South Africa's tourism industry has changed significantly. Guesthouses and lodges now compete not only with nearby properties but also with thousands of accommodation options that travelers can easily find online. The difference between a fully booked establishment...

The hospitality industry is changing. Today's travelers aren't just booking rooms - they're choosing values. Sustainable tourism marketing has evolved from a niche consideration to a defining factor in guest decision-making, particularly among eco-conscious travelers...

Social media has evolved far beyond a digital brochure for your guesthouse or lodge. In 2026, the platforms you use daily hold untapped potential to transform casual scrollers into confirmed guests. The challenge? Most accommodation owners in South Africa's tourism...

In South Africa's competitive hospitality industry, online reviews have become the digital handshake that precedes every booking. Travellers scrolling through TripAdvisor, Google My Business, or Booking.com aren't just looking at your photos - they're reading what...

The global hospitality and tourism industry is at a point where technology is changing everything, and AI in hospitality is leading the way. It's changing how hotels and other places connect with their guests. In South Africa, the tourism industry - ranging from small...

Seasonal occupancy challenges keep many guesthouse owners awake at night. The familiar pattern repeats itself year after year: fully booked rooms during peak holiday periods, followed by stretches of empty beds during quieter months. This feast-or-famine cycle makes...

You've worked hard to make your guest house a cozy getaway, but 15-25% of every booking goes straight to OTA commission fees. Month after month, platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb profit from your property, your hospitality, and your reputation—while you're left...

Your website looks stunning. The photography is breathtaking. The design is elegant. Yet bookings remain disappointingly low. This scenario plays out across guest house website design projects throughout South Africa. Property owners invest thousands in beautiful...

Guest Houses are quickly becoming the accommodation of choice for travelers looking for economical establishments that provide a great experience. As Guest House owners you know, that there's a lot of hard work involved in ensuring that the establishment will meet the...

Running a guest house in Southern Africa comes with its own set of challenges in today's digital world. Independent accommodation providers have to compete against big hotel chains and the increasing power of online travel agencies. To stand out in this competitive...

In today's digital era, customer reviews are crucial, particularly for businesses in the hospitality sector. A strong Google presence can mean the difference between a fully booked guest house or wasteful vacancies. With travelers increasingly relying on online...

In the digital age, where every opinion counts and can travel far and wide, responding to online reviews is a powerful tool for businesses in the hospitality industry. Whether it's a simple thank you for positive remarks or addressing criticisms, how you engage with...

In today's digital age, social media isn't just a place to scroll; it's where travel dreams take flight. The travel industry, once reliant on brochures and travel agents, now thrives in online spaces where likes can transform into bookings. This shift offers limitless...

Social media has become an essential marketing tool for the hospitality industry in 2025. Hotels, lodges, and guest houses now get 73% of their direct bookings through social media channels. This shows a significant change in how travelers find and book their places...

The hospitality industry has always been about creating memorable experiences and personalised services, but the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the game. From guest services to targeted marketing, AI is transforming how hotels, guest farms, and...

At Tourism Marketing SA (TMSA), we are thrilled to celebrate the recent recognition of our client, The Beach Palace Ramsgate, as the Best Boutique Beach Hotel in South Africa and the entire Region at the International Golden Tree Travel Awards in Dubai. This...

Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes a fresh wave of opportunities to attract guests to your charming guest house. As nature awakens and flowers bloom, it's the perfect time to revitalise your marketing efforts and draw in visitors eager to enjoy a...

The Beach Palace Ramsgate has been nominated for the prestigious International Travel Awards. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional quality and outstanding performance of The Beach Palace Ramsgate in the hotels & resorts industry. The nomination...

As we transition into the winter months here in South Africa, we understand the challenges that come with maintaining optimal occupancy levels. However, fear not! With strategic online marketing efforts, you can attract guests even during the slower winter season....

As winter approaches, so does the challenge of maintaining healthy occupancy rates. While South Africa's winter months may bring cooler temperatures, they also offer unique opportunities to attract guests seeking cosy getaways and memorable experiences. In this...

After a bumper season, it's time to start looking at getting things going for 2024 and another awesome season to come! Applying the 2024 tourism trends to your guest house can significantly enhance the guest experience, increase bookings, and differentiate your...

Promoting your guest house during the winter months can be an effective way to attract guests and boost bookings. Here are some strategies to help you maximize your promotion efforts during this season: Highlight winter-themed activities Emphasise the unique...

In today’s rapidly evolving technology environment, it is important for hospitality businesses to understand the latest trends in artificial intelligence (AI) and understand the impact it can have on their operations and their guest experience. AI has the potential to...

Google Analytics is a powerful tool that can provide valuable insights into the performance of your accommodation website. Whether you are a small bed and breakfast or a large hotel chain, using Google Analytics can help you understand how your website is being used...

The pandemic has brought about a fundamental change in the way we work, and with remote work becoming more prevalent, companies are looking for innovative ways to attract and retain employees. According to Statista, 30% of employees currently work for companies that...

Things are starting to hot up in South Africa and we can’t wait for the long awaited season to finally kick off. But are you ready to receive guests and are you on top of things with your online marketing? If not, don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a...

South Africa - home to starry skies, wide open plains, pristine beaches and an endless amount of nature reserves, making it the perfect holiday destination. If you’re into camping and the outdoors, even better!! Whether you prefer disconnecting on the beach,...

As we’re all very much aware, most hotels and guesthouses struggle in the winter months. Less leisure travel happens locally as well as internationally and this leads to lower occupancy in general. Marketing at this time is now absolutely key to helping you get more...

In our last edition we looked at a few great, FREE ways to use Facebook to increase those all important and sought after direct bookings and to be honest, if those are the only steps you’re taking when it comes to your social media marketing, that is already a huge...

Some of us aren’t the biggest fans of Facebook or social media in general, but by this time, we’re all aware of the huge impact it can have on your hospitality business - be that a hotel, lodge, guest house or tour company. Social networking sites and apps have...

Let’s start with the basics, What is Google Hotels?  Simply put, it’s a “hotel metasearch engine” which forms part of the wider, general Google Search Engine.  It allows potential guests to search for, and book, accommodation online and establishments to...

Whether you’re starting your business from scratch, taking over an existing business or just looking to upgrade your current online marketing strategy ( there’s always room for improvement right? ), the following must have services and products are absolutely key to...

In 2021 your mobile website experience is absolutely critical to marketing success.  It’s been relevant for some time now, but the importance of it only continues to increase.   What is mobile site experience exactly, what does it mean for your website and...

So, what are the actual benefits of email marketing and should be using it?  The answer to that is absolutely YES!   We’ve put together a list of the benefits of email marketing and reasons why you should already be using it!  It’s Super Affordable...

As we’re all aware, technology changes fast, and website design trends are no different. Design elements and website features that were once modern and innovative, may have become tired and overdone in recent years. The last thing you want when visitors arrive at your...

With all of us struggling to get back on our feet after the nightmare we’re currently living through regarding all things tourism, 2021 is going to be a crucial year for us in terms of clever, cost effective marketing strategies if we want to survive. One of the best...

With South Africa’s tourism industry yet again receiving a massive blow, and establishments being forced to stay shut for leisure travel, it’s been very hard on us all to remain afloat and survive these unprecedented times. Even so, it remains ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL for...

Now that we as South Africans have been granted a little more freedom of movement and the Covid-19 pandemic seems to be more under control, there is a sudden demand for mini-breaks over weekends, and even mid-week, and just a general desire to get away from it all for...

During the course of the ongoing pandemic, there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of negative reviews accommodation establishments have been experiencing. This is due to some very pandemic-specific reasons at work. Firstly, travelers who are staying in...

With South Africa’s tourism industry yet again receiving a massive blow, and establishments being forced to stay shut for leisure travel, it’s been very hard on us all to remain afloat and survive these unprecedented times. Even so, it remains ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL for...

In the aftermath of the current Covid-19 pandemic, global tourism is bound to shift in a different direction. Travelers will be looking for experiences giving the most bang for their buck with minimum risk. Due to the disastrous effect the pandemic has had on the...

With South Africa’s strict lockdown rules being slightly alleviated, the tourism industry, and accommodation establishments, in particular, can now again start thinking about reopening their doors and the way forward. The first allowed out the gates are the business...

As we are all well aware, hotels, guest houses, tour companies and the like are experiencing substantial revenue losses due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and "normal life" as we know it is essentially over. The after-effects of this pandemic will linger on for at least two...

With the current Covid-19 pandemic on the loose and South Africa’s nationwide lockdown causing much uncertainty, we are all left feeling a little unsure of what the future may bring. The tourism and hospitality sector has been hit hardest of all with travel bans and...

Whilst we are settling into the quietness of lockdown, one space is buzzing with human interaction. People are turning to social media to connect with friends, family, and to stay in the loop. More than ever before. Although this provides a rather unique opportunity...

In these uncertain times, faced with a worldwide pandemic, the hospitality industry is feeling it most of all due to travel bans, lockdowns and an unprecedented sweep in booking cancellations. However, fear not! We are here to equip you with some handy tips on how to...

The travel and hospitality industry has been fundamentally changed by the increase in popularity of social channels. This has in turn completely changed the face of travel and tourism marketing. From the way that travelers are searching for potential destinations, the...

If you are a small property owner still not sure if investing in a modern website is the right thing to do, you will find the below information very informative and in all probability experience a rapid change of mind. There are loads of reasons why your accommodation...