Hospitality Marketing: Five Digital Trends to Watch in 2018 (Infographic)

With the continued rise of online platforms and increasing use of mobile devices, hospitality marketing is facing dramatic changes in 2018. In addition to these technological advances, demographic shifts are constantly changing the way consumers research and book accommodations. Consumers are looking to social media and mobile search to find airfare, hotels, restaurant reservations and more.

Digital travel sales are expected to hit $198 million this year, making it essential for hospitality marketers to stay up to date with the latest tools and techniques. So, what does this mean for your brand? Which channels and tactics should you focus on this year? This new infographic from MDG, “Hospitality Marketing in 2018: 5 Digital Trends to Watch,” has the answers. The infographic shares data from recent industry analysis and reports on the latest marketing trends.

Not surprisingly, digital channels remain on top – more than 140 million adults will research the details of their trip online, and nearly half of them will use their smartphone. It’s more important than ever to optimize your restaurant’s website content for the mobile experience, including creating great visual content for Instagram or Snapchat. However, it’s not time to count desktop computers out just yet. Many consumers turn to their computers for the middle stages of trip planning, which might include finding the right hotel or eatery. Plus, 67 percent of consumers do the actual booking from desktop computers.

The research also revealed that even if customers are part of loyalty programs, it doesn’t always mean they’re committed to one brand. Ultimately, brands that offer valuable content while taking consumers’ device preferences into consideration will succeed in the hospitality vertical. Understanding the changes in digital marketing behaviors will help you experience success this year and beyond. Find out more by checking out the full MDG infographic below.