We started the discussion of How NOT to use Twitter for tourism businesses. Now let’s discuss how TO use Twitter for tourism businesses. I’d love to hear your advice and experience, to these questions raised by a new visitor in the comments:
So pleased I found this helpful blog post. I’m a tourism consultant and just opened an apartment on the coast in Wales but I’m new to Twitter. Really useful comments above especially from Ken Yeung, thank you so much. 2 question though:
1) is it ethical to search and ‘intercept’ people looking for holidays in my part of the world and then @ them with details of my place?
2) should I have 2 twitter accounts, one for my consutlancy stuff, the other for the accoommodation?
As I say, I’m learning, want to get it right so any advice gratefully received. Great community this!
Andrew Lloyd Hughes
What do you think? What experience can you share?
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Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
I love how Twitter is being used with travel and just wrote a post about Twitter and Travel 2.0:
http://www.soultravelers3.com/2009/02/twitter-travel-20.html#more
I think a few people that I linked do demonstrate how to use it well with tourism business like @toddlucier and @elliottng , thus one can learn a lot just be watching those who do it well.
Read everything you can about Twitter and watch people who are using it well.
As a traveler, I like it when people @ me and tell me about places or other things that I should see. I think if it is done well and kindly, many would appreciate an @ message about a place they are planning to go.
If it feels real spammy, then people probably won’t like it.
I know one person with a rental place in an area we are interested in seeing. They have never mentioned it to us, but I see it in their bio. We have built up a relationship via Twitter. You guess right, if you think I will look to them first when we go to that place…because of the relationship.
So that is another way that twitter can work, through the relationships you build with travelers and potential travelers.
I think having more than one account is strictly up to you. I tried to open 2, but find it difficult. Others seem to like it.
Hope this helps a little!
Thank you so much, Soultravelers. Excellent experience.
I’ve set up twitterhawk with 4 different keyword searches; if someone’s tweet matches they will receive a tweet back inviting them to stop at our restaurant for breakfast, lunch, coffee, and free wi-fi. It looks like twitterhawk has just exited beta (or at least free usage) and will now be charging .05 per tweet; it’s so far sent 38 tweets over a couple of weeks so I think a $10 investment is worth it.
Great idea, Mary! Do you give them a code, so you can track the return on investment?
I know someone who owns a business services company in Maine. @DanFreeman is one of the more helpful people you will meet on Twitter. I see him offering advice often. And he will throw in a quick pitch for his services. Nothing wrong with that.
He’s a community member that interacts well with the others and offers a service.
Same model could apply to tourism. Offer tips and advice for getting around your area. You don’t just work for your business. The more you do to promote your region, the more you benefit.
If someone tweets that they are looking for a room and you have a vacancy, then capitalize on it.
Thank you, Carl. You are a sharp business thinking. Glad to have your input.
Code? Excellent idea! I’ve just seen where they’ve added something where you can intercept the message to personalize it before it’s tweeted; will allow me to put in something unique.
I tweet for @VisitChicago (Chicagoland regional tourism) and agree with the other comments. Twitter is great for interacting with both locals & potential visitors as well as for building friendship with your followers.
I believe it’s necessary to search for your potential visitors. Following them or sending them an @reply is a good way to start a friendship.
Using two accounts depends on your twitter goals. I use my business account strictly for promoting my region and my personal account for my personal tweets and for networking with other tourism destinations.
My best advice is to follow & interact with those in your industry or region; give your profile & tweets some personality; and have fun!
Excellent, thanks for posting my questions and a big thank you to all who have helped me above, really appreciate it and I’ve learned a lot from you guys. Would love to have your Twitter addresses, mine is @TruTourism. Thanks once again from Wales!
How does twitter handle Africa? I am a very new member and I have not seen major responces from Africa…
I’m on twitter since one month, twitting as @mallorcavilla I feel people do like if you @ them, but I think that they hate when you attach a link.
I personally never attach links to @ if not requested, if someone is interested on my hotel he will find it thru my profile.
I prefer, as said above, best way (and funnier) is to interact, chat, and try to help others.
Cheers from Majorca!
This is a great discussion! I appreciate everyone’s contributions so far. Your experiences will help other small business people. Thank you!
That said, the floor is still open for comments, thoughts, and ideas.
I know that I have a couple of Convention and Tourism Bureau’s following me on Twitter. Go to search.twitter.com and put, visitors & convention bureau in the search box. You’ll find what you’re looking for.
Also check out http://twisitorcenter.com for a list of Convention & Visitors Bureaus on twitter. It’s an awesome site; created by the GoSeeTell Network.