Travel Providers Turn to Travel Blogging to Make Connections.

(Dive Travel Business News - September 26, 2011) -- Travel blogs have become widespread in the last five years due to plethora of experiences and specialist areas available amongst the travelling public and writers. Blogs have also become an important tool for travel companies,particularly within the social media arena and the need for content-driven interaction.

Such is the blog’s significant growth in recent years that conferences dedicated to the subject are held annually, with even WTM getting in on the act this year in its Social Travel Mart fringe conference. But while we leave the discussion to those involved, travel companies are waking up to the power of blogs and the personal edge it can give a brand.

Group tour operator Gap Adventures recently announced it has teamed up with a group of travel bloggers who will act as ambassadors for the company. The bloggers will not only go on Gap Adventure trips and share their feedback and ideas, but also attend or speak at travel events, in what the company has called its ‘Wanderers in Residence’ programme. Of course the bloggers will also use Facebook and Twitter to track and promote their travels through their own separate accounts.

Bruce Poon Tip, founder of Gap Adventures said it was important that the writers represented the spirit of travel. “They are real people who share our passion for life-changing, enriching travel experiences,” he explained. “Together, we hope to inspire people and promote travel from all corners of the planet” To see the content and bloggers behind the initiative, visit www.gapadventures.com/blog/wanderers-in-residence.

While Gap Adventures is a relatively big travel company, Beth Whitman, founder and editor of Wanderlust and Lipstick, a website focused on travel for women, advises that every travel provider should have a blog, Whitman’s own blogging experience led her to enter the travel business. She started her blog, and now website, in 2006 as a way to express her passion for travel.  Her travel blog avocation has since grown into a tour and travel company, Wander Tours. The company aims to provide the kind of travel experiences that animate Whitman’s own wanderlust.

In a recent travel trade seminar, Five Steps to a Killer Blog, Whitman advises that blogging should be an element in your travel business and marketing plan. She advises potential bloggers that today's software and freeware makes launching a blog relatively easy. Whitman advises potential bloggers to partcipate in blogger forums to find out what works and what doesn't. 

Bloggers don't need to be a great writer of photographer but you do need a "voice", a distinct way of getting your message across, an interesting point of view that grabs the reader's attention.  It’s important to pay attention to your audience and build your blog based on what it wants, as well.The best voice is focused around one's passions. A great blog connects with your audience, and nurtures relationships with your clients, says Whitman.

Also “consider your ultimate goal.” For instance, agents might want to write about upcoming tours or groups they are planning.

Here are Whitman's Recipe for a Killer Blog:

Design. You don’t have to be an artist; just look at what others are doing and incorporate design elements you like into your blog, Whitman advised. Be sure to include plenty of photos. The design of a blog has become more important as changes in Google’s search engine have caused plain-type blogs to lose traffic, Whitman noted.

Among examples of travel blogs with good design are: jasminewanders.com, beersandbeans.com and positiveworldtravel.com, Whitman said.

Content. Bring your personality into your blog, because blogs with strong voices captivate their audiences, said Whitman. She cited as examples: www.nerdseyeview.com/blog and dooce.com.Do be nice, Whitman cautioned, reminding agents that a blog is a public forum. “You want to present good, positive energy.”

Consistency. Decide the focus of your blog, then create and follow an editorial calendar. Blog regularly – at least twice a week.

Credibility. Use your expertise about particular destinations or types of travel. Know your stuff; check your facts, and don't post inaccurate information, Whitman said, adding that credibility is built over time.

Authenticity. Write your own material and don’t post baloney. If you use other content and contributed pieces, credit the authors and edit the articles before posting.

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