
For restaurants located in tourist-heavy areas, social media is a powerful tool for boosting visibility and driving foot traffic. With the right strategies, you can transform your restaurant into a must-visit destination for travelers, using location-based advertising, influencer collaborations, and visual storytelling to make your establishment stand out. In this blog, we’ll explore effective tactics that will help you harness the power of social media marketing to attract tourists and convert them into diners, all while building a stronger online presence.
1. Utilize Location-Based Targeting for Tourists
Location-based targeting is one of the most effective methods to attract tourists to your restaurant. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Google allow you to run geographically targeted ads that reach people who are visiting specific areas. This makes it easy to directly advertise your restaurant to travelers who are in close proximity, significantly increasing the chances of turning online impressions into real-world visits.
To make the most of location-based targeting, start by setting up ads on social media platforms that focus on people who are currently in your area but may not be familiar with local dining options. For instance, if you run a restaurant near popular tourist attractions, such as a beach or a landmark, your ads can target travelers visiting those places. By highlighting your restaurant’s unique features—whether it’s stunning views, authentic cuisine, or a special dining experience—you can appeal to tourists looking for memorable meals during their trip.
Another great tactic is to use geotags and local hashtags on platforms like Instagram. When posting about your restaurant, make sure to include location-specific hashtags, such as #MiamiEats or #NYCFood, alongside geotags. These posts will show up in location searches, making it easier for tourists to discover your restaurant when they’re exploring local content on social media. For example, a beachfront restaurant in Miami could post beautiful images of its seafood dishes with the hashtags #MiamiBeach and #BeachfrontDining, making it highly discoverable to visitors looking for food options near the shore.
For Example
A Miami restaurant that creates an Instagram ad targeting tourists within a specific radius of the city’s most popular beaches. The ad could feature images of tropical cocktails and sunset views, paired with a call to action like “Just steps from the beach—reserve your table today for a sunset dinner!” This ad effectively captures the attention of beachgoers and invites them to experience a nearby dining option they might not have otherwise considered.
2. Leverage User-Generated Content for Authenticity
Tourists, especially those exploring a new city, are often on the lookout for authentic and trustworthy dining experiences. One of the best ways to showcase your restaurant’s popularity and credibility is by leveraging user-generated content (UGC). UGC involves sharing posts, photos, and reviews that your actual customers have created. It’s an incredibly effective way to build trust and attract tourists, as potential diners are more likely to believe recommendations from fellow travelers than from direct marketing alone.
Encouraging your customers to share their dining experiences on social media is key to generating UGC. You can do this by asking patrons to tag your restaurant in their posts or use a specific hashtag whenever they share photos or stories about their meal. To sweeten the deal, consider offering an incentive, such as a discount or entry into a contest, for those who share their experiences online. For example, you could run a promotion offering a free dessert to customers who post a picture of their meal with a designated hashtag like #EatatYourRestaurantName.
Another effective strategy is creating a branded hashtag that your customers can easily remember and use. By establishing a unique hashtag, you create a virtual collection of customer experiences that future diners can browse for inspiration. For example, a restaurant near a famous attraction like the Eiffel Tower could create a hashtag such as #DineByTheEiffel, encouraging guests to post photos of their meal with the landmark in the background. As more customers use the hashtag, it becomes a searchable resource for potential visitors who want to see what dining at your restaurant is like through the eyes of real customers.
For Example
A restaurant located near a popular landmark encouraging its guests to share their experiences using a branded hashtag like #TastesofParis. The restaurant can then curate and repost the best UGC, showing off the scenic views and happy diners, thereby attracting other tourists who want to enjoy a similarly delightful experience.
3. Collaborate with Travel and Food Influencers

Influencer marketing is an excellent way to extend your restaurant’s reach, especially when it comes to attracting tourists. Collaborating with travel and food influencers can give your restaurant credibility and visibility, as these influencers often have a loyal and engaged audience who trust their recommendations. When an influencer shares their experience dining at your restaurant, it helps position your establishment as a must-visit destination for their followers.
Start by identifying influencers who have a significant following in your target market. For example, travel influencers who focus on specific destinations are an ideal match for restaurants located in tourist-heavy areas. Partner with them to create content that highlights the unique aspects of your restaurant, whether it’s a stunning view, a signature dish, or a themed dining experience. By working with influencers who align with your brand, you can effectively showcase what makes your restaurant special in a way that resonates with their audience.
Offering exclusive experiences to influencers is another way to ensure that your collaboration generates buzz. Invite influencers to a special event, such as a chef’s tasting menu, or offer them a behind-the-scenes tour of your kitchen. These one-of-a-kind experiences not only give influencers something unique to share with their followers but also help position your restaurant as a must-visit spot. Influencers love showcasing something exclusive or off the beaten path, which is exactly what tourists are often seeking when exploring a new city.
Micro-influencers, those with smaller but highly engaged followings, should not be overlooked. While they may not have the massive reach of larger influencers, micro-influencers tend to have a more intimate connection with their audience, which can lead to higher engagement rates. Partnering with micro-influencers can be a cost-effective way to reach a specific niche of travelers who are likely to visit your restaurant.
For Example
A trendy rooftop bar in Los Angeles could collaborate with a travel influencer who specializes in luxury travel experiences. The influencer could share content showcasing the bar’s panoramic city views, signature cocktails, and upscale atmosphere, tagging the restaurant and encouraging followers to visit during their stay in LA. By highlighting the restaurant’s unique features through the lens of a trusted influencer, the collaboration attracts not only the influencer’s followers but also other tourists looking for the perfect rooftop experience in the city.
4. Promote Special Offers and Events for Tourists
Offering special deals and events targeted to attract tourists is an excellent way to capture their attention and drive foot traffic to your restaurant. Social media is the ideal platform to promote these limited-time offers or events, helping to make your restaurant a must-visit spot for travelers. Creating unique experiences or discounts that specifically appeal to tourists can give your restaurant an edge over local competition and help you stand out in a crowded market.
One of the most effective ways to promote these offers is through geo-targeted ads. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow you to direct ads to people who are currently visiting your city or staying near specific attractions or hotels. This means you can target tourists in real time, offering them a timely and relevant reason to visit your restaurant.
Seasonal events are another fantastic opportunity to attract tourists. Every city has peak tourist seasons, whether it’s summer vacation, holidays, or major events like festivals or sports tournaments. You can capitalize on these busy times by promoting special events like summer barbecues, holiday-themed dinners, or live music nights that cater to tourists. Use tools like Instagram Stories, Facebook Events, and boosted posts to reach potential tourists in your area. Highlighting the festive atmosphere or unique nature of the event can draw in travelers who are looking for more than just a meal—they’re seeking memorable experiences.
Another effective way to boost tourist engagement is by partnering with local tour companies. Many travelers rely on tours to explore new destinations, and by collaborating with these companies, you can offer exclusive meal deals or discounts to their customers. For instance, you could partner with a city tour company and offer a discount to anyone who presents a tour ticket at your restaurant.
For Example
This strategy could involve a restaurant near a popular national park offering a “Post-Hike Happy Hour” deal, where tourists can enjoy discounted drinks and appetizers after a long day of exploring. The restaurant could promote this offer through Instagram ads targeted at tourists visiting the park, ensuring the message reaches people who are looking for a place to relax and refuel after their adventure.
5. Use Visual Storytelling to Showcase Your Restaurant’s Atmosphere
For tourists, dining out is often about more than just the food—it’s about the overall experience. Visual storytelling is a powerful way to highlight your restaurant’s atmosphere and unique offerings, helping potential customers imagine themselves enjoying a meal in your establishment. By using compelling photos and videos, you can set the scene and make your restaurant stand out as a memorable destination that visitors won’t want to miss and thereby attract tourists.
One way to use visual storytelling effectively is to showcase your location. If your restaurant is in a scenic or historic area, make sure to highlight its surroundings in your social media posts. Tourists love experiencing local culture and scenery, so featuring nearby landmarks, beautiful views, or your restaurant’s proximity to popular tourist hotspots can make your establishment more appealing. For instance, a restaurant with a stunning rooftop view of a city skyline or a café located in a charming historic district should leverage those visual advantages in every post.
In addition to location, you should feature your signature dishes prominently. Tourists are often interested in trying something unique or experiencing local cuisine, so showing off your most popular or distinctive menu items is a must. Use Instagram Stories or TikTok to create engaging short videos that showcase how these dishes are prepared or highlight what makes them special.
Don’t forget to include customer experiences in your visual storytelling. Sharing photos or videos of happy customers enjoying their meals, especially if they’re tourists, can act as powerful social proof. When potential visitors see other travelers having a great time at your restaurant, they’re more likely to feel confident that your establishment is worth a visit.
For Example
You could create an Instagram Reel showing tourists enjoying a classic Parisian breakfast with croissants and coffee, all while sitting with a view of the Eiffel Tower in the background. The video could end with a call to action, such as “Book your table today for a taste of Paris,” encouraging viewers to visit the café during their trip.
Read More: The Importance of Video Content for Restaurant Growth
6. Optimize Your Social Media Profiles for Tourists

To attract tourists to your restaurant, you need to make sure they can easily find all the information they need about your establishment on your social media profiles. This means fully optimizing your profiles to include key details like your location, hours of operation, and any tourist-friendly services you offer, such as multilingual menus or free Wi-Fi. A well-optimized profile not only helps tourists find you but also makes it easier for them to make a decision to visit.
One essential step is to use location tags on all your posts and stories to attract tourists. Adding your location to your content ensures that tourists searching for places to eat near them will come across your posts in location-based searches on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. This increases your visibility to travelers who are actively looking for dining options in the area, making it more likely that they’ll choose your restaurant.
Another way to optimize your profiles is by adding booking options. Many social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, allow businesses to add a “Book Now” button or a direct link to their reservation system. This is particularly useful for tourists who may not be familiar with local booking platforms or who want to make a quick reservation while browsing your profile. By streamlining the reservation process, you increase the chances of converting social media visitors into actual diners.
Additionally, if your restaurant offers tourist-friendly services like English menus, delivery to nearby hotels, or special discounts for travelers, be sure to highlight these on your profile. Tourists appreciate knowing that a restaurant can accommodate their needs, and featuring these services prominently makes your establishment more appealing to international guests.
For Example
A restaurant in Tokyo could add a “Book Now” button to its Instagram bio and post regularly about its English-language menu options, ensuring that non-Japanese-speaking tourists feel welcome and are able to make reservations with ease. This kind of thoughtful optimization goes a long way in attracting a steady flow of international visitors.
In Conclusion
Attracting tourists to your restaurant using social media marketing involves a combination of strategic promotion, engaging content, and practical optimization. By focusing on location-based targeting, visual storytelling, and influencer collaborations, you can create an enticing social media presence that attract tourists and converts them into loyal customers. Whether you’re promoting special offers or simply showcasing the unique charm of your restaurant, these techniques will help you stand out and become a must-visit destination for travelers in your area.
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