking experience. Make it as easy as possible for guests to book through your website.
Upselling & cross-selling
Maximize revenue per guest by promoting premium experiences and add-ons. From room upgrades and spa packages to event enhancements and food & beverage deals, smart upselling at booking and check-in can significantly boost revenue.
Don’t forget about upselling event attendees looking for rooms. Room block technology, like Cvent Passkey, offers a dynamic upsell feature to upsell inventory, shoulder dates, and flexible and customizable add-ons.
Corporate partnerships
Long-term contracts with businesses and event planners create steady revenue streams. Develop tailored packages for corporate travel, group bookings, and recurring events, offering preferred rates and exclusive benefits to keep partners coming back.
8. Sustainability & ESG in hospitality marketing
Sustainability is a key factor in travelers’ booking decisions. Authentically market your eco-friendly initiatives to attract conscious consumers while reinforcing your brand’s commitment to responsible hospitality.
Green certifications: If your property has earned LEED certification, carbon-neutral status, or other eco-friendly recognitions, highlight these achievements in your marketing. Display badges on your website or CSN, mention them in social media campaigns and include them in RFP responses for corporate clients prioritizing sustainability.
Eco-conscious experiences: Showcase sustainable travel packages, energy-efficient operations, and local sourcing initiatives. Whether it’s a plastic-free stay, carbon offset options, or partnerships with sustainable tourism organizations, these efforts resonate with modern travelers.
Transparent messaging: Avoid greenwashing by backing up sustainability claims with hard data. Share measurable impact reports, sustainability goals, and third-party verifications to build trust with guests and event planners. Find out how Marriott reports on its Sustainability goals and progress here.
Conclusion
Hospitality marketing is no longer about simply promoting a property—it’s about creating an engaging, personalized, and seamless journey for guests and event planners. Embrace digital marketing, leverage data, and prioritize sustainability to build stronger relationships and drive revenue. Now is the time to refine your hospitality marketing strategy. Which of these tactics will you implement first?
Download our latest editions of the latest 2025 Cvent Planner Sourcing Report for insights into event professional priorities and challenges:
2025 Cvent Planner Sourcing Report: North America Edition
2025 Cvent Planner Sourcing Report: Europe Edition
2025 Cvent Planner Sourcing Report: Asia Edition
2025 Cvent Planner Sourcing Report: MEA Edition
Mansi Soni
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