How to Run Facebook Ads for Hospitality & Travel

Over 60% of travelers use social media for trip inspiration before booking anything. That means every hotel, airline, and tour provider not using Facebook marketing is missing out on a massive wave of decision-making moments.

Whether you're promoting a boutique hotel, launching a new travel package, or trying to fill rooms during off-season, Facebook Travel Ads offer one of the best ways to meet travelers where they already are, scrolling through their feed.

But running successful Facebook ads in the travel or hospitality industry isn't as simple as boosting a photo of your pool. You need a campaign that speaks to travelers’ real motivations, aligns with their booking behaviors, and delivers the right message at the right time in their journey.

Here’s what we’ll walk you through:

• How to choose the best ad formats for different parts of the travel funnel

• How to use Trip Consideration to attract new interest early in the planning stage

• How to pair Meta Pixel tracking with your hotel data feed for smarter retargeting

• And how to use AI tools like Averi to launch high-performing campaigns in days, not months

These are the key elements to ensure your Facebook hotel ads or travel-related advertisements lead to real bookings, not just likes:

• Ads that move with the funnel
  Whether it's Promoted Posts or Dynamic Creative, Facebook Travel Ads let you meet users at every stage of their journey, from dreaming to booking.

• Content that inspires action
  Photos of sunsets are nice. But travelers want to imagine themselves there. Great creative shows the experience, highlights your hotel room categories or amenities, and makes it irresistible to click.

• Retargeting is your best friend
  Most travelers won’t book on their first visit. With Facebook Pixel and retargeting tools like Discovery Commerce, you can stay top of mind and re-engage users who showed interest but didn’t convert.

• Your Facebook Page is your storefront
  Before they book, many users will explore your business pages, scroll through reviews, and message you with questions. Make sure your Facebook Business Page is optimized, active, and trustworthy.

In this article, we’ll guide you through 8 clear steps to build, manage, and optimize high-performing Facebook ad campaigns that drive travel bookings and hospitality revenue, whether you're a local gem or a global chain.

Why Travel and Hospitality Brands Need a Different Playbook for Facebook Ads

Running Facebook Ads in the hospitality and travel industry isn’t like selling clothing or consumer tech. You’re not promoting a gadget, you’re offering an experience, a feeling, and the promise of escape.

Your marketing strategy needs to go beyond pricing and promos. It needs to ignite wanderlust, build trust, and remove every barrier between the scroll and the booking confirmation.

You’re not just filling hotel rooms. You’re helping people plan memories.

Here’s what makes Facebook advertising for travel and hospitality unique:

You're selling the journey, not the destination.
Travelers want to see and feel what it’s like to stay with you. Photos, video, and Promoted Posts that capture atmosphere and emotion outperform standard sales messaging every time.

Timing is everything.
Someone browsing today might not book for weeks. That’s where tools like Trip Consideration and Meta Pixel tracking come in, to reach travelers when they’re still dreaming, and stay with them as they move down the conversion funnel.

Your guests expect answers fast.
Facebook Messenger isn’t just a chat box; it’s a key customer service touchpoint. Quick replies, automated responses, and Messenger-driven campaigns can drive higher engagement and faster bookings.

Every pixel should work together.
From your Facebook profile to your ads to your revenue management system, every piece of your digital presence should sync. That means integrating your hotel data feed, tracking with Facebook Pixel, and retargeting through Discovery Commerce.

You're competing with the world.
Travel-related advertisements aren’t just local. Your content needs to stand out globally. A strong Facebook Page with relevant local community groups, reviews, and consistent branding helps set you apart in a crowded marketplace.

Step 1: Set Clear Goals Before You Spend a Dollar

Know exactly what you’re asking travelers to do

Before opening Facebook Ads Manager, take a step back and define what success looks like for your campaign. Are you trying to get bookings? Build brand awareness? Fill mid-week vacancies? Drive event attendance?

Each goal will change how you structure your Facebook ads and which ad formats you choose. For example:

• If you're driving last-minute bookings, use a Promoted Post with a clear call-to-action and hotel room availability.

• Want to build your email list for seasonal travel deals? Lead ads with Facebook Messenger integrations can help capture contacts quickly.

• If you're launching a new property or experience, a carousel ad showing each amenity can introduce your brand in a visual, swipe-friendly way.

The more specific your goal, the easier it is to optimize your campaign, and to know when it’s actually working.

Pro-Tip: Need help translating business goals into ad campaign structure? Meta's Blueprint Library has free guides and templates to get you started.

Step 2: Polish Your Facebook Business Page

First impressions matter, even on mobile

Before running any ads, your Facebook Business Page needs to look professional. This is your brand's home on Facebook. Many travelers will click through to check out your page before visiting your website or making a booking.

Make sure:

• Your Facebook profile image and cover photo reflect your brand, location, or vibe.

• The “About” section includes up-to-date contact info, booking links, and location details.

• You're regularly posting engaging content, even just weekly Promoted Posts, to keep your page active and relevant.

• Messenger is turned on and responses are timely, since travelers often ask questions before booking.

Remember: travelers are not just booking a place to stay. They’re evaluating trust and credibility. A stale or incomplete business page is a missed opportunity.

Pro-Tip: Want to see how your page stacks up? Use Facebook’s Page Quality to identify areas for improvement.

Step 3: Set Up Meta Pixel to Track and Retarget

Data powers everything in your conversion funnel

To get real results from Facebook Ads, you need data. That’s where the Meta Pixel comes in. It's a simple code you install on your website to track visitor behavior and help you optimize performance.

Here’s why the Meta Pixel is essential:

1. Track user actions.
   Know who’s visiting your booking page, which packages they view, and how far they go in the checkout process.

2. Build smarter audiences.
   With Meta Pixel tracking, you can create Custom Audiences and Lookalikes to find more travelers like your recent guests.

3. Use powerful retargeting tools.
   Remind people who viewed a hotel room but didn’t book. Retargeting can drive some of the highest ROI in your conversion funnel.

4. Feed better data into your ad optimization.
   Facebook’s delivery system improves the more you use it. Without the Facebook Pixel, you’re running blind.

Still not sure if it's installed correctly? That’s common!

Pro-Tip: Use Meta’s Events Manager to double-check your Pixel setup and test it in real-time.

Step 4: Use Trip Consideration to Catch Travelers Early

Help your destination show up before they even know what they want

Trip Consideration is one of Facebook’s most powerful yet underused tools in travel advertising.

Instead of targeting people who already know your brand, it targets people who are thinking about taking a trip, but haven’t decided where to go yet.

Here’s how it helps you stand out:

• Facebook Travel Ads tap into traveler behavior and show your offering during the inspiration phase.
  
  
  

• You can show Facebook display ads to users who have visited travel websites or interacted with travel-related advertisements.
  
  
  

• The algorithm prioritizes your brand among high-intent users looking for ideas, not just destinations.

Pair this with visual-first ad formats like video, slideshow, or dynamic carousel ads that showcase rooms, amenities, or activities.

Pro-Tip: Learn more about setting up Trip Consideration in Meta’s Travel Ads Guide.

Step 5: Match Creative to the Right Ad Format

Don’t let a great ad die in the wrong layout

The best Facebook Ads don’t just look good, they’re built for performance. That means using ad formats that complement your creative, fit your funnel, and work across devices.

Let’s compare your options:

When to Use Dynamic Creative

• You want to test multiple headlines, images, and CTAs at once

• Your marketing campaigns need to scale fast without manual tweaks

• You’re trying to let Facebook’s algorithm find the best combo
  
  
  

When to Choose a Manual Format

• You have a specific visual concept and want full control

• Your offer is time-sensitive and needs focused messaging

• You’re targeting a niche audience that responds to tailored copy

Whichever direction you go, make sure the visual sells the experience, not just the deal. Travelers don’t book based on room dimensions. They book based on how it feels to be there.

Pro-Tip: Try combining Dynamic Creative with Discovery Commerce to tailor ads based on user behavior and booking intent automatically. 

Step 6: Turn Engagement into Bookings with Event-Based Ads

Use urgency and interaction to drive real conversions

The problem:
You’re running great content, but people are liking and commenting without booking. Engagement is nice, but it doesn’t move your revenue needle.

The solution:
Use the Facebook Event Manager to build high-intent, time-bound events, like a holiday package, summer promotion, or flash deal, and push it with Promoted Posts and targeted messaging.

Here’s how to make it work:

• Pair your event with Facebook Messenger to answer questions in real-time and convert warm leads.
  
  
  

• Use Messenger prompts like “Book Now” or “Get Offer” to reduce friction in your ad campaign.
  
  
  

• Build urgency with countdowns or capacity limits, and make sure it’s mobile-friendly.
  
  
  

• Target local community groups or lookalike audiences who’ve interacted with your conversion funnel before.
  
  
  

Events aren’t just for live music or brunch specials. They’re powerful sales drivers when used strategically in travel marketing.

Pro-Tip: Create Messenger bots using Meta’s chatbot builder to help answer FAQs automatically and close bookings faster.

Step 7: Sync Your Ads with Your Booking and Pricing Data

Let your backend power your frontend

To really scale your Facebook advertising, your creative should reflect real-time availability, pricing, and guest interest. That’s where automation comes in.

✅ Connect your Facebook Pixel to your website
Track which rooms get the most attention, which pages lead to drop-off, and which guests are most likely to convert.

✅ Integrate your hotel data feed
Feed dynamic content, such as pricing, room availability, or seasonal promotions, directly into your ads.

✅ Pull from your revenue management system
Use your revenue analytics to target specific room types or dates that need a push. Got midweek dips? Run campaigns that highlight discounted hotel room categories.

✅ Close the loop on performance
When your ads sync with your inventory, pricing, and demand data, you’re not just guessing; you’re executing based on facts.

Pro-Tip: Learn how to set up dynamic product ads for hotels using Meta’s Travel Catalog guide.

Step 8: Use AI to Launch Faster, Smarter, and with Less Guesswork

The best ads aren't built alone anymore

Even the most seasoned travel marketers can get stuck, on messaging, design, or how to turn an idea into a high-performing ad campaign. That’s where AI tools come in. They help you move faster, test more, and launch better marketing campaigns without burning out your team.

Here are a few tools worth trying:

1. Averi
The go-to for travel brands that want to go from strategy to execution in under a week. Averi combines AI with expert marketers to help you run smarter Facebook Travel Ads, create visuals, optimize targeting, and build full-funnel creative. Whether you need help with copy, audiences, or campaign setup, it delivers.

2. Canva’s Magic Design
A fast way to create social-ready assets from photos or text prompts. Perfect for ad visuals that need to stay on-brand but look fresh.

3. Manychat
Use this to build automated Facebook Messenger flows for booking, customer service, or sending offers. Great for turning ad clicks into real conversations.

4. Smartly.io
Best for teams managing lots of ad sets across markets. Automates creative testing and performance scaling.

AI doesn’t replace your strategy. It simply makes execution easier, especially in an industry where timing and visuals are most crucial.

Pro-Tip: Start with just one campaign, then use tools like Averi to scale what works. Learn how Averi helps you launch faster.

Common Facebook Ad Mistakes Travel Brands Make

Even with the right strategy and tools, it’s easy to fall into traps that limit your campaign’s performance. Here are five frequent mistakes and how to avoid them.

• Focusing only on clicks
  A high click-through rate might look good, but if it doesn’t lead to bookings or email captures, it’s just vanity. Ensure your campaigns are aligned with a specific goal in the conversion funnel, whether it’s room nights, sign-ups, or revenue.

• Linking to a slow or cluttered booking page
  If your site isn’t mobile-optimized or loads slowly, you’ll lose travelers before they convert. Ensure the experience from ad to checkout is seamless, especially for mobile users. Test your Facebook Pixel to track where drop-offs happen.

• Neglecting Facebook Messenger follow-ups
  Some travelers will ask questions before booking, and they’ll do it on Facebook Messenger. Ignoring these messages or delaying replies can result in real revenue loss. Set up auto-replies or utilize chatbot tools to maintain responsiveness.

• Recycling the same creative too often
  Even the best Promoted Posts get stale if repeated too much. Switch up your visuals, rotate between different hotel room categories, and refresh headlines every few weeks to avoid ad fatigue.

• Not retargeting based on intent
  If someone visits your booking engine or engages with your Facebook Travel Ads, don’t let them disappear. Utilize retargeting tools and Discovery Commerce to deliver timely, personalized offers that encourage them to book.

How Averi Helps You Run Smarter Facebook Ads for Travel

A stunning view and a great package deal are only half the equation. Turning them into bookings? That’s where Averi comes in.

We combine AI-powered tools with expert support to help travel and hospitality brands run Facebook Ads that drive results. From building custom audiences to generating high-converting creative to tracking performance across the conversion funnel, Averi simplifies every step, without sacrificing strategy.

You don’t need an in-house digital team to launch effective campaigns. You need a platform that does the heavy lifting:

• Smart automation that targets the right travelers at the right time

• Creative recommendations that match your property, voice, and goals

• Real-time insights that turn clicks into confirmed bookings
  
  
  

It’s like having a full-service ads team, minus the guesswork, delays, or overhead. With Averi, your message reaches the right guests, your budget stretches further, and your rooms stay filled, on and off season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best ad format for travel brands on Facebook?

It depends on your campaign goals. Facebook Travel Ads using carousel or video formats work great for showcasing destinations or hotel amenities. Dynamic Creative is ideal if you want to test multiple visuals and copy combinations without creating dozens of separate ads.

Do I really need the Meta Pixel?

Yes. The Meta Pixel (also called Facebook Pixel) is essential for tracking website behavior, building retargeting audiences, and improving ad delivery. Without it, you’re running ads with no insight into what’s working.

How can I compete with bigger travel brands?

Focus on what makes you unique, location, guest experience, and personal service, and use Facebook’s targeting advertising options to zero in on your ideal traveler. Tools like Trip Consideration and Discovery Commerce can help you reach high-intent users before your competitors do.

What kind of content performs best?

Authentic, aspirational content wins. Use real guest photos, quick videos, or virtual tours over stock photos. Highlight hotel room categories, experiences, and exclusive offers. Think beyond promos, great content marketing builds trust.

Can I run effective ads on a small budget?

Absolutely. Even $10–20 a day can drive real bookings if you optimize correctly. The key is to track performance, refine targeting, and stay consistent. Tools like Facebook Ads Manager and Averi help stretch your spend further.

How do I make the most of Facebook Messenger?

Use Facebook Messenger to answer booking questions, send offers, or follow up with people who clicked on your ads. Setting up automated responses or integrating with chat tools makes it easy to stay responsive without being online 24/7.

What’s Averi and how does it help?

Averi is an AI-powered platform that helps hospitality brands launch smarter, faster Facebook marketing campaigns. From creative to strategy to tracking, Averi handles the heavy lifting so you don’t need a full digital team.

Ready to Stop Planning and Start Booking?

Most travel brands don’t struggle with a lack of ideas. They struggle with slow execution.

While others are stuck debating ad formats and copy tweaks, you could be launching campaigns, testing offers, and filling rooms, all within days, not months.

Get Started in 3 Steps:
Book a 15-Minute Demo - See how Averi’s AI-powered platform works specifically for your hospitality business
Connect with Expert Talent - Get matched with marketers who’ve scaled travel and hotel campaigns before
Ship Your First Campaign - Go from concept to execution in under a week

Don't spend another month waiting on creative or rebuilding the same ads.
Let your next booking campaign launch itself.

Launch Faster with Averi →

“Averi helped us go live with a full campaign in less than a week. We were seeing bookings before our competitors had even launched their ads.” - Jenna Reyes, Director of Guest Experience