How holiday brands can convert OTA guests and drive more rebookings
Done right, Direct to Guest (D2G) marketing turns one-time OTA guests into loyal bookers, and re-engages guests before, during, and after their stay.
It’s not about pushing promotions. It’s about owning the relationship and creating value in the moments that matter.
The moment they book is the moment you begin...
D2G marketing is lifecycle marketing, pre-stay, in-stay, and beyond.
Direct to Guest (D2G) marketing uses your own channels – app, screens, website, chat, email, and staff – to engage guests before, during, and after their stay.
Benefits:
The guest experience doesn’t start at check-in – it starts the moment they hit “book now”. That pre-arrival window is one of the most valuable touchpoints in your entire journey.
Guests are actively seeking information, planning their break, and imagining their stay. It’s the perfect time to engage with content that builds trust, reduces admin, and gently upsells.
Use D2G tools to send:
Get it right, and they’ll arrive already feeling like a valued guest – not just another arrival.
Guests who book through platforms like PitchUp or Hoseasons often arrive without much connection to your brand. That’s your opportunity.
With Holidaymaker, OTA logins can be detected and segmented, letting you show targeted offers, loyalty nudges, or booking-aware messages while they’re still on park.
Guests are more likely to rebook directly if you give them the chance mid-stay – not weeks later when they’ve already moved on.
The best time to rebook a happy guest? While they’re still enjoying their break.
With booking-aware push notifications, dynamic app cards, and visible rebooking offers, Holidaymaker lets you prompt guests before they check out – not after they’ve mentally left.
A simple message like “Book next year now and save 10%” can turn a memory into a confirmed repeat booking.
Your screens aren’t just for welcome messages. They’re powerful D2G touchpoints if used well.
Seeview turns in-lodge TVs, reception screens and kiosks into live, dynamic messaging tools. Show real-time events, upsell offers, or direct booking prompts – all tailored to the guest’s stage of stay.
No printers, no posters. Just smarter visibility, where it matters.
Retention doesn’t happen after checkout. It happens mid-stay, when they’re smiling.
D2G is only powerful if it’s personal.
Use segmentation tools to trigger the right content at the right time — whether it’s a loyalty perk for returners, a discount for OTA guests, or a gentle mid-stay reminder to book your café.
And because it’s all tracked, you can see exactly what’s working — and optimise as you go.
The result? Less generic marketing. More conversion.
Direct to Guest marketing isn’t just theory, it’s measurable. Here’s what happened across the Holidaymaker platform during June 2025…
• 345,917 total app downloads
• 64% iOS / 36% Android
• Trusted by 60+ UK operators - from large holiday parks to boutique stays
• 2,331,454 total user interactions
• 715,169 external link clicks
• 98,595 in-app engagements (offers, alerts, Rebook Cards)
• 9,696 booking-aware CTA views
• Triggered by: rebook buttons, mid-stay push, embedded links
• Powered by segmentation + PMS integration
Guests don’t remember posters.
They remember relevance, timing, and ease.
Direct to Guest marketing doesn’t replace hospitality – it enhances it. It helps your team do more with less, keeps your brand visible in the right moments, and brings your booking engine closer to the guest.
It doesn’t mean more work. It means smarter work with better guest timing, less reliance on third parties, and results you can see.
Let’s build a direct to guest strategy that works for your brand.
Book a Strategy Call Here