In today’s interconnected world, social media has completely altered the way we communicate and share our experiences. It has also become an effective tool for the travel and hospitality industries in maximizing hotel bookings and creating exciting summer adventures for their guests.

Research suggests 52% of travelers decide to visit a specific destination after seeing its images or videos on social media, making it a powerful tool for the travel industry. Whether you own a hotel, a vacation rental or a tour company, these platforms can help you reach a larger audience and grow your business over the summer. That said, this blog explores the world of social media, and how to increase summer bookings and give your customers an unforgettable experience through online platforms. Let’s get started –

 

  • Create and Share Engaging Content:
    Crafting compelling content is critical in today’s digital landscape, especially to capture and retain your audience’s attention for increased hotel bookings. Including different content formats such as photos, videos and user-generated content, can add variety and intrigue to your hospitality brand’s message.Why so? Photos and videos visually convey emotions and stories, whereas, user-generated content fosters authenticity and trust. Consider using high-quality visuals, vibrant colors and captivating storytelling techniques to create visually appealing and shareable content. Understanding your target audience’s preferences and interests will also help you tailor your content to resonate with them. Remember: powerful, captivating content leaves a lasting impression and drives genuine, meaningful engagement.

 

  • Build a Strong Brand Community:
    When it comes to cultivating strong relationships and increasing brand loyalty, building a loyal community of followers and customers goes a long way for hoteliers. Strategies like contests, giveaways and interactive posts encourage active participation, foster excitement and exclusivity among community members to increase hotel bookings.

    Here are some ideas that can help your hotel brand create a strong community:
    • Destination photo contests, where participants submit their travel photos for a chance to win a vacation package.
    • Interactive quizzes that test knowledge about different travel destinations.
    • Rewarding participants with discounts or exclusive travel tips, etc.

    Read this to learn about the top 5 hotel marketing tactics to attract digital nomads.

 

  • Leverage the Power of Influencer Marketing:
    Targeting desired audiences and increasing bookings becomes easier by leveraging the influence and reach of famous social media personalities, regardless of the industry. However, to successfully implement influencer marketing, identifying and collaborating with influencers whose messaging aligns with your brand values is a must.

    Always allow influencers the creative freedom to authentically showcase their experience at your hotel when executing influencer campaigns, as audiences nowadays prefer genuine content that resonates with them. Additionally, consider offering exclusive promotions or giveaways through influencers to incentivize their audience and generate more hotel bookings.

 

  • Run Social Media Ad Campaigns:
    Last but not least, sponsored posts allow hotels to directly showcase their offerings to their target audience, whereas, targeted ads enable precise audience segmentation based on demographics, interests and behavior. Conversion tracking and A/B testing can also provide valuable insights for refining ad strategies and driving higher conversions.

    In addition to that, retargeting campaigns are effective at re-engaging users who previously expressed interest in a hotel or visited its website. To maximize return on investment and optimize ad campaigns, it is critical to define clear campaign objectives, conduct thorough audience research, create compelling ad creatives and continuously monitor and analyze campaign performance. 

 

Summing It Up

If you want more hotel bookings this summer, don’t underestimate the power of social media—it can propel your business to new heights. With a proactive and creative social media presence, you can position your hotel as a top choice for travelers seeking unforgettable summer getaways.

 

About InnQuest:

At InnQuest, we understand the importance of the challenges faced by businesses in the hospitality industry. Our goal is not only to help manage your businesses more efficiently but also to provide ongoing support to engender growth and expansion. Book a demonstration of our award-winning hotel management software here.