If you want a hot deal close to home, check Facebook. Marketers are turning to social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to attract locals into tourist-dependent businesses during the off-season.

Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson and Loews Lake Las Vegas applied the airlines’ concept of flying standby to the hotel industry with its clever “Standby Staycations.”

Hot-weather desert dwellers  who become a Facebook fan of the resorts can book a same-day stay for a bargain-basement price of $79. Jennifer Duffy, director of public relations-Golf Resorts, said the deeply discounted rates will be random.

As the availability of a standby seat on an airline is based empty seats, the standby rooms will be based on the day’s occupancy of the destination hotels and announced before 11 a.m. on the day of availability. If rooms will be empty — the standby rate may go into effect. Do not expect daily or predictable announcements.

“It’s a win-win for the consumer and the hotel,” said Duffy. The consumer gets a significant price break — lower than booked-in-advance or online rates and the hotel fills would-be empty rooms. The Standby Staycations will be offered after Memorial Day.

Loews’ Facebook presence dovetails with other Facebook efforts targeting specific, local summer discounts. For example, Tucson Will Surprise You posts ganga deals on Tucson hotels, restaurants and attractions not found anywhere else.

These offers are based on availability, warns Tucson Will Surprise You: “So once they’re taken, they’re taken!” We spotted this tweet from “@AzulLaPaloma”: “Psst! Pass it on! Mention this tweet and get 1/2 priced dessert today at AZUL at the Westin La Paloma. (5/26)”

The last-minute deals placed on Facebook and Twitter clearly demonstrate the power and immediacy social media has when trying to attract homegrown customers and clients.

(Thanks to kretyen for the photo.)

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