2010 Trends - Social Media Impact on Travel & Print Media

By: admin

The evolving influence and use of social media and technology for travel continues to amaze as we move into 2010. Our experts have some very interesting predictions, from innovations and market share to the future of travel print media as it seeks to compete with and embrace social media at the same time.

Multiple experts predict the demise in 2010 of a least one print guidebook publisher.

A few quotes from our team of experts:

Sheila Scarborough

“I predict the mainstreaming of social media into travel, helped along considerably by the cross-generational adoption of Facebook and the explosion of mobile/smartphones. Not only is Grandma on Facebook, she’s going to figure out that that Blackberry (or iPhone or whatever it is) just put the Internet into her purse as well.

Lordy, now she can upload photos of her grandkids to her Facebook page while riding through “It’s A Small World After All” at Disney World! Not within this year, but soon enough, social media is going to be “the way we do things” and will be as accepted and ubiquitous as email. No one advertises their services as an “Email Guru,” do they? Mobile is going to explode because there are going to be multiple handset options available across all of the major carriers, thanks to Google’s Android (I don’t think Palm can recover their dominance, nor Windows Mobile, unless they do something extraordinary very soon. RIM/Blackberry and maybe Nokia have more of a fighting chance for impact.) Go, Grandma, go!” – Sheila Scarborough, Sheila’s Guide

Scott Carmichael

“I predict an even greater importance of social media within the travel industry. In 2009, major airlines like United and American took their first steps, but in 2010 I think they’ll start turning these new outlets into new sales outlets.” – Scott Carmichael, Gadling

Travel Wonders

“More very short term planning travel measures based on social media, iPhones and other electronic gadgetry, internet on planes becoming more available.” - Mark H., Travel-Wonders.com

SoulTravelers3

Tech advances will continue to lead the way in the travel industry like most others. I’m glad we’re positioned nicely as Partners with Youtube with a popular Soultravelers3 Youtube Channel as I think video is really going to take off in 2010.

Even an ordinary family like ours can make viral travel videos! We should all be aware that according to Forrester, video is more likely to result in a first-page Google result than traditional SEO! – Jeanne Dee, SoulTravelers3

Donna Hull

“The internet will continue to play a big role in travel research as well as making travel arrangements, especially as more of the population acquires smart phones, travel apps will be a popular download also.” - Donna L. Hull, My Itchy Travel Feet

Willy Volk

At least one major guidebook publisher will fold. E-readers will spawn a new breed of self-produced guidebooks and travel magazines. - Willy Volk, Gadling

Amateur Traveler

Another major print travel magazine will fail or go online only. - Chris Christensen, Amateur Traveler

Nancy D. Brown

I see traditional print magazines embracing the internet and having an on-line presence. While slow to respond on the social media uptake, more travel magazines are creating Facebook Fan pages and having some type of blog connected with their travel magazine. After my participation in Princess Cruises #FollowMeAtSea twitter press trip and JW Marriott Resorts #BloggersinParadise press trip, I predict more corporate travel brands and PR agencies will organize Twitter and Blogger press trips. As many of you are aware, I am a print journalist, as well as a blogger. I see the travel industry embracing travel bloggers and attempting to harness their social media power to further promote their brand and message. Nancy D. Brown, Nancy D. Brown, What A Trip

In summary, 2010 looks to be on course to be another banner year where travel will see explosive growth through Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and other platforms. Mass popularity will lead to greater sales and revenues through this medium, thus hastening the travel print media’s demise, if they cannot co-opt social media as a business model.