conversations with the traveller , ask customers to share images with you on social media , ask them to get in touch with you for new deals , create mobile applications for tourists , and write content for the traveller ’ s friend ”.
Ms Power also put emphasis on quick response to complaints . “ There is lot of power in what people say .
There are surveys that show more than half of travellers revise their original plans if there is negative social media feedback about their chosen destinations .” Mr . Chad Wiebesick , Director of Social Media and Interactive Marketing for the tourism agency of Michigan state in the US , who spoke
www . metromartdaily . com about opportunities in tourism marketing using social media commended Kerala Tourism ’ s use of Facebook to engage with customers , both existing and potential .
“ Kerala Tourism is doing a phenomenal job by making its fans heroes on Facebook . By posting good , user generated content , particularly photographs it is able to constantly generate likes , shares and interest from people ,” he said .
Mr Wiebesick pointed out that smartphones have for the first time overtaken desktops and laptops as the most popular device for using social media . “ Companies can drive traffic to their website from
multiple platforms if they have a responsive web design – a template that looks the same whether it is on the desktop , or a tablet or a mobile phone .”
He said firms should measure social media impact not simply by the total number of followers , but by the number that are actually talking about them and the demographics of the followers .
Blogs were also cited as one of the best tools for increasing visibility online . “ Google SEO loves blogs because they have fresh content and lots of it ,” said Mr Wiebesick said .
“ A blog is the only social media channel you own . Facebook and Twitter
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