6 Winning Email Strategy Examples for Hotels and Tourism (with Practical Examples).
Email marketing is one of the most effective tools for promoting a hotel or tourism business. It helps attract new customers, retain existing ones, and keep in touch with guests through targeted and timely communication.
In the hotel industry, it’s essential to convey trust, professionalism, and at the same time, inspire the desire for a perfect vacation.
Discover how to make your property irresistible with these 6 email marketing strategies for hotels and tourism, complete with practical newsletter examples ready to use.
1. Welcome new subscribers.
First impressions matter!
Welcome new subscribers to your hotel newsletter with a welcome email.
According to the latest email marketing statistics, welcome emails have an average open rate of 69% (and can go up to 80%!).
Send a message that shares your hotel’s story, values, and unique services, possibly offering a welcome discount or gift.
There are two possible approaches:
1. You can choose to send a single welcome email that includes:
2. Or you might create a series of welcome emails, set up in an automated flow.
This approach is often more effective than sending a single welcome email, as it allows you to build a stronger, gradual relationship with your new subscribers. Instead of providing too much information in a single email, you can spread the content over time, increasing engagement and conversion rates.
With Emailchef Flow, you can easily manage this process, customizing timing and content based on user behavior. An example of a flow might be:
- First email: sent immediately after sign-up with registration confirmation;
- Second email: sent the next day introducing your hotel (who you are, your story, your values);
- Third email: 24 hours after the second email, send a discount, offer, or gift to encourage the new subscriber to book;
- Fourth email: a week later, share the month’s offers and other exclusive promotions.
With Emailchef Flow, you can automate the entire welcome flow, ensuring that every subscriber receives the right emails at the right time, enhancing engagement and increasing conversions.
Send your welcome series for hotels now!
Create your free Emailchef account and test all Emailchef Flow features free for 30 days!
Remember, a welcome gift is always appreciated. Most users expect a small gift or discount (and it’s an excellent incentive to prompt immediate booking!).
Here’s an example of a hotel newsletter offering a welcome gift.
PS: You’ll find this template in the Gallery Template > Hotel section in Emailchef. To customize it now, just create your free account!
Welcome Gift
2. Celebrate with your customers.
Any occasion is a good one to engage your guests. Holidays like Christmas, New Year, Easter, or even summer vacations are perfect moments for sending holiday promotional emails.
Offer exclusive stay packages or limited-time offers, personalizing the message with details about your property.
For example, during the Christmas season, you could offer “Christmas Special” packages, with tailored offers for those who want to treat themselves to a winter break or a special gift. A good tip is to include details that convey the holiday spirit in your message: describe events or special services your hotel will offer, such as themed dinners, live music nights, or dedicated excursions.
Remember that the email’s aesthetics also matter: an eye-catching, festive layout will capture attention.
Find inspiration in the Emailchef Gallery Template, where you’ll find ready-made newsletter examples, such as the “Christmas Gifts Special,” perfect for creating campaigns that capture the holiday spirit and encourage bookings.
HOTEL NEWSLETTER EXAMPLE:
Christmas Gifts Special
3. Communicate with guests before and after their stay.
In the tourism industry, especially in hospitality, communication with clients is key. To help guests feel taken care of and build trust in your brand, send them these four types of emails (hint: they’re expecting them!):
-
Booking confirmation email.
Send a confirmation email immediately after a reservation is made. Thank your guest for choosing your hotel and provide all necessary links to modify their reservation. Remind them of their check-in and check-out dates, and introduce any additional services. -
Booking reminder email.
Send a reminder a few days before their stay, including useful details like weather forecasts, transport maps, or other travel tips. -
Thank-you email.
After their stay, thank guests for choosing your hotel and offer them a discount for a future visit. -
Feedback request.
Ask guests to leave feedback on their stay. Ideally, include a link to a form they can fill out in exchange for a discount or gift.
Looking for inspiration?
Here’s an example of a post-stay feedback request template from our Emailchef Template Gallery:
HOTEL NEWSLETTER EXAMPLE:
Request Feedback on Your Stay
4. Create location-focused newsletters.
Guests choose not only a hotel but also a travel experience. A newsletter showcasing local attractions and unique experiences can be a powerful marketing tool. Share stories about the area and suggest itineraries to enrich your guests’ stay, creating an emotional connection between them and your hotel’s location.
Highlight the best local restaurants, cultural events, tourist routes, natural beauty spots, and unmissable local activities. High-quality images are essential here—use captivating photos of landscapes, iconic sites, or local experiences that guests can enjoy. Every image should inspire the desire to explore and immerse in the destination.
Additionally, include interactive maps or personalized suggestions for different traveler types: families, couples, or adventure-seekers.
Don’t forget to add effective calls-to-action that encourage readers to learn more or directly book promoted experiences.
In the Emailchef Gallery, you’ll find an example newsletter designed to inspire your guests to pack their bags and head straight to your destination!
HOTEL NEWSLETTER EXAMPLE:
Event Highlights
5. Offer VIP deals to your most loyal guests.
Retaining your loyal customers is much more cost-effective than acquiring new ones, and making them feel valued is the key to long-term relationships. One effective way to achieve this is by creating a VIP newsletter dedicated to your most loyal guests.
Through this exclusive channel, you can offer reserved benefits such as special discounts, free room upgrades, privileged access to events, or personalized holiday packages.
These thoughtful gestures not only encourage repeat visits but also foster a sense of belonging and appreciation that strengthens their connection to your brand.
Consider creating a loyalty program where repeated bookings are rewarded with escalating perks, like free nights, romantic dinners, or exclusive experiences at your property.
With Emailchef Flow, you can also personalize offers based on guests’ stay habits, automating targeted sends to maximize your campaign effectiveness.
Reward your loyal customers, and they’ll become your hotel’s best ambassadors.
Curious about what a loyalty-focused hotel newsletter could look like? Check out an example from the Emailchef Template Gallery:
HOTEL NEWSLETTER EXAMPLE:
Reward Your Customers’ Loyalty
6. Integrate email marketing with social media.
Social media can significantly increase the reach and effectiveness of your email marketing campaigns. When used together, they create a more engaging, personalized experience for your guests.
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are perfect for showcasing not only the beauty of your property but also the unique experiences your guests can enjoy. Post photos of rooms, common areas, restaurant dishes, and views that guests will enjoy during their stay. These visual elements capture attention and fuel the desire to travel.
To create a strong link between your newsletter and social profiles, invite subscribers to follow you online for exclusive previews of promotions, behind-the-scenes content, or exclusive giveaway opportunities. Instagram and TikTok, for instance, are ideal for creating user-generated content like stories or reels that highlight guests’ experiences at your hotel.
Partnering with travel influencers can amplify your visibility even further—invite them to share their experiences through posts, videos, or reviews, and include this content in your newsletter for a fresh, authentic touch.
Finally, be sure to include social buttons in your emails, making it easy for readers to transition from the newsletter to your social channels. This multichannel approach will help you build a wider community and boost engagement, increasing direct booking potential.
Looking for a template that seamlessly integrates email marketing with social media? Find one below 👇
Encourage Your Guests to Use Social Networks
