As travelers become more sophisticated in their expectations for travel experiences, hotels can assist them by providing information about nearby attractions that meet those criteria. Leverage this local knowledge to draw guests in and drive direct bookings.
Visually appealing posts showcasing nearby landmarks and points of interest can inspire wanderlust in visitors, drawing them closer. Provide information about nearby sights, events and historical insights for an enhanced experience.
Local Events
Engaging with local events and festivals is a fantastic way to enhance the experience of event attendees and market your accommodation. By producing high-quality content centered around trends and popular topics, you can position yourself as an authority on local attractions and travel advice during event season. Furthermore, by working together with nearby attraction, restaurant, or excursion providers on providing packages tailored specifically for guests you can increase direct bookings while building stronger bonds within your community.
Optimizing for voice search is a fundamental element of digital strategy, as voice searching has become an increasingly common means of gathering information during events and vacations. Create content using natural phrases answering “Who, What, When, Where, and How” so your hotel’s website appears in relevant search results. Furthermore, optimize mobile device accessibility of content so users can access it from anywhere.
Encourage your hotel staff to become actively involved with the local community by participating in events that highlight its culture and traditions. Doing this will allow them to build stronger connections with customers as well as increase brand recognition as an indispensable member of society.
As part of its marketing efforts, your hotel can create and distribute brochures and maps featuring landmarks and attractions nearby that are easily accessible from your property. Furthermore, local organizations like CVBs and chambers of commerce may help promote your property as lodging during local events – this will not only increase event attendees’ experiences but give it an advantage with search engines as potential guests look for accommodation options during such events.
Your hotel can also publish a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section tailored specifically for accommodations at local events and vacations, to address common attendees concerns like transportation to/from events, check-in times, parking availability etc. By offering such an informative FAQs page you can reduce contact with front desk staff thus further improving customer experience.
Local Restaurants
Integrating local products, beverages and food into your on-site eatery gives it an authentic appeal for visitors from outside. Doing so also strengthens community ties; consider swapping out standard products for local soap, beer or coffee brands instead; you could even partner with nearby distilleries and breweries to offer special menu items, host dinners and events, or offer discounted packages.
Locals are an invaluable source of revenue for hotel restaurants, especially when they refer their friends and family members. Beyond promoting local offerings on your website and social media pages, offering loyalty programs like punch cards or specials for return visits can increase repeat business while also creating a sense of community between your hotel and local diners.
Make sure that your hotel listings on third-party directories are current, optimized for search, and feature high-quality photography. Next, utilize Semrush Local’s review management feature to consolidate reviews across 150+ directories into one convenient place.
Local Activities
Local customers make up an important segment of your hotel’s customer base, so it’s vital that your hotel meets their needs and accommodates them accordingly. By accepting their preferences, guests will feel more connected to your property and will ultimately promote you to their friends and acquaintances.
Engage local guests by posting content that highlights nearby attractions, events and activities that they should visit while staying there. Provide insider tips and recommendations for visiting both popular tourist spots as well as lesser-known gems that might surprise them. Share historical facts and insights regarding local monuments or landmarks so travelers can uncover its rich heritage; share family-friendly attractions like parks, beaches or scenic viewpoints so traveling families can visit more easily; promote seasonal attractions to maximise peak tourism season revenues.
Hotels can use partnerships with local businesses and attractions to both provide valuable resources for local visitors as well as cross-promote each other’s offerings and increase bookings. This may involve co-hosting events, offering joint packages or discounts on rooms and activities, or creating content tailored specifically to specific traveler personas.
Community engagement can provide hotels with new sources of revenue by capitalizing on customer loyalty. If your hotel offers discounted rooms or drinks at its bar and restaurant to local customers, this may entice them to visit more often and refer your services to others – ultimately increasing brand recognition and conversion rates.