Influencer marketing is officially having its moment—and it’s not slowing down. With the industry set to grow from $24 billion in 2024 to over $32.55 billion by next year, it's clear that brands, especially in the hospitality sector, are putting their money where the social media magic is. Hotels and resorts, once hesitant, are now throwing hefty budgets at influencer campaigns to attract travelers and boost brand recognition.
What’s even more exciting? Gone are the days of fleeting partnerships. Now, it’s all about authenticity and building long-term relationships with influencers who can seamlessly integrate a brand into their lives and feed. With Instagram, TikTok, and new platforms emerging, brands are diversifying their reach, because one algorithm change can shake things up fast.
But how do luxury brands ensure they stand out in this rapidly evolving space? Take Belmond, for example. Their recent influencer campaign turned the world’s most iconic destinations into a global travel dream—and the results? Well, they speak for themselves.
Ready to find out how they did it? Keep reading to see how influencer collaborations are shaping the future of hotels and resorts!
- 1. Belmond's Grand Tour: A Luxury Journey to Influencer Stardom
- 2. Wiki-Woo’s Ibiza Takeover: How Gifted Turned Summer into a Social Media Fling
- 3. Sun Siyam Resorts Takes the Maldives by Storm with HypeAuditor’s Data-Driven Strategy
- 4. Staycation Sensation: How Staybridge Suites Became Bangkok’s Trendiest Hotspot for Hong Kong’s Cool Crowd
- 5. Pajamas, Pizzazz, and Pyjama Parties: Bulgari Hotels x DoubleJ’s Luxe Campaign Hits the Sweet Spot
- Innovating for Tomorrow: Winning Influencer Campaigns for Hotels & Resorts
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Belmond's Grand Tour: A Luxury Journey to Influencer Stardom
When luxury meets influencer marketing, the result is nothing short of magical. Belmond, a renowned name in high-end travel, teamed up with The Goat Agency to take Instagram followers on a global voyage.
From the sunrises at Machu Picchu to elegant train rides aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, this campaign wasn’t just about showing off beautiful destinations—it was about building a brand story that would stick in the minds of millions.
Belmond’s challenge was clear: increase brand awareness across Instagram and capture the attention of luxury travel aficionados. Goat’s strategy? Bring influencers on a whirlwind tour across the Seven Wonders of Belmond, selecting seven top-tier influencers from the worlds of travel, photography, and luxury. These social media mavens received a gift no one could refuse—a fully curated itinerary, experiencing the best Belmond had to offer in places like Venice, Brazil, and South Africa.
Each influencer was tasked with not just snapping pictures but creating compelling, shareable content. They didn’t just post on their own feeds; they created additional content for Belmond’s social channels, ensuring the luxury brand reached even further.
It was a masterclass in collaboration—think of it like assembling the perfect playlist, but for global destinations.
The Results: Numbers Speak Louder Than a Luxury Suite View
The impact was almost as grand as the destinations themselves. The campaign produced over 277 high-quality social assets, which flowed seamlessly into Belmond’s social ecosystem. But let’s talk stats—because, well, those numbers are chef’s kiss.
In just seven weeks, Belmond gained over 22,000 new followers. The campaign also drove 24,000+ clicks through paid social, meaning it wasn’t just engagement—it was measurable traffic. Oh, and did we mention the 37,000+ sticker taps to Belmond’s Instagram handle? Clearly, people were eager to be a part of this opulent journey.
2. Wiki-Woo’s Ibiza Takeover: How Gifted Turned Summer into a Social Media Fling
When it comes to creating a buzz in one of the world’s most competitive luxury destinations, Wiki-Woo Ibiza knew they needed more than just a pretty hotel. They needed an influencer marketing campaign that would match their bold, art-deco vibe and lay the foundation for an unforgettable summer. Enter Gifted—a strategic partnership that gave Wiki-Woo’s Ibiza launch the viral spark it needed.
Wiki-Woo’s goal was simple: they wanted to reach a massive audience through influencers who were not only well-connected but truly resonated with the hotel’s energetic, community-driven spirit. Gifted rose to the occasion by giving Wiki-Woo access to a curated group of influencers that fit their brand like a neon-pink glove.
With Gifted’s opt-in approach, influencers didn’t just sign up for a paycheck—they actively chose to collaborate with Wiki-Woo, ensuring genuine enthusiasm behind each post. Gifted’s Collab Briefs set clear, achievable expectations, while the platform’s analytics tools made tracking performance a breeze.
The result? An influencer-driven campaign that felt as seamless as a poolside cocktail at sunset.
The Campaign: Diverse Influencers, One Epic Ibiza Vibe
Gifted’s influencer selection was as eclectic as Ibiza itself, with a mix of high-energy social media stars who brought their own twist to the Wiki-Woo story.
-
@oharaingrid (33M followers) brought her signature blend of luxury and humor to the campaign, showcasing Wiki-Woo’s geometric poolside and buzzing nightlife in a way that engaged her millions of followers across Instagram and TikTok.
-
@romani, a musician and reality TV star, used his 300K followers to introduce Wiki-Woo to Hollywood’s cool crowd, blending the worlds of music and travel in a way that sparked intrigue and excitement.
-
Chris Board, an NFL linebacker, added a touch of athleticism to the campaign, positioning Wiki-Woo as the perfect getaway not just for influencers, but for high-profile athletes as well. His followers? The epitome of luxury meets sports.
The Results: Wiki-Woo’s Ibiza Debut Shakes Up Social Media
The results were as bold as Wiki-Woo’s design. The campaign generated hundreds of thousands of views, and thanks to the influencers' diverse audiences, Wiki-Woo reached multiple demographics. From luxury travel enthusiasts to pop culture fanatics and sports aficionados, the hotel’s vibrant energy spread far and wide.
With the flawless execution by Gifted, Wiki-Woo wasn’t just another hotel in Ibiza—they became the place to be, securing authentic exposure and engagement that will reverberate throughout the summer season. If the goal was to make waves in Ibiza, well, mission accomplished.
3. Sun Siyam Resorts Takes the Maldives by Storm with HypeAuditor’s Data-Driven Strategy
When you're running a global hospitality brand like Sun Siyam Resorts, the competition isn't just the resort down the beach—it’s every hotel on Instagram trying to sell the dream of a perfect vacation.
In a market like the Maldives, where sand, sea, and luxury blur into a blissful blur of white sands and blue waters, standing out requires more than just stunning visuals. Enter HypeAuditor, the influencer analytics powerhouse that helped Sun Siyam Resorts turn its Instagram game from good to island-level great.
Sun Siyam had a clear mission: grow its Instagram following across multiple properties in two prime locations. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, when you're managing several resorts, targeting diverse audiences, and dealing with influencer noise, it can get a bit tricky. That’s where HypeAuditor’s powerful toolset came into play.
With HypeAuditor, Sun Siyam didn't just pick influencers based on their follower count. No, they were smarter than that. They leveraged HypeAuditor’s audience analytics to carefully vet influencers, ensuring that they were reaching the right eyeballs. By analyzing factors like geographic distribution and follower quality (goodbye, bot farms!), Sun Siyam was able to collaborate with influencers whose followers actually mattered.
Not to mention, they used HypeAuditor's fraud detection capabilities to avoid any influencer-related mishaps. Because nothing screams "red flag" like a high engagement rate, but 90% of those comments are in Cyrillic script. But with HypeAuditor, Sun Siyam had confidence that their collaborations were authentic and impactful.
The Campaign: Influencers, Giveaways, and Island Vibes
The strategy wasn’t just about partnering with influencers—it was about making sure the right collaborations led to meaningful growth. Sun Siyam used giveaways strategically, not as a "like to win" afterthought, but as a key driver of engagement. By selecting influencers who genuinely connected with their target audience, Sun Siyam ensured that its Maldives magic wasn’t just seen; it was shared.
Thanks to HypeAuditor’s detailed reporting, Sun Siyam could monitor the success of these collaborations in real-time. Adjustments were made, strategies tweaked, and growth kept accelerating. This wasn’t a blind leap of faith; it was a calculated, informed strategy that paid off.
Sun Siyam Resorts has seen a steady increase in followers across all their Instagram accounts, with growth continuing at a strong pace. Their collaborations with carefully chosen influencers, backed by data and insights, led to sustained engagement and meaningful reach.
4. Staycation Sensation: How Staybridge Suites Became Bangkok’s Trendiest Hotspot for Hong Kong’s Cool Crowd
For hotel and resort brands looking to attract the young, energetic jetsetters, you need more than just a comfy bed and a convenient location—you need a full-on influencer-powered experience. That’s exactly what IHG’s Staybridge Suites® Thong Lor delivered in this vibrant campaign that tapped into the heart of Hong Kong’s hip crowd. Think of it as the perfect blend of Bangkok’s chic Thong Lor neighborhood and a little Instagram magic.
Staybridge Suites Thong Lor’s goal was to position itself as the go-to accommodation for young Hong Kong couples looking to experience Bangkok’s nightlife, trendy cafes, and boutique shopping.
And, of course, the hotel had to do this in a way that felt as fresh and effortless as an Instagram story from a rooftop bar. So, IHG tapped into the magic of influencer marketing, bringing on board five Hong Kong-based influencers who live and breathe travel, lifestyle, and food—just the types of content that resonate with their audience of mid-20s to early-30s trendsetters.
With the help of MCN Asia, the campaign targeted influencers whose followers matched the young, active, experience-seeking demographic IHG wanted to reach. These influencers didn’t just post about the hotel; they lived the Staybridge experience, showcasing its key selling points in an authentic, visual way.
The Campaign: A Picture-Perfect Staycation
The campaign’s focus was clear: highlight the hotel’s spacious, apartment-style suites, its Instagrammable pool scene, and its prime location in the heart of Thong Lor. The influencers shared 3-5 Instagram or YouTube videos each, bringing Staybridge Suites’ amenities to life with content that felt like a weekend getaway rolled into one swipe of a feed.
From showcasing the stunning hotel views from the suites to diving into the cool vibes by the pool, the influencers created content that didn’t just capture a hotel stay—they captured a lifestyle. Their posts highlighted the seamless combination of convenience and cool factor, making Staybridge Suites Thong Lor look less like a place to sleep and more like the center of a social experience in Bangkok.
This campaign didn’t just position Staybridge Suites Thong Lor as the perfect base for Hong Kong’s trendiest travelers—it made the hotel feel like a must-visit destination. By collaborating with relatable influencers whose followers trust their recommendations, IHG successfully promoted the hotel’s unique selling points through authentic, visually appealing content that resonated deeply with the target audience.
It wasn’t just about getting likes; it was about building real connections with young travelers who value authenticity, experience, and a touch of style. Staybridge Suites nailed it by offering more than just a room—it offered an experience worth sharing. And when influencers are sharing, you know it’s the start of something viral.
5. Pajamas, Pizzazz, and Pyjama Parties: Bulgari Hotels x DoubleJ’s Luxe Campaign Hits the Sweet Spot
Hotel luxury is defined by sleek suites, crisp linens, and a serene atmosphere—maybe even a chic poolside cocktail. But Bulgari Hotels and DoubleJ flipped that script by blending high fashion with high-end hospitality in a way that’s just as Instagram-worthy as it is innovative.
The Bulgari Hotels x DoubleJ collaboration didn’t just create buzz—it turned the humble pajama into a must-have luxury item and brought fashion-forward influencers to five of the world’s most iconic hotels for a pyjama party that everyone wanted an invite to.
The idea? Simple: take luxury hospitality, throw in some high-fashion pyjamas, and get influencers to party in them at Bulgari Hotels across Bali, Dubai, Milan, and London. But while the concept was playful, the execution was pure class. Sauce, the masterminds behind the campaign, knew exactly what they were doing. They crafted a strategy that used influencers who already embodied the brand values of luxury, style, and exclusivity.
Through a curated influencer selection, Sauce’s approach turned a one-day event—a pyjama party, no less—into a content goldmine. With influencers creating buzz across Instagram and YouTube, the campaign showcased Bulgari’s high-end rooms, pool scenes, and the undeniable cool factor of their collaboration with fashion label DoubleJ.
And, of course, the pièce de résistance? Those custom pyjama sets designed by DoubleJ’s founder, Martin Milan. They weren’t just pajamas—they were the key to this campaign's success.
The Campaign: Pajama Party Meets Luxury Hospitality
This wasn’t your typical influencer meet-and-greet. This was an exclusive influencer event at some of the most lavish hotels on the planet. The pyjama party was filled with champagne toasts, fashionable snapshots, and, naturally, ample amounts of content creation. The influencers didn’t just post about the event; they lived it, sharing their experiences across multiple platforms with their millions of followers.
The pyjama sets became more than just a piece of sleepwear—they became a symbol of a lifestyle, one where luxury and comfort exist side by side. Influencers didn’t just wear the pyjamas; they flaunted them, taking over Bulgari Hotels’ social media and amplifying the campaign across multiple markets.
The Results: Fashion Meets Metrics
And the results? Let’s just say Bulgari Hotels should start keeping track of all the Instagram followers who now have pyjama envy. The campaign garnered a stunning 3.54 million views on Instagram, a reach 19 times greater than the magazine circulation of comparable luxury outlets. Engagement was also off the charts—10.5 times greater than a typical magazine’s reach. Talk about a fashionable ROI.
By leveraging the audience reach of influencers, Bulgari Hotels didn’t just sell a stay—they sold an experience, a luxury lifestyle, and, of course, some seriously stylish pajamas. The collaboration opened doors to new markets and solidified Bulgari’s place as a brand that knows how to blend hospitality, fashion, and influencer power to perfection.
Innovating for Tomorrow: Winning Influencer Campaigns for Hotels & Resorts
The key to success in influencer marketing for hotels and resorts lies in strategic collaborations that resonate authentically with target audiences. By tapping into the right influencers and leveraging powerful storytelling, brands have amplified their presence, boosted engagement, and expanded their reach.
As the industry grows, staying ahead means embracing creativity, data-driven insights, and cross-industry partnerships. The future lies in further personalization and dynamic influencer-driven campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is influencer marketing in the context of hotels and resorts?
Influencer marketing involves collaborating with individuals who have a substantial and engaged following on social media to promote a hotel's or resort's offerings, aiming to reach potential guests authentically.
How can influencer marketing benefit hotels and resorts?
It enhances brand visibility, builds credibility through authentic content, targets specific demographics, and can lead to increased bookings and revenue.
What types of influencers should hotels and resorts collaborate with?
Hotels should partner with influencers whose audience aligns with their target market, considering factors like follower demographics, engagement rates, and content relevance.
How do hotels measure the success of influencer marketing campaigns?
Success is measured by tracking metrics such as engagement rates (likes, comments, shares), reach, website traffic, and conversions or bookings resulting from the campaign.
What are the best practices for implementing influencer marketing in the hospitality sector?
Best practices include selecting influencers that align with the brand's values, encouraging authentic storytelling, leveraging data-driven insights, and fostering long-term partnerships.
Are micro-influencers effective for hotel marketing?
Yes, micro-influencers often have highly engaged audiences within specific niches, making them effective for targeted marketing efforts.
How does influencer-generated content benefit a hotel's marketing strategy?
Influencer-generated content provides authentic, relatable content that resonates with potential guests, enhances brand storytelling, and can be repurposed across various marketing channels.
What are the potential challenges of influencer marketing for hotels and resorts?
Challenges include ensuring authentic content, measuring ROI accurately, selecting appropriate influencers, and managing potential reputational risks.
