Social Media is the future for the travel industry

At least that is what the latest findings from EyeforTravel appears to show. In a report titled “Online Marketing Report” 79% of travel industry executives view social media as a long-term part of the online marketing mix. If you are in the travel industry the message is clear. User-generated content (UGC) and social networking is not a passing fad – it should be an integral part of your marketing efforts.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts was one of the first big hotel chains to try social media when it launched its “TheLobby’ feature. The results must have been promising because late last year Sheraton embraced social media, by making UGC the basis of their website.

I have written previously how Orbitz was using social media here and here. Social media is a little easier fore resorts and hotels to grab a hold of than it is for airlines because airlines tickets are more of a commodity product that is very price sensitive.

The fact that 79% of travel industry executives view social media as a long-term part of the online marketing mix is really encouraging for those of us involved in social media and it will be interesting to see what comes out of the travel specific social media conference in March.