How Hotels Can Use Influencer Marketing to Boost Bookings

It used to be all about brochures and billboard ads. Now, it’s about where your hotel shows up on someone’s feed. Social media has become one of the most influential tools for travel decisions, and for hotels, tapping into influencer marketing isn’t just smart – it’s timely.

Forget the buzzwords. Hotel influencer marketing is now a steady part of how bookings happen, especially for millennial and Gen Z travelers. A SiteMinder report found that over half of travelers are influenced by what they see on social platforms. That means a scroll can turn into a stay.

So how can hotels make this work? Here’s how:

Focus on the Right Fit, Not Follower Count

Don’t get distracted by big numbers. What matters is whether the creator’s audience overlaps with your ideal guest. A quiet wellness resort might find more value in working with a low-key yoga blogger than a high-energy travel vlogger. Finding someone who gets your space, and your potential guests is where the real impact lies.

Make the Exchange Meaningful

Sure, offering a free night in exchange for content still happens, but the better results come from longer-term relationships. Partnering with influencers across a few weeks or months lets their audience get familiar with your property. It feels less like an ad and more like a genuine recommendation.

Think Local Before You Go Global

Local and regional influencers are often overlooked, but they can have serious pull, especially for promoting on-site restaurants or spa services. They bring trust, relevance, and the potential to attract new guests from your own backyard.

Let Video Do the Work

Short videos do more than look nice, they help viewers imagine themselves in your space. A 15-second clip of a breakfast spread or a view from the pool tells a stronger story than a polished brochure. Keep it real and relatable, not overly produced.

Track What Matters

Set goals before anything goes live. Whether you want clicks, bookings, or new followers, make sure you can track it. Use promo codes, custom booking links, or analytics tools to see what’s actually working. Data helps you spend smarter next time.

Influencer marketing won’t fix a broken business model, but it can help bring the right people through your doors. It’s less about flashy content and more about building quiet credibility – one well-placed post at a time.

More…

• Ultimate Guide to Hotel Influencer Marketing
• How To Utilize Influencer Marketing For Hotels – A Complete Guide – hotelgrowers
• Hotel influencer marketing: Strategies for hotels | SiteMinder
• The Power of Influencer Partnerships in the Hospitality Industry | Imperial Leisure
• The Rise of Influencer Marketing in the Hospitality Industry
• How Does Hotel Influencer Marketing Work? (+ Why it Works Well)