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Finding Facebook post ideas hard to come by? I know plenty of marketers in the same boat. It's not always easy to find and invest the required resources in creating consistent content for this platform. But it is still worth it. Facebook is the third most-visited site...
Jan 13, 2025
Relying on foot traffic alone isn’t enough in the saturated HoReCa industry. If you want your business to thrive, you need to start implementing HoReCa marketing strategies to attract customers and keep them engaged online.
From ads to social media, blogging, influencer marketing, and SEO, your marketing campaign plans must be sharp to stand out in 2025. That’s why in this article, we’ll explore 9 HoReCa marketing strategies that will help you boost visibility, attract new customers, and drive long-term growth.
HoReCa marketing refers to the strategies and tactics used to promote businesses in the hotel, restaurant, and catering sectors. It focuses on attracting more customers, increasing bookings, and boosting brand visibility through digital channels, local partnerships, and customer engagement initiatives.
In the HoReCa industry, marketing efforts are designed to create tailored experiences that resonate with guests while growing customer retention and business margins.
If you think HoReCa marketing is optional or doesn’t require an industry-specific approach, you’re likely missing out on potential customers. To capture attention and stand out in this market, you need more than visibility — you need a competitive edge, and great marketing is one way to develop it. Let’s explore that below.
A well-executed marketing strategy proves its value by enhancing visibility, especially in the HoReCa sector. Take Domino’s Pizza or even players from the hospitality industry, like Hilton Hotels. These brands are well-known for using social media, SEO, and mobile platforms to grow their digital presence and make it easier for customers to find and engage with them online.
I spoke with Iva Daneva, Head of Content at Uberall, to get her take on the importance of digital marketing for HoReCa brands. She made a great point that really stuck with me:
Most customers these days will discover you for the first time on places like Google Search, TripAdvisor, and Google Maps before they ever walk into your location.
This is so true! I always check Google reviews before I try a new place to eat.
Optimizing these digital channels, growing your online reviews, and fostering a consistent social media presence will boost exposure and credibility. And if your campaigns go viral, even better. Remember the famous reply from Wendy’s to a user advertising McDonald’s on their Twitter?
It reached over 3.͏4 million retweets! It’s a universal fact: really good marketing has the power to drive your brand visibility to great heights.
Proper advertising in the HoReCa market will get your message to the right audience and drive traffic to your business. That involves using a mix of B2B and B2C marketing tactics to reach both corporate clients and individual consumers.
For example, restaurants might offer catering packages to businesses for events while also promoting weekend deals to attract local diners, tourists, food bloggers, etc. Proper marketing drives brand visibility in both groups with different targeting techniques, which we’ll explore below.
A strong HoReCa marketing strategy helps your business grow by bringing in new customers and getting repeat ones to come back. At first, getting more guests, visitors, brand ambassadors, and growing your customer base is key. In later stages, great marketing paired with top-notch customer service will keep them returning for more.
Simple tactics like loyalty programs and special offers can turn one-time visitors into regulars, and that’s one of the top goals to achieve, as studies like the Pareto Principle show that 80% of your revenue comes from 20% of the customers.
There are a number of ways to boost credibility and loyalty. While marketing is an important piece of the puzzle, so is delivering exceptional products or services while engaging meaningfully with customers.
In addition to marketing, your fundamental assets (like a top-notch website) and strong partnerships ultimately build your brand’s credibility and loyalty in the HoReCa sector.
However, these things alone won’t cut it, and we’ve seen that over and over again with leading brands. You must engage customers with meaningful and memorable interactions, whether that’s through personalized service, social media conversations, or tailored email campaigns – all while consistently delivering quality products/services.
Over 81% of consumers prefer booking hotels online, so an effective online marketing strategy is essential for staying competitive in the HoReCa sector. However, relying solely on digital channels isn’t enough. People trust recommendations from friends and family, making offline engagement just as important.
Therefore, an omnichannel approach to HoReCa marketing, combining both online presence and offline interactions, will ultimately boost your conversion rates and strengthen customer loyalty.
Let’s explore the key strategies you can use to increase brand awareness for your target audience, increase sales, and build long-lasting credibility in this crowded market.
Offering personalized services in the HoReCa industry is crucial for creating memorable experiences that encourage repeat business. It can take place both online and offline, and with the help of technologies like AI, you can turn personalization into your next competitive advantage.
Digital marketing might seem overwhelming, especially for HoReCa businesses, which usually focus on providing excellent in-person experiences. So, to cut through the fluff, I’ve compiled the top four aspects to consider as you map our your digital marketing initiatives:
I know – managing multiple social media accounts sounds tough, especially if you want to reach different audience segments and run full-scale marketing campaigns using social media ads and reporting tools. But with the right social media management tool by your side, it’s actually easier than you think.
Instagram analytics view in Planable
One channel for HoReCa brands to focus on is Instagram, as stunning images of delicious dishes or beautifully designed interiors can instantly capture the attention of social media users. Other channels like Facebook, X, TikTok, and even LinkedIn are also great for sharing valuable insights, visually appealing content, user-generated content, and connecting with industry professionals.
That’s why, to stay consistent, I recommend a few tactics:
Scheduling a Facebook post in Planable
Instagram grid view in Planable
During my chat with Iva Daneva, she touched on using social media to build genuine connections. I couldn’t agree more:
Many brands use social media as a broadcast channel, but those who do really well use it as a place to build connections. Creating localized content on social media that draws people into a conversation is the best way to grow your reach and engagement.
Local SEO is essential for HoReCa businesses because most customers start their search for restaurants, hotels, or cafes online. If you’re not visible in local search results, you risk missing out on a significant chunk of potential traffic from a wider audience.
Iva emphasized this as well. She said:
It’s scary how many brands underestimate the importance of up-to-date Google Business Profiles.
Improving your local SEO means helping your restaurant or hotel show up when people search for services “near me”. My recommendation is to start by focusing on the following:
It’s a well-known psychological fact that promotions like discounts, “happy hour” specials, or even free appetizers for first-time visitors create excitement and urgency. Still, we all fall for them every time. Something about lowered prices makes customers feel like they’re getting something special.
One effective approach is to tie promotions to local or seasonal events. For example, offering discounted meals during a local festival or creating themed holiday promotions can encourage locals and visitors to choose your establishment.
Restaurants, for instance, could feature a special holiday menu or package, while hotels might offer exclusive packages for couples during Valentine’s Day or discounted stays for local event attendees.
To increase the impact of these offers, promote them through email marketing, social media, or directly on your Google Business Profile. Consider using digital marketing tools to plan your marketing campaign strategy and dissemination around your promotions and push these offers to your ideal audience at the right time.
Join forces with other local businesses in the HoReCa industry and start tapping into each other’s customer bases and social exposure and even share marketing costs.
For instance, a coffee shop can partner with a nearby bakery to offer a breakfast deal, or a hotel might team up with a local restaurant to provide discounted meal packages for guests.
A simple but effective tip is to align promotions with local events. For example, during a local festival, restaurants can offer special menus that pair with the event’s theme, while hotels can offer discounted stays for attendees. As Iva says:
Collaborations between local businesses often create a sense of community, bringing customers back again and again.
Look for opportunities to work together on social media promotions or joint seasonal campaigns as well. This kind of collaborative marketing allows both businesses to pool their resources, so your efforts will be more cost-effective and reach a wider target audience.
Influencer marketing is a powerful way to grow your HoReCa business by reaching new audiences through trusted voices in the food, travel, or hospitality sectors. They can showcase your venue, food, or services to their followers through social media content, reviews, or even live events.
To get the most from influencer marketing, focus on engagement, not just follower count. Influencers with active communities where followers frequently comment, like, and share are more valuable. Engagement reflects true influence.
When selecting an influencer, check how they’ve treated past sponsorships. Look for authentic, genuine reviews that align with your brand’s tone. A local micro-influencer with strong community ties may bring more relevant customers than a celebrity and lead to better conversions.
One popular way to collaborate is through sponsored social media posts, where influencers share their experience at your hotel or restaurant. You can often collaborate with the influencer on what the content of the post will include, so that you ensure the right message gets across in an organic way.
Collaboration on an Instagram post in Planable
Another option is to team up with influencers for special events or conferences. For instance, you could co-host a cooking demo or food-tasting event with a well-known chef, bringing your brand both online and offline attention.
Networking is the real value here. Use these events to foster connections with key players in your industry, including distributors, vendors, and even competitors. Building strong, face-to-face relationships often leads to long-term partnerships that benefit your business. To maximize these opportunities, approach each interaction with genuine curiosity and openness.
Don’t just sell — listen and build connections. Plan your participation ahead of time. Set goals for what you want to achieve, whether it’s generating leads, forming partnerships, or simply increasing brand exposure.
Hosting live demonstrations or sampling your products can also grab attention and make your brand stand out. Always have business cards or marketing materials ready to go, and share your contact information, like social media and phone numbers, with interested audiences.
Digital loyalty apps offer immense value. Consider programs like airline miles, Hilton Honors, and even KFC Rewards, where customers accumulate points and redeem them for free prizes or discounts. This is a proven approach to driving retention, boosting personalization, and growing revenue.
When approaching a loyalty program, start by setting clear goals. Are you aiming to:
With a clear objective, you can tailor the program to fit your business.
Loyalty programs can take many forms. One simple and effective way is to create a mobile app that incentivizes spending and tracks buyer behavior to generate custom rewards. However, partnering with a trusted tech provider is essential when building such digital solutions.
If you have a limited budget, a simple in-person loyalty system can still work. For example, a small beverage brand could keep a paper scorecard, rewarding customers with points for each purchase and offering a free beverage after a certain number of visits. Though manual, this method is a low-cost way to get started.
While a strong HoReCa brand is largely associated with excellent customer service, a strong marketing foundation is also essential. How else would people hear about your company in the first place?
Flexibility is key — experiment with different strategies, learn what resonates with your audience, and be open to evolving your approach. Digital marketing, personalized customer experiences, and building loyal customer relationships should all be at the core of your strategy.
Tools like Planable can help you streamline your marketing efforts by organizing content creation, fostering real-time collaboration, and helping you schedule social media posts. If you want to give it a try, your first 50 posts are completely free!
Maria is a content marketer, SEO copywriter, and social media specialist with experience working for a wide range of B2B businesses. She loves to keep up with the evolution of digital marketing, particularly in areas such as social media management, content, SEO, and PR. She is passionate about her work and loves to add a unique spin to any topic.
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