It’s that time of year again for travel
brands
. With spring in bloom and summer fast approaching, vacation season is upon us. While travelers escape the daily grind, tech-driven devices—like smartphones, tablets, and laptops—work overtime on vacation.
Recent research reveals technology’s growing impact on how people travel. Around 77% of tech-savvy travelers read online hotel reviews, and 30% of these users utilize mobile apps to find hotel deals. Over 50% of plugged-in travelers “like” Facebook pages specific to their vacation.
Your travel business can’t afford to ignore the buzz surrounding social media in travel. Having a Facebook business profile or a Twitter account is one thing— utilizing social media effectively is an entirely different story.
Social media offers your travel brand a data-rich goldmine for making connections and discovering or strengthening relationships. Platforms such as Facebook are ideal for your business because travel is a social experience, starting with bookings.
Travel, Social Media, and Marketing
For travel suppliers like motels, social networks are the second-most influential source of online traffic. These social networks are becoming a key component in SERP algorithms. To maintain or
enhance your search rankings
, social media is no longer optional—it’s critical for marketing success.
Using social media is essentially free! Whenever people are reviewing your hotel on TripAdvisor or liking your bus tour page on Facebook, you get instant access to their social network of fellow travelers without spending a dime.
However, social media strategy needs to be implemented the right way to yield the best results for your business. Online marketing companies like SevenAtoms offer comprehensive social media marketing services , enabling you to engage customers.
Brand-Generated Conversations
A blog generated by your business is an affordable and excellent way to communicate your passion for travel to customers. Discuss how you can enhance travelers’ experiences through your unique brand services.
Consumer-Generated Content
Implement social media campaigns to engage your audience and facilitate participation. You can launch a photo contest on Flickr, encouraging vacationers to share their travel experiences. Such campaigns have a positive marketing effect with minimal cost to your travel agency.
Remember that your travel company can build a great reputation and leverage what you do well—make travelers happy—to advertise for free through satisfied customers.
Image Source: Mashable.com
