Resources

11 Black Friday Marketing Strategies For Hotels & Resorts To Drive Bookings

Enhance your hotel or resort Black Friday marketing promotions with 11 industry-leading strategies. Learn how to drive bookings & stand out in the social media game!

Written by
Monique Lorette
Date
October 30, 2023

Black Friday is an electrifying time for resorts and hotels to rev up marketing engines and boost bookings. In this era of digital dominance, the strategies that stand out seamlessly blend creativity with data-driven precision. From captivating video content to segmentation and A/B testing, here are 11 resort and hotel marketing strategies that can make your Black Friday campaign a game-changer for your property.

1. Utilize Graphic Design & Video Content

Visual content is paramount in modern social media marketing, with features like Instagram Reels and platforms like TikTok emphasizing short, engaging videos. It's crucial to incorporate visually compelling graphics or video content to maximize the impact of your Black Friday marketing campaigns. Crafting unique videos tailored to these platforms' fast-paced nature can effectively capture a broader audience's attention.

(Image via @ales.sea Instagram)

2. Collaborate With Micro-Influencers

While mega-influencers come with hefty price tags, micro-influencers who already connect with your brand can be a perfect match. Collaborating with them to create engaging stories, posts, and content featuring your offerings can significantly boost your Black Friday marketing efforts and reach a more niche audience.

3. Participate In “Giving Tuesday”

Beyond traditional Black Friday deals, consider incorporating sustainability and responsible tourism practices into your resort’s promotions. This can resonate with eco-conscious travelers, demonstrating your commitment to ethical travel experiences. If your hotel brand donates to a nonprofit or has a philanthropic program, do something a little more for reservations booked on this day.

4. Give Your Subscribers & Loyal Members Early Access

Show appreciation to your loyal hotel or resort customer base by offering them early access to your Black Friday deals. This not only creates a sense of exclusivity but also enhances customer retention. Exclusive early access can make your subscribers feel valued and more likely to engage with your November offers.

5. Implement “Social Proof” Into Your Strategy

Social media is a powerful tool for travel brands, especially during Black Friday marketing. Highlighting positive reviews, testimonials, and ratings from previous hotel guests can build trust and credibility. This, combined with a cohesive social media presence, creates an informative and trustworthy experience, making potential resort guests more comfortable with booking.

6. Use Segmentation To Keep Messages Relevant

Tailoring your messages to different customer segments is essential. Leverage email segmentation to send personalized Black Friday offers to specific groups, such as past hotel guests, newsletter subscribers, and loyalty program members. This approach ensures that your resort messaging resonates with each audience, increasing the chances of conversion.

7. Embrace The Investment

Black Friday is a high-stakes opportunity, and allocating a significant advertising budget is often necessary to maximize your revenue potential. Recognize that this is your most substantial revenue generator of the year, and investing in marketing is a strategic move to capitalize on the occasion for your resort or hotel.

8. Create A Sense Of Urgency

Black Friday is a brief but crucial sales period. To drive bookings instill a sense of urgency in potential hotel guests. Utilize countdown timers and compelling messaging to motivate visitors to act quickly, knowing that the opportunity is time-sensitive.

9. Provide Responsive Customer Support  

Expect an influx of hotel inquiries and resort bookings during Black Friday. Prepare your reservations team to offer responsive customer support. Live chat support and quick response times can significantly assist potential customers and ensure a smooth booking experience.

10. A/B Test Your Copy  

Conduct A/B testing on headlines, captions, and other content elements to optimize your Black Friday marketing materials. Data-driven insights from these tests can help you refine your messaging to better resonate with your hotel target audience, increasing the effectiveness of your future promotional campaigns.

11. Ensure Your Google Business Profile Is Optimized

Don't overlook the importance of optimizing your resort Google Business Profile. Up-to-date information about your Black Friday deals, opening hours, and contact details is crucial for travelers searching for quick information. This optimization can improve your hotel’s visibility during the holiday season.

As the competition heats up, every opportunity to engage potential hotel or resort guests matters. Whether you're a boutique resort or a sprawling luxury hotel, these digital strategies can help you make the most of this high-stakes occasion. If you're ready to take your hotel’s or resort’s Black Friday marketing to the next level and drive bookings like never before, consider working with our marketing experts at Delicious Digital Marketing.

Our digital marketing services are tailored to the unique needs of the hospitality and travel industries. Our resort clients see a 15% average revenue increase YoY! Don't miss out on the chance to maximize your hotel or resort revenue potential this Black Friday – reach out to us today, and let's make your Black Friday campaign a resounding success!