thetravelprblog

Here’s a gloomy prediction for travel agents from the recent ABTA convention in Marrakech. Via yesterday’s Observer:

 

 

Chris Mottershead, now chief executive of Travelzest, suggested salvation would come from specialising in a specific area or running trips themselves.

 

Agreed, but I think there is also a case for a new breed of independent travel agents who build their personal brand online and use blogging and other social media tools to demonstrate authority in many different aspects of the travel business. As part of their online strategy they could use blogs and RSS feeds to build relationships with regular clients who value their expert advice and who have a wide variety of travel requirements.

 

If you are planning a honeymoon or (reluctantly) organising a holiday for your 16 year old daughter and her friends, would you not go to a trusted source first? 

 

There is nothing wrong with Motterhead’s quoted assertion:

 

‘If you’re not on the internet now you really have to ask yourself what century you’re in,’ he said.

 

But I am not convinced ABTA itself has moved beyond Web 1.0 

 

How about a blog module on the website with evolving commentary from the organisations leaders? How about RSS feeds for members and the press?

 

And how about a social media session for next year’s convention?

 

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