The 7 Best Social Media Apps for Travelers

There are a number of social media apps designed specifically for travelers. Here are the best ones you should start using!

There's no better way to explore a new location than with advice from people who have lived or traveled there before. Social media apps are fast becoming the best way to connect travelers with these experienced insiders.

While existing social media apps may inspire jealousy in your followers, or enable you to share experiences with friends, they aren't designed for travelers. Thankfully, there are travel social media apps designed specifically for travelers, and these are the best.

1. Foursquare

Foursquare has been a mainstay of online travel planning for many years. The app offers an incredible number of functions, and allows you to search for nearby attractions based on the distance from your destination or current location, rating, or Foursquare's personalized estimate of your tastes.

The app also offers you the chance to follow travelers who have similar tastes to your own, read reviews from other travelers, and add your own insights to help fellow travelers in the future.

The ability to create and save your information in a profile means that your preferences, saved locations, and information will always be available to you, whether in the planning stages or in the middle of your trip.

Download: Foursquare for iOS | Android (Free)

Trover is one of the best apps available when looking for travel inspiration. The home screen presents you with many different feeds of beautiful images to view, including a feed of the most popular photos, a feed of the latest images, feeds specific to different locations, and feeds based on hashtags that have been assigned by users.

This app focuses more on the travel experiences of individual users and beautiful photographs than providing in-depth reviews or traveler tips. These functions make Trover ideal for conceptualizing a vacation you hope to take, but another app may be required to turn that trip into a reality.

Download: Trover for iOS | Android (Free)

3. Spotted by Locals

Spotted by Locals offers quirky sightseeing and activity ideas handpicked by real locals. When you have no idea what to do or where to eat, you can browse through a ton of helpful guides for over 70 cities. Since all of the suggestions are written by locals, you can expect to find some non-touristy, hole-in-the-wall destinations.

Just keep in mind that you can't access a full city guide or save spots unless you pay a fee for each guide. The offline version of the app is also only available if you pay. However, it may be worth it if you're looking for smart travel planning apps to put a unique spin on your trip.

Download: Spotted by Locals for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

4. Withlocals

While Spotted by Locals helps you find destinations thanks to guides written by locals, Withlocals connects you with local tour guides. You can use this social travel app to find food tours, walking tours, day trips, night tours, and even bike tours.

When you select a tour you're interested in, you'll see a detailed description of the tour along with an itinerary. Scroll down the page to find reviews by other users, and tap Pick Your Local to view each guides' profile and book your tour. After all, there's really nothing better than receiving a tour from someone who knows their way around.

Download: Withlocals for iOS | Android (Free)

5. Couchsurfing

The Couchsurfing website and app have been well-used over the past several years by budget-conscious travelers looking for a free place to stay. While the app is entirely free, you can increase your chances of finding a host by paying a fee to verify yourself.

Even if crashing on a stranger's couch isn't your preferred style of accommodation, the app can still be a great resource for meeting new people around the world.

Every profile on the website features information about the Couchsurfing hosts, as well as their photo. If you find a host in the area you plan on traveling to, it's worth sending them a message to see if they'd be willing to meet during your travels.

Download: Couchsurfing for iOS | Android (Free)

6. Travello

Travello is a social media app for travelers and people interested in traveling. When you sign up, you'll see a feed filled with posts made by people traveling around the world. If you want, you can even connect with the other travelers on the app by commenting on their photos or by messaging them to ask questions.

You can also use Travello to find groups of like-minded travelers. Head to Explore > Groups to find groups such as Solo Travelers, Backpackers Asia, Digital Nomads, Female Travelers, and more.

Once you start traveling, you can start posting your own photos and keeping track of your trips. Make sure you know these key photography tips for beginners before you start posting pictures of the amazing sights you see.

Download: Travello for iOS | Android (Free)

7. TravelBuddy

If you're looking for a social media app for travel that doubles as a way to find a travel partner, TravelBuddy is for you. The home page presents you with a travel feed that will definitely inspire you to take a vacation. You can also opt to filter posts by location, which can help you find potential sightseeing spots.

To get in touch with a travel buddy, you can hit Find a Buddy on the home page. Simply enter your destination, choose a preferred gender for your buddy, and add your travel dates. TravelBuddy is also a great way to ask locals any questions about your travel destination.

Download: TravelBuddy for iOS | Android (Free)

Social Media Apps Can Improve Your Vacations

You should never be over reliant on technology while traveling. However, while you shouldn't be glued to your phone the entire trip, these social media apps for travelers can help make your trip better.

Having a few quality social travel apps at your fingertips can improve your experience, and help you find hidden gems throughout your travels. To explore even further, check out these travel apps to help you find unique tourist spots .

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Top 5 Social Travel Sites

The latest tools make travel, maybe not exactly easy, but much easier

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In This Article

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What Is Social Travel?

  • Frequently Asked Questions

Social travel is a hot area for innovation in social media as many startups launch services to make travel planning more efficient and effective by incorporating the latest social media tools and networks.

In the process, they're disrupting the established travel industry, including trip planners, travel agencies, and rental services. Even first-generation social travel sites like TripAdvisor , with its millions of user-generated travel reviews, face increased competition from travel social networks that have popped up in more recent years.

Social travel simply refers to information-sharing about travel. Typically, the new services include a website and mobile app and let you tap into your existing social networks for travel advice and communicate with other travelers you've never met via the sites' social travel network. Some focus on bookings and rentals, but more are about discovery and sharing tools and aim to be your travelogue.

New social travel players like San Francisco-based Suiteness continue to pop up month after month. Since it can be hard to know which sites are worthy of attention because there are so many, we've compiled the list below of six noteworthy innovators in social travel .

Sunshinemartin / Wikimedia Commons

Sample itineraries to plan long drives and flights.

Offers highly personalized advice.

Unreliable search feature.

Destination information isn't well organized.

Trippy is a Pinterest-like online service for planning trips with tie-ins to social networks. It helps people seek travel tips from their connections on those networks and others who have traveled to places they're considering; it also offers itinerary-planning tools with social features. The interface looks like Pinterest with a visual grid of what it calls "travel boards," image collections from places you like or have visited. The website launched in 2011. Trippy also has a free iPhone app.

Everplaces 

Mobile app works well without an internet connection.

Control who sees your posts.

Website loads slowly, there's a lot of pictures.

Can be difficult to navigate.

Everplaces is a Pinterest-like social network and mobile app aimed at letting you track places you've been or want to visit by category. It launched in closed beta in 2011 and to the public in 2012. The tagline gives the basic idea: "Create your own collection of places you love." The Danish ​startup is all about location-based tracking and planning. Like Pinterest, it allows users to follow one another. Everplaces recently launched a business-oriented tool that lets people and businesses create mini-travel guides as apps for mobile phones. Everplaces also is available as an iPhone app.

Trip by SkyScanner

"Tribes" feature that plans trips around personal interests.

Destination pages include comprehensive weather information.

Distracting advertisements for other travel websites.

Not the best tool to find cheap flights.

Trip by Skyscanner (formerly GoGoBot) is one of the more popular travel apps, thanks partly to early integration with Facebook. It performs a similar service to Trippy but with a more original interface, well suited for planning trips. It launched in 2010 and looks more like TripAdvisor than Pinterest, with a focus on mini-guides to particular destinations built around user reviews. Trip by Skyscanner also lets users book hotels while planning, create photo postcards for sharing, review venues, get "stamps" from places visited, and maintain a "passport" of visited places visited. In addition to the website, Trip by Skyscanner has an iPhone app.

Coordinate plans with groups of travelers.

Import travel details from your email.

Must create an account and supply an email address.

Advanced features require a premium membership.

TripIt is a social network for making itineraries and travel plans. It provides tools for converting your flight, hotel, and rental car confirmations into mobile itineraries. TripIt has free mobile apps for the iPhone , iPad, and Android .

Accommodations and tours you won't find anywhere else.

"Concerts" section covers the local music scene.

Limited customer service.

Some "experiences" packages are overpriced.

Airbnb is a major innovative player in online rentals that lets people book space in other people's homes. It lets users create profiles and show their reviews of places they've rented and stayed. Launched in 2008, Airbnb had hundreds of thousands of listings in a couple of hundred countries by 2012. Many listings are rooms inside private homes occupied by other people, but they also include full apartments and homes. Hosts and guests publicly rate each other after checkout, which helps with security. It was originally called Airbedandbreakfast and people often still call it air bed & breakfast. Airbnb has both iPhone  and Android mobile apps.

Before leaving for your destination, ensure you'll have data access so you can always rely on Google or Apple Maps to get around (or at least not super lost). One app that caught our eye was Spotted by Locals . Its premise is these articles and tips are written by folks who live in the cities and can offer places and events that might not yet be in your typical travel guide. The app is free, and you pay for each destination you are going to (so there's no money out of pocket if you don't end up needing it).

Yes, and we cover it all in our How to Use Google Translate Offline article. You need to download each language you want to use before you no longer than access to the internet, so plan ahead so you aren't sin suerte.

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Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

How to Use Your Social Network to Travel the World

Celinne da Costa posing at a temple in India with some locals

One of the most popular budget-travel apps is Couchsurfing . It’s a social network website that allows you to connect with locals abroad who can share their insider tips and advice or provide you with a free place to stay.

I remember I used it when I was first traveling and stayed at this lovely home in Athens . Since that first trip, I’ve used it dozens of times to meet people, hang out, and save money on accommodation.

Celinne, on the other hand, created — and used — her own personal social network. She traveled the world only by staying with friends and friends of friends. She reached out on the web and found strangers willing to open their homes to her. Not only did this help her lower her travel costs, but it also allowed her to meet wonderful, fascinating, and kind-hearted people.

To me, travel is about the human connections we make — and she found a way to make some great ones. Here’s her story, what inspired her to do this, and what she learned along the way.

Nomadic Matt: Tell us about yourself. Who are you? What drives you? Celinne Da Costa: My love story with travel dates as far back as I can remember: I was born in the heart of Rome to an immigrant Brazilian mother and a German-raised Italian father.

Since leaving Italy , I’ve gone from living in the quintessential suburbia neighborhoods that American dreams are made of, to frenziedly exploring Philadelphia while balancing my studies at University of Pennsylvania, to adventuring my way through every nook and cranny of New York City .

Last year, I left behind my corporate advertising job in the city to design my dream life from scratch. I began with a journey around the world, in which I harnessed the power of human connection and kindness to stay with 70+ strangers in 17 countries across four continents.

Eighteen months later, I’m still traveling full-time and writing a book about my experience circumnavigating the globe by couchsurfing through my social network.

What fuels your passion for travel? Travel accelerates personal growth and challenges me to become the best version of myself. There are so many beautiful places in the world, but after a while, they begin to blend into one another. What truly makes travel valuable is the lessons it can teach you , if you are willing to be present and pay attention to your environment.

Travel has helped me develop the humility and goodwill to learn from people that I meet along the way. It has pushed me to understand my insignificance on this planet, yet still take actions that will positively impact others.

Most importantly, it has challenged me to open my heart to others and live in the moment. Ultimately, travel is not a matter of what I see, but who I become along the way. I don’t need to see the entire world. I just want to feel it run through my veins.

Tell us about this long adventure you were just on. How did you think of it? How long did it last? Where did you go? What did you do? I didn’t want to just quit my corporate 9-5 job on a whim and travel the world without a plan. I wanted to make travel into a lifestyle , not a sabbatical, so I decided to design a project that would:

  • Incorporate my main passions (travel, writing, and making connections with interesting humans)
  • Create opportunities for a lifestyle change once I was done.

I challenged myself to design my dream life, attempt to live it out for six months and re-evaluate once I got there.

That’s where the idea of my social experiment came from: I circumnavigated the globe by couchsurfing through my network. I wanted to reincorporate real human connection back into my life.

During this time, I never used Couchsurfing since everyone who hosted me was connected to me somehow (friends, friends of friends, people I met on the road).

I ended up being on the road for nine months for this project, and having 73 hosts in 17 countries across 4 continents: I passed through Europe , the Middle East, Southeast Asia , Oceania, and the United States .

Celinne da Costa skydiving in New Zealand

How did you actually find hosts to host you? How far ahead did you know where you were going to sleep?  There were no websites involved! Only sheer human connection. All the interactions were initiated by me and were enabled by my phone (texting, voice notes, calling) and social media (mostly Instagram and Facebook).

I reached out to everyone I knew telling them about my project and asking whether they knew someone they could connect me with. I kept moving from one connection to the next until I found someone willing to host me. As my project grew and people started finding out about it, hosts started to reach out to me through Instagram.

I only had a one-way ticket to Italy (where I’m originally from) booked – everything else was on a whim. I had a general trajectory of where I was going, and I would add or subtract places depending on my hosting situation.

There were places I wanted to visit no matter what, so there were often times when I was down to the wire and didn’t find a host until super last minute. Other times, I had hosts lined up months ahead.

It always worked out — I was only left without a host once, in Croatia . I ended up renting a cheap room last minute, but luckily, I did make some local friends on that trip so I’ll have a place to stay if I return!

What was the furthest connection with a host that you stayed with? How did that happen? My furthest connection was seven degrees in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was: my mom’s friend’s girlfriend’s client’s client’s co-worker’s friend. It was crazy how it happened. I kept struggling to find a place, and each person would pass me along to someone else they knew until eventually, someone was available and willing to host. This happened several times during my travels — I also had plenty of five- and six-degree connections. I was taken aback by how dedicated people were to finding me a place to stay.

Celinne da Costa posing with some locals at their small souvenir stand

Did you ever meet someone on the road and stay with them? Or did you strictly stay with friends of friends? Yes, all the time! There was never a point when I had all my hosts lined up – I usually had my next couple of destinations planned, and everything else up in the air. I was constantly meeting and befriending travelers on the road, and upon hearing about my project, a vast majority would offer to host me without me even asking.

For example, I met an older gentleman for all of 30 minutes as I was leaving a meditation retreat in Nepal (which, funny enough, was also part of my project: my Kathmandu’s cousin worked so I was his guest). Despite knowing me so briefly, he offered to host me in Tasmania. I ended up visiting his and his wife’s farm (located in the middle of nowhere) six months later with another host, and it was amazing.

Four complete strangers ended up spending an entire evening sharing stories about our travels and philosophies on life over a feast of freshly caught crayfish and vegetables picked from their garden.

Tell us a few host stories that completely surprised you when you were on the road. If there is anything I learned from meeting hundreds of people during my travels, it’s that there is so much more than we could ever fathom going on below the surface of a human being. It is our nature to categorize things.

With people, it tends to be by culture, race, geography, religion, etc. If you make an active effort to put these categories aside, sit down with locals, and demonstrate some basic interest in their lives and stories, you’ll find that each person is their own universe.

In fact, the most incredible nuggets of wisdom I’ve gotten came from people who didn’t even realize their own brilliance.

One of my favorite encounters was with Maung, an older gentleman that I met who was a hotel manager in Myanmar. After some conversation, I found out he smuggled cows to Thailand for a living when he was younger, and was a commander in the guerilla fighting movement against the oppressive regime alongside a monk who later became famous for his humanitarian efforts towards orphaned children. What a story!

Then, there is Adam, the Italian-American host I fell head-over-heels in love with (spoiler: we broke up). We grew up less than an hour away from each other in the US yet I found him while he was living in Australia .

Lastly, I’ll never forget asking my host Anna in Bali whether she knew of a spiritual healer and her telling me that she lived with one. That week, I spent most of my evenings sitting on their porch in an Ubud village, discussing the meaning of love and happiness as they proceeded to school me on life with their wise Balinese philosophy.

What challenges did you have Couchsurfing around the world? How did you deal with them? I could never predict the comfort or location convenience of my accommodation, so I really had to learn to go with the flow and not set any expectations.

I’ve stayed in penthouses with my own private room, bathroom, and maid, and I’ve also stayed in cots on the floor of a village with a hole for a toilet. It’s funny because some of my most “uncomfortable” hosting accommodations ended up being my richest and best experiences, and vice versa.

Celinne da Costa and one of her hosts posing by a colorful mural

Also, “reading” my hosts was a challenge. Their reasons for hosting me were so different: some wanted to pay it forward, others wanted to actively show me their city and pick my brain, and others were only offering a place to stay but didn’t necessarily want to socialize. I had to sharpen my people skills so I could stay respectful and intuitive to people’s boundaries (or lack thereof).

What are your tips for people who are inspired by your story and want to do this on their own? What are some great resources you suggest to use? Identify what you are passionate about, and try to build your travels around what works for you. My project was successful because I tapped into my strengths and passions.

If you’d like to create a project around your travels, I suggest you customize it around your preferences: if you are an introvert and hate talking to people, for example, spending hours a day chatting with people and asking them to host you may not be the best idea.

Make your journey fun by catering to what you really feel comfortable and happy doing, and make sure you do some planning ahead of time.

My best resource was fellow travelers who had also done round-the-world trips . When I was thinking about doing this trip, I reached out to full-time travelers on Instagram, asked friends if they knew people who went on long travel trips, and did a lot of “blog surfing.”

I had so many Skype calls with strangers who had just finished round-the-world trips before I left for my own. Talking through my doubts, fears, and confusions — and being reassured that I would be okay made me so much more comfortable with leaving.

Specifically, my trip was inspired by one of my mentors Leon Logothetis, who is the author of the book (and now TV show) The Kindness Diaries . He traveled the world on a yellow motorbike relying on people to offer him gas, food, or shelter, to prove to himself and to others that humanity was kind.

Other books I also read that prepared me for the trip were Vagabonding by Rolf Potts, The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton, and A New Earth: Awakening To Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle.

Celinne da Costa and two of her male Couchsurfing hosts posing for a photo in Europe

How do you make your money last on the road? What are some of your best tips? My top tips for people trying to make it work financially on the road:

1. Know your weaknesses, and plan for them – I’m terrible at numbers and never budgeted before, but I knew I would have to if I wanted to make this work financially. I created an excel sheet and for the past 18 months, have been documenting and categorizing every single expense so I can track where I need to cut down if necessary.

I also knew I’d go crazy if I didn’t occasionally treat myself to something I liked but wasn’t necessary, so I gave myself a monthly “frivolous stuff” allowance.

2. Always remember that you can barter or negotiate – Traveling and negotiating on the road taught me that currency is not only monetary — it is social as well. I did not have abundant funds, but I did have a skillset: I am a brand strategist by trade, as well as a writer, social media influencer, and content creator.

When negotiating with dollars didn’t get me anywhere, I would offer my services in exchange for goods or services of similar perceived value. In many areas of the world, people respond favorably to a favor exchange.

If marketing isn’t your skillset, that’s totally ok too! I’ve seen people barter all kinds of skills for experiences of places to stay: for example, exchanging farm work or teaching English for room and board, helping a small business with coding a website in exchange for free tours, etc. The possibilities are endless!

3. Embrace the minimalist lifestyle – When I’m on the road, I live a very minimalist lifestyle. I only travel with a carry-on to keep my belongings to a minimum, I hardly buy souvenirs or clothes, I walk or take public transportation whenever possible, and I buy most of my food at the grocery store.

I normally don’t pay for culture and history-related activities or tours; I email places ahead of time, tell them about my project and that I’m a writer (in addition to having my own social media following, I also write for some major publications…both which I achieved by creating this social experiment).

Since I stay with locals, I don’t pay for accommodation, which helps tremendously.

Were your family and friends supportive of your traveling adventure? Surprisingly, yes. I was originally nervous to tell my family and friends about my plan to quit my job to travel around the world by sleeping in random people’s homes – I really expected them to try to talk me out of it.

Although a handful of them did, the vast majority had a response along the lines of “Yes! You need to do this!”

I was overwhelmed by the support, how much they believed in me, and how they supported me along the way, emotionally as well as by connecting me to potential hosts. I couldn’t have made it without them!

Celinne da Costa and a new friend posing for a photo in front of a scenic landscape

What’s on your bucket list? Oof, am I allowed to say every country in the world? If had to narrow down to five places that I’m itching to see, they are: Peru , Bolvia , Antarctica, Japan , and the Philippines .

Now I just need to find hosts there!

Do you have any advice for people that feel like Couchsurfing is something dangerous that they could never do? Yes! The first rule is probably the hardest to internalize: you have to trust people. We live in a world that is constantly inundating us with news of what terrible humans we are, but that is not the case at all.

I found all over the world that most people are good, and want to help. I have enough stories about people who went out of their way in kindness for me to fill a book (and that’s why I’m writing one!).

Of course, there are exceptions, and that’s where my second piece of advice comes in: trust your intuition. Western society particularly values mind over heart, and that’s something I learned to question during my time in Southeast Asia . It’s important to use rationality and logic when moving through life, but there is something about intuition that just cannot be quantified.

Listen to what your gut tells you. If something feels off, remove yourself from the situation, no questions asked.

Overall, I’ve surfed over 100 couches in the past couple of years and I’ve only had one bad experience which I quickly removed myself from before it escalated. Statistically, that’s a 1% weirdo rate.

Believe that people are good, and that’s the world that will manifest for you!  

Become the Next Success Story

One of my favorite parts about this job is hearing people’s travel stories. They inspire me, but more importantly, they also inspire you. I travel a certain way but there are many ways to fund your trips and travel the world. 

I hope these stories show you that there is more than one way to travel and that it is within your grasp to reach your travel goals.

Here are more examples of people who overcame obstacles and made their travel dreams a reality:

  • How Angela Travels the World as an Au Pair
  • How Oneika Gets Teaching Jobs Around the World
  • How Helen Successfully Traveled and Volunteered Around Africa
  • Why Trish Sold Everything She Owned to Travel
  • An Interview with Lee Abbamonte, the Youngest American to Visit Every Country in the World

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

  • SafetyWing (best for everyone)
  • Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
  • Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.  

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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The Top Travel Social Networks

Island Hopper Dan

Top travel social networks on the Web, including niche social communities for travelers and travel planning as well as those organized by language, nationality or specialty interest (including sites for backpackers, jetsetters, first-time travelers and so on). This list contains social networks and online communities relating specifically to vacationing, trip-taking and world exploration.

A social network is defined as an online service, platform or website which is focused largely around uniting individuals and allowing them to communicate and interact. Facebook currently is the world's largest and most popular social networking platform, having supplanted previous champions such as MySpace and Friendster.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

Gowime

Couchsurfing

Travelgee

Trip n Howl

Tripwolf

HelloTel App

BootsnAll

VirtualTourist

IstanbulTurkeyBook

IstanbulTurkeyBook

FriendsChoices

FriendsChoices

Airbnb

TripFeverr.com

Internations.org

Internations.org

Travoom.com.

tripraja

FindPenguins

Ezylinc

infostraight.com

Everplaces

Pawna Lake Camping

Travbuddy

News of Nepal

Tripatini

SocialResort

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Lists for those with wanderlust.

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Social media is how travelers connect. And according to a Pew Research study, some 62 percent of internet users ages 65 and older use Facebook — and 72 percent of 50–64-year-olds report using it.

A few months before COVID isolated millions in their homes, Ann Marie McCarthy launched a meetup for people who participated on her Facebook site, the Over 60 Woman Travel and Meetup Group . It was a first for her — she had arranged for speakers, food, and lots of socializing at a hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey. And she knew right away that the direction she was taking hit a nerve in the over 60 women’s travel cohort because her site expanded rapidly, with online discussion and Zoom meetings offering speakers and presentations. There are now more than 5,000 members in her group on Facebook, and a sister site recently posted on Instagram . 

I was a speaker at that first meeting. I had only just begun to write articles about my travels, and this Facebook group made me feel like I was part of a community that has provided me with travel information, great advice, and life-enhancing friendships. 

Social media icons on cubes

Facebook And Social Media

Although travelers also use other social media platforms — like Instagram , YouTube , Pinterest , Twitter , and WhatsApp — Facebook outnumbers them all (and most of the large Facebook groups also have sites on other platforms). With some 2.85 billion users in 2021, Facebook is now the largest social media platform in the world. 

There has been much negative criticism of Facebook, but studies have shown that baby boomers seem to have more positive emotions associated with it than do millennials. Perhaps that’s because the 50+ cohort largely uses it for reconnecting with old friends and finding new ones, as well as for family updates. 

One of the most powerful aspects of Facebook is that it can offer travel groups very specific audiences: by gender, age, interests, and activity levels. Most of the groups below thrive on diversity — of race, religion, sexual preference, ethnicity, and country origin. There are groups for solo trips, small groups, bus tours, hiking trips, and cruises. Other travel-related groups include home exchange, international pet sitting, finding a travel partner, and meetups in cities around the world. 

A group of friends sit near the water

My Favorite Groups (Mostly) For Women 

Over 60 solo women travelers group (17.9k members).

With members ranging in age “from 55 to 95,” some members of this group are experienced solo travelers, some are newbies seeking advice and encouragement, and some are in between. Because there is much discussion online about what solo travel means, this group demonstrates its inclusivity by noting that it “can mean taking a backpack and hitting the road with no plan, or joining day trips in cities that you visit, or joining a tour of other single travelers.” The group is administered by One Woman Traveler, which also administers the website One Woman Traveler, the Global Community for Older Independent Women Travelers, a presence on the Mighty Networks platform.

Over 60 Women Travel And Meetup (5.5K Members)

I joined this group at its inception and have enjoyed meeting some wonderful women over the past 2 years. The Over 60 Women Travel and Meetup group shares travel plans, travel photos, and information about everything from the best medical insurance to getting refunds on airline cancellations to emerging new bucket list destinations. Under the aegis of Anne Marie McCarthy, the group’s individual members have created in-person meetups everywhere from New York City to Birmingham to Annapolis to Philadelphia to Phoenix to Orange County, California, and even abroad. A large meetup scheduled for Savannah in November of 2021 sold out in days. 

Woman walking alone in Jodhpur, India

Solo Travel Groups For All Ages

The solo female travel network (466k members) .

Claiming to be the largest solo female travel group online, SoFe Travel also offers sister groups that focus on some of the most popular conversation topics, such as LBTQ+ Travel , Over 40 , Free Accommodation , and others. They also offer meetups in countries around the world.

Solo Travel Society (264K Members)

The Solo Travel Society is a community where people who share a passion for traveling alone exchange tips, suggestions, and encouragement. They offer discussion of the how and why of solo travel and feature weekly posts on solo travel destinations. Dramatic photos are contributed by readers. 

Girls Love Travel (1.1 Million Members)

Girls Love Travel calls itself “a global community of aspiring women travelers providing resources and empowerment to one another to explore the world fearlessly through safety, socializing, and support.” The site reports that its members range from age 13 to 91, with different backgrounds and from all walks of life. 

Groups Connected To Travel Companies And Magazines

Some travel companies and magazines have specific Facebook pages for women. All have active discussions, photograph posting, and shared advice about the joys and challenges of travel. The following are some of my favorites:

  • Women of Road Scholar
  • EF Go Ahead
  • Overseas Adventure Travel
  • Intrepid Travel  
  • Women Who Travel ( Condé Nast Traveler® ) 
  • Travel + Leisure

Couchsurfing app on a smartphone

Groups Offering Practical Help For Travelers

Host a sister (156k members).

Host A Sister is a global community in which women around the world find accommodations or share their homes for free as part of a worldwide cultural exchange. 

Home Exchange (65K Members)

Members may exchange their homes in 187 countries around the world. Home exchange stories and photos are posted on Facebook. The site’s slogan is: “Travel anywhere. Live like a local. Stay for free.”

Couchsurfing (895K Members)

Couchsurfing provides a way to inexpensively travel the world by staying with locals. Folks in various countries offer their homes and share their lives and cultures with travelers. Couchsurfers organize regular events in cities around the world. 

Trusted Housesitters (242K Members)

This is a British-based group that enables its members to find house and pet sitting opportunities in countries around the world. It also provides vetted and trustworthy folks to care for pets and/or homes for travelers, for a fee.

Some Caveats And Rules 

A major criticism of Facebook and other social media is that they do not oversee hostile conversations. That’s why most groups listed have established rules for their members, including banning hate speech and bullying, rejecting promotions or spam, and respecting the user’s privacy and cultural traditions. Many sites have caveats to “be nice.” I’ve noted bickering over everything from the politics of COVID shots to arguments over what countries people should avoid. Sometimes these arguments include name-calling, but happily, sometimes participants establish a truce.

Privacy And Membership

A number of these groups are open only to members. Those who want to join must offer basic facts about themselves and their interests and perhaps give an email address. They must assure the group that they are not a business or marketing company trolling for sales.

What I Love About Facebook And Other Social Media

I know that I have made some lifelong connections and have found funny and smart friends on several of these travel groups. I have also found that users largely trust others like them for advice — especially people in their own cohort — more than they do organizations or marketers. And even if one is not a fan of Facebook, it is difficult to deny that digital technology and social media have and will affect the travel behavior of our cohort. 

For those who have the ability to weigh opinions, recognize valid information, and take an enthusiastic leap when opportunities present themselves, social media can certainly inform and inspire our connections to each other and to the world. A growing number of women are watching, reading, waiting, and then changing their life paths by taking that leap.

Other sound travel advice:

  • Considering A Home Exchange? 8 Tips To Make It A Success
  • 6 Savvy Tips For Navigating Unexpected Travel Risks In 2021
  • 10 Safety Tips For Women Traveling Solo

Image of Barbara Winard

Barbara Winard of The Baby Bloomer has earned degrees in English literature, journalism, and, later in life, gerontology. For 25 years, she was a senior editor of two online encyclopedias and wrote thousands of articles about literature, film, the fine and performing arts, and more.

She began her solo travels in college, and after returning from a 6-month trip to Asia, she wandered off the street and was hired by the Asia Society in New York City to produce films and print materials for adults and children about Asian culture. She also worked as a film programmer and traveled to film festivals around the world. Barbara got her start in film production and writing with New York City’s public television station, WNET/13. After writing an article about historic New Castle, Delaware, for TravelAwaits in 2021, she was inspired to move to Delaware several months later.

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Shopping cart items, 25 social media content ideas for travel.

travel social media site

On social media, the content you post is critical to engaging your audience and creating a solid fan base. Yet, many travel professionals struggle with knowing what to post. Whether you are wondering what to say on Twitter, Facebook, blogs or any other channel, here are some travel content ideas to help get the creative juices flowing:

I’ve said it many MANY times : travel is an experiential product and the best way to get people thinking about travel is to show them fun places to go and fun things they can do while they are there. If you can, share personal or client photos of destinations you want to sell. They don’t need to be professional shots and often work even better if you’re in the photo doing something silly! I’ve had many travel agents report that they sell at least one or two packages they wouldn’t have otherwise every time they post photos of a trip they took.

If you don’t have photos of your own,  Flickr  is a great spot to find amazing shots of every type of destination around the world. Do a quick search and link (don’t steal!) to particularly amazing photography that you think your audience would enjoy.

Videos are also a great way to inspire customers to travel and usually works even better than photos because of their interactive nature. Once again, you don’t always need a professionally shot video to attract attention. A home video of a particularly memorable moment, useful information (like the view of a new cruise ship cabin), fun activities or footage of a new resort will do the trick. Got a knack for humor or publicly humiliating yourself without worry? Great! Use it to your advantage when you create your videos. The funnier the better!For those who are a little camera shy, don’t despair!  YouTube  is a great resource for videos of all kinds.  With a little imagination you can search and find some pretty amazing clips.

3. Useful links

The latest traveler alerts, a list of recommended items to pack, articles about the hottest trends in travel – think about what would be useful for your readership to know and you’ve got some sharable content. This is your chance to show off your expertise as a travel professional and provide your potential customers with information that they may not find otherwise.

Not sure where to find this information? Blogs, news sites, and trade press have articles that can fit the bill. You can also use  Google Alerts  to monitor the web for articles on just about any topic.

4. Blog posts

This one should go without saying, but too many people don’t think about it. If you publish regular blog posts, PLEASE remember to post links to them on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc if you have accounts there. Most blog platforms will allow you to connect your blog to other social channels automatically if you have trouble remembering to post.

5. Destination fun facts

Everyone loves a good bit of trivia or little known facts! It’s entertaining, informative and can again help position you as an expert in your field. Many tourist boards and hotel properties have fun facts available through their marketing department. Just ask to see if they can help you out.  Otherwise, the web is always a good alternative!

Engage your audience by asking them questions about things like their favourite vacation spot, what type of perks they like to get from their agent, what makes their holiday a perfect one, etc. Get them talking to you AND use the opportunity to do a little behind-the-scenes market research to find out what you can do to win and keep their business.

7. Event announcements

Are you attending your local travel show or hosting a consumer evening? Let the world know where you will be and when! Invite your fan base to come see you.  You might be surprised by how many of them show up…and bring a friend!

8. Top 10 lists

Quick, useful and always a good way of giving quick recommendations on destinations to see, things to pack, attractions to visit and more. You can either compile your own top 10 or link to someone else’s. Bonus points if you create your own with photos or video!

9. Community work updates

People like to know that you care about your community.  If you or your team partake in community service or charitable work, share information like updates about your latest donation, photos of your team volunteering, or news about your favourite charity.

10. Contest announcements & updates

Contests are ALWAYS a popular thing. If you choose to run one, you can build anticipation and buzz by posting regular updates. Whether you talk about the prizes, highlight funny entries, countdown the days until the winner is announced or something else, you’re sure to get attention (and probably new followers/fans/readers) really quickly.

11. Travel updates

Here’s another great opportunity to showcase your expertise as a travel expert. Share updates about your favourite suppliers (new bathtubs in every cabin? Service upgrades at a resort? New designer bag with every purchase? Ok…maybe not the last one, but you get the point) or important travel updates about specific destinations (everything from new passport requirements to travel warnings).

12. Ship inspection information

If you are a cruise expert and visit ships while they are in port, by all means, share pictures and reviews with your fans.  They WANT to hear your expert advice to know which ships are worth sailing.

13. Fam trip reports

I know too many agencies who require these reports from staff and then stuff them in a folder where they will never be seen again. You are experiencing travel while on these Fam trips and NEED to share those experiences with your fan base. This can be in the shape of photos, videos or blog updates. It doesn’t really matter. Either way, tell them what you liked, didn’t like, recommend and find amazing. If you do a good job, you may get a booking or two out of the experience.

14. Client stories

Ever get an email from a client who tells you how GREAT their trip was or wants to let you know about something funny that happened? If so, ask for their permission to share it with everyone. It acts as a testimonial for you and can be entertaining all at once.

15. Answers to common questions

If there are travel questions you get regularly, use the opportunity to share the answer with a wider audience. It may even prompt your fan base to ask you more questions and start engaging. Again…show everyone that you know your stuff and the bookings will follow!

16. Opinions

If something is happening in the travel community and you have an opinion to share, you can use your social channel to do so.  However, I would caution you to think twice about being excessively controversial or political as it may turn some people away. Some controversy is ok, but too much can be hard to handle for some people.

17. Travel tips

These can be quick tips or longer blog posts about your recommendations. Just like the fun facts, top 10 lists, and other ideas listed here, they help position you are the expert that your are while being useful.

18. Behind-the-scenes updates

If your teams is planning an event or preparing something big, there is always interest in seeing you have fun behind-the-scenes.  Be creative here with photos, videos, stories and staff comments.

19. Favourite quotes

Inspiring travel quotes are fairly easy to find (Google to the rescue!) and quick to post. If you are out of inspiration for the day, a quick quote can keep the engagement going with minimal effort.

20. Staff picks

Get your whole team involved in recommending hotels, resorts, cruises, activities or whatever else you can think of. This can be really fun for everyone and helps showcase your agency as a whole.

21. Interviews

Think written or video interviews with people on your team, a destination representative, hotel partner, etc.

22. Funny Stories

Whether it’s a cartoon, a funny video, an anecdote or the joke of the week, humor always goes a long way!

23. Updates from the road

This is where you bring out your inner journalist.  If you have access to an internet connection or a smartphone while on the road travelling or attending events, you can provide live updates.  This works particularly well on Twitter or Facebook where updates can be quick and short. Blog posts take some thought, but you could still provide one update per day once you have a chance to slow down a bit in the evening.

24. Milestones

Did you just get a new specialist certification? Did your agency win an important award? Maybe you got featured in the local newspaper. It’s time to let everyone know so they can share in the joy and find out how fabulous you really are!

25. Travel deals

I saved this one for last because it seems like the most obvious choice, yet it’s not always the best one. Depending on your sales goals, you may not want to attract the bargain hunters looking for the best deal. I’ll leave it up to you to decide if deals are a good choice for you.

It’s not as hard as it may seem. Many of the ideas above are already available within your agency or on the web.  A simple Google search or using  Google Alerts  can help you stay in the loop and find interesting content quite easily and without gobbling up your precious time.

Now it’s your turn…

Have you had success with any of the ideas above? Or perhaps I’ve missed a few good ones that you’d like to share?

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How to set up a travel social media marketing strategy

Written by by Jenn Chen

Published on  December 17, 2019

Reading time  7 minutes

We’ve all seen the social posts: selfies from a beach vacation, airplane wings en route to a faraway destination and delicious meals in a different city. Through all the changes and growth that social media has experienced in the last decade, some things stay the same. Vacations are posted about in all of their stages: planning, sourcing recommendations and the trip itself. Social media plays an important role in all of this and travel companies should recognize it or risk stagnation.

Whether you’re a luggage company or a hotel, our tips should give you some ideas to test out on social. You’ll notice that a lot of the ideas are centered around content and that is because travel lends itself to a more visual audience. People want to see what the experience will be like and they need to see it often. Read on to find out how to take advantage of social media to get the message out about your travel or hospitality brand.

Basics: Set yourself up for success

If you’re starting your strategy from scratch or just looking to update your current one, taking a look at the resources available to you is always step one. You can’t manage four different social networks by yourself if you have a large and active audience. Responding to comments alone would take up a lot of your time. So what kind of resources are we talking about?

Staff is the most obvious one. How many people do you need for your company to successfully meet goals for sourcing and creating content, posting, managing comments and DMs and keep an eye out for complaints? Is your company large enough that you need a 24-hour watch on social media? Managing a single-location company is far more different than managing a multi-location one, especially if it spans multiple time zones.

The next basic resource to pay attention to is skill . This ties closely to staff because you want to make sure you have all the right skillsets to execute your strategy. And if you don’t, then you’ll need to be comfortable outsourcing. Social media managers tend to have a lot of different skills , including excellent communication and writing.

Third, get your budget in order. Ads are an important part of the travel industry. If you’re running flash deals on social media, ads are the way to go and you need to make sure you have the budget to promote them.

Lastly, document your strategy with goals . Without clear social media goals per network, your strategy will flounder. The best way to set these up is to evaluate your current audiences and see how they’re using each network. For example, if your customers like to use Twitter for direct customer service, set up goals on response time and a feedback loop of how well your responses are performing. Have a response plan in place for common questions and complaints.

Setup might take a while and you’ll go through several iterations in trial and error, but having a basic plan in place will save you wasted effort in the long run. Having a total picture of the resources available to you will help you know if you should be active on that additional social network or not.

Plan posts for each portion of the purchase cycle

For more expensive getaways and items, the purchase cycle will be longer. For travel brands, this means you’re playing the long game and need to make sure you have posts targeted for each stage.

At the beginning of 2019, Pinterest released their travel personas and trend report . It noted that “69% of Travel Pinners use Pinterest to discover travel services when deciding what to book.” The Pinners typically booked within two months of starting research and research included everything from what to bring to what to do.

carnival cruising tips pinterest board

Instead of directly promoting their services to customers, cruise company Carnival created a “Cruising Tips” Pinterest board for those still thinking about going on a cruise or have recently booked. The guides are a nice mix of what to expect when you go on a cruise to how to stick to your exercise routine.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a hotel or a travel backpack company. The principles of targeting consumers at each part of the purchase cycle remain the same. Don’t forget that you’re not done when they’ve made the purchase. You want to keep them constantly engaged and reminded of your product or service.

Understand different generations

Millennials and the younger Generation Z groups have more spending power now but to market to them, you’ll need to understand their social media use. An Expedia study of millennial and Gen Z travel behaviors found that they were heavily influenced by social media.

expedia study

Eighty-four percent of Gen Z and 77% of millennials surveyed had been influenced by social media when planning their travel. More than 70% surveyed were open to help and inspiration during the planning process.

expedia study on travel and social

Both Gen Z and millennials named appealing imagery and deals as the two most informative pieces of social media content. Photos and videos maybe costly to create and produce but they will be worth it in the long run.

To ease the content sourcing pain, include user-generated content from past customers. This works particularly well for high-ticket purchases. Potential customers get to see what they’ll be buying through the lens of someone who’s already been. It establishes credibility to your brand so you’re not the only ones talking about you.

Walk into sophisticated spaces designed to expand the mind and spark new ways of thinking. / 🎥: @RonTimehin at @RdamMarriott pic.twitter.com/CIcsoioVx6 — Marriott Hotels (@Marriott) September 6, 2019

Marriott Hotels consistently uses user-generated content to promote its various hotel locations. They give glimpses into what it’s like to stay at a location. While some photos and videos on your account will be staged, you can bring in additional authenticity by reposting ones created by their guests.

travel social media site

Why your entire team needs access to social business intelligence

Respond to reviews

Reputation management is important in travel and this doesn’t mean only responding to complaints. According to a Harvard Business Review study with TripAdvisor, it found that once hotels started responding to reviews, they saw a drop in the amount of short negative reviews. Knowing that management was reading and responding to reviews made for more thoughtful posts.

In a 2019 study , TripAdvisor noted that 81% of respondents frequently rely on reviews before booking a hotel. Travel purchases represent a major investment of money, time and even the emotional expectations people place on anticipating a great vacation, so your audience depends on feedback from reviews and social media to figure out how to spend their money and effort. This is why staying engaged and responsive on both social networks and review sites is key to building a travel brand’s presence.

Sprout review management

To make it easier on yourself, use Sprout’s new review management tool to respond to reviews on Google My Business, Facebook and TripAdvisor all in one place.

The next essential step is to create an online review management strategy . This involves coming up with tone, vocabulary and common scenarios that might need addressing.

how reviews influence decisions to use local business

Online reviews do influence consumer behaviors so it’s best to approach them like any compliment or complaint you might have in person. Be sure to respond in a timely manner, listen to what they’re saying, offer a resolution if you’re able to and e sure to avoid a defensive tone. Pretend that you’re being recorded and the video will be posted publicly for eternity–this will help you avoid lashing back at difficult customer feedback in the heat of the moment. Future customers will read your responses, so how you respond is important.

Divide & conquer

For multi-location businesses, it’s sometimes best to create separate accounts for your national and local brands. The national brands can amplify local messaging and connect with loyal brand advocates while the local brands can address in-the-moment customer service queries and promote their immediate area.

Following the lead of other large corporations, you may even set up a separate account to address customer service inquiries. All of this is up to your company and your available resources. For whichever circumstances you fall under, Sprout makes it easy for enterprise companies to post in a cohesive and collaborative manner. Divide your local branches up into groups but still give them access to your Sprout Asset Library .

https://www.instagram.com/p/By1D8YLpaY2/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvusAhGHZYd/

Ace Hotel does a good job of creating a cohesive national brand presence while their local accounts focus on what’s happening in that location or city. Each local account also runs promotions to make following them more appealing to those who are thinking of booking.

The travel industry is large and encompasses many different types of companies. But whether you’re a single-location vacation rental or a multi-location global company, travelers still want to hear from you. Your best bet is to plan carefully and get creative. Take inspiration from other companies and be sure to invest in a strategy and professional imagery.

idyllcove social presence

Idyllcove Vacation Cabin is a great example of one location doing their best at promotion. The shots posted are always on brand even when they’re user-generated content. To help potential visitors cement their decision, they created a highlight that tours the cabin. And the Guest Snaps highlight makes use of user-generated Story content.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1zQA-cHEEz/

Airbnb, on the other hand, is on the opposite end of the vacation rental spectrum. The company uses Instagram to highlight its many available places to book and what you can expect out of each one. In the above example, you can not only picture yourself there but you also get ideas on what you can do while you’re staying there.

Whatever your specialization is in the travel industry, the basic tenets are the same: get your basics down, respond to reviews in a timely and gentle manner and don’t forget the newer generation.

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Best Travel Social Media Networks : Traveling 2.0

travel social media site

Summer is fast approaching and I already can’t wait to have some rest. Of course, the social media geek inside me made me get prepared for my upcoming vacation the web 2.0 way: by looking through available travel social media networks and seeing what they have to offer. So here are my personal picks:

Best Social Voting Site: BestTravelDeals

BestTravelDeals lets users share travel deals and vote for most useful of them.

BestTravelDeals

Best City Page: Dopplr.com

Dopplr.com has a strong focus on city profiles. The information provided for each city is really helpful and to-the-point:

  • Places to stay;
  • Places to eat;
  • QA section for members to help each other.

Check out this page for example:

Dopplr.com

Best Profile Pages: Driftr.com

Driftr.com is a feature-rich travel community that is a pleasure to browse: everything seems to be where it belongs (not always SEO-friendly though but that’s not the point).

Profile pages are not overloaded with elements but look beautiful – what you’ll see there:

  • the member’s traveling map (places he has been to, places he plans to visit, places he wants to go to);
  • the person’s slideshow on each destination he visited;
  • brief traveler’s stats (photos, places visited, reviews);
  • person’s friends.

Driftr.com

Best Social Features: TripSay

TripSay groups feature seems to be the bets way to unite various (virtual) travelers around common interest. Groups allows uses to:

  • Exchange experience and opinions on one topic;
  • Find travel buddies based in some common interest;
  • Give members ideas on where else to go and what to visit.

Example: breath-taking places:

tripsay

Most Active Forum: Thorn Tree

Thorn Tree spots very simplistic interface but overwhelming number of areas covered and posts added daily.

Apart from area-related forums, you can also find here general topics like “health”, biking, traveling with kids, etc.

Thorn Tree

Disclaimer: I understand, the features I listed above are objective, so the site reviews in this post only represent my personal opinion. Please list your favorites in the comments!

Ann Smarty is the blogger and community manager at Internet Marketing Ninjas. Ann’s expertise in blogging and tools serve as ...

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Kimo Travel

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Social Networking

Marcarson in this series of paintings on reproductions.

KimoTravel is a social networking site for lovers of travel and chance encounters! Here, with ease and spontaneity you can find travel companions for short excursions, to plan trips with or just to share your common interests. This site allows families, couples or single travelers to meet up with globe trotters from around the world. You can join a travel group or even begin your own travel group to share details of your upcoming trips or discuss with potential travel companions possible dates and destinations.

Travel Group

You can join a travel group or even begin your own travel group to share details of your upcoming trips or discuss with potential travel companions possible dates and destinations.

If your goal is to hike, bike and climb to the top of a volcano, pairing up with a buddy who wants to shop, dine and dance the night away isn't going to be a lot of fun. Be specific about what activities you intend to pursue. Discuss a general itinerary to see if there are enough similar interests before you start firming up dates and booking flights.

On the go or take it slow

Your idea of a great vacation is lounging by the pool, reading a novel and having cocktails before a fabulous dinner. A travel buddy who's up at the crack of dawn to scope out every tourist attraction, museum and food truck in the region might not be the best match for you. But don't dismiss the potential without giving it some thought. If you share the same taste in accommodations, have similar budgets and find yourselves chatting and laughing in online and phone conversations, you could be the exact buddies that make travel more exciting, more relaxing and more fulfilling.

A lot of things change on the social media scene every day, but one thing is certain.

Profile Page means a web page accessible to the public or to guests, which provides personal information about the entity that created the social media account.

So design a user profile page wisely, making it possible to upload custom images and avatars, and change them as often as needed.

Social media Cyprus profiles are part social proof.

Across industries, social media is going from a “nice to have” to an essential component of any business strategy.

It’s a trend that is already spreading to businesses beyond the media and chesmonus, whether it be because of new customer service communication channels.

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14 Best Travel Social Media Apps for Backpackers- Get Rolling!

Word of mouth had always been the best mode of advertisement for years. But now, social media is crowding more than ever. Anything and everything posted on social media gets exposed to many, so it’s presently one of the quickest and the most out-reaching forms of delivering any information than even physically hearing from someone. Considering the numerous benefits that travel social media apps provide, one can share personal stories, experiences, and even travel expeditions per se.

Table of Contents

“Updated” List of 14 Best Travel Social Media Apps Below:

Enlisted below are some of the best travel social network apps, designed specifically for globetrotters:

1. Trotter It

Trotter It

‘ Trotter It ’ is not just an app, rather it is a whole new digital diary, which can be your constant companion wherever you go. May it be an adventurous escapade to the wilderness or a calming break into the foothills of the Himalayas; you can record all of your experiences, not only in the form of literature but in real-time high-definition images, videos, and so on. Your stories are ready to be related to all your followers regaling them with all eminent information that’s possible.

Download the app : Android IOS

2. Foursquare

Foursquare

This app is almost a mainstay for online travel planners for years. It incorporates an incredible number of functions and facilitates one to search for tourist attractions, based on distance from their current location. The app also provides auto-suggestions, which is Foursquare’s personalized estimate of your tastes.

Download the App : Android IOS

3. Spotted by Locals

Spotted by Locals

As the name goes, this software application is more realistic because the content material is collected from real localities, residing at that particular place. Peculiar sightseeing and activity ideas, as well as a guide to eateries covering more than 70 cities, are also provided. You can find a few non-tourist suggestions too.

4. Withlocals

Withlocals

This is an app that’s essentially filled up with localized information gathered pertinently from local tour guides. This software application furnishes all information related to food, short tours, nearby markets, day and night trips, etc.

5. Travello

Travello

Travello is a travel social media app for people who are very much fond of traveling. After signing up, a feed can be seen that is filled with post(s) that are made by other people who had been richly traveling the world. If needed, you can also connect with other travelers here on this app by giving comments on the photo(s) or sending messages to ask any question(s). Travello app can be used for finding groups of travelers, who share the same wavelength.

6. Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is the best application to stay connected to the locals, make strong travel buddies, or host travelers in your city. India application, you get to browse the millions of local hosts offering a place to stay in over 230,000 cities across the globe. You can also see who is nearby and wants to become available on Couchsurfing hangouts. If you cannot go out, you can meet up with incoming travelers coming to your hometown.

Trippy

Trippy encourages more people to travel. You can experience new places, new cultures, and new people with them. Trippy is a community of global travelers who wish to share core values. You can register as heroes by using your real avatar, a bio, and a profile to start with. Then, you can share your reviews on a place, the best time to visit the place, and many more on the website. You can also ask for suggestions for shorter and simpler routes and get information on the streets and rest areas on the way.

Visit : Website

8. Showaround

Showaround

Showaround helps the travelers and tourists connect with the locals who are ready to show off their hometown. It is an online marketplace for private tours, where you can customize your tool with local residents before arriving at your destination. When touring with the locals, the sightseeing experience becomes more flexible between the two. With Showaround locals, you get to visit the different corners of the streets, and this gives you a chance to make spontaneous decisions and enjoy whatever comes your way.

GAFFL

Are you tired of solo traveling? Then you must register on GAFFL. The application connects you with travelers from 170 different countries, and you can travel buddies, share costs and tour the entire world. You can start your trip and publish it in minutes. You can also search for your desired location, and when you like our trip post, hit connect and start chatting immediately. GAFFL has been exclusively made to export different parts of the globe together and split costs.

10. Backpackr

Backpackr

Whether you are out on a solo trip or a group, Backpackr is a great way to meet and greet fellow travelers. You can browse through hundreds of profiles and message the people you want to travel with. Then, you can grab a drink and see the sites together.

You can ask the travelers about the best sites, the best restaurant, or the best bar in the common room. You can even organize meetups.

11. Steller

Steller

It is an exciting way to plan a trip. Just open the application, and you will be inspired by the thousands of real-life travel stories from the worldwide community. You can bookmark your favorite adventures and use them to plan your next trip. You can also find hotels, restaurants, and bars near the destination and book them with the new booking tool, which Trivago powers.

With Steller, you get to learn interesting facts about a particular place and discover new adventures.

12. Travellerspoint

Travellerspoint

It is one of the world’s largest and most active travel communities, with members from almost every country in the world. The website has over 30,000 travel blogs and 175,000 stories, along with 1.4 million photos of various destinations across the globe. So, if you are thinking of traveling soon or getting ready to plan your trip, Travellerspoint is the spot where your journey begins.

The website helps you to plan easily, preview your plan and share your trip experiences with the community.

13. TraveLibro

TraveLibro

TraveLibro is an exciting travel application that lets you discover, create and release your travel journeys. It enables you to find various travel spots across the globe by exploring the visual itineraries posted by travel influences and expenses. In addition to this, the application also allows you to create trip memories with friends and family members. You get a digital travel diary and a customized coffee table travel book along with the application.

14. Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts helps you connect to your loved ones during the afterlife. The website is a self-help therapeutic solution with a digital mental health space. It focuses on the patients who are diagnosed with severe illnesses.

You can create a birthday message or a wedding congratulations video for your friend or your child on the application. The website will deliver the video on their special day. The users can also create a legacy project using the website. It offers a unique opportunity for the patients to reflect on their memories, process the events and the people who affected their lives.

Wrapping Up

Since the virtual world is brimming with innumerable travel social media apps, each of them being equally compelling when it comes to advertisements, laymen are bound to get confused in deciding which ones to install and use. This short guide about some worthy ones has been prepared to enlighten you a little bit while planning your sojourns.

Must Read : Five Best Travel Journal Apps for Android

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The 7 best social media platforms for travel agencies 2023.

Best Social Media Platforms for Travel Agencies 2023

Best Social Media Platforms for Travel Agencies 202 3

Table of Contents

With so many platforms available, it can be hard to know which will work best for your business. Each platform has different features, so you’ll want to choose the one that meets your needs and your budget but how do you decide? This guide will help you understand the benefits of different social media platforms for travel agencies so you can make an informed decision about which one to use to get the most out of your business. And manage their websites, including how to select each one and which features they offer.

Travel Agencies should consider their industry

When marketing a travel agency, there are a few different options. First, general travel agency marketing services can be used to reach a broad audience. These services typically include things like online advertising, email marketing, and social media campaigns.

However, more specific travel agency marketing can also target potential customers who may be interested in your company’s products or services. For example, if you’re a travel company specializing in adventure travel, you may want to consider using targeted online ads or even organizing events specifically for adventure travelers. No matter which routes you choose with your marketing, the important thing is to ensure you’re reaching the right people with your message.

Which social networking platforms are best for travel Agencies

Different interactive media will attract different kinds of people. For example, Facebook is great for building relationships with potential customers, while Twitter is perfect for sharing updates and special offers. LinkedIn is ideal for connecting with other industry professionals and is a great way to connect with potential customers actively searching for travel-related information.

Pinterest and Instagram are excellent platforms for sharing beautiful photos and inspiring travel stories, while YouTube is ideal for creating engaging video content. The primary objective should be selecting the platform that aligns most closely with your business objectives and audience profile rather than trying to use every existing platform. Following are some social media platforms for travel agencies that will help you get more customers for your business. Let’s look at them.

#1. Facebook

You want to be where your potential customers are as a travel agency. And these days, that means being on Facebook. With over 2 billion monthly active users, Facebook is the perfect place to connect with potential customers worldwide. Whether they live in America or Japan, they can find your business and start talking to you through social media.

You can get more people on board by making sure they can easily book their next vacation through the platform to provide an easy way for them to contact you and see what deals you have available for rentals. They might even like your page enough to share it with their friends who could use some encouragement about traveling.

Benefits of Facebook for travel agency

Facebook is also great for building relationships with potential and current customers. Here are seven ways a travel agency can benefit from using Facebook. This platform also provides the opportunity to advertise their business on the News Feeds of over 1 billion people daily. 

  • Your travel agency has the chance to be featured in ads that run on Facebook, boosting their exposure even more.
  • They may want to ask customers to review them and post these reviews publicly on their page or create video testimonials that they then post publicly as well. 
  • Customers who visit your website will see these reviews before deciding whether or not to purchase anything from you.
  • You might consider posting content that drives traffic back to your websites, such as special deals or offers.

#2. Instagram

If you’re a travel agency, then you should be on Instagram. Why? Because it’s a visual platform, and it’s all about sharing beautiful photos and videos. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with potential customers who might be interested in your services. Instagram is the perfect place to share those photos and videos! You can post your travel agency there or even add links where people can book vacations from their phones.

Benefits of Instagram for travel agency

Every social media manager loves using Instagram as a marketing tool. If you’re not using it, you should be! They have grown to 300 million monthly active users in the past year alone. And many travel agencies have seen the benefit. First, let’s talk about what your profile page can look like. Your main profile picture should be an attractive photo that represents your brand. In addition, I recommend including a slogan or a few words on what you do at the top of your bio. 

After this look at Instagram stories. Stories offer another great way to share information about your agency and what you do with your clients. For example, as a travel agency, you can post photos of client trips, and thank you messages. And other fun behind-the-scenes peeks that your followers will love! You can also use Instagram stories to promote your deals. Even you can share some insider tips on how to get a better price on things like airplane tickets or hotel rooms.

#3. LinkedIn

If you’re in the business of planning amazing vacations for your clients, then you need to be on LinkedIn. Why? Because that’s where your clients are hanging out online. According to recent studies, LinkedIn is now the best platform travel professionals use when researching destinations and looking for trip ideas. Plus, it’s a great place to connect with other travel professionals and industry experts.

Finally, an advanced search engine feature can help you find just about anyone connected to the travel industry.

Benefits of LinkedIn for travel agency

There are many benefits of using LinkedIn for travel bureaus. People use LinkedIn to look for jobs. It is a great place to find employment opportunities, connect with other people in the industry, and learn about what others in the industry are doing. For example, 74% of employers use LinkedIn to find candidates.

It can also be a great place to get your company’s name and connect with potential customers. How does this work? LinkedIn could benefit your business through sponsored content, which means you can pay to have posts show up on someone’s profile.

To do this, create an ad using your skills and expertise as keywords to attract qualified professionals looking for those skills in their next career move. As a bonus, by targeting specific audiences with sponsored content ads, you will reach them when they’re most likely to convert into leads or clients. Another way that LinkedIn could help promote your business would be through publishing blog posts on the platform.

#4. Twitter

If you’re running a travel agency, then you need to be on Twitter. Why? Because that’s where your potential customers are. A presence on Twitter allows you to build relationships with potential customers, and share your brand’s story. And drive traffic to your travel agency. And if your agency is mobile-friendly, it will allow people to book their travel right from the app!

A travel agency can also help bring in new business by listing all its services.

So, potential clients know what they’re getting when they sign up. The other important thing is making sure that it is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate. If it isn’t, users might not use it or find it as applicable as other options available on their phones.

This means thinking about layout, content hierarchy, and font size. And style, responsive design for devices like tablets or laptops, video support for showcasing destinations or deals, and more.

Benefits of Twitter for travel agency

How you advertise your travel agency determines how many people see it. Therefore, you should research and create a strategy to get the most eyes on your site. One platform that can be used is Twitter. The benefits of the social web for holiday companies are many. It is free and has an expansive user base, making it an excellent option for small businesses like yours.

The only downside to this social media site is that you will need to invest time into maintaining a solid following to be successful. But if you put in the work, you will succeed with Twitter. It takes patience and dedication to your business to make your travel agency more visible.

#5. Pinterest

Pinterest is an excellent social networking website for holiday companies because it is visual and easy to use. Customers can browse through pins to find inspiration for their next vacation and then click on the website to book. Pinterest is a great way to showcase your agency’s unique offerings and get customers excited about booking a trip with you. If you’re not using Pinterest yet.

Here are some tips on how to set up your Pinterest account . And what types of posts will be most successful. A recent study found that 97% of Pinners have purchased an item after viewing it on Pinterest.

Benefits of Pinterest for travel agency

Many benefits of Pinterest for travel agencies include increased traffic and customer engagement. With increased engagement, you can gain more followers and make more money. Some great strategy to implement with Pinterest are Pinning popular travel destinations and attractions. Pinning maps and places people want to visit on your travel bureau. Posting beautiful pictures of travel destinations that people may not have heard about before. Or posting ideas for what to do when traveling abroad (including links).

With all these awesome perks, it is no wonder why a lot of companies are using this platform for marketing! The possibilities are endless as there is a lot you can do on Pinterest. From figuring out where to go next vacation to booking plane tickets in one place-there is something for everyone! Although it does take some time and effort, having a Pinterest account could be a lifesaver in the future if everything else falls through. Among numerous social media platforms for travel agencies , Pinterest proved to be the most effective one.

#6. YouTube

There’s no doubt that YouTube is a powerful marketing tool. But is it the right platform for your travel agency? The answer to this question depends on what you’re looking to accomplish with your video content. And how much time do you want to invest in posting new videos and managing comments?

Benefits of YouTube for travel agency

YouTube is an excellent platform for travel agencies . Because it allows you to show potential customers what your agency is all about through videos. For example, you can use YouTube to give virtual tours of popular tourist destinations. Which can help convince people to book a trip with your agency.

You can also use YouTube to show off your staff and customer testimonials. Which can help build trust with potential customers. The great thing about YouTube is that it’s free to set up and easy to use. 

You can even add links in your description box. Therefore, if a person wants more information on a particular destination, you’ve shown off, they can click a link and be taken to another page of your website. Because videos on YouTube can embed in other sites. It also helps potential customers spread the word about your agency when they share it with their friends and family. The possibilities are virtually endless!

#7. Snapchat

If you’re a travel bureau , you should be on Snapchat! Why? Because it’s a great way to connect with potential and current customers. Plus, it’s a fun way to show off your destination expertise. Some travel agencies even offer curated stories of their destinations that followers can subscribe to. This means travelers can get the inside scoop about your destinations without visiting you or social media channels. And, who doesn’t love insider information? For those who aren’t ready to plunge into Snapchat just yet.

Benefits of Snapchat for travel agency

Snapchat provides many features to users. Snapchat is also a best option among the social media platforms for travel agencies to create and share fun travel-related videos with their followers. These videos allow potential travelers to see destinations, attractions, and hotels in a new light. It also makes it easier for travel agents to connect with their followers more personally. Additionally, by using Snapchat, they’re also able to provide behind-the-scenes content that they would otherwise be unable to share.

Social Media Quick Tips For Travel Agencies To Boost Business

Social Media Quick Tips For Travel Agencies To Boost Business

How to optimize social media profile for greater engagement.

How to Optimize Social Media Profile for Greater Engagement

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How to Share Your Travels Via Social Networking

The world is smaller than it’s ever been and social networking is making it all the easier to connect with those back home while you’re on the go. Whether you want to humble-brag about your excessive country-hopping or you just want to update your friends and family about where you’ve been, social media and traveling is a match made in heaven.

Here are a few of the easiest apps and sites to use if your goal is to share the most authentic moments of your travels with those who’d love to live vicariously.

It may seem obvious, but Facebook is a terrific way to document your travels. Not only can you use the site’s mapping function to pinpoint exactly where you’ve been, the new “Shared Album” feature on Facebook allows as many as 50 people to contribute to one shared album. Collecting everyone’s photos from a group vacation has never been simpler.

Tumblr is a photo-sharing and blogging website that makes it simple to upload and tag your vacation photos. Not only can you give friends and family access to specific albums your photos can be viewed by strangers who can then ask for your permission to reprint for commercial purposes.

Airbnb is a website and an app that can be a spontaneous traveler’s best friend. Residents of the city you’re visiting offer up their homes for a night or a week at discounted rates, and true to the bed and breakfast philosophy, many users find the homeowners provide excellent advice on everything from movie theaters to restaurants in the area.

Gogobot is a standout in a world flush with options for travel recommendation sites. It’s different in that the travel engine pulls information from Twitter, Facebook, and many other databases to best answer a traveler’s posed question. The app features a search bar where travelers can ask a specific question (i.e. “Where is the best place to shop in Beijing?”) and other like-minded travelers can give a fast, honest answer.

Tripping.com

Tripping is different from typical travel social media sites in that it offers quite a few checks and balances to offer more safety for travelers. Recommendations, references, and even a 24-hour emergency hotline are all part of the deal here, which makes this a terrific option for young or inexperienced travelers to meet up with strangers around the world.

Instagram is fast becoming one of the top social sites in the world and it’s amazing at one thing: taking great photos. With dozens of filters and cool styling tools to choose from, Insta is a jet-setter’s favorite tool to date. Users can hashtag their travels, specifically share with other users, and generally just develop a repertoire of impressive vacation snapshots.

Twitter is simply one of the best, most effective tools for sharing travel experiences online today. You can post photos (and now videos with partner site Vine), ask questions, and even resolve travel issues in real time by Tweeting at companies directly. Twitter is the best place to go if you want to share your destination or your experience, but you don’t want to spent too much time doing it.

Half the fun of being able to wander around the world is sharing the experiences with other people. What are your favorite apps or social sites for travel?

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The Role of Social Media in Travel Marketing: Best Practices and Case Studies

Category: Travel

Date: February 6, 2024

The Role of Social Media in Travel Marketing: Best Practices and Case Studies

Back in 2016, then Marriott’s chief global marketing officer, Karin Timpone spoke to CNBC about their social media travel marketing service and incorporation of geo-fencing technology. 

If someone posts a photo from one of its properties, her team will reach out and contact the front desk to let them know. The hotel will often then reach out to the customers and offer complimentary upgrades — something to show that Marriott values their presence. 

Earlier, a music video for “I’ll Show You” featuring Justin Bieber at the Fjadrárgljúfur canyon in Iceland. A few years later, tourism to this once-quiet town nearly doubled. The video on YouTube has over 500 million views since 2015. 

Given the general rise in income levels and jobs going remote, people find more time to take frequent travel breaks, showcasing the need for effective digital marketing services to tap into the growing travel market

And social media has only accentuated this trend , 

  • By hosting engaging travel content and motivating reviews
  • By increasing travel FOMO (Fear-Of-Missing-Out)
  • By minimizing unpleasant surprises at the destination

Given the scope of social media in travel marketing services , this blog discusses best practices followed by interesting case studies for inspiration. 

The Power of Social Media in Travel Marketing

  • Expedia’s 2023 Traveler Value Index noted almost 35% of travelers turn to social media for holiday inspiration. 
  • Furthermore, 75% of respondents chose a specific destination inspired by social media as per Amex’s 2023 Global Travel Trends Report .
  • Travel Live Streaming is becoming increasingly popular on social media, with 60% of travelers saying they have watched a live stream of a travel experience. 
  • 74% of travelers use social media while traveling, while 92% of consumers trust word of mouth and UGC more than other forms of advertising, thus making UGC on social media crucial for any travel marketing campaign. 

Best Practices for Successful Social Media Travel Marketing

Top 5 things travelers use social media to research – Destinations, Hotels, Activities, Attractions, and Restaurants. Let’s list out travel marketing best practices to get the most attention from social media users. 

Choosing the Right Platforms

Creating engaging content, building a consistent brand presence, utilizing paid advertising, monitoring and analytics.

Identify the social media platforms that align with your target audience. 

Popular Vacation Inspiration Social Platform

Demographics

Millennials, GenZ

Highly visual

Boomers, Millennials

Moderately visual

TripAdvisor

Millennials

User Generated Content

Extremely visual

Boomers, Millennials, GenZ

Detailed & Informative

B2B travel marketing

Take a que from social media strategy of Marriott Hotels . Their Instagram account features stunning photos of their hotels, while their Twitter account is more focused on sharing news and updates.

Invest in high-quality, visually appealing content, including photos and videos. Use storytelling techniques to capture the essence of your travel experiences.

Encourage user-generated content (UGC) by running contests or using branded hashtags. UGC refers to any content that is created and shared by users or consumers of a product, service, or brand rather than by the company or organization itself. 

Travel marketers can leverage UGC in the following way: 

  • Display UGC on their social channels to engage other users as it signals authenticity.
  • Monitoring UGC can become your informal market research to upgrade your services in-time. 
  • UGC also helps build employer brand which results in team retention.

Furthermore, you may leverage the new YouTube app feature that lists video recommendations according to thumbnail color. As a travel marketer, you can explore more such strategies to increase views on YouTube here .  

The Role of Social Media in Travel Marketing Best Practices and Case Studies Example 3 - ColorWhistle

Highlight safety measures and sustainable practices in your travel marketing, as these have become critical concerns for travelers post-pandemic.

Take inspiration from our previous blog where we have discussed Innovative Travel Marketing Campaigns From Around The World . 

In a bid to blindly replicate brand marketing successes on social media, many end up creating “self-congratulating” content.

Recreating trendy content give a false impression to the marketing team about better reach. The truth beholds, unless original thought is put to market product/service, the social media marketing will lead to poor brand awareness, let alone lead generation. 

Consistency is Key. Develop a content calendar to maintain a consistent posting schedule. Consistency helps keep your audience engaged and informed.

Share travel stories, itineraries, and personal experiences. Storytelling creates a deeper connection with your audience. Use live streaming feature to promote your brand often. Learn more tips on travel live streaming here . 

You can use hashtag strategy to expand your content’s reach. Create a branded hashtag for your campaigns and encourage followers to use it.

However, we feel social media hashtags are overused. Hashtags are annoying and they hijack conversations. Moreover, users may relate social media posts with many hashtags as spam.

Here is an interesting blog by Hannah Macready where she discusses the best use of hashtags for your social media campaigns in 2024 and beyond. 

Partner with social media influencers who align with your brand and target audience. Influencers can provide authentic recommendations and reach new followers. 

Look for long-term association with the right content creator on social media for consistent engagement of new and existing users. Influencer marketing tools like Ylytics , HypeAuditor , and others can help you find the right social media influencers. 

How Travel Marketers Want People to Search on Google?

The Role of Social Media in Travel Marketing Best Practices and Case Studies - ColorWhistle

Enter a search query -> Your brand website ad appears -> Book your services

But How Do People Actually Search?

Enter a search query -> Google analyzes and displays results per keyword -> Visitor clicks -> Interrupted by WhatsApp chat -> Sleeps.

… a week later…

Notices a display ad from your brand -> Visits the landing page -> Bookmarks it -> Checks out the brand profile on Instagram -> Share it with spouse -> Logs out

… 2 days later in the office…

Visits your site -> Confirm their bookings.

Use paid advertising options on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to target specific demographics and promote your travel offerings. Consider retargeting ads to re-engage users who have shown interest in your travel products or services.

The Role of Social Media in Travel Marketing Best Practices and Case Studies (CPC Statistics) - ColorWhistle

Use geo-targeting to reach users in specific locations, especially if you’re promoting local or regional travel experiences.

Also, read>> Facebook Ad formats

Also, read>> YouTube Ad formats

Also, read>> Instagram Ad formats

Use analytics tools provided by social media platforms to track the performance of your posts and campaigns. Adjust your strategies based on data insights, focusing on what works best for your audience.

Continuously monitor social media trends and adapt your strategy to incorporate new features and technologies. Keep an eye on emerging platforms that may provide new opportunities for travel marketing.

It is important to develop a crisis management plan to address any negative incidents or crises that may arise on social media. Swift and appropriate responses are crucial.

Further, experiment with different types of content, posting times, and ad creatives to determine what resonates best with your audience. 

Latest Trends in Social Media Travel Marketing

  • Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) for immersive advertisements and travel previews.
  • Live streaming for real-time travel experience.
  • Showcasing eco-friendly destination and promoting responsible tourism.
  • AI-powered chatbots and recommendation engines.
  • Social commerce and booking directly on social media platforms.

VietJet Air is not afraid to experiment with new formats and strategies. For example, they recently launched an augmented reality (AR) campaign that allowed users to virtually experience their flights.

You can connect with us for more AI-related marketing solutions . 

Case Studies: Success Stories in Social Media Travel Marketing

Let’s explore a few success stories in social media travel marketing through case studies. The selected case studies highlight how effective social media strategies can help travel brands engage their audience, encourage user-generated content, and create memorable and impactful marketing campaigns. 

  • Airbnb – #LiveThere Campaign
  • Icelolly – Facebook Marketing Automation
  • Royal Caribbean International – Targeted Ad Campaigns
  • Expedia – #ThrowMeBack Campaign

Each campaign leveraged the power of storytelling, user participation, and visual content to connect with travelers and promote unique travel experiences.

1. Airbnb – #LiveThere Campaign:

Airbnb wanted to differentiate itself from traditional hotels and emphasize the idea of “living like a local” when traveling.

Social Media Strategies Implemented

  • Launched a series of visually stunning Instagram and Facebook posts showcasing unique properties and travel experiences.
  • Encouraged hosts and guests to share their stories, photos, and videos using the hashtag #LiveThere.
  • Collaborated with travel influencers and celebrities to create authentic content.

Results and Outcomes

  • The #LiveThere campaign garnered over 3.5 million Instagram mentions.
  • Airbnb’s Instagram following grew by over 300% in a year.
  • The campaign effectively communicated the brand’s message of unique and authentic travel experiences.

It may have worked for Airbnb back in 2017 but will be work for your travel business in 2024 and beyond? No one can be sure but you can surely take some inspirations out of it and improvize over it.  

2. Icelolly – Facebook Marketing Automation:

Icelolly experienced a temporary decrease in conversion rates across their social media platforms. As a response, they incorporated the Facebook extension into their Engagement Cloud.

  • Implemented an omnichannel strategy to unify data from a single social media platform with the website. 
  • Delivered tailored ad notifications through social media feeds to individuals who have subscribed to destination price alerts.
  • Conversion rate was generated by 17% through Facebook
  • Retargeting ads was increased up by 3%
  • Open rate was generated by 35%
  • CTR was increased by 201%
  • Conversion was increased by 45%

3. Royal Caribbean International – Targeted Ad Campaigns: 

Royal Caribbean International, a global cruise line, sought to increase engagement and conversions through its social media marketing efforts.

  • The cruise line implemented marketing automation tools to segment its social media audience based on factors like travel preferences and past interactions.
  • They used automated chatbots to respond to common inquiries and facilitate booking processes on social platforms. 
  • They launched targeted ad campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, retargeting users who had shown interest in specific cruise itineraries.
  • Significantly improved response times and engagement on social media platforms.
  • Enhanced conversion rates, with more users booking cruises directly through social media channels.
  • Increased brand loyalty as travelers received personalized recommendations and timely responses to inquiries.

4. Expedia – #ThrowMeBack Campaign:

Expedia aimed to inspire travelers to relive their favorite travel memories.

  • Encouraged users to share their old travel photos with the hashtag #ThrowMeBack, along with a caption explaining the memory.
  • Curated and featured some of the best user-submitted photos on Expedia’s social media accounts.
  • Over 15,000 users participated in the #ThrowMeBack campaign, sharing their travel memories.
  • The campaign generated increased engagement and user interaction on Expedia’s social media platforms.
  • It created a sense of nostalgia and encouraged travelers to book new trips to create more memories.

Challenges and Pitfalls in Social Media Travel Marketing

Social media travel marketing offers significant opportunities, but it also comes with various challenges and potential pitfalls that marketers should be aware of, like 

  • Platform Algorithm Changes: Social media platforms frequently update their algorithms, affecting organic reach and engagement. Marketers need to adapt strategies to stay visible to their audience.
  • Privacy and Data Protection: Stricter privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) require marketers to handle user data responsibly. Mismanagement can lead to legal issues and reputational damage.
  • Ad Saturation: Social media users may become overwhelmed with advertising, leading to ad fatigue. Marketers must strike a balance between promotion and providing value to the audience.
  • Language and Cultural Sensitivity: Misinterpretations or insensitivity to local languages and cultures can lead to backlash. Marketers must research and tailor content appropriately for different regions.
  • Changing Travel Behavior: Travel behaviors and preferences change over time, influenced by various factors like technology, health concerns, and economic conditions. Marketers need to stay updated and adapt accordingly.
  • Over-Tourism Concerns: Social media can contribute to over-tourism by popularizing specific destinations or attractions, leading to overcrowding and environmental issues. Travel marketers must promote responsible tourism.

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If your goal is to motivate shoppers, fans, and advocates through genuine content that has a track record of success, we are here to provide assistance. 

ColorWhistle’s expert travel-focused designing and marketing assistance can boost your social media efforts. Further, our experienced digital marketing service team can elevate user experiences on multiple touchpoints. You can write to us or call us at +1 (210) 787 3600 anytime to enquire more. 

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Manav Gupta

About the Author - Manav Gupta

Manav Gupta is a full-time CopyWriter at ColorWhistle, where he works to benefit both professionals & enthusiasts in the field of Digital Marketing, Branding & Web Development by creating engaging content. Prior to joining ColorWhistle, Manav was responsible for managing & executing content projects ranging from sales collateral to web content, ad copy to letters, business proposals to sales plans, and training manuals. A graduate of a reputed university, Manav holds an honors degree in Engineering. When not hard at work creating meaningful content, he enjoys perfecting his knowledge of music, playing cricket, and volunteering to build a carbon-neutral society.

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COMMENTS

  1. 21 Travel Social Networks for Avid Travelers

    Travel Buddy. Travel Buddy ( Android, iOS) is a social media network exclusively for travelers. You can connect with people wherever you're going, connect with people in your local area and plan a trip, research destinations, and more. It also includes a Facebook-like feed your stories and photos, or to see what other users are sharing.

  2. The 7 Best Social Media Apps for Travelers

    Thankfully, there are travel social media apps designed specifically for travelers, and these are the best. 1. Foursquare Foursquare has been a mainstay of online travel planning for many years. The app offers an incredible number of functions, and allows you to search for nearby attractions based on the distance from your destination or ...

  3. Top 5 Social Travel Sites

    Social travel is a hot area for innovation in social media as many startups launch services to make travel planning more efficient and effective by incorporating the latest social media tools and networks.. In the process, they're disrupting the established travel industry, including trip planners, travel agencies, and rental services.

  4. How to Use Your Social Network to Travel the World

    3. Embrace the minimalist lifestyle - When I'm on the road, I live a very minimalist lifestyle. I only travel with a carry-on to keep my belongings to a minimum, I hardly buy souvenirs or clothes, I walk or take public transportation whenever possible, and I buy most of my food at the grocery store.

  5. Best Travel Social Networks

    Facebook currently is the world's largest and most popular social networking platform, having supplanted previous champions such as MySpace and Friendster. This list gathers together major players in the travel-themed social networking field, making up the world of travel social media. It is an open list, so if you have a favorite travel ...

  6. 18 Best Travel Instagram Accounts to Inspire Your Wanderlust

    Today, Osmann lives in Moscow and is regularly traveling. His Instagram is one of the best Instagram accounts to follow for any travel enthusiast. 8. @ovunno. Looking through Oliver Vegas' Instagram account, you'll see images only a master photographer can capture.

  7. My Favorite Social Media Travel Groups

    Facebook And Social Media. Although travelers also use other social media platforms — like Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, and WhatsApp — Facebook outnumbers them all (and most of the large Facebook groups also have sites on other platforms). With some 2.85 billion users in 2021, Facebook is now the largest social media platform in ...

  8. 25 Social Media Content Ideas For Travel

    On social media, the content you post is critical to engaging your audience and creating a solid fan base. Yet, many travel professionals struggle with knowing what to post. Whether you are wondering what to say on Twitter, Facebook, blogs or any other channel, here are some travel content ideas to help get the creative juices flowing: 1. Photos.

  9. 6 Best Social Media Marketing Platforms for Travel Agencies

    How to Create Marketing Strategies for Travel Agents on Social Media Platforms. Best Platforms to Boost Your Online Presence. 1. Social Media Marketing for Travel Agents on Facebook. 2. Social Media Marketing for Travel Agents on Instagram. 3. Social Media Marketing for Travel Agents on Pinterest. 4.

  10. How to set up a travel social media marketing strategy

    An Expedia study of millennial and Gen Z travel behaviors found that they were heavily influenced by social media. Eighty-four percent of Gen Z and 77% of millennials surveyed had been influenced by social media when planning their travel. More than 70% surveyed were open to help and inspiration during the planning process.

  11. Best Travel Social Media Networks : Traveling 2.0

    Of course, the social media geek inside me made me get prepared for my upcoming vacation the web 2.0 way: by looking through available travel social media networks and seeing what they have to ...

  12. The roles of social media in tourists' choices of travel components

    The influence of social media on travel decision-making has attracted much attention from tourism scholars. A recent literature analysis has suggested that most of such studies have focused on the impact of social media on behavioural intention with very limited studies on actual behaviour (Leung et al., 2019).Furthermore, relatively little insight has been put on the roles of social media in ...

  13. KimoTravel : The travel social network

    Social Networking. KimoTravel is a social networking site for lovers of travel and chance encounters! Here, with ease and spontaneity you can find travel companions for short excursions, to plan trips with or just to share your common interests. This site allows families, couples or single travelers to meet up with globe trotters from around ...

  14. How does social media impact the travel industry?

    Another pre-pandemic figure reported by Statista revealed that over a third of people use social media for travel inspiration and ideas, with 60 percent sharing their own content from holidays or ...

  15. Trotter It

    Trotter It. Fifth Floor. C 56/35 Sector 62. Noida, 201310 India. [email protected]. Discover the World with Trottter It - Your Passport to Unforgettable Adventures! Explore our curated travel experiences, expert tips, and exclusive deals to make your journey extraordinary. Start planning your next adventure today!

  16. What's New In Travel Social Media Marketing?

    Here are some of the biggest things to consider in the travel social media marketing space right now. 1. A Rise In Short Form Video Content. One of the biggest trends in social media right now is short-form video content. It started with TikTok, then Instagram introduced Reels, and even YouTube got involved with shorts.

  17. How Social Media is Transforming the Travel Industry

    Customer Service & Reviews: Social media has become travelers' ultimate direct communication channel, and businesses are embracing it. Instant Response: Travelers can now voice concerns, ask questions, and share praise on social media platforms. Responding promptly and addressing issues effectively builds trust and fosters positive relationships.

  18. The 7 Best Social Media Platforms for Travel Agencies 2023

    Although it does take some time and effort, having a Pinterest account could be a lifesaver in the future if everything else falls through. Among numerous social media platforms for travel agencies, Pinterest proved to be the most effective one. #6. YouTube. There's no doubt that YouTube is a powerful marketing tool.

  19. How to Share Your Travels Via Social Networking

    The world is smaller than it's ever been and social networking is making it all the easier to connect with those back home while you're on the go. Whether you want to humble-brag about your excessive country-hopping or you just want to update your friends and family about where you've been, social media and traveling is a match made in ...

  20. How Social Media Has Changed Travel

    3. Social media has helped change the travel demographic. Until the Millennial generation and the rise of social media, big travel experiences were mostly reserved for special occasions—a yearly family vacation or honeymoon, for instance. Travel was seen as something you could do (hopefully) when you retired.

  21. Travel Social Media Marketing Best Practices and Case Studies

    The Power of Social Media in Travel Marketing. Expedia's 2023 Traveler Value Index noted almost 35% of travelers turn to social media for holiday inspiration.; Furthermore, 75% of respondents chose a specific destination inspired by social media as per Amex's 2023 Global Travel Trends Report.; Travel Live Streaming is becoming increasingly popular on social media, with 60% of travelers ...

  22. The New Trend: Traveling With Instagram Influencers

    Traveling with an influencer from a social media platform like Instagram, Facebook or TikTok means you'll be with other people who follow the influencer and enjoy the same travel style and ...

  23. Travel envy on social networking sites

    Introduction. Social media has fundamentally reshaped the ways in which tourists acquire travel information and plan trips. The travel information generated by users on social networking sites (SNS) plays a crucial role in raising tourists' awareness and influencing destination visit intentions and behaviours (Filieri, Alguezaui, & McLeay, 2015). ...

  24. How Social Media Is Shaping Travel and Retail Trends

    When it comes to travel, the study's results found that younger consumers, particularly Gen Z and millennials, heavily rely on social media for travel planning, with 81% and 75%, respectively ...

  25. 2.2 billion social media impressions: "differentiating factor" for

    In 2023 Civitatis achieved 2.2B impressions and 133M video views across all social media channels. Civitatis closed 2023 with 585K Instagram and 280K TikTok followers, giving it the largest ...

  26. 8 Eco-Friendly Destinations To Celebrate Earth Month, April 2024

    Ecoventura Flash Sale, Galapagos. To celebrate Earth Day, Ecoventura is offering a one-day flash sale on April 22. Travelers can take advantage of a 20% discount on selected departure dates on ...

  27. April Fools' Day 2024: Big brands and companies unveil pranks, jokes

    Dating app Tinder announced a new April Fools' Day hiring quest for a Vice President of Ghost Hunting to help combat "one of dating culture's most prevalent vices - ghosting," a practice ...

  28. Mother refuses to get off ride as Ocean Park Hong Kong operator warns

    Australian travel enthusiast and comedian Christian Hull posted a lengthy rant on his social media after he spotted the stubborn mother interacting with a ride operator at Ocean Park.. The mother ...