Instagram for Hotels: A Guide to Better Engagement

1. Why Instagram Matters for Hotels

Instagram is not just another social media platform; it is a visual powerhouse with more than 1 billion active users. Eighty percent of users follow at least one business account. This makes Instagram a prime space for hotels to showcase their offerings and build meaningful connections with potential guests.

For hotels, Instagram is more than a marketing tool. It’s an opportunity to attract guests, build loyalty, and drive direct bookings through visually compelling stories and engaging campaigns. In this guide, we’ll explore actionable strategies to help your hotel dominate Instagram.

2.Understanding Hotel Marketing with Instagram

2.1 The Power of Visual Storytelling Guests book hotels that inspire them. Use Instagram to showcase the best of your property—be it sunrise views from the rooftop, cozy interiors, or gourmet meals. Share the stories behind these moments to connect emotionally with potential guests.

2.2 Aligning Your Hotel’s Brand Identity with Instagram Maintain a consistent aesthetic. Adopt a color palette, filters, and themes that fit your brand and make each post cohesive. A luxury hotel might highlight grandeur, while a boutique property might emphasize quirky charm.

3.Hotel Promotion on Instagram

3.1 Compelling Profile Your Instagram profile is just like the digital storefront for your hotel. Here’s how you can make it irresistible:

• Profile Picture: A prominent logo or the most stunning image of your property stands for a good first impression.
• Bio: This is the space to highlight the USPs of your hotel. Add a short, catchy tagline, such as "Seaside luxury in Goa" or "Urban chic in the heart of New York," followed by a direct call-to-action, such as "Book now for exclusive perks!"
• Link: Instagram only allows one link in the bio. Make it count by sending followers to a dedicated landing page that is optimized for bookings. Use tools like Linktree for multiple links.

3.2 Develop Engaging and Shareable Content Instagram thrives on high-quality, eye-catching content that inspires people to share and comment. In creating great content:

• Professional Photos: Hire professional photographers to take pictures of your rooms, amenities, and local attractions. Natural light and aesthetic angles make a difference.
• Video Content: Video tours of your property, local experiences, or guest testimonials can grab attention.
• Behind-the-scenes: Share snippets that give followers a glimpse into your operations. For example, show your chef preparing a signature dish.
• Seasonal Themes: Tailor your content to seasons and festivals.

3.3 Running Effective Campaigns and Promotions Run Instagram campaigns and promotions to amplify your hotel's visibility and conversions:

• Special Discounts and Offers: Make time-sensitive offers like "Book now and get 20% off for stays in December!"
• Giveaways and Contests: Host contests like "Share your best travel photo with us and tag us for a chance to win a free night's stay."
• Collaborations: Team up with local restaurants, tour operators, or any business to create co-branded offers.
• Exclusives for Fans: Reward your Instagram audience with exclusive offers.

4.Utilization of Instagram Influencers for Marketing Your Hotel

4.1 Influencer Identification Identify influencers who align with your niche audience. Smaller influencers with better engagement rates can be more impactful than big but unengaged groups.

4.2 Influencer Relationships with Maximum ROI Collaborate with influencers to create authentic content about your property. Monitor metrics like engagement rates and bookings to measure success.

5.Important Strategies for Hotel Marketing on Instagram

5.1 Content Calendars and Consistency

• Themes for Each Day: Plan daily themes like "Wellness Wednesdays" or "Foodie Fridays."
• Event-Based Posts: Align your calendar with major events like festivals or local happenings.
• Post Frequency: Vary the number of posts and maintain a moderate posting frequency like 3-5 times per week.
• Planning Tools: Use Hootsuite or Later to plan and schedule posts.

5.2 Reels and Stories for Engagement

• Reels: Create short videos highlighting your hotel's best features. Showcase room tours, tutorials, or nearby attractions.
• Stories: Use polls, countdowns, and testimonials to interact with followers in real time.

5.3 User-Generated Content (UGC) to Build Authenticity

• Encourage Guests to Share: Incentivize guests to tag your hotel in their photos.
• Feature Guest Posts: Repost UGC on your profile, giving credit to the original poster.
• Create a Hashtag: Develop a unique, branded hashtag for your campaigns.

6.Instagram Insights: Analyzing and Optimizing

Your Efforts Monitoring performance is the key to improving your Instagram strategy:

• Engagement Metrics: Monitor likes, comments, shares, and saves.
• Follower Growth: Track the rate of new followers.
• Content Performance: Identify best-performing posts and replicate their style.
• Audience Demographics: Use Instagram Insights to understand your audience’s age, location, and interests.

7.AxisRooms Channel Manager: Expanding Your Insta Plan

7.2 Seamless Multichannel Promotion AxisRooms synchronizes promotions across Instagram, OTAs, and direct booking platforms, achieving maximum reach and revenue potential.

8.Conclusion:

Turning Your Hotel’s Instagram into a Booking Hub Instagram is a powerful tool for hotel marketing, offering endless opportunities to connect with travelers. By using visually appealing content, strategic promotions, and tools like AxisRooms Channel Manager, you can turn followers into loyal guests.

Ready to transform your Instagram strategy? Start today and watch your bookings soar!