When you booked your last vacation, did you think about how cool it would look on Instagram? Maybe just for a second?
Social media channels like Instagram are finding that they are serving a specific niche in the world of online engagement and Instagram leans heavily toward capturing a generation's spirit of wanderlust.
It seems like travelers will have a lot more "inspiration" to work with in the future according to A new survey from Travelzoo.
Joel Brandon-Bravo, Travelzoo's general manager in the UK said: "It's mid-August now and peak 'posting season'. Most people's social media feeds are full of images of friends and family enjoying the sunshine. Let's face it, when you're stuck in the office on a rainy day those feeds can become irritating-but there is a holiday show-off in most of us and many hoteliers are getting wise to the power of making their properties as 'Instagram-ready' as possible."
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"Some restaurants and hotels Travelzoo works with tell us they are starting to train staff in how to take great photos for social media as they are seeing how guests love to share their experience in real-time and want to be part of that process," said Brandon-Bravo.
"Our research shows this focus is not misplaced and the importance of how photogenic a hotel, restaurant or destination is should not be underestimated. The tourist of today sees where they travel as a way of expressing themselves and this will only increase with future generations. Being seen in aspirational destinations that photograph well will become one of the most significant considerations a person will make before booking," he added.
It helps drive the purchases of younger generations, who are the most enticed by the power of social media.
READ MORE: Instagram Knows Where You Should Travel
Almost two thirds of Generation Z use social media for inspiration on what to book, but only 10 percent of older baby booomers (those born from 1946-1954) say social media has an influence on their decision making.
For Millennials and Gen Z, Facebook and Instagram are the most powerful channels, with Facebook marginally more influential for Millennials.
Knowing that this generation will soon be driving the economy, hotels, restaurants and resorts are planning ahead and creating spaces that will create an impactful visual impression.
Travelzoo provides Thomas Cook's new Casa Cook resorts as an example. The recently opened resorts are designed to photograph well, optimizing them for a generation dedicated to social media sharing.
The general manager of London restaurant Galvin at Windows, Fred Sirieix, highlights the importance of appearance for restaurateurs.
"Our image online is very important," Sirieix said. "We take great care in the imagery we post and how we appear."
If the restaurant's Instagram feed is any indication, they are very good at crafting a picture-perfect meal.
Siriex says that staff at the restaurant receive training in how to take good photos for Instagram and other platforms but he also believes in garnering a reputation for also being authentic and not appearing "manufactured" online.
There's little risk that an investment in appearance to look good online is a bad thing, there are signs that people are learning when and where they should turn it on.
Fifty-three percent of Millennials and 45 percent of those born after 1996 liked the idea of totally disconnecting digitally on vacation, and more than 60 percent of Generation Z said that switching off from social media and emails would help them recharge more when they are away.
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