A Guide to Social Networking and Social Media For Tourism

Social networking and social media has amazing potential for the tourism industry.  Since the collapse of the fisher in the 1990s, living in Newfoundland and Labrador meant finding ways to survive and make a living.  Tourism has become one of the main sources of incomes for many areas.

In releasing The Guide to Social Networking and Social Media for Tourism, it is hoped that the tourism industry may benefit from some of my thoughts and insights that I have learned over the last few years while experimenting with internet marketing and online businesses.

The Guide to Social Networking and Social Media for Tourism is not meant as a definitive guide or a complete how-to guide.  It is an overview of some of the more popular social networking and social media sites that can be harnessed to build an effective social marketing strategy.

With over 80 percent of travellers using online resources to research and plan a trip, the travel and tourism industry has to harness the potential of social networking and social media to be successful.  These industries must establish credibility and trust in their respective markets through positive social experiences built with a solid social marketing strategy.  Having knowledge of some of the social networking / social media tools and resources available to the travel and tourism industry is just the beginning.

Social networking and social media should not be seen solely as mechanism for increasing sales.  It is about building relationships and enhancing the interest of the market while engaging the community as a whole.  Establishing a more intimate and personal relationship with customers (or potential customers) will better serve the travel and tourism industry considering that trust, credibility and customer relationships tend to drive consumer behaviour in this market.

The Guide to Social Networking and Social Media for Tourism includes topics on:

• Social networking vs social media;
• Types of social networking / social media users;
• Importance of social networking / social media for tourism;
• Customer engagement;
• Online reputation management; and
• Social networking / social media sites to use for tourism;

The Guide to Social Networking and Social Media for Tourism is being provided 100 percent free.  There is no need to sign-up, provide an email address and it can be freely distributed.  Feedback and comments would be greatly appreciated as this guide is in its infancy.  Suggestions as to how to improve the guide or elements you would like to see covered / added can be made through comments or through my Contact form.

Click to download your free copy of The Guide to Social Networking and Social Media for Tourism.

Tagged as: free, Social Media, Social Networking, tourism