5 Digital Hospitality Trends to Watch in 2018 [Infographic]
Hospitality marketing is in a state of flux in 2018. The continued growth of online platforms, increasing ubiquity of mobile devices, and shifts in U.S. demographics are fundamentally changing how accommodations are found, researched, and booked.
What does this mean for brands? How should you be reshaping your marketing strategy? Which digital tactics and channels are worth watching closely this year?
To find out, we went through a host of recent research and analyst reports. To see what emerged, take a look at the overview below, as well as MDG’s new infographic, Hospitality Marketing in 2018: 5 Digital Trends to Watch.
1. Digital Channels Are Now Primary, Not Secondary
It’s no surprise that hospitality consumers have moved online, but it’s worth highlighting the incredible scope of this shift. Put simply, digital is now the foundation of the travel experience.
In 2018…
- Digital travel sales are expected to reach $198 billion
- More than 140 million U.S. adults will research a trip online
Consumers have come to rely on digital channels throughout the travel purchase funnel.
Digital Platform Use by U.S. Travelers
- 71% use to plan
- 79% use to shop
- 83% use to book
Consumers aren’t just utilizing a single site or app, they’re going broad and deep online.
Most-Used Online Sources by U.S. Travelers
- Search engines
- Online travel agency (OTA) sites
- Review sites
Not surprisingly, hospitality and travel advertising dollars are following consumer behavior.
- 61% of travel marketing spend is going to online channels
For brands, this means that hospitality marketing is now intertwined with digital marketing. It’s become impossible to consistently succeed without a sophisticated online strategy.
2. Younger Travelers Start with Search Engines
As search engines such as Google and Bing integrate additional travel information and tools, they’re becoming ever more important to consumers.
- 63% of travelers now turn to a search engine at some point during trip planning
While search engines are utilized across all generations, they’ve become especially important to younger consumers.
- Search engines are the most-used resource by GenZ and Millennial consumers for planning trips
For younger hospitality consumers, search engines are now often the starting point for booking.
- 57% of travelers ages 18–34 go to a general search engine to check accommodation prices
The importance of search for travel brands extends to both unpaid and paid tactics. Search ads have become highly effective in reaching consumers, especially younger ones.
- 36% of consumers overall recall viewing a travel ad on a search engine
- 50% of consumers ages 18–34 recall viewing a travel ad on a search engine
The reliance on search by travelers means that hospitality brands — especially those targeting younger consumers — need to think hard about both their SEO and SEM strategies this year.
3. Smartphone Use Is Rising, but Desktops Still Matter
Consumers’ increasing reliance on smartphones is impacting every business vertical, from retail to communications. This is no different in the travel and hospitality space.
- 42% of consumers use their smartphones to look for travel inspiration
- 73% use their smartphone while traveling
Although smartphones are increasingly used at the beginning and end of the travel journey, desktop computers remain more popular in the middle stages.
Desktop vs. Smartphone Use During Travel Research
- 43% of consumers use a smartphone to look for accommodations
- 76% use a desktop computer to look for accommodations
Desktop vs. Smartphone Use During Travel Booking
- 25% of consumers use a smartphone to book accommodations
- 67% use a desktop computer to book accommodations
While consumers overall remain reliant on desktop computers, younger travelers are more open to using smartphones throughout the process.
Gen Z Travelers and Smartphones
- 67% use smartphone for trip inspiration
- 44% use when researching a trip
- 27% when booking a trip
- 78% use while traveling
What’s a hospitality marketer to make of all this? The big takeaway is that for now you should take into account both mobile and desktop behavior — but plan for a smartphone-first future.
4. Visual Content Matters More Than Ever
The very nature of travel and hospitality has always lent itself well to visual pieces. As online platforms become more image and video focused, this type of content is increasingly effective.
Consumers Say the Most Influential Platforms for Travel Content Are…
- Snapchat
- YouTube
When planning trips, many consumers now consume multiple types of content across channels.
- 49% look at travel content sites
- 30% look at social media
- 23% watch videos
The effectiveness of visual content applies to paid units as well as organic pieces.
- 51% of consumers say the imagery in a travel ad can influence their trip decisions
Consumers cite visuals as the most memorable elements of digital travel advertising, ahead of specific deals/offers and personalization elements.
Most Memorable Travel Digital Advertising Elements
- 49% of consumers recall a visual or image
- 41% recall a price or deal
- 37% recall a personalized ad
For hospitality brands, consumers’ preference for images and video means the ROI on these pieces is often impressive. Investing more resources in visuals can have a big payoff over time.
5. Loyalty Members Are Engaged, but Not Always Loyal
Members of loyalty programs are extraordinarily valuable for hospitality marketers. These consumers are already familiar with your brand and are predisposed to visit your property.
- 55% of travel loyalty members say program membership plays a role in their decision-making process when booking a trip
Members of loyalty programs are more open than non-members to digital messaging and online personalization from brands.
Travel Loyalty Reward Members Are More Likely To
- Share personal information in exchange for tailored offers
- Want brands to personalize online advertising
- Recall online advertisements from travel brands
However, loyalty reward membership doesn’t mean that a consumer is blindly loyal.
- Members and non-members of hotel loyalty programs are equally likely to look for deals on metasearch sites, general search sites, and OTAs
Even elite members of loyalty programs don’t automatically book with properties.
- 50% of elite hotel loyalty members say they’re likely/somewhat likely to book with another hospitality brand
Travel loyalty members will only stay loyal if they think they’re getting a deal from the program.
- 67% of loyalty program members would switch to another program for a better offer
Fundamentally, consumers favor hospitality brands that offer real value and take their content, device, and travel preferences into account. Digital marketers who understand these ever-shifting behaviors are the best poised for success this year and beyond.
To find out more, check out our full infographic, Hospitality Marketing in 2018: 5 Digital Trends to Watch.
Originally published at www.mdgadvertising.com on March 27, 2018.
