Print media is making a compelling comeback as a trustworthy and memorable marketing tool. For hotels aiming to stand out in a competitive market, combining print and digital methods can elevate campaigns and create a lasting impression on potential guests. Here’s why and how print can play a key role in your next multi-platform marketing strategy.
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Why Print Still Matters in Advertising
Despite the dominance of digital platforms, print advertising offers tangible benefits that digital ads simply can’t match. Studies highlight that:
- Longer Engagement: Readers spend more time with print—often 20 minutes or more—compared to seconds on digital ads, allowing your message to resonate deeply.
- Stronger Recall: Print ads drive a remarkable 77% higher brand recall compared to digital, making it more likely your audience remembers your hotel when it’s time to book.
- Credibility and Trust: Consumers trust print ads more than digital ones—82% of people believe print is more reliable. This trust boosts your hotel’s reputation and builds customer confidence in making a booking.
Additionally, print has longevity. A brochure or magazine ad remains visible in homes and offices long after a digital ad has disappeared, serving as a constant reminder of your brand.
Practical Tips for Hotels
Here are ways to use print effectively in your marketing mix:
- Target Key Audiences: Place ads in trusted publications tailored to your target market, such as magazines read by corporate travelers or event planners. A well-placed print ad can create a strong impression with readers who value quality and dependability.
- Highlight Offers: Use visually compelling print materials to display seasonal promotions or special packages, encouraging immediate action.
- Maintain Brand Consistency: Ensure your colors, fonts, and messaging align seamlessly across both your print and digital platforms to create a cohesive experience for your audience.
The Benefits of Storytelling Through Print
Print offers space to tell your brand’s story in a way digital ads often can’t. A thoughtfully designed magazine advertisement can showcase your hotel’s unique values and engage audiences emotionally. Print’s tactile nature allows for deeper connections—consumers are more likely to associate your hotel with quality and trustworthiness when they interact with high-quality printed materials.
Combining Print and Digital for Maximum Impact
The real magic happens when print and digital strategies are combined. Integrated campaigns allow hotels to leverage print’s emotional connection alongside digital’s reach and convenience. Examples of this include:
- QR Codes: Add dynamic QR codes to print materials to drive readers to online landing pages, exclusive offers, or promotional videos.
- Personalized Links and Offers: Use custom URLs or trackable coupon codes in print ads to measure engagement and ROI while providing tailored experiences to potential guests.
- Multi-Platform Boosts: Studies show that combining print with digital strategies can lead to a threefold increase in ROI for campaigns, showcasing the power of using both mediums together.
Measuring ROI of Multi-Platform Campaigns
To measure results for return on investment (ROI) in multi-platform campaigns, you can utilize several strategies that ensure print campaigns are as measurable as their digital counterparts. Start by incorporating unique codes or URLs in your print materials to directly track responses and engagement. For example, personalized QR codes or coupon codes allow you to link customer actions back to specific print ads, providing clear data on effectiveness.
Additionally, integrate your print campaigns with customer relationship management (CRM) systems. This allows you to target specific demographics, track outcomes, and refine future efforts based on measurable results. Print campaigns, when paired with digital tracking tools, not only show how many recipients engaged with your content but also help you pinpoint which aspects of the campaign performed better.
Studies show that integrating print into multi-platform efforts can lead to a threefold increase in ROI compared to using digital campaigns alone, highlighting the value of combining tactile and digital experiences.
Get Started Today
For hotel sales managers, using print in a multi-platform strategy isn’t just a nod to traditional marketing—it’s a smart move in a digital-first world. Print allows you to cut through the noise, build trust, and create memorable campaigns, all while amplifying your digital efforts. Whether it’s a glossy magazine ad or a well-designed direct mailer, print can elevate your marketing strategy and help your hotel stand out.
Ready to get started? Partner with Smart Meetings to develop a campaign that combines print’s tactile magic with digital’s cutting-edge power for measurable results. Let’s create something memorable!
Sources:
https://www.commercepress.ca/resources/print-vs-digital-marketing-a-comparative-analysis
https://www.digitalhill.com/blog/digital-marketing-vs-print-marketing/
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00222437211034438
https://qualprint.com/print-vs-digital-advertising-which-is-better/
https://www.hotelspeak.com/2020/03/print-or-digital-marketing-which-is-more-useful-for-hotel-marketing/
https://www.socalnewsgroup.com/2025/02/07/print-advertising-isnt-dead/
https://info.zimmercommunications.com/blog/10-reasons-why-magazine-advertising-is-relevant
AI tools were used in the development of this article.
