The way guests choose hotels has changed forever. In today’s world, travelers don’t just look at photos—they research deeply, compare experiences, and want certainty before booking. Whether they’re searching for a weekend getaway or planning a wedding, guests expect transparency, personalization, and digital-first experiences.
That’s why hotels that mix proven marketing tactics with innovative digital tools are the ones seeing the biggest growth in bookings.
In this guide, we’ll cover 10 hotel marketing strategies that are working right now—and will continue to work in 2025 & 2026. Three of them dive into the power of 360 virtual tours, a must-have for any hotel that wants to stay competitive.
1. Optimize for Direct Bookings Instead of Relying on OTAs
Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com and Expedia bring visibility, but they also take a large commission—cutting into your profit.
👉 The key is to encourage direct bookings through your website.
- Offer perks like free breakfast, late checkout, or room upgrades for direct bookers.
- Create a seamless booking flow on desktop and mobile.
- Use urgency (e.g., “Only 2 rooms left for these dates”) to nudge decisions.
Hotels that shift focus from OTAs to direct bookings often see higher margins and stronger guest loyalty.
2. Use SEO & Local Search to Capture Travelers Planning Online
When travelers start their search, they type queries like:
- “luxury hotel in Doha near beach”
- “family-friendly resort in Riyadh”
If your hotel doesn’t appear in these results, you’re invisible.
Steps to dominate search:
- Optimize your Google Business Profile with updated photos, Q&A, and guest reviews.
- Build local SEO landing pages targeting “hotels near [landmark/city].”
- Publish blog content that answers traveler questions (best restaurants nearby, event guides, etc.).
With SEO, your hotel stays top-of-mind before travelers even compare OTAs.
3. Leverage Social Media Storytelling
Guests aren’t booking rooms—they’re booking experiences.
Social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts are discovery engines. A single video of your rooftop view at sunset can inspire bookings.
What works best:
- Behind-the-scenes content: showcase chefs preparing signature dishes.
- Guest-generated content: re-share happy guest stories.
- TikTok/Instagram Reels: 10–20 second clips with trending music.
Social media builds emotional connection, which leads to trust—and trust leads to bookings.
4. Add 360 Virtual Tours to Your Hotel Website
First introduction to your service—practical, trust-driven.
Today’s travelers want transparency. They don’t just want to “see photos”—they want to step inside your hotel before arriving.
That’s exactly what a 360 virtual tour delivers.
- Guests can explore your lobby, rooms, and facilities from home.
- Builds trust and removes uncertainty → higher confidence in booking.
- Keeps visitors longer on your website, increasing conversion chances.
Hotels that add 360 tours see stronger engagement and more direct bookings because guests feel certain about what they’re getting.
5. Run Smart Paid Campaigns with Retargeting
Not every visitor books the first time. Retargeting brings them back.
How it works:
- Show ads to people who visited your website but didn’t book.
- Highlight seasonal offers, limited-time packages, or last-minute deals.
- Use dynamic retargeting to display the exact room type they viewed.
💡 Pro tip: Include snippets from your 360° virtual tour in video ads—this dramatically increases click-through rates.
6. Showcase Event & Wedding Spaces with 360° Tours
Second mention—focused on a high-value segment.
Wedding couples and event planners want certainty before they commit. A 360 virtual tour of your ballroom, garden, or rooftop allows them to:
- Visualize decorations and layouts.
- Share the space easily with family or colleagues.
- Make faster decisions without needing multiple site visits.
Hotels using 360 tours for events often see shorter sales cycles and faster bookings.
7. Create a Loyalty & Referral Program
Guest retention is cheaper than acquisition.
- Offer points for each booking that can be redeemed for upgrades or free nights.
- Launch referral rewards (discounts when a guest brings a friend).
- Surprise loyal guests with small perks (free drinks, birthday gifts).
A strong loyalty program builds repeat business and word-of-mouth marketing.
8. Use Influencers & User-Generated Content
Travelers trust peers more than ads. That’s why influencer marketing works.
- Invite micro-influencers (5K–50K followers) for a stay—authentic content beats polished ads.
- Encourage guests to share their experiences with branded hashtags.
- Repost guest photos/videos on your social pages and website.
This builds social proof, one of the strongest psychological triggers for bookings.
9. Elevate Guest Experience with VR Walkthroughs of Facilities
Final 360 strategy—positioned as innovative and “bonus value.”
Imagine a guest slipping on a VR headset in your lobby or online and taking a virtual walkthrough of your spa, gym, or rooftop pool.
- Creates a powerful emotional trigger: “I can see myself there.”
- Sets you apart from competitors who only show static photos.
- Works especially well for luxury travelers who want exclusivity and certainty.
This strategy is futuristic but fast becoming a standard expectation in hospitality.
10. Analyze Guest Data to Personalize Offers
Generic promotions don’t work anymore. Personalization does.
- Use CRM data to track guest preferences (spa lovers, family travelers, business guests).
- Send tailored email campaigns (wellness package, family weekend, business stay offer).
- Personalization increases open rates and conversions by up to 300%.
When guests feel like you understand them, they’re more likely to book again.
Final Thoughts
The hospitality industry is moving fast. To thrive in 2025 & 2026, hotels must combine:
- Traditional marketing tactics (SEO, loyalty, personalization)
- Digital-first experiences (social, data, paid campaigns)
- Immersive tools like 360° virtual tours & VR walkthroughs
Together, these strategies ensure your hotel doesn’t just attract guests—it convinces them to book directly with you.
👉 Want to see how hotels are already boosting bookings with 360 virtual tours? Explore live hotel tours here.