With the holiday season upon us, the world is buzzing with activity. From festive promotions by brands to our own joyful commitments, it’s a time of celebration and connection.
For travel and hospitality companies, engaging users on their websites and mobile apps is key to spreading the holiday cheer.
In this blog, we’ll unveil the top 10 user engagement strategies that will help you infuse your digital presence with that delightful holiday spirit.
User engagement ideas for the holiday season for travel and hospitality
There’s no one way to approach the holiday season, but here are some strategies that are sure to work for the travel and hospitality industry:
1. Give your guests special holiday-themed discounts
During the holiday season, people are actively searching for ways to save money while enjoying their vacations or getaways. Offering discounts can be an excellent way to engage your potential guests.
You can create special holiday-themed discount packages that include accommodations, meals, and activities. These discounts should be prominently displayed on your website and in your marketing materials. Consider offering early bird discounts for those who book in advance or last-minute deals for spontaneous travelers.
Don’t forget to highlight the value of these discounts, emphasizing how much guests can save during the festive season.
2. Offer gift guides and packages
Many people are on the hunt for unique and thoughtful gifts during the holidays. Create gift guides or packages that cater to travelers. For example, you can offer a “Romantic Getaway” package, complete with a cozy cabin, candlelit dinners, and spa treatments.
Ensure that these packages are easily shareable on social media and can be gifted to loved ones as well. Promote these options as the perfect holiday gift for those seeking memorable experiences instead of physical items.
3. Curate a list of gift ideas for travelers
Compile a list of holiday gift ideas that are travel-related. These could range from practical items like luggage sets and travel organizers to experiential gifts like adventure tours or cooking classes.
Share this list on your website and social media platforms. Include both budget-friendly and luxury options to cater to a wide audience. You can also partner with local businesses to provide exclusive discounts or bundles for your guests.
4. Conduct contests and giveaways
Engage your audience through interactive contests and giveaways. For instance, you can run a photo contest where participants share their best holiday travel photos, tagging your establishment and using a specific hashtag. Offer enticing prizes like free stays or spa vouchers to encourage participation.
Make sure to promote these contests across your social media channels to increase visibility and engagement. It’s a fun way to create user-generated content and build a sense of community around your brand.
5. Countdowns and advent calendars
Create excitement by counting down to the holiday season with themed content. Share daily or weekly posts that highlight different aspects of holiday travel, such as local traditions, seasonal recipes, or travel tips.
You can also design a digital advent calendar on your website or social media, with each day revealing a special offer, discount, or travel tip. This daily engagement can keep your audience excited and returning for more throughout the holiday season.
6. Collaborations and influencer marketing
Partner with influencers or travel bloggers who align with your brand values. They can create authentic content that showcases your hospitality offerings. Collaborations could include sponsored trips, reviews, or even takeover days on your social media platforms.
Influencers can help you reach a broader and more engaged audience, especially if they have a strong online following. Make sure to choose influencers whose followers match your target demographic for the best results.
7. Festive email marketing
Festive email marketing is a fantastic way to engage with your audience during the holiday season. Start by creating visually appealing and themed email templates that capture the holiday spirit.
Craft personalized messages that convey warm wishes and appreciation for your customers’ loyalty.
In these emails, highlight any special holiday promotions, discounts, or packages you’re offering. Include eye-catching images of your property or travel experiences decorated for the holidays. Don’t forget to add a clear call-to-action (CTA) that encourages readers to book their holiday stay or experience with you.
Also, consider sending out holiday-themed newsletters with travel tips, destination guides, or heartwarming travel stories that resonate with the season.
Learn how leading travel brand Wego saw a 20% rise in email open rates and a 28% increase in conversions with WebEngage.
8. Virtual travel experiences
Recognizing that not everyone can travel during the holidays, consider offering virtual travel experiences. Host virtual tours of your property, complete with festive decorations and holiday-themed activities.
For example, you could show viewers how to make a traditional holiday dish from the region where your property is located.
Additionally, you can organize live virtual events, such as holiday concerts or storytelling sessions with local traditions. Allow participants to interact, ask questions, and share their own holiday experiences.
These virtual experiences can not only engage your audience but also serve as a way to promote your property for future bookings when they’re ready to travel.
9. Interactive quizzes and polls
Create fun and interactive quizzes and polls related to holiday travel.
For instance, you could design a “Find Your Perfect Holiday Destination” quiz where users answer questions about their preferences, and the quiz suggests an ideal holiday spot among your offerings.
Polls can also engage your audience by asking questions like “What’s Your Favorite Holiday Activity?” or “Which Holiday Food Do You Crave the Most?” Share the results and engage in conversations with your audience about their preferences and holiday memories.
Encourage the sharing of these quizzes and poll results on social media to increase your reach.
10. Personalized recommendations
Tailor your marketing efforts by providing personalized recommendations to your customers. Use data from previous bookings and interactions to suggest holiday packages or experiences that align with their interests and past preferences.
If someone has booked a romantic getaway with you in the past, send them personalized offers for a romantic holiday stay during the season. Alternatively, if a family has stayed with you before, offer them holiday packages that include family-friendly activities and services.
This level of personalization shows that you value your customers and can significantly boost conversions.
Learn how Thrillark, a managed marketplace that curates experiences for travelers, saw a 15% increase in repeat purchases of travelers using personalized recommendations with WebEngage.
User engagement strategies to make the above ideas work
Let’s break down each of these user engagement strategies to help you make the user engagement ideas mentioned earlier work effectively:
1. Ace omnichannel engagement
Excel at omnichannel engagement, ensure that your messaging and branding are consistent across all the channels you use to connect with your audience. Whether it’s email, social media, your website, or virtual experiences, the messaging should align. This consistency builds a cohesive brand identity and reinforces your holiday-themed content.
Additionally, it makes it easy for users to switch between these channels. For example, if someone starts a conversation on social media asking about your virtual travel experiences, provide a link to your website where they can find more information or book.
Seamless transitions between channels keep users engaged and informed throughout their customer journey.
TravelTriangle created page product call journeys with WebEngage. With it, the user receives hyper-personalized communication with all the details and exclusive offers specific via SMS and/or push notifications depending on the channel reachability of the user.
2. Ensure personalization in campaigns
Leverage data and customer profiles to fuel your communications. When sending emails, address customers by their first name and recommend holiday packages or virtual experiences based on their past preferences or behaviors. Show that you understand their interests and needs.
Personalization extends beyond content. If you have a loyalty program or membership system, offer personalized perks or discounts during the holiday season. For instance, if a customer frequently books romantic getaways, send them an exclusive offer for a romantic holiday package.
3. Create excitement around the holidays
Generating excitement and buzz around your holiday offerings is essential. Leverage social media to create teaser posts and countdowns to the holiday season. Share sneak peeks of what’s to come, such as virtual experience highlights or behind-the-scenes preparations for festive decorations.
Encourage user-generated content by creating branded hashtags related to your holiday promotions. When customers share their holiday plans or experiences using these hashtags, it amplifies your brand’s reach and builds a sense of community among your audience.
4. Focus on driving customer loyalty
Loyalty programs are excellent tools for user engagement. Offer holiday-themed rewards or incentives for loyal customers. This could be a points-based system where they earn rewards for every booking during the holiday season.
Make sure the rewards are enticing, such as complimentary room upgrades, spa treatments, or exclusive access to virtual events.
Recognize and appreciate loyal customers by sending personalized thank-you messages or small holiday gifts. Loyalty programs foster a sense of belonging and encourage repeat bookings, which is valuable for your business.
Pickyourtrail, India’s biggest online D-I-Y holiday booking platform, achieved customer loyalty and a 50% increase in its user engagement with the help of WebEngage’s RFM segmentation and automated traveler engagement workflows.
5. Maintain channel consistency
Maintain consistency not only in messaging but also in the way you interact with users on different channels. Ensure that your customer support is prompt and helpful, whether users contact you via email, social media, or on your website’s live chat.
Also, align your branding and visuals across all channels. Use similar color schemes, fonts, and imagery to reinforce your holiday-themed identity. When users recognize your brand instantly, it increases their trust and engagement.
Conclusion
As you embark on your journey to capture the holiday mood of your audience, it’s crucial to employ the right strategies. At WebEngage, we understand the unique challenges you face in this industry, and we’re here to empower you with the tools and expertise needed to excel.
WebEngage allows you to engage customers across various channels, ensuring your messages reach them wherever they are. In addition to the same, advanced features like customer segmentation, cohort analysis, journey designer relays and more, further helps you keep users engaged during the holidays in a contextual manner.
Sharath Byloli
Kasturi Patra
