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Discover how hotels, restaurants, and leisure providers achieve extraordinary results with Direct Mail. Real numbers, real success – from guest retention to new customer acquisition.
6 documented case studies show how hotels, restaurants, and leisure providers achieve extraordinary results with Direct Mail
The franchise chain wanted to increase revenue at individual locations while boosting app usage – digital channels alone weren't enough.
Localized mailings with personalized coupons to households within 10 minutes' drive time, combined with app download incentive.
Coupon revenue tripled compared to digital campaigns. App sign-ups increased by 200% in target areas.
A 4-star boutique hotel was paying 18% commissions to online booking platforms and had a declining rebooking rate among regular guests.
Personalized post-stay letters with an exclusive 15% direct booking discount and handwritten thank-you card from the hotel manager.
Direct bookings increased by 32%, ROI of 1,000%. The return rate rose to 8.3% – three times the industry average.
A Mexican restaurant wanted to increase the reach of its promotions and achieve measurable results beyond social media.
1,100 personalized coupon mailings to nearby households with invitation to try new dishes and a limited welcome offer.
5.5% coupon redemption rate – well above the industry average. Each mailing generated an average of 13.6 additional digital impressions.
The Irish restaurant wanted to attract local customers, but digital advertising achieved low reach and conversion in the rural area.
Premium postcards with menu highlights and an exclusive first-visit discount, distributed to households within a 15 km radius.
Direct Mail proved more effective than all digital channels combined. The in-store to online conversion increased significantly.
The New York restaurant in a highly competitive market needed a cost-effective way to attract new guests daily.
Weekly postcard distribution to surrounding office buildings and residential buildings with daily specials and a first-visit offer.
3-5 new customers per day directly from mailings. A single mailing generated $4,000 in revenue at costs under $500.
The resort wanted to increase occupancy during the off-season and generate more leads for weddings and events.
Seasonal premium mailings to former guests and wedding planners in the area with exclusive package offers and virtual tour via QR code.
Significant revenue increase in the off-season. Event inquiries doubled compared to the previous year.
These proven strategies maximize the success of your Direct Mail campaigns in hospitality & gastronomy
Focus on households in the direct catchment area. Mailings to recipients within 5-10 minutes' drive time achieve the best response rates.
Vouchers and discount codes with clear added value massively increase the redemption rate. Exclusive direct booking discounts sustainably reduce platform fees.
Professional food photography and atmospheric hotel images significantly increase the response rate. Show the experience, not just the product.
Distinguish between new customers, regular guests, and lapsed customers. Personalized messaging based on the guest profile maximizes ROI.
Combine physical mailings with QR codes for online reservations, app downloads, or virtual tours for maximum impact.
Send seasonal campaigns 6-8 weeks before peak season. Post-stay mailings within 2 weeks maximize the return rate.
Start your first Direct Mail campaign now and experience the difference.
How a 4-star hotel increased its direct bookings by 37% with a 3-stage letter strategy and massively reduced platform fees
Geo-targeting and audience segmentation
4 seasonal campaigns per year
Exclusive benefits for direct bookers
Through the established post-stay system, every guest automatically receives a personalized thank-you letter. The 4 seasonal campaigns run annually and are continuously optimized. Platform dependency decreased from 78% to under 60%.
The most effective Direct Mail strategies for hotels, restaurants, and leisure providers
Announcing new locations or renovations with an invitation to the grand opening. Send 2-3 weeks before opening to households in the catchment area.
Personalized regular guest mailings with exclusive benefits. Birthday cards achieve 32% redemption rate. Loyalty bonuses increase return visits by 9-12%.
Seasonal package deals, holiday specials, and event invitations. Send 6-8 weeks before the season for maximum booking lead time.
Welcome mailings to newly relocated households in the area. New neighbors are particularly receptive to local gastronomy and leisure offers.
Targeted mailings to companies and event planners for conferences, weddings, and corporate events. Premium brochures with venue photos and package prices.
Design your hospitality mailings so they get opened, read, and converted into bookings
Oversized formats (150x210mm+) and striking colors ensure your mailing stands out from the mailbox and is opened immediately.
Professional food photography and atmospheric hotel/spa images evoke emotions and significantly increase booking readiness.
Guide the reader's eye: headline, key visual, offer, call-to-action. A clear structure increases comprehension and response rates.
Large, clear fonts and sufficient white space ensure comfortable reading. Short paragraphs and bullet points increase time spent.
Premium paper, embossing, soft-touch coating, or textured surfaces create a luxurious brand experience directly in the guest's hands.
QR codes to virtual tours, online reservations, or menus connect print with digital and enable immediate action.
The right words make the difference between a read and an ignored mailing
Tell stories that build anticipation. Describe the experience, not just the offer – aromas, atmosphere, unforgettable moments.
Communicate the concrete benefit with numbers: 'Save 15%', 'Free spa access', 'Early bird upgrade'. Concrete values convince more than vague promises.
Use the guest's name, reference past stays, and tailor offers to individual preferences.
Limited offers ('Only 20 spots'), time limits ('Until March 31'), and exclusive benefits ('For regular guests only') accelerate decision-making.
A single, clear call-to-action: 'Book now at...', 'Scan QR code', 'Call us at...'. Too many options cause confusion.
Answers to the most important questions about Direct Mail for hospitality & gastronomy
For restaurants, we recommend oversized postcards (150x210mm) with premium food photography and a clear coupon offer. These achieve 8-12% response rates in local areas. Special formats like folding flyers with menu cards or coupon booklets achieve even +43% higher response rates than standard formats.
We recommend 4-6 campaigns per year, aligned with the seasons. Send seasonal offers 6-8 weeks before peak season, automated birthday cards year-round, and post-stay thank-you letters within 7-14 days. Mailing too frequently (more than monthly) reduces the response rate.
Use individual coupon codes, special phone numbers for reservations, and landing pages with UTM tracking. Compare the cost per mailing with generated revenue. Typical ROI values in gastronomy range from 700-1,500%. A restaurant with $500 in mailing costs can generate $4,000+ in revenue.
Use counter-cyclical campaigns: send off-season offers 8-10 weeks before quieter periods with attractive package prices. Hotels can increase off-season occupancy by 15-25 percentage points. Combine with events (culinary weeks, wellness specials) for additional incentives.
Regular customers respond most strongly (9-14% response), followed by the 40+ age group (+30% higher response than younger segments). Families with children respond particularly well to experience offers. Local households within 30 km are the sweet spot for restaurants with the highest redemption rates.
Start today with AutoLetter and discover why the most successful hotels and restaurants rely on physical mail.