Best Email Marketing Strategies for Hospitality Businesses in Canada

Hospitality businesses run on relationships. Whether you operate a boutique hotel in Toronto, a resort in Banff, or a charming B&B in Quebec, maintaining relationships with your guests is paramount. 

Welcome hospitality email marketing, the perfect method for connecting, retaining, and surprising your fans while growing revenue. Let's be real, no one wants to read another generic "Book Now!" email. So, how do you make your Canada email campaigns stand out?

Let’s explore the industry best practices that actually work—because no one wants to be left on "read."

Make It Personal

Essentially, if your emails are robotic, so too would be the most likely case that guests could regard them as spam. Personalization goes well beyond "Hi, [First Name]". Use guests' preferences, booking history, and even localities to write communication that takes effect.

🚀 Example: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts does post stay emails of customized offers based on past bookings. For instance, he who booked a spa package earlier gets a discount offer on his next spa visit.

Industry Best Practice: Segmentation of audience types i.e. business, leisure, and family.

Subject Lines: Make or Break Your Email First Impression 

"Exclusive Offer For You" or "John, Your Dream Weekend Getaway is Waiting!"? Which one would you choose? And that is it. Subject lines need to be engaging, specific, and curiosity driven.

Real Example: A Vancouver-based hotel saw a 32% increase in open rates by switching from “Winter Specials Inside” to “❄️ John, We Have a Cozy Surprise for You!”.

✅ Canada Email Campaigns Tip: Use emojis and power words but keep it under 50 characters for mobile friendliness.

Timing is Everything

You wouldn’t offer breakfast at 8 PM, so why send emails at the wrong time? 

The best time for hospitality email marketing in Canada varies, but studies show Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM or 7 PM work best.

🎯 Pro Tip: A ski resort in Whistler noticed their open rates spiked at 6 PM on Fridays, right when people start planning weekend trips.

✅ Industry Best Practice: A/B test different sending times to find what works for your audience.

Storytelling Over Selling 

Guests want experiences, not advertisements. Instead of pushing bookings, tell a story. Tell the crisp mountain air at your lodge, the scent of freshly ground coffee in your lobby, or the break of waves at your oceanfront resort.

For instance: One Halifax hotel wrote an email that read "A Love Letter to Nova Scotia's Coastline" rather than "Book Your Stay Now". It featured scenic drives, seafood spots, and secret discoveries all leading to a 20% boost in bookings.

✅ Canada Email Campaigns Tip: Make your emails an experience, not a sales pitch.

The Art of the Follow-Up

Not every guest book on the first email. That’s why follow-ups matter. But here’s the catch: don't just repeat your offer. Add value instead.

Example: A Toronto hotel sends a second email three days after a guest shows interest. Instead of “Still Thinking About It?”, they say, “John, Here’s a Local’s Guide to Toronto – Just for You!” with free travel tips.

✅ Industry Best Practice: Space out follow-ups at 3, 7, and 14 days post-initial email for maximum impact.

Use Stunning Visuals

Emails with eye-catching images and videos get 94% more engagement than text-heavy ones. Show off your hotel's stunning views if it has any!

📸 As an example, a hotel in Niagara Falls increased bookings by 40% by using a drone-shot video in their email campaign instead of text-based mailings.

✅ Hospitality Email Marketing Tip: Keep your visuals under 1MB for fast loading on mobile.

Reviews & Social Proof: Let Happy Guests Do the Talking

People trust other travelers more than ads. Include guest reviews, TripAdvisor ratings, or social media shoutouts in your emails.

Quote: “I booked this resort after seeing a review in their email, and it was the best vacation ever!” – A happy guest.

✅ Canada Email Campaigns Tip: Add a “Guest of the Month” feature to your emails with real stories.

Conclusion

If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: hospitality email marketing is not about selling rooms it’s about creating experiences. By following these industry best practices, you can make your Canada email campaigns stand out in an inbox full of noise.

But here’s the real question: Will AI-generated emails ever replace human creativity? 

FAQ

How often should I send hospitality emails?

Ideally, once a week or twice a month. Too frequent = spam, too rare = forgotten.

What’s the best tool for hospitality email marketing?

Mailchimp, HubSpot, and Constant Contact are great choices for Canada email campaigns.

How can I reduce email unsubscribes?

Offer value in every email! Include exclusive deals, local guides, and personalized recommendations.

What’s the #1 mistake in hospitality email marketing?

Generic, impersonal emails. Guests expect VIP treatment, even in their inbox!

Are automated emails effective? 

Yes, when personalized correctly.