The Internet has literally revolutionized information. We can get as much information as we want all with a few clicks of a computer mouse. The travel industry should be very thankful for the innovation of the Internet, because now the vast majority of all hotels, car rental, and flight reservations are made online. Not only is booking online the preferred method for travelers, but talking about and researching their upcoming trip is also becoming very popular. The Internet is now becoming a social entity. We no longer consume information one way. We write blogs, make comments, post in forums, share links, and interact on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Here are four steps that social media can help you research your travel destinations.
1. Read Wikis and Blogs
This is why we write a blog on Green Travel Hub, because we want to add value to our customers looking to book travel by trying to help them find the best travel destination possible. Wikipedia is also a GREAT resource for researching destinations to find out the local cuisine, climate, and cultural landmarks. I also like these sites:
Gadling – owned by AOL, this blog has a wealth of information for travelers.
TerraCurve – a great site for finding green travel news and green destinations and hotels.
The Window Seat – This is Travelocity’s travel blog, and what I love most about it is that it’s not just one big promotion. There truly are articles that bring value to travelers.
2. Get Involved in Review Sites
Review sites are some of the most popular websites on the Internet, because there’s nothing better than a personal recommendation. Traveling to an unfamiliar location is tough, because you have no idea where the good local places are to eat and hang out. Yelp is one of my favorite review websites for restaurants and entertainment. The Yelp community is huge, and many of them are a good, honest bunch that gives fair reviews. TripAdvisor is another great website for finding quality reviews about hotels, restaurants, tourist destinations, and other points of interest.
3. Connect With Locals On Twitter and Facebook
Twitter and Facebook are great resources for finding locals in the area you’ll be visiting. Twitter would be the easiest, because you usually don’t need permission to follow another Twitter user. Plus, a lot of commerce chambers and local businesses have Twitter accounts that you can start following. Make sure you search your existing Facebook friends to see if any of your old high school buddies or co-workers live in the area you’re visiting.
4. Use Geo-Location Applications
If you have a smart phone, popular geo-location based social networks like Foursquare and GoWalla are great for finding deals and tips from locals. It’ll also give you a quick list of all of the points of interest within a few miles of you. Most applications have support for Android, iPhone, and Blackberry.
