Social media is drastically changing the way tourism companies communicate with their customers. Once upon a time, Google was the predominant source of booking hotels and accommodations, and it was the direct link between customers and the travel and hospitality sector. But nowadays, people are using social media channels to research and discover potential travel destinations.
So with all that said, is social media really taking the mantle from Google in the travel and tourism sector? Let’s find out.
1. Social Media Transforms The Way We Research
Probably the most visible effect social media has had over the tourism industry is the fact that it has made it easy for people to read online reviews. When millennials plan their travels nowadays, almost 80% research the social media activity of their friends and peers online. Instagram and Facebook are the most popular social media platforms where people can research potential travel destinations and hotel accommodations. Other popular platforms include Booking and TripAdvisor, which are crowd-sourced review sites.
Both social media platforms and crowd-sourced review sites have all the tools necessary for people to make up their minds on a specific travel destination or hotel accommodation, that can really help.
2. Sharing On Social Media
People love to show their friends and families on social media the places they’ve been and seen. This is exactly what social media is great at; it has expanded people’s ability to share travel experiences with their peers. Literary every single person shares their travel experiences on social media. And this influences others in a web of peer-to-peer content that serves as inspiration for them. For more information on the effects that social media sharing has on the travel industry, make sure to click here.
3. Improves Customer Service
Nowadays, the vast majority of brands have some sort of social media presence. Social media platforms make it easy for brands to communicate with their customers, and this ultimately improves customer services. With brands and social media, customers have a platform where they can contact them regarding complaints. And those who respond to complaints in a civilized and well-mannered way are those who develop a strong reputation amongst customers. Everything we’ve said can be used in the hotel and tourism sector, as every hotel and tourism company has a social media presence.
4. Social Media Makes it Easy
Nowadays, the tourism industry can directly promote their services to their followers. Travel agencies can directly link accommodations to their Facebook pages, and their followers can visit their website with a simple click. This completely cuts Google out as you don’t even need to do a search. Social media has made it easy for brands across any industry to promote their content for their followers to see. This makes availability of information and self-service at the front of it. The travel industry accounts for the majority of all types of bookings. And the need to adapt has caused a major boom in the industry. Since social media platforms open a new venue where businesses can promote their products and services, travel agencies, and the entire industry have shifted their focus from in-person to online.
