McLean, VA – The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and Curacity have jointly released a comprehensive white paper on the importance of upper-funnel marketing in the hospitality industry. The white paper, titled, From Last-Click to First Look: A Commercial Strategy Makeover Story for Upper Funnel Marketing, marks a pivotal shift in the industry’s approach to brand awareness, offering a roadmap for long-term growth and profitability.

After years of prioritizing last-click attribution, the hospitality sector is beginning to recognize the critical role of upper-funnel marketing strategies in driving brand awareness and customer engagement. Citing insightful interviews with HSMAI members and compelling Curacity case studies, the white paper explores the value of engaging customers from the moment they start dreaming of travel – and ways for commercial strategy professionals to turn their efforts into incremental bookings and revenue.

Staying at the forefront of technology and the importance of a unified commercial strategy has never been more evident. HSMAI is committed to supporting our members in navigating these advancements, leveraging innovative tools like those offered by Curacity to enhance guest acquisition and optimize marketing efforts. Juli Jones, senior vice president at HSMAI
In our relentless pursuit to help hotels unlock new revenue streams through upper funnel marketing, we’re thrilled to partner with HSMAI to illuminate the ways that hoteliers can earn measurable results and thrive in increasingly competitive landscapes. Hotels can no longer afford a siloed approach between revenue management and marketing, and no one knows this better than HSMAI, which evolved its ROC and Marketing Strategy conferences to one Commercial Strategy Conference last year to reflect the industry’s long overdue convergence of these practices. Nick Slavin, CEO and co-founder of Curacity

As the hospitality industry continues to evolve in a digital-first world, the integration of upper-funnel marketing into a unified commercial strategy is no longer optional—it's essential. The insights provided in this white paper offer a roadmap for hospitality professionals to bridge the gap between brand-building efforts and measurable sales outcomes. By embracing these strategies, industry leaders can not only enhance guest acquisition but also secure a competitive edge in an increasingly crowded market. As HSMAI and Curacity continue to lead the conversation, this white paper serves as a crucial resource for those looking to innovate and drive long-term success in hospitality.

The full research paper is available here. For more information on HSMAI and its initiatives, please visit americas.hsmai.org.

About Curacity

Curacity is a marketing platform for hospitality brands. Powered by its proprietary attribution technology, Curacity drives new demand and generates incremental revenue for hotels, resorts, and cruises. It uniquely leverages earned media content distributed across its network of media brands such as AFAR, Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, Forbes, and Travel + Leisure. Headquartered in New York and Stamford, CT, Curacity launched in 2015. The company is listed among the top 20 in travel and hospitality on the Inc. 5000 list and is Digiday’s Best Content Marketing Platform of 2024. Learn more at curacity.com.

About HSMAI

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Marketing Strategy Conference, Adrian Awards, Sales Leader Forum, and HSMAI ROC. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org.