Hotel, Motel
The travel industry is finally getting this social media thing—as it demonstrates with assorted packages, promotions and platforms

Despite some SoMe missteps in the past (last year, management at a British hotel summoned police to oust a guest from his room for allegedly writing a bad review on TripAdvisor), then still a few more in the present (recently, a hotel in Illinois filed suit against a family for writing a review, again on TripAdvisor, claiming the hotel had bedbugs), [...]

Service with a Trial
The travel industry could use a little attitude adjustment when it comes to consumers and social media, but most businesses are using SoMe to enhance customer service

Remember the story of a British resort that forced a couple from its room because of an alleged bad review on TripAdvisor? That may be just the tip of the iceberg for an industry turning the social media tables on its consumers, with a report that a group of businesses [...]

Good to Go
Sustainable tourism—the new phrase for “ecotourism”—is a buzzword across the globe

Spots the world over—from Kerala, India, to Queensland, Australia, to Girdwood, Alaska—are offering up eco-friendly vacation packages. Whale-watch without disrupting the creatures’ habitat! Count and protect leatherback sea turtle eggs! Track elephant and rhinoceros behavior! While Peru’s Machu Picchu literally sinks under the weight of the more than 850,000 visitors who arrive each year, the country is desperately casting around for ideas to keep its profitable tourism [...]

Grumbling in 140 Characters or Less
More hotels are responding quickly to complaints lodged on social media sites

These days, if you really want a few extra towels, a complimentary beverage—or even a room upgrade, just tweet your dissatisfaction with your current accommodations. Hotels are increasingly monitoring social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook for customer grievances and trying to quickly make amends. One hotel chain tweeted that a customer’s Twitter complaint was “like a dagger through r hearts.” (Now [...]

I have Twitter and Facebook Plans, I Will Travel
The travel industry tries to keep up with the burgeoning role social media has in helping travelers plan their trips

The travel industry is hitting social media with a vengeance—as well it should, considering that a growing number of travelers are looking to social media for tips, deals and suggestions from friends. Almost one-half of younger business travelers recently surveyed said they consulted Facebook friends before making trip decisions. Though some argue [...]

Apps, Tourism Apps
Technology to help tourists find attractions—and navigate cities—is becoming ever more popular

If the world were a sci-fi novel, computers would literally be telling us how to spend our time. That sci-fi future has yet to materialize, but the high-tech scenario is getting closer. In Manchester, England, a device that’s eliciting comparisons with James Bond’s gadgets is available for tourists, mainly to provide info on enjoying the city. Trend Hunter cites a device called the NaviQ digital city [...]

iPerqs on the Road
Travel and hospitality companies are offering iPad access—for utility as well as just a fun bonus

It should come as no surprise that the much-buzzed-about Apple iPad has been a huge mover for the company—a reported 2 million units sold in the first two months after the April 3 launch alone. What might be a little more surprising is the number of travel-related enterprises that have purchased the device en masse as a deal sweetener for their [...]

What does buying an airline ticket have in common with connecting to a friend on Facebook? Surprisingly enough, these two seemingly unrelated activities do share a connection. Social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, are expanding to unexpected industries such as online travel websites. Incorporating social networking directly into online travel sites has become the latest marketing strategy for companies such as Expedia.com and Travelocity, who should be commended for at least trying to leverage the power of social [...]