If you are managing a hotel, Bed & Breakfast or guest house and wondering if online advertising could be a good strategy for you, the answer is Absolutely Yes!

Digital ads can be a very effective tool especially in the tourism industry, and could help you achieve several sales and marketing goals.

As a hotel or B&B owner, well-designed advertising campaigns can help you:

• Increase your visibility: Online advertising allows hotels to reach a wider audience, targeting people who are looking for accommodations in or around a specific geographic area.
• Attract new customers: Ad Center Platforms allow you to target your ads based on a multitude of criteria. This will allow you to attract new customers who do not yet know your establishment.
• Get more bookings: By highlighting concrete benefits of your hotel, showing gorgeous pictures or promoting special offers, online ads can encourage people to book their stay with you.

3 key elements to consider before planning your ad campaign

In the “Global Ingredients” section below, you will find all the technical details you need to know to create the 7 components of your ad. Before jumping to this list, we would like to highlight 3 strategic elements that are particularly important to consider in the tourism industry.

Define your ideal target

Depending on the type of establishment, your usual clientele, your location or even the time of year, you may want to target different audiences for your ads.

For example families, romantic packages for adults, business people, and music lovers if you are near a festival, etc.

Defining your target audience is the first step to complete. It will then help you choose the appropriate visual, a good call to action and the most relevant timing for your advertising campaign.

Choose the perfect picture

Using compelling images is always an essential part of advertising, and this is even more true if you’re running campaigns for hotels and B&Bs. Photos make it real. It gives people a first impression and makes them want to be there. Use high-quality images that showcase your rooms, facilities and surroundings.

Plan the date

Be strategic with your planning! Don’t hesitate to refer to our Marketing Calendar and use events/dates that are relevant to your industry to create a perfect timing for your ad! For example, you could refer to:

• National Plan for Vacation Day (January 25)
• Valentine’s Day (February 14)
• School vacations
• Easter (April 9)
• Saint-Jean-Baptiste (June 24, Quebec)
• Canada Day (July 1)
• Festivals held near your facility
• Relaxation Day (August 15)
• Labour Day (September 4)
• Thanksgiving (October 9)

Now that the basics are out of the way, let’s dive into the technical info: what are the components of a good ad, some practical tools you may need to create it, and some examples to inspire you!