Boost your hotel’s holiday revenue: 8 tips to increase sales this season

The holiday season unwraps a golden opportunity for hoteliers to boost revenue, driven by increased consumer spending and generous gift-giving. With a growing trend towards experiences over physical gifts, this period is especially lucrative for businesses. However, this year’s shortened holiday season means early strategic planning is crucial. By offering bundled stays, unique experiences, creative holiday-themed offers, and gift cards, hoteliers can unlock new revenue streams beyond room inventory. Hotels can maximize their sales during this festive season with thoughtful planning and the right tools. Check out our top 8 tips to increase sales for hoteliers this holiday.

Tip 1: Create alluring holiday packages

Spice up room stays with festive experiences such as special dinners, local holiday tours, or in-room amenities. Hotels can offer attractive, all-inclusive packages that appeal to travelers seeking convenience and memorable moments. Bundling these experiences helps differentiate your property in a competitive market, encouraging guests to pay more upfront and increasing the chance of additional spending during their stay. Take advantage of upselling opportunities for spa services, dining options, or holiday-themed experiences during the booking process, as pairing rooms with ancillaries boosts total revenue and adds value for guests. With SynXis Retailing’s AI-powered recommendation engine, you can offer personalized ancillary suggestions tailored to each guest’s profile, enhancing their stay. On average, our customers have reported $300 in ancillary spending per room booking, significantly boosting total revenue. 

Tip 2: Partner with local attractions and events

As you create more offers, consider partnering with local attractions and holiday events to curate exclusive packages that go beyond room stays and hotel amenities. This could include experiences like Santa’s Grotto, Winter Wonderland, and more. Offering tickets to popular events or special access to local experiences creates immersive, memorable stays for your guests. These tickets and experiences can also be sold as standalone offers, regardless of a room reservation, opening new revenue streams to the general public. Collaborating with local businesses enhances guest satisfaction and strengthens your hotel’s reputation within the community, driving repeat visits and attracting new guests seeking unique, value-added experiences. 

Tip 3: Promote gift cards for the perfect holiday present

Tap into the popularity of gift cards this holiday season, with 1 in 2 people preferring them for the freedom to choose their desired gift or experience over traditional presents. Design holiday-themed gift cards to capture the festive spirit and take advantage of Sabre’s Gift Cards and Vouchers, which offer an easy gifting solution. Last-minute shoppers can instantly send digital monetary gift cards or experience vouchers in just a few clicks. On average, consumers spend $429 on monetary gift cards and $262 on vouchers. Hoteliers can further boost sales by offering incentives, such as bonus gift cards (e.g., buy $100, get $20 free) for both the purchaser and recipient and bulk purchases for corporate orders.  

Tip 4: Leverage corporate gift cards and holiday incentives

With the holiday season in full swing, corporate gifting offers a prime opportunity for hoteliers to tap into the business market. Corporate gift cards make up 25% of all gift card sales alone. By targeting companies with offerings such as corporate gift cards, venue rentals for staff or end-of-year parties and exclusive packages, your hotel can position itself as a go-to destination for corporate celebrations and gifting. Corporate gift cards serve as ideal employee rewards or client gifts, providing businesses with a meaningful way to show appreciation while giving recipients the flexibility to choose how they redeem them. Offering customization options, like branding or personalized messages, along with bulk purchase discounts, can attract more corporate clients and generate significant upfront revenue. This strategy not only boosts sales during the holiday season but also fosters long-term relationships with corporate clients, driving repeat business and loyalty into the new year.

Tip 5: Sell standalone holiday offers to non-guests

Broaden your reach and attract new customers through Standalone Offers to non-staying guests. With Sabre’s SynXis Retailing solution, you can now sell your hotel’s services and experiences without the need for a room reservation, opening the door to a wider audience. Whether it is a festive afternoon tea, a holiday spa package, or exclusive access to special events, your hotel can become a sought-after destination for both locals and travelers. By marketing these standalone holiday-themed experiences, you create additional revenue streams while positioning your hotel as a hub for seasonal celebrations and unique experiences. This strategy drives revenue and enhances your brand’s presence within the community, making your hotel a go-to destination for the season.

Tip 6: Run limited-time promotions

Savvy consumers begin their holiday shopping as soon as the “ber” months roll around, so it is crucial for hotels to capitalize on this early enthusiasm. To harness this momentum, generate excitement with limited-time discounts and exclusive offers throughout the holiday season. Implement countdown timers on your website and in email campaigns to emphasize the excitement of your deals and create a sense of urgency during key shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Hotels running Black Friday campaigns saw a remarkable 43% boost in their website conversion rates. By leveraging these tactics, you can capture the attention of eager shoppers and drive bookings well before the peak holiday period arrives. 

Tip 7: Use social media to drive last-minute purchases

Make the most of social media to drive last-minute purchases and bookings. Use your social platforms to promote your holiday experiences, bundle packages, gift cards, and any flash sale deals. Ensure that every post includes direct links to your store or product pages for seamless access and an easy checkout experience. Invest in paid social ads to expand your reach, especially targeting those seeking holiday plans or gifts. Engage your audience with festive content, including holiday-themed videos, behind-the-scenes preparations, and guest testimonials, to build excitement and attract bookings. Remember to start planning your content and scheduling photoshoots early to ensure all assets are ready in advance! 

Tip 8: Focus on post-holiday promotions

Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean peak season has to end. Keep the momentum going by shifting focus to post-holiday promotions. In fact, did you know that while nearly 40% of gift card sales happen in the last two months of the year, the most active redemption period is in Q1 of the following year. Start by capitalizing on gift card redemptions to maintain revenue flow into the new year. Additionally, launch early bird and post-holiday promotions for upcoming events like Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, and Easter. Promote these offers early to extend the festive spirit and encourage bookings from guests looking for a relaxing break after the holiday rush. 

Next steps:

The holiday season is a prime time for hoteliers to unlock new revenue streams by offering guests more than just a stay. With the right mix of festive packages, tailored experiences, and strategic promotions like gift cards and corporate deals, you can capture the seasonal demand and ensure your hotel stands out from the competition.

• Create festive packages by combining room stays with holiday-themed experiences, such as special dinners and tours, to attract guests seeking a complete holiday getaway
• Partner with local attractions and businesses to offer exclusive packages and events, adding unique value and enhancing the guest experience
• Utilize SynXis Retailing to upsell and recommend personalized add-ons during the booking process, enhancing ancillary revenue
• Promote holiday gift cards and experience vouchers through your website, social media, and email to attract both last-minute shoppers and future redemptions

Ready to boost your holiday sales? Read our Holiday Guide 2024 for more tips and insights!

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Written by Tiffany Lung