Travelers don’t just book trips, they look for experiences.
And in today’s digital world, the best way to inspire them is through video.
From breathtaking destinations to unforgettable stays, hospitality and tourism videos help brands bring their stories to life. They show the warmth of your staff, the beauty of your spaces, and the emotions guests feel when they’re there. In short, they turn curiosity into action.
People trust what they can see.
According to TicketingHub, 64% of travelers say that watching a video influenced their decision to book a trip. For hospitality and tourism brands, that means travel videos aren’t just a creative option, they’re an essential part of how travelers choose where to go next.
In this guide, we’ll dive into why hospitality and tourism videos are critical for the industry, the best types of videos to use, and key strategies to get the most out of your content.
Why Video Is Essential for the Hospitality and Tourism Industry
When travelers plan their next trip, video is what inspires them most.
According to Google’s Travel Trends Report, 65% of travelers watch videos while considering where to go. Travel videos bring destinations to life and help travelers picture themselves in the experience.
Unlike photos or brochures, hospitality videos create an emotional connection. They let people explore your hotel, meet your team, and imagine the stay before they arrive. That trust often turns into action.
For tourism marketers, video is more than storytelling, it’s strategy. It drives engagement, increases conversions, and delivers measurable ROI. Tourism videos show value, build credibility, and turn inspiration into bookings.
Inspires Travel
Every great trip starts with inspiration, and travel videos spark that moment.
For hotels, resorts, and tourism boards, video is more than visuals. It’s a way to influence travelers before they decide. A powerful clip can move someone from “maybe someday” to “I’m booking now.”
When people see authentic moments, like a family laughing poolside or a guest watching the sunrise, they imagine themselves there. That emotional pull leads to clicks, longer watch times, and more bookings.
Video builds emotional connection that inspires travel decisions, and helps your brand stand out in a competitive market.
Builds Brand Awareness and Authority
Your brand is more than a logo, it’s the feeling people associate with you. Hospitality videos help shape that feeling by highlighting your values, people, and experiences.
Well-produced videos build recognition and trust. A chef sharing local ingredients or a resort showing its sustainability practices gives your brand authenticity and authority.
See how we help businesses create videos that inspire trust and recognition on our Corporate Video Production page.
Drives Bookings
The goal of every travel video is simple: turn viewers into guests.
According to Expedia Group Media Solutions, travelers who engage deeply with destination content tend to stay longer and spend more during their trips. High-quality travel videos help you reach those high-value guests by showing experiences they can picture themselves enjoying, making the decision to book easier and faster.
Pair each video with a clear CTA like “Book Now” or “Plan Your Stay.” Track engagement metrics such as watch time and click-through rate to measure results and refine your strategy.
When travelers can picture themselves in your destination, booking becomes the next natural step.
Add a clear call-to-action (CTA) at the end of your videos, like “Book Now,” “Plan Your Stay,” or “Contact Us for More Info.”
Showcases Unique Experiences
In a competitive industry, hospitality videos help you stand out.
Show what makes your property special, the energy of local culture, your staff’s warmth, or the quiet luxury of a beach dinner. Short, story-driven videos perform well on social platforms where attention is limited but impact is huge.
Our Case Studies show how brands use video storytelling to capture attention and drive results.
Creates Emotional Connections
Travel decisions come from emotion. People want to see themselves in the experience, and tourism videos make that possible.
Authentic storytelling builds trust and loyalty. Real people, natural interactions, and genuine emotion help travelers connect with your brand long before they arrive.
When done right, hospitality videos turn casual viewers into long-term guests and advocates.
Include real people in your videos- capture authentic moments from happy guests, welcoming staff, and even locals. Faces foster connection and make the experience feel more personal.
Boosts SEO and Online Visibility
Videos don’t just inspire travelers, they help them find you.
Websites using video can see a 157% boost in search traffic, and 82% of marketers say video increases web traffic overall.
On platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, travel videos and tourism videos attract new audiences daily. Optimize titles, captions, and metadata with relevant keywords, and use branded thumbnails for recognition.
Optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags with keywords travelers are searching for, like “romantic getaway in Napa” or “best family-friendly resorts.”
Best Types of Hospitality and Tourism Videos
Not every video serves the same purpose. Some inspire travelers to visit, others help them make a decision. The right mix of travel videos can capture attention, build trust, and drive real bookings.
1. Destination Highlight Videos
These short, cinematic clips showcase the beauty, energy, and personality of your location. Think sweeping aerial shots, local culture, and moments that make your destination memorable.
They work because people want to feel the place before they arrive. Tourism videos like these help them imagine the experience and start planning the trip.
Pro Tip: Use a mix of scenic footage and real people enjoying the space to create a natural, immersive feel.
2. Guest Testimonial Videos
Nothing builds trust like hearing from real guests. Testimonials give future travelers proof that your promises match reality.
Authentic, short, and story-driven hospitality videos show what your service feels like, from check-in to that final goodbye. They turn happy guests into your most persuasive marketers.
Pro Tip: Focus on moments that show emotion and satisfaction, not scripts or talking heads.
3. Informational Videos
These videos explain what you do, how you do it, or what visitors can expect. They’re great for answering common questions and setting clear expectations before arrival.
Travel videos like these help remove uncertainty and build confidence. Use them on your website, booking page, or welcome emails to simplify decisions.
Pro Tip: Use animation or light motion graphics to make details like booking steps or itineraries, simple and engaging.
4. Virtual Tours
A virtual tour gives travelers a first look at your property or attraction before they step inside. It helps them visualize the experience and see exactly what to expect.
These hospitality videos work best for hotels, event venues, and restaurants that want to reduce hesitation and increase confidence.
Pro Tip: Try 360° video or drone footage to create a more interactive and memorable viewing experience.
5. About Us Videos
Your brand story is what sets you apart. “About Us” videos let travelers connect with your people, your values, and your purpose.
Show the faces behind the experience of your team, local partners, and community efforts. Tourism videos that focus on real people create deeper trust and loyalty.
Pro Tip: Keep it personal. A short, heartfelt story will always resonate more than a corporate overview.
6. Seasonal or Event Promotions
These quick, high-energy videos create excitement around holidays, events, or special offers. They tap into urgency and make travelers act fast.
They’re ideal for social media and email campaigns where you want to build buzz and drive immediate bookings.
Pro Tip: Pair bold visuals with festive music and end with a clear, time-sensitive call to action.
7. Experience Videos
Experience videos are all about emotion. They show travelers enjoying the adventure, comfort, or relaxation your brand delivers.
From spa days and city tours to rooftop dinners, these travel videos help viewers picture themselves there, and inspire them to book.
Pro Tip: End with a clickable booking link or contact CTA so inspiration becomes action.
Each type of hospitality video plays a role in your marketing strategy. Together, they build awareness, trust, and momentum that turns interest into bookings.
Best Practices for Hospitality and Tourism Videos
1. Keep It Authentic
Audiences recognize when something feels staged. The strongest tourism videos show real moments, happy guests, genuine staff interactions, and natural emotion. Authenticity makes your brand relatable and helps travelers picture themselves in the story.
2. Prioritize Quality
High-quality video reflects a high-quality experience. Professional production ensures clear visuals, great sound, and pacing that keeps viewers watching. A polished video says your brand values every detail as much as your guests do.
3. Optimize for Mobile
According to several travel industry reports, 85% of travelers book activities via mobile devices, and they spend 50% more than those who book tours and activities elsewhere. Format videos for vertical viewing, use captions for sound-off audiences, and make sure files load quickly. Shorter, fast-moving clips perform best on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
4. Be Data-Driven
Every view tells you something. Track engagement, watch time, and click-through rates to see what resonates. Testing different styles and formats helps you refine your approach and boost ROI with each new hospitality video you produce.
5. Stay Consistent
Consistency builds trust. Keep your brand colors, logo animations, and tone aligned across all your tourism videos. A cohesive visual identity makes your content instantly recognizable, and strengthens your brand’s presence over time.
Let Video Tell Your Story
Hospitality marketing isn’t just about showing where travelers can go, it’s about helping them imagine what it feels like to be there.
Travel videos make that connection possible. When guests can see your destination, feel your brand’s personality, and picture themselves in the story, they’re much more likely to take action.
For hotels, resorts, and tourism brands, video isn’t just creative content, it’s a measurable growth tool. Every second of footage can build trust, inspire emotion, and drive bookings.
At Levitate Media, we partner with hospitality and tourism businesses of all sizes, from boutique hotels to global brands to produce videos that inspire and convert.
Partner with a team that understands both storytelling and ROI. Let’s create videos that inspire travelers, and make your brand the one they remember.
FAQs
Why are travel videos important in tourism marketing?
Travel videos help travelers picture themselves in the experience. They build excitement, trust, and emotional connection, all of which influence travel decisions and drive bookings.
What makes a hospitality video effective?
The best hospitality videos focus on authenticity and clarity. They highlight real experiences, use strong visuals, and tell a story that reflects the brand’s personality. For production tips, visit our video marketing insights.
How can videos help increase hotel bookings?
Videos let guests see the experience before they buy, helping them feel confident in their choice. Hotels that use high-quality visuals and guest stories often see higher engagement and stronger conversion rates. Explore our case studies for examples.
Where should hospitality and tourism brands share their videos?
YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok perform best for travel and tourism content. Embedding videos on your website and Google Business Profile also improves visibility and helps travelers discover your brand organically.
How can businesses get started with professional travel videos?
Start with a clear goal, brand awareness, engagement, or bookings, then plan your content around that objective. A professional video partner can help refine your story and produce visuals that resonate with your audience. Learn more about our video production services.
Ready to create videos that move your audience and grow your business? Get in touch with Levitate Media to start your next project today.
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