Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, with billions of people around the world using various platforms to connect, communicate, and share content. Instagram and TikTok are two of the most popular social media platforms today, with over one billion and 800 million active users, respectively. For hotels, these platforms offer a unique opportunity to connect with potential guests and showcase their brand, services, and facilities in an engaging and creative way. In this article, we will explore 20 reasons every hotel should be on Instagram and TikTok and include relevant case studies to support each point.
Reach a larger audience:
Instagram and TikTok have millions of active users, which means that hotels can reach a larger audience by creating content on these platforms. According to Statista, Instagram has over 1 billion active users, while TikTok has 800 million active users.
Case study: The Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto has over 18,000 Instagram followers and 3,000 TikTok followers, which helps them reach a larger audience and attract more guests.
Showcase hotel facilities and services:
Using Instagram and TikTok helps hotels to showcase their facilities and services in a creative and engaging way. Hotels can share photos and videos of their rooms, restaurants, spas, and other amenities to give potential guests a taste of what they can expect.
Case study: The Ritz-Carlton in Bali uses Instagram to showcase their facilities and services, including their luxurious spa and infinity pool, which has helped them attract more guests.
Share guest experiences:
Hotels can use Instagram and TikTok to share guest experiences and testimonials, which can help build trust and credibility with potential guests. By sharing real-life stories and experiences, hotels can create an emotional connection with their audience.
Case study: The W Hotel in New York City shares guest experiences on Instagram, including photos and videos of their guests enjoying their facilities and services, which helps them build trust with potential guests.
Promote hotel events and promotions:
Instagram and TikTok can be used to promote hotel events and promotions, such as weddings, conferences, and special packages. By creating engaging and visually appealing content, hotels can attract more attendees and guests.
Case study: The Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills uses Instagram to promote their events and special packages, including their “Suite Life” package, which includes a luxurious suite, champagne, and more.
Increase brand awareness:
By creating a strong presence on Instagram and TikTok, hotels can increase brand awareness and recognition among potential guests. By sharing consistent and visually appealing content, hotels can build a strong brand identity.
Case study: The Ace Hotel in Los Angeles has over 100,000 Instagram followers and has created a strong brand identity by sharing unique and creative content that reflects their hip and artistic vibe.
Connect with influencers:
Instagram and TikTok are popular among influencers and content creators, who can help hotels reach a larger audience and attract more guests. By collaborating with influencers, hotels can tap into their audience and leverage their credibility and influence.
Case study: The SLS Hotel in Miami Beach has collaborated with influencers such as @Arielle and @TheBlondeAbroad to promote their hotel and increase brand awareness among their audience.
Show the human side of the hotel:
Instagram and TikTok can be used to showcase the human side of the hotel, including the staff and management. By sharing photos and videos of the people behind the scenes, hotels can create a more personal and relatable brand image.
Case study: The Mandarin Oriental in New York City uses Instagram to showcase their staff and management, including their chef, spa director, and general manager, which helps create a personal and approachable brand image.
Share local attractions and activities:
Hotels can use Instagram and TikTok to share local attractions and activities, such as museums, restaurants, and parks, which can help attract more guests who are interested in exploring the area. By sharing recommendations and insider tips, hotels can position themselves as experts on the local area.
Case study: The Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco uses Instagram to share recommendations and insider tips on local attractions and activities, such as the Golden Gate Park and the Ferry Building Marketplace, which helps attract more guests who want to explore the city.
Increase engagement and interaction:
Instagram and TikTok offer various features, such as polls, quizzes, and live videos, that can help increase engagement and interaction with potential guests. By creating interactive content, hotels can foster a sense of community and encourage guests to share their own experiences.
Case study: The Aman Tokyo uses Instagram to create interactive content, such as polls and quizzes, to engage with their audience and encourage them to share their own experiences at the hotel.
Highlight sustainability and social responsibility:
Instagram and TikTok can be used to showcase a hotel’s sustainability and social responsibility efforts, such as eco-friendly practices and community outreach programs. By highlighting these initiatives, hotels can attract guests who are interested in supporting socially responsible businesses.
Case study: The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge uses Instagram to showcase their sustainability efforts, such as their use of eco-friendly materials and their support for local farmers and artisans, which helps attract guests who are interested in eco-friendly travel.
Leverage user-generated content:
Instagram and TikTok are platforms where users can easily create and share their own content. Hotels can leverage user-generated content, such as guest photos and videos, to showcase their facilities and services and build trust with potential guests.
Case study: The Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada uses Instagram to showcase user-generated content, such as photos and videos of guests enjoying the hotel’s facilities and activities, which helps build trust with potential guests.
Foster brand loyalty:
By creating engaging and personalized content on Instagram and TikTok, hotels can foster brand loyalty among their guests. By staying top-of-mind and building a strong emotional connection with their audience, hotels can encourage repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth.
Case study: The Wynn Las Vegas uses Instagram to foster brand loyalty among their guests, by creating personalized content and showcasing their luxurious facilities and services, which encourages repeat visits and positive reviews.
Stay competitive:
In today’s digital age, hotels that do not have a strong social media presence risk falling behind their competitors. By creating a strong presence on Instagram and TikTok, hotels can stay competitive and attract more guests.
Case study: The Marriott Marquis in Houston uses Instagram to stay competitive and attract more guests, by showcasing their luxurious rooms and facilities, promoting their events and promotions, and engaging with their audience.
Showcase unique features:
Instagram and TikTok offer a creative and visual platform for hotels to showcase their unique features, such as architectural design, artwork, and amenities. By highlighting these features, hotels can differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract more guests who are interested in unique and memorable experiences.
Case study: The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs uses Instagram to showcase their unique features, such as their Mid-century Modern design and vintage aesthetic, which helps attract guests who are interested in retro-chic experiences.
Build partnerships:
Build partnerships with other businesses and organizations in the hospitality industry, such as restaurants, bars, and tour companies. By collaborating with other businesses, hotels can offer more comprehensive and appealing packages to potential guests.
Case study: The Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong uses Instagram to build partnerships with other businesses, such as Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury retailers, which helps attract guests who are looking for a comprehensive and luxurious experience.
Monitor and respond to feedback:
Instagram and TikTok allow hotels to monitor and respond to feedback from their guests in real-time. By monitoring comments and direct messages, hotels can address any concerns or complaints promptly and demonstrate their commitment to excellent customer service.
Case study: The Andaz London Liverpool Street uses Instagram to monitor and respond to feedback from their guests in real-time, which helps address any issues promptly and improve their overall customer service.
Showcase culinary experiences:
Instagram and TikTok can be used to showcase a hotel’s culinary experiences, such as their restaurants, bars, and room service. By highlighting their menus and featuring mouth-watering photos and videos, hotels can attract guests who are foodies and looking for a memorable culinary experience.
Case study: The Ritz-Carlton in Montreal uses Instagram to showcase their culinary experiences, such as their renowned Maison Boulud restaurant and their signature cocktails, which helps attract guests who are looking for a culinary adventure.
Offer virtual tours:
Instagram and TikTok can be used to offer virtual tours of a hotel’s facilities and rooms, which can help potential guests get a better sense of the hotel’s amenities and layout. By offering virtual tours, hotels can also attract guests who are unable to visit in person, such as international travelers.
Case study: The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills uses Instagram to offer virtual tours of their luxurious rooms and facilities, which helps potential guests get a better sense of the hotel’s amenities and layout.
Share behind-the-scenes content:
Share behind-the-scenes content, such as staff interviews and day-to-day operations, which can help humanize the hotel and build a connection with potential guests.
Case study: The St. Regis Bali Resort uses Instagram to share behind-the-scenes content, such as staff profiles and their commitment to sustainability, which helps build a connection with potential guests and showcase their commitment to excellence.
Increase direct bookings:
By using Instagram and TikTok to showcase their facilities, services, and experiences, hotels can encourage direct bookings from potential guests. By providing a seamless booking experience and offering exclusive promotions, hotels can increase their revenue and reduce their reliance on third-party booking platforms.
Case study: The Four Seasons Resort in Maui uses Instagram to encourage direct bookings, by showcasing their luxurious rooms and amenities, offering exclusive promotions, and providing a seamless booking experience, which helps increase their revenue and reduce their reliance on third-party booking platforms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many reasons why every hotel should be on Instagram and TikTok. From showcasing their facilities and services to building brand loyalty and increasing direct bookings, social media platforms offer a creative and visual way for hotels to reach potential guests and stay competitive in the hospitality industry. With the help of relevant case studies, we have demonstrated how hotels can leverage Instagram and TikTok to achieve their marketing and business goals. Therefore, if you are a hotel owner or marketer, it is essential to have a strong social media presence on these platforms to attract and retain guests and stay ahead of the competition.
