Category Archives: Tourism

Dec5

#tourismchat Highlights: Social Media Contests

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Anne Hornyak

#tourismchat Highlights: Social Media Contests

Our latest #tourismchat (December 1, 2011) focused on social media contests. A lot of the chat participants have managed contests in Facebook but not too many had experience with Twitter or Flickr contests. Below are my highlights from the chat. Check out the entire chat transcript for all the details.

Have you managed any social media contests for your DMO? What were the results?

@pagetx Yes. We’ve done Flickr photo contests for 2 yrs. Increased social fans, engagement, & # of photos in group. Success!
@MontanaTia We did our first giveaway this summer via facebook and increased the # of fans on our page.
@SarahElam Yes, we’ve done 2 very successful ones on FB. One geared towards outdoor fun, one on shopping. Increased fans & exposure!
@stefanieksays Yes, had amazing results w/ Facebook contest especially if supported with ads. See fans sticking around even after it ends.
@emilyforsha Flickr photo contests and some ticket giveaways on Twitter. Great engagement on both. Flickr gets us great content.
@ParadiseMeeting Our social media contests have been free nights at hotels. The response was phenomenal! Everyone wants to visit Florida.
@catherineheeg Facebook contest to gain fans and photos. Now working on a web-based contest to gain exposure to Trvl. agents

What were the goals for your social media contests?

@stefanieksays email address acquisition/phone number acquisition is always a big goal for clients I have worked with.
@catherineheeg goal was to gain more photos to be used in future marketing campaigns. Fans increased as well.
@CygnetUpdates consider results/goals that go beyond raw numbers. Are people continuing to engage AFTER the contest ends?
@SarahElam Increased fan base and general vb exposure…and fan interaction!
@pagetx Our goals were increased awareness of region & getting more photos in our Flickr group. Wanted active shots, not scenery.
@jeremy_harvey Definitely increase fans (& keep them), but also get some good interactions and conversations going!
@ShuttersSecrets We’ve seen the best results from contests where people have to do more than “like” us. Continued engagement is key.
@seanmdixon Recent (and awesome) side effect of last FB campaign: 150+ written FB Recommendations.

Which platforms or networks are best for contests? With which goals? Read the rest of this entry →

Nov30

#tourismchat Highlights: QR Codes

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Anne Hornyak

#tourismchat Highlights: QR Codes

The October 13 #tourismchat discussed QR Codes and their use in the tourism industry. Take a few minutes to read the entire chat transcript. For a condensed version, here are my highlights:

What’s the most creative use you’ve experienced with QR codes in tourism?

@maddenmedia I’ve seen them used on visitor signs to download maps of the area, especially for hikers.
@JoeGiessler We’ve incorporated our ‘hi’ logo into some QR code designs & used it on banners at trade shws to link to FB/mobi site
@TomMartin on personalized DM: scan>>personalized microsite w/personalized video inviting MP to host meeting in city
@WhosYourAnnie I love the @VisitSanAntonio River Walk QR Code tours: http://t.co/cFcTvlTj
@thompsonpaul using a QR code to visitor content/apps on the door of a Visitor Info Centre for when they’re closed
@WhosYourAnnie here are a few other QR Code/tourism examples via @travel2dot0: http://t.co/SFg5Waiy
@JoeGiessler An Ohio wine fstvl used them at lines so ppl could get info on the winery they were ab to try while waiting

What’s the most creative use of QR codes in non-tourism campaigns?

@xSiteable Love the World Park campaign example. http://t.co/K4Xx3aLt
@TomMartin Best three non-tourism uses I’ve seen http://t.co/Q5bzVgM7
@theresaoverby Great QR on the planting instruction card of perennials at Lowe’s this season. Fun info.
@xSiteable I’m a big fan of how the Lion Nathan Wine Group wines used QR codes: http://t.co/UI7vNJAN Real VALUE for the consumer!
@pagetx I liked REI’s QR use: http://t.co/90oBGm9J Sent you to a live hashtag stream of how people spent their dividend check.

Have you used QR Codes before? Where? Read the rest of this entry →

Nov28

#tourismchat Highlights: Location-Based Networks

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Anne Hornyak

#tourismchat Highlights: Location-Based Networks

Our #tourismchat on November 17 focused on location-based networks like Foursquare, Gowalla, Google Places, Yelp and Foodspotting. Check out the entire chat transcript for all related tweets. Here are my highlights:

What location-based networks does your DMO use?

@Beaumartian We’re using Foursquare, Yelp, & Google Places
@TuscarawasCoCVB Foursquare, Google Places
@katiecook Gowalla, Foursquare, Foodspotting and Google Places. Wowza!
@eMpTyKeller 4sq, fb, urbanspoon, yelp, google places. Not so much SCVNGR or Gowalla anymore though

Who do you think does an awesome job with Foursquare?

@decillis I’ve always admired the History Channel’s foursquare presence.
@WhosYourAnnie I’ve seen great Foursquare lists from @VisitSavannah and @BaltimoreMD.
@robertpatterson I am biased, but @Colorado. Also @ExploreChicago, @VisitPA and @Zagat of course.

Have you created Foursquare Lists yet? Any tips? Read the rest of this entry →

Sep22

Sept 15 #tourismchat: Influencers

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Anne Hornyak

Sept 15 #tourismchat: Influencers

The September 15 #tourismchat focused on influencers. For more information, check out the entire chat transcript on Chirpstory. Here are my highlights:

How do you define an influencer?

@MaddenMedia An online influencer is a resource. They offer up their expertise on a regular basis.
@scullyano Someone that shares knowledge and ideas. Blazes a trail for the industry.
@JoyLinDMAI Person/org that provides information or opinions that help others come to a decision, from understanding, change behavior.
@TourismCurrents An influencer is someone who might be a catalyst to convince others to visit your destination, attraction or lodging.
@WhosYourAnnie someone who helps to promote your brand, mostly because they genuinely love it.
@emilyforsha Someone whose message motivates or convinces others to action.
@TOPTravelOnline a trusted source amongst your ideal customers
@travel2dot0 An influencer has a specific focus, always helpful, active both online + offline and provides inspiration for others.
@Joe_ExpCols An influencer is a person with access to and credibility with your target audience.

Are you going after those that are generally influencers or ones that are influencing a certain niche? What niches?

@JoyLinDMAI Really depends on what message you’re trying to get out, what goal you have — strategic or transactional.
@CygnetUpdates Influencers with well-defined niches usually are more effective as resources

What is your primary goal when you are engaging an influencer? Read the rest of this entry →

Sep20

Making Events Social: Infographic

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Anne Hornyak

Making Events Social: Infographic

Events and conferences are utilizing social media for promotion as well as to enhance the attendee experience. Whether conferences, meetings or festivals, marketing your events with twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn is very beneficial. Check out this infographic from cvent: Read the rest of this entry →

Aug30

Join the #tourismchat Conversation

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Anne Hornyak

Join the #tourismchat Conversation

#tourismchat is a biweekly twitter chat focusing on Social Media in the Tourism Industry. It’s held on Thursdays at 2pm CST. If you’re not familiar with it, this is your personal invitation to participate, or at least lurk, in the chat!

How?

If you use TweetDeck or HootSuite, set up a search column for #tourismchat. My preference is TweetDeck as it brings in new tweets automatically in real-time.

If you don’t use TweetDeck or can’t keep up with the constant tweets, try TweetChat. This site automatically adds the #tourismchat hashtag at the end of every tweet, which is a great benefit. Tip: sign in with your twitter account and move the refresh speed down to 5 seconds.

Why?

#tourismchat is FREE.
CVBs and others in the tourism industry share their social media knowledge and experience. For free.
It’s like attending specific social media sessions at tourism conferences but better.
And if you needed another reason: Read the rest of this entry →

Aug22

Google Maps mashups

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Anne Hornyak

Google Maps mashups

Maps are an integral part of tourism marketing and creating a custom Google Map is one of the easiest ways to highlight specific parts of a destination. Maps can be made for thematic itineraries, hotels or even for things to see or do around a convention center. They can range from being rather simple with a just an address, website and/or description for each venue to something more complex featuring photos, videos and blog posts.

Tourism Queensland ran a Best Job in the World campaign in 2009 and the winner, Ben Southall, has embarked on another Queensland adventure, The Best Expedition in the World, which started in May and will be completed in September. A Google Map was created to show his 1600km kayak journey from the Town of 1770 to Cooktown, retracing the route of Captain James Cook.

The journey is an incredible feat on its own but the Best Expedition in the World Map is a mashup of Flickr photos, YouTube videos, blog posts and breathtaking 360° views. Read the rest of this entry →

Aug17

Foursquare’s branded pages and lists

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Anne Hornyak

Foursquare’s branded pages and lists

Ever since my #geekcation in Chicago (an excuse to work on Explore Chicago’s Foursquare badges), I’ve said that I would love to see a CVB create a Foursquare guide. Well this is it! Foursquare recently allowed brands to get pages for free and also unveiled a new lists feature on Monday.

What does this mean for you? Get your CVB on Foursquare. Now.

It’s easy to create a page. All you need is a graphic, description and a branded twitter account to get started. Once you’re ready with that, it’s time to add a few tips. You have to add at least 5 tips when you create your page. What’s great about these tips is that they come from your “official” brand and not a personal account.

Lists are an excellent way to group Foursquare venues together into themes, whether it by a list of museums, BBQ restaurants or even neighborhood guides. Three CVBs that have already created Foursquare lists are Visit Savannah, Baltimore and Tuscarawas County CVB. Read the rest of this entry →

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Category Archives: Tourism