Imagine jet-setting around the world, staying in five-star resorts—all for free. For elite influencers like Linh, this is reality, thanks to hotel partnerships and exclusive invites. But for every successful travel influencer, there’s a flood of aspiring creators bombarding luxury hotels with requests for comped stays.

The Growing Problem for Hotels

🏨 Dusit Thani Maldives gets 6+ influencer requests per day—mostly via Instagram DMs.
💬 Most pitches? Low engagement, small followings, vague promises of «exposure.»
😤 Hotels are frustrated: «Many expect free luxury stays for minimal value in return.»

Why This Matters

✔ Legit influencers (high engagement, quality content) still deliver ROI for brands.
❌ But the market is oversaturated—hotels struggle to filter real opportunities from opportunists.

How Hotels Are Responding

🔍 Stricter vetting: Requiring media kits, audience demographics, past collaborations.
📊 Performance-based deals: Free stays only if posts hit agreed-upon metrics (reach, bookings).
✋ Some now ignore cold DMs entirely, working only through agencies or formal pitches.

Thoughts? Should hotels blacklist influencer requests—or is there a better way to manage them?**

🔗 Read the full story in The Atlantic

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