METRO EVENT
Social media is a best tool for tourism marketing
India’ s first conference on travel technology got underway today with a call to tourism and allied businesses to utilise social media, the blog world and digital apps for marketing their services to the new, tech-savvy global traveller.
Social media and online marketing were the focus of today’ s discussions at the International Conference on Travel Technology( ICTT) India which was inaugurated on Friday at The Leela in Kovalam.
As travel decisions become increasingly influenced by peer reviews and opinions on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Google +, LinkedIn, Instagram and Pinterest, experts are advising businesses to factor in the internet in their marketing strategies.
“ Social Media has become a constant presence throughout the traveller life cycle – from decision and planning stage, to the actual vacation, to post holiday,” said Ms Selina Power, a social media specialist from Australia.
“ It has become our information network and our source of news.” A large proportion of travellers today use smartphones when they are travelling, to take photos, use maps or search for restaurants, she said.“ They post photos and reviews for others to see and be influenced by; which travel businesses need to take seriously.” Her advice to those in the industry is:“ create engaging social
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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
July 2013
METRO mart