Choosing a marketing agency for a hotel or resort
What to ask a marketing agency before hiring them for a hotel or resort, and why understanding the OTA-versus-direct dynamic matters more than general creative flair.
4 min read
Hospitality marketing has enough moving parts — OTA relationships, seasonal demand, direct booking strategy — that a regular review catches drift before it costs meaningful revenue. This checklist covers what is worth reviewing regularly.
Website and booking
- Direct booking price checked against current OTA listings for rate parity or intended advantage.
- Booking engine tested end-to-end on mobile this month.
- Photography current and matching the actual property condition.
Guest data and retention
- Post-stay email and review request flow active and working.
- Guest profiles being captured consistently across booking channels.
- Direct booking share tracked and reviewed monthly.
A hotel that has never checked its own direct booking price against its OTA listings side by side may be quietly undercutting its own strategy.
Seasonal planning
Promotional campaigns planned ahead for known low-occupancy periods, and Google Business Profile and reviews actively managed.
The takeaway
Check your direct booking price against your OTA listings this week — rate parity drift is common and quietly undermines the entire direct-booking strategy.
Written by Fibvo — Bengaluru and Erode, India — working with clients in other time zones. Questions, or think we have it wrong? Tell us.
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