Six Hotel PR Strategies to Kick Off the New Year

January 15, 2025
Two people working on hotel pr strategies in a hotel

Creative collaborations at hotels are expected to be one of the big trends in 2025 according to Condé Nast Traveler. There are no rules or limits on what that creativity looks like. It could mean looking to local artists or inviting local brands in for pop-ups. Whatever the form, hotels need to shake things up in the new year to keep travelers interested. 

Hotels can look at what other destinations have done to get some inspiration. Here are six easy, low-lift PR strategies for hotels to make some noise as travelers plan their 2025 travel.

1. Launch Deals and Limited-Time Offers

Flash deals and exclusive promotions are always a good idea to excite visitors. Hotels that develop special deals available to celebrate the new year will capture those travel planners who like to plan early.

Use language that encourages immediate action, such as “24-hour sale” or “book now and save.” Especially as January chills much of the country, it’s the perfect time for your deals to land on receptive audiences who want to be anywhere but where they are.

2. Leverage Social Media 

Consider starting a countdown to a big holiday or event in your destination—think major concert, exhibit opening, or festival—teasing out the deals and hotel promotions that will come. Visitors who want to be part of those events will engage more knowing you are celebrating them, too.

Social media is also a way to share captivating images, short videos, or guest testimonials each day to create some engaging content. Be sure to use a dedicated hashtag and repost users who are engaging with it as well.

3. Engage Key Media Outlets

Keep the media in the loop. Reach out to local media outlets and pitch stories about your hotel’s special offers and events for the new year. Be sure to customize your communications to suit the interests of each media tier, ensuring relevance and increasing the likelihood of coverage. For instance, local media may be interested in hearing about staycations to attract locals to your hotel. Organize a media event or an open house to introduce local journalists and content creators to your brand.

Additionally, your hotel may support bigger events or attractions that can get you on the radar of regional media, increasing your reach further. National media can be trickier to pitch to but with the right unique selling points and angle, it’s possible. Connect your pitch to national travel trends, for example, such as wellness travel or sustainability efforts. Just be sure your connections are authentic and robust enough to warrant coverage.

And if your hotel is an innovative leader in some field, offer up your hotel’s executives or staff as experts available for interviews on topics like travel planning, hospitality trends, or vacation budgeting. Unique voices often make the biggest impact on national media.

4. Partner with Local and Micro-Influencers

Local bloggers and social media influencers offer high engagement rates and quick turnaround times. Negotiate partnerships with them to adapt your new year promotional needs while maintaining authentic connections with their audience.

It’s most effective to supply influencers with professional photos, promotional codes, and key messaging points that resonate with their local audience base.

5. Host a 2025 Giveaway

Travelers love a giveaway! Organize a contest to excite potential visitors and generate buzz. Make it simple to participate, such as liking a post or tagging friends. Anything you can do to create engagement with your hotel brand is a positive step.

Like all of your new year deals, share the giveaway across all channels, including email newsletters and social media.

6. Engage with Travel Trade 

The travel trade is always a powerful ally for hotels looking to fill rooms. Organize a quick webinar introducing travel advisors to your latest offerings and promotions for the new year. You can even create exclusive packages and provide incentives that empower agents to promote your property.

Provide an easy-to-use marketing toolkit with fresh property visuals and promotional details for immediate use across their client communications. Give them everything they need to facilitate the process and build a lasting relationship moving forward. 

Looking for ways to spice up your hotel PR strategies in the new year? We support it entirely. Get in touch with Cathy Preece at cathy.preece@aboutdci.com to learn more about working with DCI to create marketing campaigns and strategies that get travelers thinking about—and booking with—your destination.

Cathy Preece headshot
Written by

Cathy Preece

Senior Vice President