Top Hotel Marketing Blogs and Websites to Read Right Now (Updated)
There are many different ways to keep up with the latest hotel industry news. There’s the business section of your favorite print newspaper or social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. You can subscribe to a dozen email newsletters or set up a specific Google alert.
Personally, I go with “all of the above.”
But no one likes an overflowing inbox or cluttered social media feed. How do you wade through all the memes and garbage sale alerts to get directly to the most relevant insights?
If you like to use Twitter, you can follow my Hotel & Hospitality News list. This Twitter list includes some of my favorite sources for hotel business news and industry insights.
Otherwise, keep reading for a few of my favorite go-to resources. In my humble opinion, these are the best hotel marketing blogs and hospitality industry news sites to read right now.
Best Hospitality and Hotel Marketing Blogs
1. Five Star Content
Yes, I know, I’m tooting my own horn right out of the gate! (So cheeky!) Forgive me, but I do have to include my own hotel marketing blog.
When I started out as a hotel marketing coordinator, I couldn’t find any sites like this one.
Sooo I set out to create the sort of resource I would’ve loved to read.
The kind of resource that was specific to my role as a hotel marketer. One I could keep coming back to for help, a quick explanation on something, fresh hotel marketing ideas, and friendly guidance from an actual person.
(I’m that actual person, by the way. Just me, Jenn. Not a content farm, as someone once suggested, LOL.)
Anyway, this is why my articles touch on specific aspects of hotel sales, marketing, and distribution — including best practices, actionable guides, free downloadable resources, and more.
Most other blogs and websites on this list are more general in nature. Technology providers are, of course, trying to push their product solutions. News websites are, of course, focused on publishing daily news articles.
Five Star Content is my attempt to create something unique for hotel marketers.
(And thankfully, you and thousands of other monthly blog readers seem to like it! 😊)
You’ll also notice that I try to keep things somewhat light around these parts, so expect a few GIFs and groan-worthy jokes sprinkled in between useful hotel marketing strategy and insights…
If you’re new around here, these are some of my “greatest hits” or most popular posts and resources:
RECOMMENDED READING:
New To Marketing In A Hotel? Start Here.
Hotel Email Marketing: 8 Emails Your Hotel Should Send To Guests
How to Build Your Hotel Marketing Plan, Step By Step (+ Free Template!)
How to Find the Right Keywords For Your Hotel SEO (+ Free Checklist)
My Favorite Hotel Management Blogs and News Websites
2. Hotel Speak
Hotel Speak is an excellent hotel management blog with lots of insights from fellow hotel marketers and hospitality industry leaders.
Hotel Speak publishes opinion articles and hotel marketing news stories geared specifically for your business.
I’ve even re-shared some of my own articles on their website, so don’t be surprised to see a familiar hotel marketing blogger pop up, from time to time! 😉
RECOMMENDED READING:
Where To Pivot Your Hotel Marketing Strategy During The COVID-19 Crisis (I wrote this one!)
Smart & Powerful Ways to Use WiFi Marketing In The Hospitality Industry
3. EHotelier
EHotelier Insights is another great resource of crowd-sourced contributions on the global hospitality industry.
There’s a good mix of opinion articles by guest authors (including me!) as well as industry news, timely marketing insights, interviews with top hoteliers, technology reviews, and more.
EHotelier also partners with some top hospitality business organizations like HOSPA and HSMAI to bring career opportunities and training.
RECOMMENDED READING:
All PMS platforms have advantages, which one is right for you?
Why the hotel industry should use AI to provide an outstanding customer experience
4. HospitalityNet
HospitalityNet is another must-read for hotel marketers and managers.
HospitalityNet is a little more of a news site, but I’m including it in the Hotel Management category as they do focus on the hospitality industry, specifically, rather than travel as a whole.
You can rest assured that HospitalityNet will cover all the latest direct booking drama, relevant search engine optimization tips, and online travel distribution trends.
RECOMMENDED READING:
How hotels should adapt to Google Travel and intent-based search
The Tipping Point for Innovations in Vacation Rental and Timeshare Technology
5. HOTELS Magazine
One of my favorite hotel sales and marketing publications is actually the print version of HOTELS magazine.
You’ll have to create a free account to read the online blog or receive the print edition, but it’s a no-brainer. The blog holds a number of great articles written by hospitality business leaders on topics ranging from hotel revenue management to digital marketing.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Revenue Management from Behind the Curtain (Subscription Required)
Worldwide Web of Wellness (Subscription Required)
6. Boutique Hotel News
This is another one that’s a bit more of a traditional news website than a blog, but Boutique Hotel News is one of the most popular resources out there for our industry.
As the name suggests, the BHN blog covers the world of boutique hotels — but even if that’s not necessarily your category, all hoteliers will find something useful and relevant here.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Lockdown easing: Has Covid-19 changed the chance of success for high-end hoteliers?
How digitisation will help UK hospitality face staff shortages in 2021 and beyond
Top Hospitality Technology Blogs and Resources
7. Hotel Tech Report
I just love this website and the entire concept around it! Hotel Tech Report provides real, crowd-sourced reviews of different hotel management tools and software.
Trying to choose a new property management system? How about getting set up with the best email service provider? Hotel Tech Report has got you covered — and then some.
Along with their in-depth product reviews, HTR also publishes regular blog content that hoteliers will love.
RECOMMENDED READING:
3 Ways to Increase Guest Confidence and Rebuild Travel in 2021
5 Lessons from Hospitality Brands that Crushed Mobile Ordering During the Pandemic
8. Revinate
Revinate is one of the hospitality industry’s leading providers of reputation management software.
Their blog is also a particularly great resource on all things CRM, email marketing, and online reputation. They also publish useful, in-depth market insights and fantastic infographics.
RECOMMENDED READING:
The case for better segmentation in hotel email marketing [infographic]
9. STAAH
You’ll definitely want to add STAAH to your regular rotation of hospitality industry blogs.
As one of the top providers of hotel management technology, STAAH covers the latest updates related to hotel distribution and SaaS technology, along with a bit of hotel industry news.
They also regularly host educational webinars for hotel managers, on topics like revenue management, distribution, and other hotel marketing strategies.
RECOMMENDED READING:
10. Asksuite
“Ask Insights” is the blog from tech provider Asksuite and I must say, their content marketing strategy is on point.
Not only do they publish helpful blogs, Asksuite created one of the top hospitality industry podcasts to create even more valuable content for their customers. (Make sure to give that a listen if you haven’t already!)
Much of the content on “Ask Insights” centers around hotel chatbots, messaging apps, and hotel technology.
RECOMMENDED READING:
7 Simple Ways to Build Hotel Guest Loyalty
Complete WhatsApp Business Guide to Generate Direct Bookings
11. Oaky
Like a few others on this list, Oaky is a hospitality technology provider slash hotel marketing company. Their blog alone is a wealth of valuable insights and ideas.
Most of Oaky’s articles focus on upselling, distribution, and revenue management strategies since that’s their main software product. Theirs is a great blog to read for more specific strategies related to those areas.
RECOMMENDED READING:
12. Pegasus
Pegasus offers a suite of different technology solutions for hotels, including booking engine software, reservations tech, and more.
They also publish lots of useful articles and guides on their revenue management and hotel distribution blog.
RECOMMENDED READING:
BTW, if you like my hotel marketing blog, you’ll love the free resources I create for hoteliers. One of them is the free hotel marketing plan template, which you can grab below. ⤵
Meeting and event industry blogs and websites
13. BizBash
BizBash is a popular, go-to resource for catering and events professionals, so their blog is absolutely worth a read if your hotel has a MICE segment.
I also really like how much content they’ve published on virtual events since the pandemic hit. You’ll find a lot of really helpful information on pivoting your event strategy, planning COVID-safe meetings, and more.
RECOMMENDED READING:
50 Virtual Event Platforms to Consider for Your Next Online Gathering
14. Cvent
Cvent is a SaaS company specializing in meetings and events software solutions. Their hospitality marketing blog is also full of valuable insights for hotels.
If you want to learn how to attract meeting planners, expand your technology offering, and get ahead of the latest group booking trends, Cvent’s blog is a great place to go.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Best Blogs For News About the Travel & tourism Industry
15. PhocusWire
Looking at the hospitality and travel industry as a whole, any hotel owner or marketer will learn a lot from reading PhocusWire by the PhocusWright media group.
Their topical hotel news stories range from technology platform updates and booking trends to international tourism perspectives and industry special reports.
RECOMMENDED READING:
What owning the end-to-end traveler experience means for Airbnb for Work
Will food delivery apps eliminate the need for hotel room service?
16. Skift
Better known as a travel news media website, Skift is one of the top sources for breaking news in the tourism space. They lead the industry with in-depth, deep-dive reports on distribution and revenue management, among other topics.
Skift also publishes thoughtful editorial pieces on the impact of overtourism, the rise of wellness and experiential travel, and more.
RECOMMENDED READING:
How Bad Will It Get When Overtourism Meets Climate Change?
How Can Airbnb Guests Live Like Locals if Hosts Are, Well, Corporations?
17. Travel Massive
Travel Massive is a global community of travel, tourism, and hospitality professionals.
I highly recommend creating an account (it’s free — here’s mine!), in order to connect with other brands and professionals and participate in their online and in-person networking events.
Travel Massive’s blog is a great resource for the latest news, in-depth interviews, useful webinars, and travel industry articles.
RECOMMENDED READING:
10 Best Practices for Smart Tourism Destinations
Hostel Transformation: How CoDe Pod is transforming the hostel experience
More Hospitality blogs and industry Websites You’ll Love
18. Savvy Hotelier
Created by IHG alum Maria Malaniia, Savvy Hotelier is a blog and online resource entirely dedicated to helping hospitality students break into the industry — and ultimately, grow in their careers.
Savvy Hotelier shares a mix of written articles and engaging YouTube video guides that teach hospitality students how to navigate everything from job-hunting to career mindset.
(Oh, and make sure to give Maria a follow on Instagram @SavvyHotelier!)
RECOMMENDED READING:
Secret Jobs in Events: Find Your Event Niche in Places You Never Knew About
The Hospitality Management Students’ Guide to Summer 2020: 8 Things To Do This Summer
19. David Lund: Hotel Financial Coach
I personally attended one of David Lund’s hotel financial leadership workshops years ago as a junior hotel marketer and learned so much!
This website is a wealth of information on hotel finances, budgets, accounting, and importantly, team building and empowerment. Every hotel marketer should want to improve their knowledge of these topics and David’s blog is a great resource for it.
RECOMMENDED READING:
How to Prepare a Hotel Financial Budget
Why Financial Acumen is So Important to Your Hospitality Career
20. Hospitality Vitae
If you’re looking for a more personal approach to hospitality blogs, this one is for you!
Written by Harvard MBA and hotelier Letícia Tavares, Hospitality Vitae is a resource that combines travel and hotel blogging with professional insights and industry interviews. It’s a unique space for those of us who are passionate about hotels — and love reading stories about different properties and guest experiences.
I especially like the hotelier interview series and have included two of my favorites for you to check out below.
(Also, follow Letícia on Instagram @HospitalityVitae for more snapshots of hospitality life!)
RECOMMENDED READING:
Hotelier Talk: Adriana Ponce-Jimenez, former Assistant Director of Welcome at W Hotels
Dream job in the Maldives? Hotelier Talk: Laurean Sahilices’ Career in Marketing
21. My Heart in Hospitality
Another fun personal hospitality blog about the industry — I love how more and more hospitality professionals are starting blogs! These are the kind of resources I wish I’d had early on in my own hotel career. 😍
Written by international hotelier Silvia Kirkland, My Heart in Hospitality offers lots of valuable insights on the guest experience, as well as more personal storytelling about Silvia’s hospitality career.
RECOMMENDED READING:
The Night Manager: What Happens When The Lights Go Down
Service Excellence: 10 Tips For Your Guest Relations Management
22. Hotel Designs
This is one of the most unique hospitality blogs on this list — if you love swooning over the latest hotel renovation projects and award-winning architecture, Hotel Designs is for you.
If you also happen to be furnishing your property or looking for the latest design vendors, Hotel Designs has a robust vendor directory that’s worth checking out.
(I know my personal Pinterest boards will never be the same after discovering this site!)
RECOMMENDED READING:
MINIVIEW: The Midland Hotel in Manchester’s £14m transformation
23. Social Hospitality
Author Debbie Miller is a hospitality social media pro.
Her website, Social Hospitality, is a great resource for useful blog posts on all things social media marketing, influencer marketing, and digital communications — specifically for hotels and restaurants.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Social Media Advertising: Is Facebook or Instagram Best for Your Brand?
3 Public Relations Strategies that Help Boost Social Media Growth
Final Thoughts
Keeping up with the latest news in our industry is no small feat right now, but it’s exciting to discover more and more hospitality blogs!
If you like my articles, you can always subscribe to my weekly newsletter and get the latest blog content delivered straight to your inbox.
So what did you think of this list? Did I miss your favorite hotel marketing blog or news media group?
What are some of your favorite hotel blogs to read right now? Leave a comment and let me know.
BTW, if you like my hotel marketing blog, you’ll love the free resources I create for hoteliers. One of them is the free hotel marketing plan template, which you can grab below. ⤵