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Do Hotels Use TikTok? Why or Why Not?

Why Some Hotels Do Use TikTok:

  1. Reach a New Audience

    • TikTok is popular with Millennials and Gen Z travelers, who discover destinations through short-form video.

    • Hotels use TikTok to drive awareness, showcase authentic guest experiences, and build community.

  2. User-Generated Content (UGC) Goldmine

    • Guests are already tagging hotels in TikToks.

    • Smart hotels engage with this content, re-share it, or create duets/stitches to amplify their brand.

  3. Cost-Effective Exposure

    • You don’t need a huge ad budget. Organic content can go viral.

    • A 30-second room tour, sunset from the rooftop, or staff moment can outperform a traditional ad campaign.

  4. It Humanizes the Brand

    • TikTok allows hotels to show behind-the-scenes, staff stories, and real-life moments, which builds trust.

Why Many Hotels Still Avoid TikTok:

  1. Fear of the Unknown

    • Leadership may view TikTok as a “dancing app” and not a business tool.

    • There’s a lack of understanding of its power for branding and bookings.

  2. Resource Limitations

    • Hotels claim they don’t have time or talent to consistently create content.

    • Many don’t have a dedicated social media strategy or person on-property.

  3. Risk-Averse Culture

    • Some hotel brands are too corporate or conservative, fearing off-brand content or public mistakes.

  4. No Clear ROI (Yet)

    • It’s harder to track TikTok performance in direct revenue terms compared to paid ads or OTAs.

Final Thought:

“TikTok isn’t about trends—it’s about attention. If your hotel isn’t showing up where people are scrolling, you’re invisible.”

Russell L Edmond