Friends don't let friends take bad trips. Or at least that is what review site TripAdvisor is banking on with their Facebook integration.
Which begs the question -- is Facebook the modern day travel agent? Sure Zuck and crew won't book your trip for you (yet) but via their worldwide network, and yours, recommendations and travel tips are just a click away.
Personally, I find this quite interesting because of the helpful factor. Last spring when I did a few social media workshops in KL (Kuala Lumpur) I visited a city that only one or two of my friends had gone to previously. So, there wasn't a big network to ask for advice, tips, etc.
Well, except for the fact that my sister-in-law had lived their on assignment for over a month. Duh.
Too bad I didn't find that out until AFTER I got back.
Not only did this lack of information create more anxiety for me, but it resulted in a less than optimum travel experience for me too. I had precious little time outside of the workshops, so it would have been great if folks that really knew me (my friends) could have pointed me in the direction of restaurants, attractions, etc., that they knew I'd appreciate vs just what was considered a "must see" or "must do" kind of thing.
Enter Facebook. Now destinations, restaurants, attractions and such can rely on the good words (or bad) of your friends to help influence you. Which creates a host of interesting options for travel and tourism marketers of all shapes and sizes don't you think?
Think about it -- if you were a restaurant, hotel, attraction or destination... how is this gonna change your marketing efforts in the future?
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photo credit: Kristi Colvin
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