Are We Entering A Golden Age For Travel Consultants?
According to a recent Travel Market Report a new Golden Age for travel advisors may be just around the corner as Baby Boomers begin to retire at the rate of 10,000 people a day.
As the report goes on to discuss that these affluent and energetic retirees are placing a premium on personalized travel services and they’re relying on social media and personal recommendations to get it. But they’re doing it in a very symbiotic way that leads right back to the knowledgeable travel agent:
THE NEW INFLUENTIALS
Marketing has lost its power; consumers are the “new influentials,” according to the report. “Brands selling direct to the consumer are now being substituted by consumers recommending to consumers. In some ways they’re hijacking brand marketing for all products” says James Canton, CEO of the Institute for Global Futures, a San Francisco firm that advises global Fortune 100 companies.
Implications: Travelers may be getting recommendations from other consumers via the Internet, “but the final arbiter is that intimate relationship with a knowledgeable agent,” Canton said. Travel sellers should be able to capitalize on their role as trusted advisor. “Travel agents can provide a reality check. Consumers want integrity of information,” Canton added.
Read the complete article HERE.
Orinda Travel Custom Facebook Page
To take advantage of our recent promotion to build a custom Facebook page to help grow their business, we recently created a custom WELCOME tab that encourages new visitors to “like” the Orinda Travel Facebook page. To create your custom Facebook page or for help in implementing a social media and public relations strategy for your travel business, please contact us for complte information.
GROW YOUR TRAVEL BUSINESS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA & PR
People are 60% more likely to recommend your travel brand or destination to their friends if they follow you on Facebook! They’re also more likely to believe something they read as part of a favorite website or newspaper than an advertisement. The bottom line for all communications, however, is to provide compelling, engaging content. That’s the true differentiator.
BENEFITS OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Social Media allows you to create conversations with travelers eager to share their enthusiasm and travel experiences with friends and family. It also allows you, the business owner, to monitor conversations about your company. People are using social media sites to discuss their enthusiasm and dissatisfaction with products and services whether your business has a social media presence or not. We believe it’s critical for any business to not only be aware of the conversations that are taking place about their own business and industry but to be involved in shaping those conversations as well.
With Social Media…
Your Customers Can:
- Consume your content and information
- Share travel photos
- Share video
- Ask for and offer recommendations
Travel Business Owners Can:
- Build brand loyalty
- Communicate your unique value proposition
- Provide customer service
- Receive direct customer feedback
- Conduct contests, giveaways and special promotions
- Offer continually updated information
- Advertise to a targeted demographic
RAISE YOUR VISIBILITY – ONLINE & OFF – WITH PUBLIC RELATIONS
The same information that creates valuable content for your blog and social media networks can also be used to create timely news releases for local and industry media. Local community newspapers, travel editors, online publications and a wide variety of special-interest bloggers will welcome your story ideas.
Your PR Travel Pitches Can Include Stories About
- Travel tips
- Seasonal recommendations
- Security updates
- Themed travel (Senior, gay, music, food, etc)
Get started today with social media and/or a public relations campaign for as little as $500. Please contact us for a custom quote on a three-month Quick Start program.
