The hospitality industry never stands still. Here's where we share deeper insights that help you stay ahead – practical advice, industry trends, and marketing wisdom from more than three decades in hospitality marketing.
At this time of year, many hotels would normally be turning their attention to longer breaks, and turning on minimum stay restrictions. But one night stays are not to be overlooked this spring and summer.
It's not a shiny new trend. It is really about making your hotel feel more connected, more memorable and more rooted in the place guests are choosing to visit. Done well, it can help you attract the right visitors, strengthen your brand and give people a better reason to book direct.
In celebration of B Corp Month, and to catch up with our local B Corp community, we joined other B Corps and businesses at THE PIG at Combe for cocktails and pizza this month.
At Clockwork, being part of Travel by B Corp matters because it turns shared values into shared action. Travel by B Corp brings together a growing collective of certified B Corps from across the travel sector, all working towards a future where travel benefits people, places and the planet, not just profit.
March is B Corp month. A time to celebrate what it means to be part of a community of businesses using business as a force for good. For us at Clockwork Marketing, this year’s strapline, “B” for a brighter future, says a lot about who we are and how we work. It reflects our belief that growing a business should not come at the expense of people, place or planet. It should create something better for the long term.
Spring and summer can feel like a gift in hospitality. Longer days, lighter moods, fuller diaries. They can also feel like a test. Guests expect fresh ideas, quick replies, inspiring content and “something new” every time they look at your website or social feeds. Meanwhile, you’re juggling rotas, reviews, refurb lists and rising costs.
Spring has a funny way of showing up with a burst of optimism. The sun appears. The nights get lighter. And suddenly you’re looking at that overstuffed cupboard thinking, Right. Today’s the day.
Your guest database is the digital version of that cupboard.
A month into 2026, it's the perfect moment to take stock of the year so far - to see how guests are behaving, understand emerging trends, and plan strategically for the months ahead. Early booking and guest data already reveal useful clues about what’s catching travelers’ attention and how they’re making decisions. By reviewing your own numbers, feedback, and online engagement, you can turn these insights into smart marketing, pricing, and operational strategies that boost occupancy, revenue, and guest satisfaction.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is radically transforming the hospitality industry’s marketing landscape. Hotels, restaurants, and tourism businesses now harness machine learning, predictive analytics, and natural language processing to fine-tune their strategies. With the rise of AI-powered search engines and virtual assistants, the ways guests discover, research, and interact with hospitality brands are undergoing a profound shift.
When guests book a hotel, they’re rarely just booking a bed. They’re booking a feeling. A break from the everyday. Time together. Space to breathe. Something to look forward to. And as we head into 2026, this is exactly where emotional marketing comes into its own.
With so many choices available, and with guests increasingly using AI to narrow those choices for them, hotels that clearly communicate why a stay feels special are the ones that stand out. For independent hotels in particular, emotional marketing isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s your superpower.