Social media influencers begging for free stays at a luxury beach club in the Philippines have been branded freeloaders by staff who told them they need to "actually work" to pay for their stays there.
The resort slammed entitled social media users who try to leverage their following to receive free food and accommodation.
A Facebook post from White Banana Beach Club Siargao said: "We are receiving many messages regarding collaborations with influencers, Instagram influencers.
"We kindly would like to announce that White Banana is not interested to 'collaborate' with self-proclaimed 'influencers'.
"And we would like to suggest to try another way to eat, drink, or sleep for free.
"Or try to actually work."
Following the post, which prompted a swathe of comments and debate, the resort shared another statement expanding on its stance, which said: "We want to clarify that we are not against INFLUENCERS.
"Just against freeloaders.
"A REAL influencer is called as such by the rest, he does not address him/herself as an influencer."
One social media "content creator" named Lance De Ocampo said he felt "strongly offended" by the statement because he felt they made a "hasty generalisation".
As he responded to the comments in an Instagram story he said he "would not have survived" if he "only relied on free stuff".
Some backed this opinion, with one writing: "Those with real influence do not need to beg for free whatever."
Some, however, defended the target of the backlash and said: "If these people formally sent you a message, I think they deserve a formal rejection as well. Not like this. "
Others suggested there may be some cynical attempt for promotion behind the post itself, with one saying describing it as "clever" before adding: "Bad publicity is still publicity."
The beach club's bar has since made a cocktail named "the influencer" in the wake of its post going viral.
The business is based in Tuason Beach in Siargao and describes itself as "the perfect place to chill pre and post surf".
