Winter Marketing Tips and Tricks for Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Businesses

As winter approaches, hospitality and tourism businesses across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex & Cambridgeshire have a prime opportunity to embrace the festive season and help guests beat the January blues with tailored marketing. Whether guests are seeking a cosy winter escape, a family-friendly holiday experience, or a New Year’s refresh, your marketing efforts should resonate with seasonal themes to stand out and attract consumers.

Here are some marketing tips for creating seasonal content that appeal to those travelling to the East of England this winter, from festive magic to post-Christmas recovery.

Enhance your space with festive decorations

In a social media-driven world, travellers are increasingly drawn to destinations that create immersive experiences – especially those that look great on Instagram and TikTok. Transforming your space with holiday décor can create a cozy, inviting environment that appeals to guests while also boosting your brand’s social presence.

Marketing Tip:

Encourage guests to capture and share photos of your festive decor by offering an incentive for tagging your business. For extra engagement, host a competition for the best holiday photo or video with a prize for the winner. This approach not only builds awareness but also inspires guests to share their experience, expanding your brand’s reach organically.

Beat the January Blues with Wellness Packages

January can feel bleak with shorter days, chilly weather, and the post-Christmas slump – but it’s also an ideal time for self-care. Encourage guests to start the year with wellness-focused packages, helping them recharge and unwind at your venue.

Marketing Tip:

Team up with local businesses to create enticing packages, such as spa days, wellness retreats, or afternoon teas, that give guests a reason to visit in the New Year. Offering lower-priced weekday deals can attract guests who avoided travel over the Christmas period, but are now ready for a treat. Partnerships like these can build lasting connections within your community whilst developing local marketing collaborations that enhance brand credibility and reach.

Seasonal Content that Resonates with Your Audience

Social media and email marketing are great ways to foster a connection around the festive period. With more travellers seeking experiences over material goods, share content that showcases local attractions, dining, and activities to help guests create memorable moments beyond their stay with you.

Marketing Tip:

Highlight nearby places to explore, whether they’re scenic spots, festive events, or hidden gems in the local area. Showcasing these suggestions can boost your brand’s value by positioning you as a go-to source for local insights. It also helps build relationships with local businesses who might return the favour by sharing your business with their audience – a collaborative approach I advocate to amplify reach within local networks.

Encourage early bookings for future visits

As the end of the year draws near, many people are already thinking about their plans for the New Year. Make it easy for them to consider your venue for their future getaways by offering special discounts or perks for early bookings.

Marketing Tip:

Promote gift cards or certificates as unique holiday gifts that can be used later in the year. By encouraging early bookings and offering gift options, you’ll secure future revenue and give guests something to look forward to.

Target local customers

While guests from further afield are incredibly valuable, don’t overlook the local audience who may want to enjoy your offerings closer to home. By promoting events or experiences that appeal to residents, you can engage your local community and boost off-season visits.

Marketing Tip:

List your business on local platforms like Visit East of England, where you can post events and promotions for free, especially if your venue is hosting winter festivals, Christmas markets, or New Year’s events. This approach helps build a strong local presence, ensuring that you’re top of mind for nearby guests seeking festive activities.

Wrapping Up

Each season brings fresh opportunities to engage travellers with targeted marketing. By aligning your approach with winter’s seasonal themes and local connections, you can draw guests in and make sure your brand stays memorable beyond the holidays. With thoughtful, well-planned seasonal marketing, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impression – well into the New Year and beyond!