Travel Business, Tourism Marketing and Hospitality Career Training

If you wonder about Social Media Travel Sales and:

• What the “social” in media all about?

• Why social media is important in travel sales?

• Where do you start with social media to sell more travel?

Watch Live Webinar Replay Here -  Live Only Till 4/30

What Is Social Media Travel Sales All About?

The “Social” aspect is about connection and community with people. These are people who you know or can relate to. Friends, share interests, etc. We are social beings and need to stay connected. This has been the fuel that has and will always drive social media. Let’s look at the levels and types of social connection from friends to strangers

So when you are socializing isn’t it easier to connect with friends first in places you both know?  This is most comfortable.   How about connecting at a friend’s home, with people you don’t know?   Not quite and Comfortable because strangers have been added to the equation. But since their friends of friends, you have more trust and comfort then a total stranger, right?

Isn’t it harder to make friends in a new place with people you don’t know – and they don’t’ know you?  These stranger are often the majority of people visiting your travel website or seeing some of your marketing. SO how do they know you are a trustworthy and safe provider of travel or hospitality services?

Check out this recent Neilson study on most trusted form of advertising.  It’s just like above. People trust a friend’s opinion and a review far more than any other source of information. The top 2 sources from the study do these 3 critical things that will help you sell more travel:

• Establish trust
• Builds credibility
• Starts building connections

 Why Is Travel Social Media Important?

So as I mentioned and the Nielsen study confirms, it is easier to connect and create a relationship if you were referred or recommended in social media review site. This includes:

(Facebook, Google +, Google Places, LinkedIn, Tripadvisor, AirBNB, Pinterest and … The social media travel sales channels are only going to gorw and get much more important.

This is where social and media connect. It allows you to leverage goodwill and trust to “turn strangers into friends.”  The “Media” aspect – connects us and leverages the power of the Internet to reach millions. This is Social Media Travel Sales at it’s core.

So when you use social media properly, you will grow relationship and sell more travel. Stay tuned. I’ll share more on “how to use social media properly” soon.

Where Do You Start Marketing Travel With Social Media?

In your travel business; who are the people who know you best and who like you the most?  Happy guests right?  So start there. Identify you happy guests/visitors and start connecting with them. 

I suggest a creating a rating system.  “A” level guests = friends, family and “Super Fans”. SO to make your travel social media marketing efforts provide a ROI (Return on Investment), start with “A” rated guests. These are the people who are most likely to want to stay connected and be active friends with you.

But you must keep the spark alive… Have you ever lost connection with old friends?  Social media is the best tool to tool ever to stay connected.  Your happy guests will be glad you reached out and help them remember their life enhancing experience they had with you. Or visiting your lodge, destination, service you provides, etc.

You Are Part of My Tourism Community

On travel business success I get lots of comments, questions, “Liking” and sharing. I truly appreciate it. You are a part of my important tourism social community.

And I am blessed to be a part of your tourism business dream too.  Since 1994, I have committed to helping independent tourism business owners like you succeed.  You can count on my help to inspire, guide and connect you with tourism peers and resources so you can realize your dreams.

Next episode of Tourism Marketing TV: Special Travel Social Media Marketing webinar on 4/18.

• Best methods to connect with your best clients
• How to engage friends and prospects in your social media communities
• How to get your “happy guest selling for you” in your travel marketing
• How to “turn strangers into friends, and friends into customers”
•  Free webinar Replay live till 4/30
  

  • Selling More Travel With Social Media

What is your #1 question, challenge or concern about social media and tourism marketing?

Please share in the “Leave a Comment” below. Then I can help you and fellow tourism stakeholders worldwide. Everybody wins.