The holiday season is one of the most exciting and competitive times of the year for the hospitality industry. As travelers look to make the most of their festive celebrations, hotels face the challenge of standing out among the crowd. The good news is that countless opportunities to attract new guests and appeal to returning customers exist. Resorts just need the right marketing strategies to make it happen.

As more consumers seek meaningful experiences, now is the time to set the stage for loyalty long after the decorations come down. At DAE & Company, we happen to know plenty (let’s start with eight) of practical, proven strategies to elevate your holiday hospitality marketing and ensure your brand shines brighter than ever. Let’s get into the marketing spirit!

1. Create Wish-List Worthy Holiday Packages

Holiday packages are one of the most effective ways to capture attention and drive bookings. Guests want more than just a room. They are looking to make memories that feel festive, unique, and stress-free. Here are some tips for building a more compelling package:

Bundle services for value. Combine accommodations with holiday meals, spa treatments, or tickets to local seasonal events.

Offer family-friendly options. Include extras like holiday-themed activities for kids, cookie decorating classes, or family photo sessions.

Highlight exclusivity. Use messaging such as “limited-time holiday escape” or “festive weekend getaway” to create  a sense of urgency.

Bonus: It never hurts to find ways to add local flair by including regional traditions, markets or winter attractions into your holiday offer.

2. Get Social With Your Festive Promotions

Social media is where the magic of the holiday season comes alive. It also happens to be an ideal form of marketing that invites hospitality brands to connect with guests. Keep in mind that this is the time of year when people are most likely to share photos, videos, and stories. That being said, meeting them with engaging festive content is an easy way to increase your reach. Ready. Set. Get social in any or all of the following ways:

Holiday countdowns. Build anticipation with daily posts leading up to key dates like Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or New Year’s Eve. Or countdowns to the launch of special packages and/or holiday sales and events.

Festive contests. Encourage followers to share their best holiday photos for a chance to win a stay or dinner.

Behind-the-scenes content. Show your staff decorating, preparing special menus, or partaking in favorite holiday traditions.

User-generated content. Reshare guest posts to build community and highlight authentic experiences.

Instagram-Worthy Photo Ops. Create a festive photo area where guests can capture their holiday spirit! Include fun props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and twinkling décor to set the scene. Encourage guests to share their pictures on social media using a custom event hashtag to spread the holiday cheer—and your brand.

Short-form video platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels are especially effective for showcasing holiday décor, signature cocktails, or live music events. DAE & Company can add a touch of seasonal storytelling to transform a standard promotion into a memorable moment.

3. Give Your Marketing a Festive Look

A little holiday design can go a long way in capturing attention and spreading cheer. Consider giving your marketing materials—both digital and print—a temporary, festive refresh. Add subtle touches like snowflakes, twinkling lights, or warm winter hues that reflect the season without overwhelming your brand identity.

You might also create a holiday logo overlay, update your social presence or website homepage, or create an email header design that features your brand colors with a seasonal twist. This quick, cost-effective update gives your outreach a cohesive and celebratory feel across platforms—from your website and social media to email newsletters and on-property signage.

While these designs are short-lived, their impact isn’t. A thoughtful holiday look shows guests that your brand embraces the moment, pays attention to detail, and knows how to make every interaction feel special.

4. Elevate The Guest Experience

Guests remember how they feel during their stay more than anything else. For this reason, personalization goes a long way—especially during the holidays. There are many ways to add thoughtful, tailored touches to the guest experience. Starting with pre-arrival communication, you can send festive welcome emails that highlight details about holiday amenities and offers. There’s also the art of in-room surprises. Placing personalized decorations, holiday treats, or handwritten cards in guest rooms are sure to earn brownie points.

Bonus: Consider incorporating celebration add-ons. Provide options for champagne, holiday cakes, or flowers for guests celebrating special occasions.

5. Launch Holiday-Themed Loyalty Programs

Loyalty goes beyond earning points. It’s about earning trust and fostering relationships. During the holiday season, when guests are in a “bright and cheerful” mindset, hospitality businesses can strengthen these relationships with themed loyalty initiatives. From double points days and festive rewards to exclusive offers and shareable benefits, these initiatives encourage repeat bookings while making loyalty feel like a gift in and of itself.

6. Host Holiday Events and Experiences

‘Tis the season for gathering, and hospitality venues can become the heart of those get togethers by hosting festive events. For resorts looking to put heads in beds, these experiences come with their own set of benefits. They are a great way to generate buzz, attract locals as well as travelers, and offer endless opportunities for effective marketing. Here are just a few ideas to inspire your very own holiday happenings:

• Christmas markets or artisan fairs in your property’s lobby or courtyard.
• Festive brunches, afternoon teas, or multi-course holiday dinners.
• Live music nights, caroling, or holiday movie screenings.
• Family-friendly activities such as cookie decorating, gingerbread house contests, or visits from Santa.

There’s more to it than just playing host. It’s equally as important to promote these events across social media, email campaigns, and your website. You may even want to consider offering packages that combine tickets with overnight stays. A little extra motivation never hurts and DAE & Company can help you get there.

7. Focus on Storytelling

Content that tells a story captures attention and builds emotional connections. For hospitality brands, the holiday season is ideal for highlighting traditions, community ties, and memorable experiences. That includes holiday-inspired blog posts, video interviews, photo essays, staff spotlights, and more. Consider sharing staff holiday stories or an on-going branded holiday story that unfolds throughout the holiday season. Encourage guests to share their stories on social media.

This type of content not only promotes your property but also positions your brand as part of the sought-after holiday narrative. And let’s not forget about email marketing. It remains one of the most powerful channels for reaching both past and prospective guests. Inboxes tend to be full during the holiday season, which makes the following best practices crucial for helping hospitality brands to get more clicks:

• Segment your audience
• Use festive design
• Incorporate urgency (particularly in the subject line)
• Highlight offers clearly

Pairing email campaigns with retargeting ads can increase conversions, keeping your brand top-of-mind as guests plan their holidays.

8. Invest in Paid Advertising During Peak Season

There’s no denying it. Competition for attention increases during the holidays, making paid advertising a smart investment. Strategic campaigns can ensure your promotions are visible to the right audience at the right time.

Search ads, social ads, retargeting campaigns, and local advertising (radio, outdoor, and print) are all worth considering. With careful planning and clear targeting, DAE & Company can help you maximize ROI during this high-demand season.

Carry The Momentum Into The New Year

The holiday season may be brief, but its impact can last well beyond. By capturing guest data, encouraging loyalty sign-ups, and following up with thoughtful post-holiday campaigns, hospitality brands can turn seasonal guests into long-term customers.

Hospitality brands will find that the small details can make a big impact. Take the time to send thank-you emails with offers for future stays. Launch a New Year campaign that promotes new adventures for upcoming travel. By planning ahead, the energy of the holiday season becomes a springboard for year-round growth.

In hospitality, holidays aren’t just a busy period—they’re a chance to create magic. With the right marketing partner that delivers the right marketing strategies, your property can be the place where guests envision themselves making memories this holiday season and for years to come.

Ready to get in the holi-DAE marketing spirit? Let’s talk!