New direct marketing service for hotels that leverages on Twitter traffic
European startup Reach.ly has launched its first product, a unique service that delivers a highly filtered, real-time Twitter stream and conversation tool for hotels to convert potential guests into hotel rooms.As Reach.ly puts it simply on its website: “Someone tweets about their trip to your c [...]
OK, one more time: Your own website or a Facebook Fan Page?
A couple of months ago I was at the Singapore Tourism Board conference here in Singapore.Siew Hoon (of Web In Travel) was hosting a panel and I asked the panelists a question:“If you had finite funds and you were a small hotel owner, would you invest your precious cash in your own website or (y [...]
Here’s to finding your groove in the new year
So I was introduced to a store In Auckland called Real Groovy and I could have spent hours and hours in there but I couldn't so I didn't, but the time I did made me think this has to be the way retailers need to go to keep their customers coming back for the real thing.Real Groovy is not housed in s [...]
Hey Tweety Bird, look what I’ve got for you
So I just got back from Bangkok – why do all the best things happen to me in that lovely city?I was booked into the Centara Grand – my third visit to this hotel, same time every year for the same event, the Asia For Asia Summit, a one-day workshop on the meetings industry.Each time, I am asked t [...]
Direct and social will drive Japan in 2011: Shibata
Kei Shibata, President & CEO, Venture Republic Inc, JapanQ: What are the three things you think will happen in the travel distribution, marketing and technology space in Japan in 2011?Distribution: Direct channels bypassing travel agents (including OTAs) will emerge. Players like LCCs and hotels [...]
Do I have your attention? I do? – OK, grab a sofa then – Listening to the chatter in China and optimizing Social Business.
Yesterday, in Singapore, I attended the last of 4 legs of the Dachis Group’sSocial Business Summit tour.The event was described as a day, focusing on Social Business with a community of practitioners, thought leaders and industry experts. It lived up to that billing and more.The day was kicked [...]
Do it for Me and Make it Look Beautiful
This morning I was reading a recent Forrester Report – ‘Marketing Technology Adoption 2011’They surveyed 137 ‘Customer Intelligence’ professionals with a view to understanding their priorities, plans and budgets.Previously identified issues and challenges continue to frustrate those surv [...]
Failure hurts but you learn, and you focus
The first time Morten Lund went bankrupt was when he was 21 years old. He remembers cycling home from the bank. “I was so ashamed and could look no one in the eye.”That however did not stop the serial entrepreneur from taking more risks. Saying that at least seven out of 10 start-ups fail and th [...]
Langham goes on Facebook to search for top travel tips
Langham Hospitality Group has launched a global multi-platform social media campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Weibo to search for top travel tips in key Langham cities as part of its Linger Longer for Less campaign.To win, all entrants simply answer the question “If I could linger longer in a c [...]
WIT Day Two – Monetizing social media. A dream or reality?
What is the strategy on monetizing social media. Anyone out there got a clear answer? We had to ask our panel of experts to see what their thoughts were on this. The panel comprised Nathan Clapton, Vice President-Partnerships for TripAdvisor, David Doucette, Executive Director, Internet Marketi [...]
