One of the biggest challenges hotels face every day is consistently getting people through the door. It gets exponentially harder as the competition continues to upgrade its amenities to try and one-up your own efforts. But – where there’s a will, there’s a way, especially when it comes to social media.
Over the last decade, social media has become a major driver of tourism. The truth is, there are patrons out there that will book your hotel just to get an elusive photo for Instagram. Better yet, even if potential customers aren’t trying to become influencers, they’ll take note of the top-notch photos others are posting at your property.
Since our expertise is in the resort cabana world – we’ve put together three ways you can turn your cabanas into the ultimate social media hotspots.
Strategic Positioning for Social Media
Our first tip for upping the social clout of your cabanas is thinking about their location with respect to the photos visitors may be taking. Strategically positioning even one of your units so that it frames your hotel perfectly or is in a spot that grabs peoples’ attention can really increase the number of photos people post from that location.
For example, take a look at the above custom unit we did for a client of ours. We placed it in an ideal location – In the middle of the pool. Not only is it unique, any shot you take there is going to be breathtaking. Can you imagine the social media value alone that this cabana brought to the hotel?
Depth of Character
Another great way to make your cabanas stand out for social media users is to create depth of character. Don’t just put a couple of pool chairs and call it a day. Look for thoughtful ways you can enhance the photos being taken there. Pack the unit with pieces of interest that will catch the eye and give guests opportunities to take photos in different positions.
For example, the image above is another cabana we built for a client. They added upgrades like netting, a rug, a beautiful bed, an extra seating area, and ambient lighting to go with the striped décor. Anyone with a phone can snap very likable photos for social media during their time under its roof.
Work with Social Media Influencers
For that extra punch, try working with social media influencers to get the ball rolling. We’ve seen brand new hotels go from unknown to fully booked thanks to a few viral photos from well-know internet personalities. If you’re a luxury resort, do your research on Instagram users who specialize in luxury travel. Often, they’d be more than happy to post photos from your cabana in exchange for a free stay.
It’s a win-win situation for you. You don’t have to spend much out of pocket. You will also get a lasting photo that’s likely going to be shared on many pages. An added benefit is that you’ll also gain a little notoriety for being affiliated with the influencers you hired. This can easily be the deciding factor when any of their followers are weighing their hotel options in your area.
Trust Eide Industries With Your Cabana Needs
At Resort Cabanas (a division of Eide Industries, Inc.), we specialize in designing, manufacturing, and engineering custom commercial cabanas and pre-engineered options. With almost 80 years of extensive design, construction, metal fabrication, industrial sewing, and installation experience, we are proud to offer the highest quality products possible, made right here in the U.S.