In hospitality, reputation is everything. Studies show that more than 80% of travelers read online reviews before booking a hotel. That means your brand story and public image can directly shape your revenue. Understanding the power of public relations in hotels is no longer optional. It’s what separates the properties guests remember from those they scroll past.
If you’re exploring how to strengthen your hotel’s online presence and storytelling, check out our Ultimate Guide to Hotel Content Marketing to learn how great content supports your PR and marketing goals.
Public relations in hospitality isn’t just about press releases. It’s about building lasting connections, managing reputation, and creating a guest experience that makes people want to share your story for you.
Let’s dive right in.
Definition of Public Relations in Hospitality
Public relations (PR) is how a hotelier manages the way people see their hotel. It’s about building trust, shaping reputation, and keeping strong relationships with guests, media, and the local community.
In simple terms, PR tells your hotel’s story in a way that attracts attention, builds credibility, and keeps guests coming back.
Importance of Public Relations in the Hotel Industry
Public relations plays a key role in how hotels connect with their target audience. It helps your brand stand out in a competitive market by showing what makes your property unique, whether it’s your service, location, or guest experience.
Good PR builds awareness, trust, and loyalty. It shapes how people talk about your hotel online and offline, turning satisfied guests into advocates. For hotels, that means more visibility, a stronger reputation, and ultimately, more direct bookings.
Objectives of Public Relations in Hotels
The main goal of hotel PR is to build and protect a positive image. A strong PR strategy keeps your brand visible and trusted, both online and in person.
Successful PR isn’t just about reacting to news; it’s about being proactive. That means sharing your hotel’s stories before others tell them for you, engaging with the media, and communicating clearly with guests and partners.
In short, effective PR helps hotels stay relevant, manage reputation, and create meaningful relationships that lead to long-term success.

Key Components of Hotel Public Relations
Effective public relations is built on several core elements that help hotels connect with guests, partners, and the wider community. Each plays a unique role in strengthening reputation and supporting overall hotel management goals.
1. Media Relations
Strong media relations are the foundation of PR. This includes outreach to journalists, bloggers, and travel influencers to share your hotel’s stories and achievements. By building relationships with the media, hotels gain valuable visibility and credibility that traditional advertising can’t buy.
2. Community Engagement
Hotels that stay active in their local community build trust and loyalty. Supporting events, local causes, or sustainable projects helps your hotel become more than just a place to stay. It becomes part of the neighborhood’s story.
3. Crisis Management
Every hotel faces challenges at some point: from guest complaints to external crises. A solid PR plan ensures your team knows how to respond quickly, clearly, and professionally. Being transparent and calm during difficult times protects your reputation and shows guests you care.
4. Event Coordination
Hosting or partnering on events creates opportunities for exposure and connection. Whether it’s a local festival, business conference, or charity event, well-managed events strengthen brand awareness and generate positive publicity.
5. Online Reputation Management
In today’s digital world, what guests say online matters as much as what happens on-site. Monitoring reviews, responding politely, and encouraging positive feedback are essential. A proactive approach to online reputation helps maintain trust and attract new guests.
Strategies for Effective Public Relations in Hotels
1. Building Relationships with Media
Establish strong connections with journalists, bloggers, and influencers who cover the hospitality industry. A trusted network helps your hotel brand gain consistent visibility and credibility.
2. Utilizing Social Media Platforms
Leverage platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to showcase your hotel’s story, highlight luxury experiences, and engage with potential guests. Social media is a key tool in modern hotel marketing.
3. Engaging Local Communities
Partner with local businesses and participate in community events to create goodwill and strengthen your hotel’s presence in the area. A hotel that actively supports its community becomes a preferred choice for travelers.
4. Crafting Press Releases
Share newsworthy updates about your hotel — from new openings to special packages — through well-written press releases. This enhances your hotel brand’s reputation and keeps your audience informed.
5. Hosting Events and Promotions
Organize exclusive events, seasonal promotions, or themed experiences to attract attention and generate buzz. Well-executed events can position your property as a standout luxury hotel destination.

🚨Better Safe Than Sorry: Guest Experience App
A bad guest experience can quickly turn into a PR nightmare. Unanswered questions, delayed services, or miscommunication can frustrate guests, resulting in negative reviews and diminished trust in your hotel brand.
OTA Sync’s Guest Experience App allows hotels to engage with guests directly, providing real-time communication and personalized support. From pre-arrival instructions to in-stay requests, the app ensures that guests feel heard and valued. By addressing potential issues before they escalate, your PR team can protect the hotel’s reputation and reinforce positive guest experiences, which often translate into glowing reviews and social media buzz.
Measuring the Success of PR Efforts
1. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
PR professionals should define clear KPIs to track the impact of their marketing strategies. Metrics such as media mentions, website traffic, and lead generation help evaluate whether your efforts are achieving the desired results.
2. Media Coverage Analysis
Assess both the quantity and quality of coverage your hotel receives. Monitoring how often your hotel brand is featured, the tone of the coverage, and the reach of each publication provides valuable insights for refining marketing strategies.
3. Social Media Engagement Metrics
Track likes, shares, comments, and follower growth across social media platforms. These metrics show how your audience interacts with your content and can highlight which campaigns are most effective for your hotel’s PR goals.
4. Guest Feedback and Surveys
Collecting feedback directly from guests allows PR professionals to understand how marketing strategies translate into real-world perceptions. Positive reviews, testimonials, and survey responses can indicate the success of campaigns and guide future initiatives.

Case Studies
Understanding what works and what doesn’t is crucial for any PR team aiming to elevate a hotel’s brand. In this section, we explore real-world examples of hotel PR campaigns, highlighting both the strategies that led to impressive results and the missteps that provide valuable lessons. By examining these cases, PR professionals can refine their PR approach, develop more effective marketing strategies, and avoid common pitfalls in the hospitality industry.
A. Successful Hotel PR Campaigns
- Icehotel’s Seasonal Rebuild Campaign
Sweden’s Icehotel effectively used its annual rebuild as a PR opportunity, generating widespread media coverage and a sense of urgency among travelers. This campaign highlighted the hotel’s unique offering and reinforced its brand identity as a transient, art-focused destination. - Moxy Hotels’ Social Media Launch
Marriott’s Moxy brand launched with a bold, social media-centric campaign targeting millennials. By leveraging platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Moxy showcased its vibrant, communal spaces, resulting in increased brand awareness and engagement. - Westin Hotels’ Pre-Opening Media Strategy
Westin Hotels & Resorts secured 78 media placements before opening a new property, reaching an audience of 66 million. This proactive PR approach contributed to booking $5 million in business prior to the hotel’s launch.
B. Lessons Learned from PR Failures
- Marriott’s “Dreamers Welcome” Campaign
In 2018, Marriott launched the “Dreamers Welcome” campaign aimed at attracting creatives. However, the campaign faced criticism for its vague messaging and lack of clear direction. It failed to resonate with the target audience and did not drive significant engagement, highlighting the importance of clear and targeted communication in PR strategies.
- Influencer Marketing Missteps
An unnamed (this case study is for education purposes, not shaming) luxury hotel chain partnered with an influencer to promote a “one-of-a-kind experience.” The influencer’s content showcased exclusive amenities and private events. However, upon arrival, customers found that many of the promised features were unavailable or disappointing. The resulting backlash was swift, with customers accusing the hotel of false advertising and insincerity. This incident underscores the need for PR teams to carefully vet influencers and ensure authentic partnerships.
🚨Better Safe Than Sorry: Overbookings and the Channel Manager
Overbookings are one of the worst PR scenarios for any hotel. Nothing damages your hotel brand faster than turning away guests or scrambling to find last-minute accommodations. A single overbooking incident can create negative reviews, social media backlash, and lost trust, all of which are difficult to recover from.
OTA Sync’s Channel Manager helps prevent these situations by synchronizing room availability across all online travel agencies (OTAs) and your direct booking channels in real time. By maintaining accurate inventory, your PR team can focus on building the hotel brand rather than managing crises. Staying proactive with inventory management is not just operational; it’s a vital part of your public relations strategy.
Future Trends in Hotel Public Relations
The landscape of public relations for hotels is evolving rapidly. Staying ahead of these trends is key to maintaining a strong hotel brand and connecting with modern travelers.
1. Data-Driven PR Campaigns
Hotels are increasingly using analytics to shape their public relations strategies. From social media engagement to guest feedback, data helps PR teams craft campaigns that resonate with target audiences and measure real impact.
2. Social Media as a Primary PR Channel
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn are central to hotel PR strategies. Visual storytelling, influencer collaborations, and real-time engagement allow hotels to reach broader audiences and strengthen their brand presence.
3. Sustainability and Purpose-Driven Campaigns
Travelers increasingly value eco-friendly and socially responsible hotels. PR campaigns that highlight sustainability efforts or community involvement enhance reputation and attract conscientious guests.
4. Integration of Technology
From AI-powered chatbots to mobile guest apps, technology is shaping the future of hotel PR. Tools that streamline communication, manage bookings, or collect feedback are becoming essential components of a modern PR approach.
How OTA Sync Can Help?
Whether you’re running a boutique hotel, full-service resort, or vacation rental complex, OTA Sync is built to help you automate, optimize, and maximize revenue while keeping guests at the heart of the experience.
Because of cloud-based technology, costs are drastically reduced, daily tasks are automated, and the overall efficiency and revenues of the property are increased.
The company has over 3.000 satisfied users in 24 countries around the world.
There are four complete solutions for managing hotels and apartments:
We also love to see hotels thrive. If you want to keep learning about the power of marketing and PR in hospitality, check out our latest podcast episode below.
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