Connect with us

Lifestyle

Social media remains vital to hotels

Published

on

Conrad mobileSocial media offers a tremendous opportunity for the boutique hotel sector to compete with larger international chain hotels.

Addressing delegates at the Boutique Hotel Summit 2013, Niki Leondakis said: “Social media has grown to become one of the most important and levelling aspects of marketing today, offering the opportunity for boutique hotels to connect with their guests as never before.”

Social media channels – including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Flickr – allow hotel brands to “emotionally engage” with guests, building loyalty, Leondakis explained.

Delivery the keynote address at the summit, Leondakis added: “Guests can learn about our brands, allowing them to make a selection based on shared lifestyle affinities, through our shared love of art, design or fashion, for example.”

“Through social media we have the opportunity to groom guests before they arrive, to build that relationship.”

Leondakis also stressed the concrete results of a successful social media strategy, pointing out Google Analytics now allowed hotels to directly track revenue through the various channels.

She explained Thomson Hotels, of the two brands under the Commune umbrella, had determined guests who were ‘fans’ of its properties on a social media channel spent 35 per cent more during a stay than those who were not.

These guests also booked direct through the Thomson site, reducing revue lost to third party booking engines, while also rebooking at other properties within the portfolio.

There were also other advantages to social media, allowing boutique hotels to improve their searchability on search engines, for example, while also boosting partnership opportunities, allowing hotels to introduce customers to similar aspirations brands.

In future, technology will redefine the hotel sector, Leondakis argued, allowing hotels to offer customisable in room entertainment, for example.

The ability to check in remotely using a smart phone and to open room doors with the same device, will follow in the not to distant future, she added.

Featured

Green turtle hatchlings emerge at Dhigali Maldives

Published

on

Dhigali Maldives recently witnessed two extraordinary natural events on the sands of Haali Bar, offering guests a rare glimpse into the cycle of marine life.

On the night of 27 June 2025, a Green Turtle emerged from the sea and made its way onto Haali Beach, where it laid its eggs in the soft sand before returning to the ocean. Two months later, on 27 August 2025, the eggs hatched, and tiny hatchlings instinctively made their way to the sea under the guidance of the moonlit shore.

The Green Turtle, a long-distance ocean traveller, returns to the beach of its birth by navigating through the earth’s magnetic field. However, survival for hatchlings is far from guaranteed. Exposed to predators, climate change, and marine debris, only one in ten is expected to reach adulthood.

Dhigali Maldives’ sustainability team closely monitored the nest throughout the incubation period, ensuring the eggs were safeguarded from threats and giving the hatchlings the best chance to survive.

The nesting and hatching of Green Turtles at Dhigali Maldives underscore the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the importance of conservation. For guests, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness nature’s resilience, set against the backdrop of the Maldives.

Continue Reading

Excursions

Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

Published

on

At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.

Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.

Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.

The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.

For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.

Continue Reading

Featured

Medhufushi Island Resort marks National Day with Maldivian heritage showcase

Published

on

Medhufushi Island Resort recently marked Maldives National Day with an immersive celebration of Maldivian heritage, transforming the resort grounds into a living museum that reflected the country’s cultural roots. The event recreated the atmosphere of a traditional island village and offered guests the chance to experience authentic island life through interactive activities, performances, and storytelling.

The resort team constructed a replica village featuring ancestral-style houses and traditional architecture that demonstrated the resourcefulness of early island communities. Guests explored the structures and learned how Maldivians adapted to their environment over generations. The experience was enhanced by a variety of activities, including food stalls that served traditional dishes, demonstrations of local craftsmanship, and opportunities to take part in games once enjoyed by island families. Musical traditions were brought to life with the sounds of Bodu Beru drums, where visitors not only observed but also participated alongside local performers.

Cultural performances formed the highlight of the evening, with local women presenting traditional dances that narrated stories of island life and men delivering energetic Bodu Beru drum sessions. Guest participation was strong, with many joining in the dances and trying their hand at drumming. One visitor remarked that it felt like stepping into another time and described learning Bodu Beru from locals as an unforgettable experience.

Resort Manager Iyaz explained that the event is organised annually to preserve and share Maldivian heritage with visitors, noting his pride in the team for creating such an engaging showcase and expressing gratitude to the guests for their enthusiasm.

The celebration reflects the resort’s ongoing commitment to promoting cultural preservation through tourism, ensuring that traditional practices remain visible and valued. By offering authentic experiences, Medhufushi Island Resort connects guests with the history and identity of the Maldives while supporting sustainable tourism.

This annual showcase serves not only as entertainment but also as a bridge between past and present, reinforcing the importance of cultural continuity. Through initiatives such as these, the resort demonstrates how tourism can help protect traditions and foster community pride, enabling visitors to leave with more than memories of beaches and scenery, but with a deeper understanding of the people and heritage of the Maldives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.