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Every hotelier knows that getting more guests through your doors isn’t as simple as increasing your marketing spend or lowering rates. It requires smart, modern strategies that speak to how people book today — and how they choose where to stay.
From leveraging your online reviews to building a better booking experience, here are 11 effective tactics to attract more guests and drive long-term revenue.
Key takeaways:
Your past guests are your best future customers. The good news is, you probably already have the data to reach them! Dig into your past guest data for contact info, booking behavior and stay history to create an engaged email list.
From there, start keeping in touch! Sharing the news about new amenities around the property or local events that might inspire another trip is also a great way to encourage repeat bookings.
Once you have your email lists, you can put them to work by offering exclusive offers. Returning guests are easier to reach and more likely to convert — plus, if you segment your list by travel history, you can offer tailored promotions to a target audience. Consider offerings like:
The key is staying visible, valuable and top of mind.
Did you know that nearly 100% of travelers read reviews before they book a hotel? In the internet era, your online presence matters — and good reviews go a long way! But with fewer guests checking out in person, it’s harder to ask for reviews the old-fashioned way.
That’s where automated feedback tools shine. For example, Canary’s Smart Checkout sends a post-checkout survey to every departing guest. Those who leave 5-star ratings are prompted to share their feedback on Google or Tripadvisor, helping you grow your online presence with minimal lift.
Social media gives your hotel a living, visual brand that guests can interact with directly. High-quality photos, behind-the-scenes content, local events and limited-time offers keep you top of mind for potential travelers dreaming about their next trip.
Then you can take it further with strategies like:
Every touchpoint keeps you in the conversation while encouraging future bookings.
SEO rankings are still an important consideration, but increasingly, appearing in AI search results is too. More than half of travelers have used AI to plan trips. To make sure your hotel is included in their research:
In-person advertising still works — especially in high-traffic areas. Think: highway billboards for road trippers or airport signage in key destinations. Just give them a modern twist:
These efforts are often overlooked, but they can punch above their weight in the right markets.
Your website is your digital front desk — and every click should bring a guest closer to booking. Prioritize:
If your site feels clunky or confusing, visitors won’t stick around.
Tailored packages don’t just enhance the guest experience — they also drive ancillary revenue. A few easy combos to try:
Adjust your offerings by season and traveler type, and you’ll see that a little creativity goes a long way.
Great service still wins. But delivering it consistently means investing in your team. Make sure you’re offering regular training and keeping morale high, which will naturally boost your service standards. Digital tipping tools help staff earn more and incentivize them for a job well done.
Strategic partnerships turn your hotel into a gateway for local experiences. Consider collaborating with local places like:
Promote these experiences as part of your booking flow or in email campaigns. Local referrals can be a powerful (and affordable) demand driver.
Don’t worry too much about overhauling everything at once! Start with a few quick wins, such as updating your Google listing and building your guest email list. Once those are in motion, move on to social media, website improvements or review generation. Each small upgrade builds toward a stronger overall guest acquisition strategy.
As traveler expectations evolve, so should the way you attract, engage and convert guests. Whether you're fine-tuning your digital presence or rethinking the guest journey from start to finish, the right tools make all the difference.
Canary’s end-to-end Guest Management System equips your team to drive more bookings, boost revenue and deliver standout service at every touchpoint. Book a demo today to see how Canary can help your hotel grow.
