Top hotels are rapidly increasing their presence in social media, sharing pictures and launching interactive initiatives, as travellers tend to decide where to stay on the basis of peer reviews and feedback rather than brand promotions.
Early this year Hilton's DoubleTree launched the first-of-its-kind YouTube channel for the hotel industry, Dtour, which helps travellers plan and share their trips.
About a month ago, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts of Starwood group announced the global rollout of its wine-tasting 'social hour' in 430 hotels including Sheraton Bangalore on social media.
It's not just international chains that incorporate a social media element in every marketing campaign. Approximately 70% of four- and five- star hotels in Tier 1 cities in the country have marked their presence in social media. "Social media is key to any communication strategy for any business, be it a restaurant or a chain of retail stores. It is now amongst the most effective media to communicate one's brand's message or project its image," Mallika Dasgupta, communications manager at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, says.