Are influencers the next generation of travel agents? Arlo Hotels, an independent, experience-driven lifestyle hotel brand with properties in New York, Miami and Chicago, and Washington D.C. launching in 2024, is further innovating the hospitality industry with the launch of their If You Arlo app. The unique loyalty program ushers in a new era of travel where traditional travel agents are superseded by social media agents composed of influencers, friends & family, and content creators who creatively drive bookings while earning perks along the way. Through the If You Arlo (IYA) app, influencers can share insider discounts and tips with their followers while being rewarded with credits, status, and surprise rewards at any of the Arlo Hotels.
According to a recent survey, 83% of millennials said they are more likely to book a hotel after seeing images from someone they follow on social media. Social media is the number one medium to influence travelers’ decisions. Arlo Hotels is carving its path to acknowledge and reward those who truly drive their guests’ decision-making process.
“Social influencers are a new class of travel agents, but they have lacked the infrastructure to make it actionable – until now,” explains Jimmy Suh, chief commercial officer at Arlo Hotels. “Travel is tailor-made for socially driven commerce. Our aim with the If You Arlo app is to offer influencers an opportunity to capitalize on their passion for travel and Arlo Hotels. We recognize that many of our guests’ decisions stem from the folks they follow and trust, i.e. their social network. With the app, we can now understand who these folks are and reward them for it. We’re also very community-driven, and if we can offer our community a program to pay it forward by offering their friends and followers exclusive discounts, it’s a win-win.”
Independent, lifestyle hotels are at a disadvantage compared to big chain hotel brands as they do not have the distribution reach. Further, independent hotels rely heavily on online travel agents (OTAs) for much of their distribution. OTA’s do not offer the consumers the insight of the unique stay experiences that many of the lifestyle hotels, such as Arlo Hotels, offer to their guests. Social media can level the playing field between independent hotels and big chain brands while offering more relevant information about the hotels. If You Arlo app capitalizes on both opportunities and along the way paves a unique path to a powerful new distribution channel.
To become a social media agent for Arlo Hotels, the individual needs to go to the Apple App Store (Google Play version coming later in 2024) and download the If You Arlo app. From there, one simply clicks on the “Join Waitlist” button and completes the profile information. Once approved, the agent can start sharing his/her unique IYA code and start collecting points towards future savings at any Arlo hotel and surprise rewards.
For more information about Arlo Hotels’ If You Arlo App, visit arlohotels.com.
About Arlo Hotels Arlo Hotels is an independent, experience-driven hotel brand, a home base for explorers and a launch pad for all things local. Easy style and friendly faces welcome guests into a community-driven environment, and intuitively designed guest rooms provide peaceful places to rest and recharge. Each location is a living room away from home, a desk while working on the road, and invites guests to travel their way, every day – with a few surprises along the way. The Arlo portfolio includes Arlo SoHo, Arlo NoMad, Arlo Midtown and Arlo Williamsburg in New York; Arlo Wynwood in Miami; and Arlo Chicago. The brand has more hotels on the horizon, including a Washington, D.C., location opening in 2024. For news, updates and a little wanderlust inspiration, follow @arlohotels on Instagram or visit arlohotels.com.