Every hotel holds stories within its walls—whispers of the past, traces of milestones once celebrated and the quiet charm of days gone by. Whether your property was once a colonial barrack or a new building in a neighbourhood layered with generations of local communities, your property and its area's history is a powerful asset waiting to be shared.

Today's travellers crave more than just a place to rest—they seek connection, meaning and a sense of place. By thoughtfully weaving in touches of your hotel's past and the heritage of your surrounding area, you can turn an ordinary stay into something truly memorable. The best part? You don't need a massive budget or a full-time historian to make it happen.

Here are 10 inspired (and easy) ways to celebrate your hotel's history—and invite your guests to be part of its living story:

Celebrating Local History and Heritage

1 - Give Out Heritage Bingo or Scavenger Hunt Sheets for Families

Engage young travellers and their families by creating a fun and interactive way for them to explore the local area's history. A simple heritage bingo sheet or mini scavenger hunt can encourage kids to spot significant landmarks, historical features or unique aspects of the hotel and its surroundings.

Whether it’s a historic building, a piece of street art or a famous local statue, this activity provides families with a playful way to connect with the place they are visiting while learning something new. Additionally, it serves as a great keepsake for guests to remember their trip.

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Get Started: Create a bingo sheet or scavenger hunt featuring historical landmarks and fun facts about your hotel and nearby sites. Use clear clues or images to guide children, and offer small rewards like treats or souvenirs for completing the activity.

2 - Offer Self-Guided Heritage Trail

Invite your guests to embark on a journey through the rich history of your hotel’s neighborhood with a self-guided heritage trail. This allows visitors to explore at their own pace, uncovering significant landmarks, historical buildings and cultural gems nearby.

Armed with a simple map, guests can immerse themselves in local history and connect with the inspiring stories that have shaped the place they are visiting, transforming their stay into a relaxing yet meaningful experience.

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Get Started: To create the trail, highlight key historical sites around your hotel on a printed or digital map. Include brief descriptions or fun facts about each location to guide guests as they explore. Provide the map at check-in or through a mobile QR code for easy access.
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Pro-Tip: Use new simple to use custom map tools like PamPam to create beautiful and easy to update custom digital maps.

3 - Create a Mini Heritage Corner in the Lobby

Transform a small corner of your hotel’s lobby into a captivating mini heritage corner that invites guests to explore the rich tapestry of the neighbourhood's history and your hotel’s unique story. With thoughtfully curated displays of vintage photographs, artefacts or historical documents, this corner becomes a vibrant gateway to the past.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to ignite curiosity and immerse visitors in the legacy of the place they are staying, adding a unique and educational touch to their experience.

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Get Started: To create a mini heritage corner, choose key items that highlight your hotel’s history and local culture, such as old photographs, postcards or newspaper clippings. Display them in frames or shadow boxes, and include informative labels for context.

4 - Offer a Heritage Package with Walking Tours or Museum Passes

Elevate your guests’ experience with a heritage package that features guided walking tours or museum passes. Invite them to delve into the rich history of your hotel’s location. This package opens doors to conveniently planned access to local historical landmarks, museums and cultural sites, transforming their stay into an enriching educational adventure.

It's an excellent way to provide guests with pre-planned activities, enabling them to explore the area's history effortlessly while enjoying a seamless, stress-free experience with all details managed by your hotel.

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Get Started: Collaborate with local museums, historical societies or tour operators to offer guided tours and attraction passes. Bundle these with room rates or provide them as add-ons at check-in. Include details about tour routes, times and the cultural significance of the landmarks.

5 - Celebrate Your Building’s “Birthday” Every Year

Bring your hotel's history to life by celebrating its "birthday" every year. Whether it marks the anniversary of the building's opening or a significant event in its past, this special occasion is an excellent opportunity to share your property's story and engage with both new and returning guests.

From hosting a themed party to offering special promotions or historical exhibits, celebrating the building’s birthday adds a fun and memorable layer to the guest experience, highlighting your hotel’s rich heritage.

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Get Started: Identify the key dates in your hotel’s history, such as its grand opening or any significant events tied to the property. Plan a small annual celebration, like a cocktail reception, themed dinner or historical showcase in the lobby. You could also offer exclusive promotions, such as discounted rates or special packages, for guests who stay on the anniversary date.

6 - Share a Weekly #ThrowbackThursday Photo of Your Building or Neighbourhood

Connect with your audience and the local community by posting a #ThrowbackThursday photo on social media each week. Share vintage images of your hotel or the surrounding neighbourhood to highlight its history and transformation. This feature sparks nostalgia and encourages guests to learn more about the area’s rich past while showcasing your hotel’s heritage.

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Get Started: Gather historic photos of your hotel and neighborhood, including old building images and past events. Post one photo each Thursday on social media with a fun caption or historical fact. Encourage employees and followers to share their own memories related to the location to boost engagement and foster a sense of community.

7 - Use Tabletop Stands in the Café or Bar with “Did You Know” Facts

Add a fun educational twist to your café or bar by placing tabletop stands with rotating “Did You Know” facts about the hotel or local neighbourhood. This small addition not only piques guests' curiosity but also provides an entertaining way to share the area's history and hotel's unique stories while they enjoy their meals or drinks. It's a simple yet effective method to enrich the guest experience and keep them engaged with the local culture.

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Get Started: Create a list of interesting historical facts, anecdotes or little-known details about the hotel or surrounding area. Design small, eye-catching cards to display on tabletop stands, rotating them weekly to keep the information fresh and engaging.

8 - Rename a Drink or Dish After a Local Historical Figure or Event

Add a unique twist to your hotel’s menu by renaming a popular dish or drink after a notable local historical figure or event. This way, guests can learn about the local history in a fun and memorable way while enjoying a culinary experience that connects them to the past.

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Get Started: Research local historical figures or events that would appeal to your guests. Choose a popular dish or drink to creatively rename after one of these inspirations. Include a brief description on the menu and consider adding a short story on your website or in-room materials to enhance the historical connection.

9 - Appoint a Team Member as Your Go-To “Heritage Hero”

Designate a concierge or team member as your “Heritage Hero” to be the passionate expert on the hotel’s history and local heritage. This individual can share captivating stories about the property and recommend nearby attractions that celebrate the past.

Having a dedicated team member with extensive knowledge of the hotel's history and the neighbourhood's story ensures a personalised and enriching experience for guests who are interested in learning more about the area's past.

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Get Started: Select a passionate team member for history and customer service. Train them on your hotel’s history and local landmarks, providing talking points and anecdotes. Ensure they’re present at the front desk to offer personalised recommendations and engage with guests in an enjoyable, informative manner.

10 - Organise a Monthly Local Heritage Market

To bring local heritage to life, consider organising a monthly heritage market or showcase in your hotel’s lobby or courtyard. This event can feature local artisans, historical displays, traditional crafts and food, providing guests with an immersive experience of the region’s historical culture.

It’s a fantastic way to engage both hotel guests and the local community, creating a lively and educational atmosphere that celebrates the area’s rich traditions.

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Get Started: Connect with local artisans and food vendors who highlight the area's heritage. Organise a monthly event in a prominent space at your hotel, showcasing traditional arts or culinary specialties. Promote the event through your website and social media to attract guests and locals, creating a meaningful connection to the community's culture.

Embrace Your Heritage and Enrich the Guest Experience

Incorporating these ideas into your hotel’s offerings allows you to celebrate the history and culture of your property and the surrounding area in a way that resonates with your guests. Whether you highlight local culture or showcase your building’s legacy, these simple yet impactful initiatives create lasting memories for guests.

By embracing your heritage, you not only enrich their stay but also deepen their connection to the destination, making your hotel a truly unique and unforgettable place to visit.

Check out this article to discover other creative ways to make local culinary culture and food your hotel property's competitive advantage.

Savour the Stay: 10 Ways Hotels Can Celebrate Local Food Culture
Discover how hotels can go beyond dining to become true ambassadors of local food culture.
Piqolo PressWan Tsau

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