Social media trends in hospitality and tourism
In recent years, social media has become an increasingly important platform for hotels and travel brands to connect with customers and showcase their offerings. As a result, it’s important for hotels and travel companies to stay on top of the latest trends and strategies for social media engagement. In this article, we’ll explore some of the latest trends on social media in the hotel and travel industry.
Video Content Video content is becoming increasingly popular on social media, and hotels and travel brands are no exception. Video is an effective way to showcase the features and amenities of a hotel or destination, as well as the experiences that customers can expect to have. Social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook now offer a variety of video features, including short-form videos like Instagram Reels and Facebook Stories, as well as longer-form videos that can be shared on platforms like YouTube.
Influencer Marketing Influencer marketing has become a popular way for hotels and travel brands to reach a wider audience on social media. Influencers are social media users with large followings who can promote a hotel or travel destination to their followers. This can be done through sponsored posts, giveaways, or other promotions. When choosing influencers to work with, it’s important for hotels and travel brands to choose someone whose audience aligns with their target demographic.
User-Generated Content User-generated content (UGC) is content that is created by customers rather than the hotel or travel brand itself. UGC can include photos, videos, and reviews that customers share on social media. UGC is valuable because it provides an authentic view of a hotel or destination, and can help to build trust with potential customers. Hotels and travel brands can encourage UGC by creating branded hashtags, running contests, or featuring customer content on their social media pages.
Virtual Reality Virtual reality (VR) is becoming more popular in the hotel and travel industry, as it allows customers to experience a hotel or destination before they book their trip. VR can be used to create virtual tours of hotels and destinations, as well as immersive experiences that showcase the unique features of a hotel or location. VR can be shared on social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook, and can be a valuable tool for attracting potential customers.
Sustainability Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important issue in the hotel and travel industry, and many hotels and travel brands are using social media to showcase their sustainability efforts. This can include sharing photos and videos of eco-friendly practices, as well as promoting sustainable tourism initiatives. By highlighting their commitment to sustainability on social media, hotels and travel brands can attract customers who are interested in eco-friendly travel.
In conclusion, social media is an important platform for hotels and travel brands to connect with customers and promote their offerings. By staying on top of the latest trends in social media engagement, hotels and travel brands can attract new customers and build lasting relationships with their existing ones. Some of the latest trends in social media for hotels and travel include video content, influencer marketing, user-generated content, virtual reality, and sustainability.