Mastering Festive Digital Marketing for Hospitality in 2025

The festive period is one of the most profitable times of year for hospitality businesses – but also the most competitive. With soaring demand, rising no-show rates, and customers expecting seamless digital experiences, brands must go beyond seasonal décor and menus.

In 2025, technology continues to shape hospitality, with AI-driven personalisation, dynamic booking tools, cashless payments, and immersive content formats (like short-form video and AR menus) setting new expectations. The goal? Creating experiences that not only fill tables but also build loyalty well into the new year.

The right booking system is non-negotiable during Christmas. With high demand, no-shows and last-minute cancellations can cut deeply into revenue. Options include:

• Event-specific deposits
• Credit card pre-authorisation
• Gift card / voucher deposits
• Loyalty or membership deposits
• Online pre-payment systems

Pro tip for 2025: Pair booking systems with AI-powered forecasting to predict peak times and optimise staffing. Back it up with transparent cancellation policies displayed on websites, apps, and confirmation emails.

Social media remains a major driver of bookings and engagement. In 2025, paid media and content collaborations will define festive success.

What works now:

• Short-form video (TikTok/Reels/YouTube Shorts) showing menus, events, and behind-the-scenes prep.
• Creator & influencer partnerships to reach niche audiences (corporate, lifestyle, foodie).
• User-generated content contests to amplify brand reach during December.

At Propeller, we’ve delivered high-performing campaigns for brands like Young’s and ASK Italian, combining creativity with performance marketing to maximise bookings.

Your website must do more than look festive—it must drive action. Create dedicated Christmas landing pages that:

• Highlight festive menus, private dining, and ticketed events
• Feature clear booking CTAs and payment options
• Use immersive festive visuals and storytelling
• Integrate with loyalty apps and offers

In 2025, don’t overlook SEO-rich seasonal content. Add structured data markup for “Christmas menus,” “festive dining,” or “holiday events” in your city to improve discoverability.

Customers now expect highly personalised digital experiences. Generic festive offers don’t cut through the noise.

• Use AI-led loyalty apps to suggest tailored rewards.
• Run personalised email journeys (e.g., “Your perfect festive menu, ready to book in [city]”).
• Offer tiered rewards to incentivise repeat visits into January and beyond.
• These small touches create memorable experiences and long-term customer loyalty.

• Test and optimise booking systems early
• Publish SEO-optimised festive landing pages by October
• Launch paid & social campaigns by mid-November
• Showcase transparent cancellation & deposit policies
• Use AI and loyalty tools for personalised offers
• Ensure mobile-first, fast-loading, visually engaging websites

In Summary

In 2025, festive digital success in hospitality comes down to one thing: seamless customer experience. From smarter booking systems to personalised marketing and conversion-focused landing pages, brands that embrace digital innovation will stand out in the busiest season of the year.

At Propeller, we specialise in helping hospitality brands design, market, and optimise digital experiences that drive bookings, boost revenue, and build lasting loyalty.

Looking to maximise your 2025 festive season? Work with our hospitality experts to build a strategy that delivers results.