The upbeat Sykora is a young Canadian video content creator, world traveler, and internet personality.
Follow her journey with Contiki via her website, YouTube Channel and on Twitter.
Video Courtesy of Hey Nadine on YouTube
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Canada's Top Social Media Maven Partners With Contiki Holidays
Nadine Sykora, the recipient of the 2011 Digi Award for Canada's Top Social Media Maven, has partnered with Contiki Holidays for a three month adventure through New Zealand and Asia.
The upbeat Sykora is a young Canadian video content creator, world traveler, and internet personality.
Follow her journey with Contiki via her website, YouTube Channel and on Twitter.
Video Courtesy of Hey Nadine on YouTube
The upbeat Sykora is a young Canadian video content creator, world traveler, and internet personality.
Follow her journey with Contiki via her website, YouTube Channel and on Twitter.
Video Courtesy of Hey Nadine on YouTube
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Revinate Launches Comprehensive Social Media Solution for Restaurants
Revinate, the next generation of guest satisfaction has announced its much anticipated restaurant solution. This innovative new solution for restaurants leverages Revinate’s experience as the leading social media solution for thousands of hotels worldwide. Now, restaurant brands, management companies, owners and operators can benefit from the powerful online reputation platform that global hotel companies such as Hyatt Hotels, Sofitel and Kempinski rely on daily to engage guests and manage guest satisfaction.
Revinate’s restaurant solution provides a single dashboard to manage all online reviews, mobile check-ins and social media mentions, and includes sophisticated trending and sentiment analysis. With Revinate, restaurateurs can now monitor feedback for their restaurants and their selected competitors across millions of sites in real time, and then easily engage with customers on top review sites and social networks – the locations where most diners now select restaurants and make reservations. This new service, available for an affordable monthly subscription fee, is designed to be easy enough for any employee to use, regardless of technical ability.
“I can’t think of any software service that is more valuable for an individual restaurant or chain today. I spent 20+ plus years in the restaurant industry in operational roles and I only wish this software was available for me when I was struggling to figure out where our restaurants were strong and where we needed to invest resources. With Revinate, you can easily pinpoint operational problems and fix them before they become serious and costly issues,” says Clark S. Kincaid, Ph.D, Associate Professor at UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.
Orient-Express’s Jeff Webster, Public Relations and Digital Media Manager, North America, says, “Online review sites and social media are critically important to our business, which makes sense given the passion people have towards food and the research consumers do to discover new restaurants. Revinate saves us an incredible amount of time, aggregating all reviews and review scores into a single location so we can quickly assess guest satisfaction and understand how we're measuring up against our competitors. We can then focus more energy on building brand visibility, engaging with customers and driving new business."
A long-time hotel client, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants has also been using Revinate’s restaurant solution to manage their restaurants’ online reputation. Jeff Brown, Area Director of Restaurant Operations, says, “Revinate has become a critical tool for us to monitor and track our online reviews. Restaurants are incredibly susceptible to a loss in revenue as a result of bad online reviews so it’s incredibly important to know what people are saying in real time. Revinate allows us to stay in-tune to what people are saying, and allows us to easily act, for example, by publicly responding to reviews or opening tickets to assign responsibility should issues arise that can be remedied.”
“Our restaurant solution was designed in close collaboration with restaurant managers from hospitality companies who have long trusted Revinate,” says Jay Ashton, co-founder and CEO of Revinate. “With thousands of hotels relying on Revinate every day, it’s a natural progression for us to also help restaurants use public reviews and social media to grow their businesses, and we’re thrilled to be launching our innovative restaurant solution today.”
Restaurants interested in learning more can visit http://www.revinate.com/for-restaurants or email info(at)revinate(dot)com.
Source: PR Newswire
Revinate’s restaurant solution provides a single dashboard to manage all online reviews, mobile check-ins and social media mentions, and includes sophisticated trending and sentiment analysis. With Revinate, restaurateurs can now monitor feedback for their restaurants and their selected competitors across millions of sites in real time, and then easily engage with customers on top review sites and social networks – the locations where most diners now select restaurants and make reservations. This new service, available for an affordable monthly subscription fee, is designed to be easy enough for any employee to use, regardless of technical ability.
“I can’t think of any software service that is more valuable for an individual restaurant or chain today. I spent 20+ plus years in the restaurant industry in operational roles and I only wish this software was available for me when I was struggling to figure out where our restaurants were strong and where we needed to invest resources. With Revinate, you can easily pinpoint operational problems and fix them before they become serious and costly issues,” says Clark S. Kincaid, Ph.D, Associate Professor at UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.
Orient-Express’s Jeff Webster, Public Relations and Digital Media Manager, North America, says, “Online review sites and social media are critically important to our business, which makes sense given the passion people have towards food and the research consumers do to discover new restaurants. Revinate saves us an incredible amount of time, aggregating all reviews and review scores into a single location so we can quickly assess guest satisfaction and understand how we're measuring up against our competitors. We can then focus more energy on building brand visibility, engaging with customers and driving new business."
A long-time hotel client, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants has also been using Revinate’s restaurant solution to manage their restaurants’ online reputation. Jeff Brown, Area Director of Restaurant Operations, says, “Revinate has become a critical tool for us to monitor and track our online reviews. Restaurants are incredibly susceptible to a loss in revenue as a result of bad online reviews so it’s incredibly important to know what people are saying in real time. Revinate allows us to stay in-tune to what people are saying, and allows us to easily act, for example, by publicly responding to reviews or opening tickets to assign responsibility should issues arise that can be remedied.”
“Our restaurant solution was designed in close collaboration with restaurant managers from hospitality companies who have long trusted Revinate,” says Jay Ashton, co-founder and CEO of Revinate. “With thousands of hotels relying on Revinate every day, it’s a natural progression for us to also help restaurants use public reviews and social media to grow their businesses, and we’re thrilled to be launching our innovative restaurant solution today.”
Restaurants interested in learning more can visit http://www.revinate.com/for-restaurants or email info(at)revinate(dot)com.
Source: PR Newswire
Monday, December 5, 2011
Unlock Columbus - A Social Media Adventure in Columbus, GA
Video Courtesy of Columbus Georgia CVB on YouTube
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Orbitz.com Launches "Gift It Forward" Facebook Contest
This holiday season, Orbitz Facebook fans will have the chance to recognize individuals who make the world a better place with the gift of travel through the Orbitz "Gift It Forward" contest on Facebook. Whether saving someone a trip to the store or helping to save the world, the "Gift It Forward" contest allows Orbitz Facebook fans to nominate a deserving neighbor, co-worker, family member, or friend for a well-deserved luxury vacation to Mexico.
"The wonderful thing about the Gift It Forward contest is that it allows our fans to nominate others for the good things they've done," said Chris Orton, president of Orbitz.com. "Orbitz is excited to provide a much-needed vacation to those who have gone above and beyond, and Gift It Forward is a great way for deserving people to be recognized for their actions."
To nominate someone for "Gift It Forward," visit the Orbitz Facebook page and complete a short form describing why the person nominated deserves to win. After submitting the form, the nominator must inform the nominee that they need to "Gift It Forward" and nominate someone else for their entry to be valid. Orbitz will award six travel packages to the nominees and their nominators for all-inclusive luxury trips to Mexico. Orbitz will also award fans with pairs of round-trip airline tickets throughout the contest just for submitting a nomination. Nominations are accepted now through December 9.
Orbitz will select ten finalists based on a combination of relevance, quality, and creativity. Orbitz Facebook fans will then vote for their favorite story. The top three finalists and those who nominated them can win one of these grand prizes:
In addition to the prizes mentioned above, Orbitz will randomly award pairs of round-trip airline tickets throughout the promotion just for submitting a nomination. To nominate someone for "Gift It Forward," visit www.facebook.com/orbitz. Grand prize winners will be announced on or about December 22, 2011.
Source: PR Newswire
"The wonderful thing about the Gift It Forward contest is that it allows our fans to nominate others for the good things they've done," said Chris Orton, president of Orbitz.com. "Orbitz is excited to provide a much-needed vacation to those who have gone above and beyond, and Gift It Forward is a great way for deserving people to be recognized for their actions."
To nominate someone for "Gift It Forward," visit the Orbitz Facebook page and complete a short form describing why the person nominated deserves to win. After submitting the form, the nominator must inform the nominee that they need to "Gift It Forward" and nominate someone else for their entry to be valid. Orbitz will award six travel packages to the nominees and their nominators for all-inclusive luxury trips to Mexico. Orbitz will also award fans with pairs of round-trip airline tickets throughout the contest just for submitting a nomination. Nominations are accepted now through December 9.
Orbitz will select ten finalists based on a combination of relevance, quality, and creativity. Orbitz Facebook fans will then vote for their favorite story. The top three finalists and those who nominated them can win one of these grand prizes:
- First Place: Vouchers for round-trip airfare, one all-inclusive 4-night stay at the Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Perla for two and $800 in spending cash; and one 5-night stay at the Palace Resorts for two including meals, beverages, and $800 in spending cash.
- Second Place: Vouchers for round-trip airfare, one all-inclusive 5-night stay at Marival Residences & World Spa for two including unlimited tours and unlimited golf green fees, and $700 in spending cash; and one 5-night all-inclusive stay at the Riu Santa Fe for two, including $575 in spending cash.
- Third Place: Vouchers for round-trip airfare, one all-inclusive 5-night stay at the Hotel Barcelo Maya Palace Deluxe for two including a $20 spa services credit and $575 in spending cash, and one all-inclusive 5-night stay at the Riu Emerald Bay for two and $550 in spending Cash.
In addition to the prizes mentioned above, Orbitz will randomly award pairs of round-trip airline tickets throughout the promotion just for submitting a nomination. To nominate someone for "Gift It Forward," visit www.facebook.com/orbitz. Grand prize winners will be announced on or about December 22, 2011.
Source: PR Newswire
Monday, November 28, 2011
"Completely Philadelphia" - A New Marketing Video From Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Courtesy of Philadelphia CVB on YouTube
The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) recently unveiled a new "Completely Philadelphia" marketing video, while highlighting their international tourism marketing efforts and announcing the return of the LIGHTFAIR(R) International (LFI) tradeshow in 2013.
The full press release can be viewed here.
On the Beach: Social Media Great for Holiday Season Planning
"Holidaymakers turn to social media for reviews and discounts," say On the Beach
UK based On the Beach report that social media is a great way to research holidays this festive season; and not just flights, but hotels and car hire as well. More and more UK travellers are turning to sites like Facebook to find polls, discounts and reviews on their prospective destinations.
40 per cent of UK holidaymakers use social media to help them research, a recent survey reports. On the Beach say social media is useful for providing a range of information including reviews, flights prices and cheap hotels.
The report, which was published by the World Travel Market, surveyed over 1000 British holidaymakers who travelled locally or overseas in 2011. One third of the respondents using social media reported that they'd changed a hotel booking after looking at social media sources.
Alistair Daly, Marketing Director at On the Beach, commented that Facebook is a useful tool for customers to exchange information. "Our On the Beach Facebook Fan Page provides a forum for customers to quickly and easily give us feedback, suggest pages to friends and look up quotes. It's a great forum in which to ask questions and get professional advice for booking a holiday."
Daly continued: "Using Facebook, we're able to keep in touch with our customers, directly addressing their issues and interests, and alerting them to the best budget deals and cheap flights to Turkey, Majorca and Portugal, to name a few."
Source: PR Newswire
UK based On the Beach report that social media is a great way to research holidays this festive season; and not just flights, but hotels and car hire as well. More and more UK travellers are turning to sites like Facebook to find polls, discounts and reviews on their prospective destinations.
40 per cent of UK holidaymakers use social media to help them research, a recent survey reports. On the Beach say social media is useful for providing a range of information including reviews, flights prices and cheap hotels.
The report, which was published by the World Travel Market, surveyed over 1000 British holidaymakers who travelled locally or overseas in 2011. One third of the respondents using social media reported that they'd changed a hotel booking after looking at social media sources.
Alistair Daly, Marketing Director at On the Beach, commented that Facebook is a useful tool for customers to exchange information. "Our On the Beach Facebook Fan Page provides a forum for customers to quickly and easily give us feedback, suggest pages to friends and look up quotes. It's a great forum in which to ask questions and get professional advice for booking a holiday."
Daly continued: "Using Facebook, we're able to keep in touch with our customers, directly addressing their issues and interests, and alerting them to the best budget deals and cheap flights to Turkey, Majorca and Portugal, to name a few."
Source: PR Newswire
Friday, November 11, 2011
Destination Video of the Day: Film hiver Vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Courtesy of Chamonix-Mont Blanc on YouTube
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Visiteurope.com Launches "Follow Your Roots: Visit Europe"
Visiteurope.com has announced the launch of their latest social media campaign and contest entitled, "Follow Your Roots: Visit Europe."
Hosted on visiteurope.com's official Facebook page, the contest invites fans to explore their European roots by sharing a family photo and description of the photo.
"Large populations of European descendants are found on nearly every continent," says Jan Rudomina, Chairman of the European Travel Commission US Operations Group. "Our goal with this contest is to encourage our fans to explore their European heritage through photos and letters in an effort to inspire travel to Europe."
Beginning today, fans of the visiteurope.com Facebook page can upload their family photo and brief description (200 words or less) describing the person(s) in the photo and the significance of following his or her roots back to Europe for a chance to win a dream European vacation for two. Voting will occur November 28 – December 5 to determine the top 10 finalists. From December 6 to December 8, a panel of judges from visiteurope.com will select the grand prizewinner from the list of finalists based on creativity and relevance to the contest theme. The grand prizewinner will be formerly announced via Facebook on December 9.
"Follow Your Roots: Visit Europe" is the third social media contests taking place on the European Travel Commission's social networks over the course of the past year as part of a new digital and creative campaign to promote Europe as a tourism destination to the U.S. traveler.
Established in 1948 to promote Europe as a tourism destination, the European Travel Commission provides travelers with inspirational commentary on travel services and attractions to help vacationers plan their European journey. Today, www.visiteurope.com, the ETC's web portal along with its dynamic social networks offers travelers activities, tools and tips to help consumers organize their journey to Europe and encourages travelers to share their own experiences and read others while accessing photos, videos and social networks. Visit the official ETC Facebook page and follow ETC on Twitter @visiteurope.
Source: visiteurope.com via PR Newswire
Hosted on visiteurope.com's official Facebook page, the contest invites fans to explore their European roots by sharing a family photo and description of the photo.
"Large populations of European descendants are found on nearly every continent," says Jan Rudomina, Chairman of the European Travel Commission US Operations Group. "Our goal with this contest is to encourage our fans to explore their European heritage through photos and letters in an effort to inspire travel to Europe."
Beginning today, fans of the visiteurope.com Facebook page can upload their family photo and brief description (200 words or less) describing the person(s) in the photo and the significance of following his or her roots back to Europe for a chance to win a dream European vacation for two. Voting will occur November 28 – December 5 to determine the top 10 finalists. From December 6 to December 8, a panel of judges from visiteurope.com will select the grand prizewinner from the list of finalists based on creativity and relevance to the contest theme. The grand prizewinner will be formerly announced via Facebook on December 9.
"Follow Your Roots: Visit Europe" is the third social media contests taking place on the European Travel Commission's social networks over the course of the past year as part of a new digital and creative campaign to promote Europe as a tourism destination to the U.S. traveler.
Established in 1948 to promote Europe as a tourism destination, the European Travel Commission provides travelers with inspirational commentary on travel services and attractions to help vacationers plan their European journey. Today, www.visiteurope.com, the ETC's web portal along with its dynamic social networks offers travelers activities, tools and tips to help consumers organize their journey to Europe and encourages travelers to share their own experiences and read others while accessing photos, videos and social networks. Visit the official ETC Facebook page and follow ETC on Twitter @visiteurope.
Source: visiteurope.com via PR Newswire
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Social Media Talk [Video]
This Week's Picks:
- Social Media in Business Travel Featuring Chris Crowley (BCD / ACTE)
http://bit.ly/vI5gFa - Look before you dive into Social Media (Hotel News Now)
http://bit.ly/rvch3C
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
VietnamOnline.com Officially Introduces Tourism Video Project
VietnamOnline.com, one of the most resourceful and comprehensive information gateways to Vietnam travel information, has just released a video premiere to celebrate the first anniversary of its major transformation.
VietnamOnline.com has been a prestigious website, facilitating trade and tourism to Vietnam since 1995. The website was almost stagnant until October 10, 2010, when it saw a total renovation in both the website design and website content. The website expands to accommodate both wider and deeper information about Vietnam tourism, such as the addition of new sections: Food, News and Events, Transportation and Vietnam A-Z, to name a few.
The occasion is even more eventful with the release of a brand new video section that the editor team has vested much effort for the past six months. Now Vietnam can be captured more than just by writing, but the very vivid image and sound of the fresh-from-the-oven videos: coffee, mopeds, Vietnamese noodles, mid-fall festival.
“We are really hoping to engage global audience in appreciating the colorful Vietnam, and to encourage Vietnamese youth to become ambassadors bringing Vietnam’s essence to the world”, said video section head, Nam Nguyen, “the videos thus carry so much with them: hope, pride and dedication”.
Vietnam Online videos come in two different formats: short clips that depict Vietnam’s tourist attractions, and reports that are more explanatory and profound in portraying Vietnam. And those who have an interest in Vietnam, can find them all on either Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/vnochannel or on the website of vietnamonline.com. The latest video headlines to be released include: Ba Dinh Square, Pho, Coffee, Lotus, Beach, and more to be updated.
Source: PR Web
VietnamOnline.com has been a prestigious website, facilitating trade and tourism to Vietnam since 1995. The website was almost stagnant until October 10, 2010, when it saw a total renovation in both the website design and website content. The website expands to accommodate both wider and deeper information about Vietnam tourism, such as the addition of new sections: Food, News and Events, Transportation and Vietnam A-Z, to name a few.
The occasion is even more eventful with the release of a brand new video section that the editor team has vested much effort for the past six months. Now Vietnam can be captured more than just by writing, but the very vivid image and sound of the fresh-from-the-oven videos: coffee, mopeds, Vietnamese noodles, mid-fall festival.
“We are really hoping to engage global audience in appreciating the colorful Vietnam, and to encourage Vietnamese youth to become ambassadors bringing Vietnam’s essence to the world”, said video section head, Nam Nguyen, “the videos thus carry so much with them: hope, pride and dedication”.
Vietnam Online videos come in two different formats: short clips that depict Vietnam’s tourist attractions, and reports that are more explanatory and profound in portraying Vietnam. And those who have an interest in Vietnam, can find them all on either Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/vnochannel or on the website of vietnamonline.com. The latest video headlines to be released include: Ba Dinh Square, Pho, Coffee, Lotus, Beach, and more to be updated.
Source: PR Web
Saturday, September 17, 2011
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Introduces New Brand Platform: ‘Let Us Stay With You’
In a new brand platform which launches this month, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C. showcases the core service philosophy that makes them a successful luxury lodging company, with the introduction of an entirely new communications approach. Disrupting convention in the hotel category, The Ritz-Carlton poses an alternative style of question to guests, asking ‘Let Us Stay With You’, thereby reversing the age-old approach of hotels asking guests to stay with them. Through the use of artwork, film, messaging, and digital experience platforms, guests are requested to allow The Ritz-Carlton to be much more than just a hotel; indeed to be that indelible memory that lasts a lifetime.
The campaign delivers the message in an intriguing fashion, drawing explicitly on a guests’ power of memory, by creating serendipitous moments that recall the beautiful facilities, one-of-a-kind on-site experiences, and services provided by the ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton. “We worked with a dynamic cross-section of more than 35,000 ladies and gentlemen around the world to define the pillars of the new brand platform” said Chris Gabaldon, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of the luxury hotel company. “We made a deliberate decision not to call this a ‘campaign’ or ‘advertising program’ because we feel this platform is so much more than that. It is a series of guidelines which inform how we interact with our guests, which new products and services we introduce, how we train and evangelize our employees, and even our design décor strategy.”
The brand platform addresses a primary priority that the organization believes is essential to the long-term success of The Ritz-Carlton within an evolving luxury consumer mind-set: To create guests for life through thoughtful touch points along their continuous journey as a guest. “The Ritz-Carlton is a brand that has proven the test of time and has continued to elevate its game to compete not only within the luxury hotel sector, but amongst the most elite luxury labels in the world” commented Herve Humler, President of The Ritz-Carlton. “We continue to deliver a unique blend of refined, yet relevant physical spaces, legendary service, superb craftsmanship by the ladies and gentlemen who work for the company, and innovative services; proof that our legendary icon only continues to improve.”
Unique to previous platforms used by The Ritz-Carlton, ‘Let Us Stay With You’ declares the company’s clear point of view by defining those rare and special things that characterize true luxury. Uniting guests around the world by speaking directly to those connected by their wants and needs, rather than their geography and culture.
Components of the platform include a comprehensive advertising campaign, complemented by a memory-evoking piece of film, the introduction of additional social media networks and a website re-design revealing one of the most engaging new executions on www.RitzCarlton.com. The featurette which will debut mid-October is a dynamic, ever-changing online portal that allows ladies and gentlemen to publically curate triumphant stories of luxury service and care, reinforcing that the brand represents a new era in the luxury conversation among consumers.
Applications of the fully integrated platform also extend into the social space. ‘We care deeply about how our guests interact with us even while they’re not in our hotels, which is why we’ve paid special attention to the role of social media across our guests’ journeys” says Gabaldon, “Digital initiatives such as our Foursquare World Concierge further support our efforts to stay with our guests where ever they are, and to add value to their lives even when they’re not traveling with The Ritz-Carlton.
‘Let Us Stay With You’ packages have also been launched at Ritz-Carlton properties, in tandem with the roll out of the communications channels. ‘Discover With You’ opens a world of discovery in the Ritz-Carlton destinations, ‘Rejuvenate You’ offers a variety of tranquil spa moments and ‘Treat You’ carries the promise of the most exquisite surrounds of The Club Level.
Source: Ritz Carlton at www.RitzCarlton.com
The campaign delivers the message in an intriguing fashion, drawing explicitly on a guests’ power of memory, by creating serendipitous moments that recall the beautiful facilities, one-of-a-kind on-site experiences, and services provided by the ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton. “We worked with a dynamic cross-section of more than 35,000 ladies and gentlemen around the world to define the pillars of the new brand platform” said Chris Gabaldon, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of the luxury hotel company. “We made a deliberate decision not to call this a ‘campaign’ or ‘advertising program’ because we feel this platform is so much more than that. It is a series of guidelines which inform how we interact with our guests, which new products and services we introduce, how we train and evangelize our employees, and even our design décor strategy.”
The brand platform addresses a primary priority that the organization believes is essential to the long-term success of The Ritz-Carlton within an evolving luxury consumer mind-set: To create guests for life through thoughtful touch points along their continuous journey as a guest. “The Ritz-Carlton is a brand that has proven the test of time and has continued to elevate its game to compete not only within the luxury hotel sector, but amongst the most elite luxury labels in the world” commented Herve Humler, President of The Ritz-Carlton. “We continue to deliver a unique blend of refined, yet relevant physical spaces, legendary service, superb craftsmanship by the ladies and gentlemen who work for the company, and innovative services; proof that our legendary icon only continues to improve.”
Unique to previous platforms used by The Ritz-Carlton, ‘Let Us Stay With You’ declares the company’s clear point of view by defining those rare and special things that characterize true luxury. Uniting guests around the world by speaking directly to those connected by their wants and needs, rather than their geography and culture.
Components of the platform include a comprehensive advertising campaign, complemented by a memory-evoking piece of film, the introduction of additional social media networks and a website re-design revealing one of the most engaging new executions on www.RitzCarlton.com. The featurette which will debut mid-October is a dynamic, ever-changing online portal that allows ladies and gentlemen to publically curate triumphant stories of luxury service and care, reinforcing that the brand represents a new era in the luxury conversation among consumers.
Applications of the fully integrated platform also extend into the social space. ‘We care deeply about how our guests interact with us even while they’re not in our hotels, which is why we’ve paid special attention to the role of social media across our guests’ journeys” says Gabaldon, “Digital initiatives such as our Foursquare World Concierge further support our efforts to stay with our guests where ever they are, and to add value to their lives even when they’re not traveling with The Ritz-Carlton.
‘Let Us Stay With You’ packages have also been launched at Ritz-Carlton properties, in tandem with the roll out of the communications channels. ‘Discover With You’ opens a world of discovery in the Ritz-Carlton destinations, ‘Rejuvenate You’ offers a variety of tranquil spa moments and ‘Treat You’ carries the promise of the most exquisite surrounds of The Club Level.
Source: Ritz Carlton at www.RitzCarlton.com
Mary Hammond, Exec. Director of Paducah CVB and Marketing Assistant Laura Schaumburg Discuss Social Media
Courtesy of Paducah2 on YouTube
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
EuropeTravel.net Debuts New Online Social Community
EuropeTravel.net has today debuted their new online social community and website where visitors can share information about travel and sightseeing in any of the 55 countries that comprise Europe. In addition, the goal of EuropeTravel.net is to help create an informative network that allows travel companies to reach and connect with new customers.
This groundbreaking new website is designed for both travelers and travel companies, and offers something of value to everyone. Travelers can easily create a customized account and start sharing with others on the network. They can upload videos of their travels, share photos and join discussions about European travel, news related to travel and about the amazing destinations in Europe.
This provides an excellent way for travelers to share information on their favorite destinations, but also to engage with others who share their passions, to explore new travel possibilities and to find great deals as well. Travelers can create social profiles that give as much (or as little) information as they want, organize their photos and videos, post entries and more.
For businesses, the benefits are manifold. For instance, resorts can easily create free classified listings on the site to promote their offers. Travel companies, resorts and other businesses can upload videos that highlight the beauty of their location, their amenities and more. In addition, all of these services are available to businesses and travelers at no charge – EuropeTravel.net is completely free to use.
Businesses also gain the advantage of being able to market directly to travelers, something that is not possible on other social networks and communities. Targeted marketing and offers made directly to those who are most likely to be interested offer the best possible conversion and ensure that travel companies, resorts and others are able to engage with new customers on a scale not possible previously.
To find out more about EuropeTravel.net, visit http://www.EuropeTravel.net, or connect with them on Twitter @europetravelnet.
Source: http://europetravel.net/press-release-europetravel-net-debuts-new-online-social-community/
This groundbreaking new website is designed for both travelers and travel companies, and offers something of value to everyone. Travelers can easily create a customized account and start sharing with others on the network. They can upload videos of their travels, share photos and join discussions about European travel, news related to travel and about the amazing destinations in Europe.
This provides an excellent way for travelers to share information on their favorite destinations, but also to engage with others who share their passions, to explore new travel possibilities and to find great deals as well. Travelers can create social profiles that give as much (or as little) information as they want, organize their photos and videos, post entries and more.
For businesses, the benefits are manifold. For instance, resorts can easily create free classified listings on the site to promote their offers. Travel companies, resorts and other businesses can upload videos that highlight the beauty of their location, their amenities and more. In addition, all of these services are available to businesses and travelers at no charge – EuropeTravel.net is completely free to use.
Businesses also gain the advantage of being able to market directly to travelers, something that is not possible on other social networks and communities. Targeted marketing and offers made directly to those who are most likely to be interested offer the best possible conversion and ensure that travel companies, resorts and others are able to engage with new customers on a scale not possible previously.
To find out more about EuropeTravel.net, visit http://www.EuropeTravel.net, or connect with them on Twitter @europetravelnet.
Source: http://europetravel.net/press-release-europetravel-net-debuts-new-online-social-community/
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Hotel Booked in Freefall: Promotional Video for Hotels.com New Mobile Booking App
Courtesy of JT Holmes on YouTube
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Hilton Garden Inn Launches 'Life's Ultimate To-Do List Contest' On Facebook
Climb a mountain? Learn to surf? Skydive? If given the opportunity, what's the number one activity you'd like to accomplish within your lifetime? According to a recent Hilton Garden Inn survey*, nearly seven out of 10 Americans have created some type of ultimate 'to-do' list with 'travel,' 'achieving a professional goal,' and 'volunteering for a cause' identified as the most popular goals. To help Americans achieve these goals, today Hilton Garden Inn launched the 'Life's Ultimate To-Do List' contest, which gives consumers the chance to make their ultimate travel 'to-do' a reality.
The contest, which runs until September 2nd on Hilton Garden Inn's Facebook page, invites consumers to share their top "to-do list" item, which will serve as their entry into the contest. Entries will also be collected to create the 'Ultimate To-Do List,' a comprehensive guide of fun and interesting things to explore across the globe, which will live on the hotel brand's Facebook page. At contest close, 10 grand prize winners will be chosen by Hilton Garden Inn to have their to-do list item fulfilled. Each winner will receive a 3-day/2-night trip totaling approximately $5,000, which includes roundtrip airfare to the destination of their choice for the winner and a guest, hotel accommodations at any Hilton Garden Inn around the globe and money to spend on the activity.
"We know the majority of Americans have dreams of exploring and achieving a wide variety of goals within their lifetime and we want to help them become wildly successful in their pursuits," said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president, Global Brand Marketing for Hilton Garden Inn. "Rafting the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, taking a photo safari in Africa and visiting every country in the world top my ultimate to-do list and now Hilton Garden Inn's 'Life's Ultimate To-Do List' contest gives consumers the opportunity to check off their ultimate travel bucket list goal. The goals we collect will also allow us to create and share a fantastic guide to traveling the world."
In support of the contest, Hilton Garden Inn recently conducted a survey*, which uncovered the following insights into American's lifetime to-do lists:
To enter the contest, read the consumer-generated Ultimate To-Do list, and for more information, visit the Hilton Garden Inn Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HiltonGardenInn. For access to media materials and assets, please visit www.hgimediacenter.com/ultimatetodolist.
* To better understand Americans' attitudes and behaviors related to ultimate to-do lists, Hilton Garden Inn conducted an omnibus survey of Americans, 18 years of age and older. ORC international fielded the telephone survey among a nationally representative sample of 1,011 Americans over the age of 18. Interviewing for these CARAVAN® Surveys was completed between April 21 and April 24, 2011. Results have a margin of error of +/- 3.1% at the 95% confidence level.
A full version of the press release can be viewed here http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hilton-garden-inn-launches-lifes-ultimate-to-do-list-contest-127298468.html
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The contest, which runs until September 2nd on Hilton Garden Inn's Facebook page, invites consumers to share their top "to-do list" item, which will serve as their entry into the contest. Entries will also be collected to create the 'Ultimate To-Do List,' a comprehensive guide of fun and interesting things to explore across the globe, which will live on the hotel brand's Facebook page. At contest close, 10 grand prize winners will be chosen by Hilton Garden Inn to have their to-do list item fulfilled. Each winner will receive a 3-day/2-night trip totaling approximately $5,000, which includes roundtrip airfare to the destination of their choice for the winner and a guest, hotel accommodations at any Hilton Garden Inn around the globe and money to spend on the activity.
"We know the majority of Americans have dreams of exploring and achieving a wide variety of goals within their lifetime and we want to help them become wildly successful in their pursuits," said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president, Global Brand Marketing for Hilton Garden Inn. "Rafting the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, taking a photo safari in Africa and visiting every country in the world top my ultimate to-do list and now Hilton Garden Inn's 'Life's Ultimate To-Do List' contest gives consumers the opportunity to check off their ultimate travel bucket list goal. The goals we collect will also allow us to create and share a fantastic guide to traveling the world."
In support of the contest, Hilton Garden Inn recently conducted a survey*, which uncovered the following insights into American's lifetime to-do lists:
- Travel tops the lists of American's ultimate lifetime to-dos. More than three-quarters (83%) of those who have a to-do list say that traveling to a special destination is one of the top items they'd like to complete.
- More than one-third (32%) of Americans said the main reason they created their ultimate to-do list was to see new places.
- In addition to travel, popular goals on ultimate to-do lists include achieving a professional goal (61%), volunteering for a cause (59%) and doing something mentally or physically challenging (53%).
- Nearly one-quarter (23%) of Americans say they create to-do lists to challenge themselves and 19 percent say a to-do list helps prioritize all the things they want to accomplish.
- Almost three-quarters (72%) of people with to-do lists share their goals and experiences with others, and 76 percent of people hope to carry out their to-do list item with another person instead of by themselves.
- A surprising 20 percent of Americans list rekindling an old relationship at the top of their to-do list.
- Many Americans (41%) are not confident in their ability to check everything off their list, with 57 percent admitting lack of funds is the top barrier preventing them from achieving their to-do list goals. Only 28 percent believe they will be able to check off the next item on their list within the next year.
To enter the contest, read the consumer-generated Ultimate To-Do list, and for more information, visit the Hilton Garden Inn Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HiltonGardenInn. For access to media materials and assets, please visit www.hgimediacenter.com/ultimatetodolist.
* To better understand Americans' attitudes and behaviors related to ultimate to-do lists, Hilton Garden Inn conducted an omnibus survey of Americans, 18 years of age and older. ORC international fielded the telephone survey among a nationally representative sample of 1,011 Americans over the age of 18. Interviewing for these CARAVAN® Surveys was completed between April 21 and April 24, 2011. Results have a margin of error of +/- 3.1% at the 95% confidence level.
A full version of the press release can be viewed here http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hilton-garden-inn-launches-lifes-ultimate-to-do-list-contest-127298468.html
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Friday, July 29, 2011
Trover Launches Mobile Discovery Network to Connect People with Remarkable Places and Things
Trover LLC, a start-up company created for explorers worldwide, today formally launched Trover, a mobile discovery network where people share location-specific discoveries of remarkable places and things in a fun, visual way.
Founded by experienced social, mobile and travel industry entrepreneurs, Trover's founding team includes: Jason Karas, CEO, who founded Carbonrally.com; Andrew Coldham, vice president of technology who directed software development at Expedia.com's corporate travel division and Rich Barton, chairman, who founded Expedia.com and co-founded Zillow.
During a limited spring trial, open to Facebook members only, the Trover community attracted more than 70,000 users in 150 countries. To set the stage for significant expansion, the company has now opened its network to Twitter and email users as well. Trover is available today as a free iPhone app in the Apple iTunes Store, with an Android version planned for fall. Non-mobile users can view Trover content at trover.com.
Sharing Discoveries
"Trovers are passionate about sharing the unique things they uncover while exploring their cities or far away places," said CEO Jason Karas. "People find fulfillment in introducing something remarkable to another person. That, in turn, creates a social resource that's fun, entertaining and ultimately very useful. Whether it's a favorite boutique, a great bartender, a hidden piece of graffiti or a secret path to a deserted beach, with Trover in your pocket it's easy to find and share amazing discoveries."
Trover's defining feature is its location-based discovery mosaic, which allows explorers to visually browse through an eye-catching collection of thumbnail images featuring places to see and things to do nearby. As the user scrolls, a mileage indicator guides them to hidden gems located in nearby neighborhoods, towns, states and beyond, allowing users to explore new places or plan activities. To view a specific location, simply push the Jump To button for a virtual adventure. Trover's search features also make it easy to find and follow people with common interests.
Adding new discoveries is simple and encouraged. Just snap a picture, create a quick description and Trover automatically tags it with location data and positions it where others can easily find it later. The Feed button provides an entertaining way to track the discoveries and adventures of friends and fellow explorers, and a Featured button showcases one great discovery from the community each day.
"I've always dreamed of having a personal guide to the world with me at all times, full of recommendations from my friends on where to go and what to see," said Rich Barton, chairman of Trover. "Likewise, I have a strong urge to capture my own discoveries, so when my friends and followers come by in the future I can steer them to the good stuff. This is why we built Trover."
The full version of this press release can be viewed at http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trover-launches-mobile-discovery-network-to-connect-people-with-remarkable-places-and-things-126317178.html
Founded by experienced social, mobile and travel industry entrepreneurs, Trover's founding team includes: Jason Karas, CEO, who founded Carbonrally.com; Andrew Coldham, vice president of technology who directed software development at Expedia.com's corporate travel division and Rich Barton, chairman, who founded Expedia.com and co-founded Zillow.
During a limited spring trial, open to Facebook members only, the Trover community attracted more than 70,000 users in 150 countries. To set the stage for significant expansion, the company has now opened its network to Twitter and email users as well. Trover is available today as a free iPhone app in the Apple iTunes Store, with an Android version planned for fall. Non-mobile users can view Trover content at trover.com.
Sharing Discoveries
"Trovers are passionate about sharing the unique things they uncover while exploring their cities or far away places," said CEO Jason Karas. "People find fulfillment in introducing something remarkable to another person. That, in turn, creates a social resource that's fun, entertaining and ultimately very useful. Whether it's a favorite boutique, a great bartender, a hidden piece of graffiti or a secret path to a deserted beach, with Trover in your pocket it's easy to find and share amazing discoveries."
Trover's defining feature is its location-based discovery mosaic, which allows explorers to visually browse through an eye-catching collection of thumbnail images featuring places to see and things to do nearby. As the user scrolls, a mileage indicator guides them to hidden gems located in nearby neighborhoods, towns, states and beyond, allowing users to explore new places or plan activities. To view a specific location, simply push the Jump To button for a virtual adventure. Trover's search features also make it easy to find and follow people with common interests.
Adding new discoveries is simple and encouraged. Just snap a picture, create a quick description and Trover automatically tags it with location data and positions it where others can easily find it later. The Feed button provides an entertaining way to track the discoveries and adventures of friends and fellow explorers, and a Featured button showcases one great discovery from the community each day.
"I've always dreamed of having a personal guide to the world with me at all times, full of recommendations from my friends on where to go and what to see," said Rich Barton, chairman of Trover. "Likewise, I have a strong urge to capture my own discoveries, so when my friends and followers come by in the future I can steer them to the good stuff. This is why we built Trover."
The full version of this press release can be viewed at http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trover-launches-mobile-discovery-network-to-connect-people-with-remarkable-places-and-things-126317178.html
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Social Media Club Mexico Gets Ready to Position the Riviera Maya in Social Networks
The tourism industry in the Riviera Maya is looking to form its Social Media Club chapter to propel projects and initiatives to position the destination in social networks.
Hacienda Tres Rios Resort was the host for the informative reunion with more than 50 professionals in the tourism industry who brought with them their experience and showed interest in helping with the initiative to benefit their business as well as the Riviera Maya.
Genoveva Garcia, public relations manager for Sunset World, gave the guest a warm welcome and spoke about the benefits of social networks as an important tool in communicating the public relations´ actions as a presence in the Mexican Caribbean.
There are 940 million people around the world registered on social networks in the internet, according to a study by InSites Consulting. Some of the most popular networks are YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedn, MySpace, Meneame, Metroflog, Badoo, and now Google+.
In this sense, Karla Nuñez, Social Media Club Mexico (SMCMX) leader, highlighted the successful work that has been done by the Riviera Maya green resort Hacienda Tres Rios in sharing its triumphs and campaigns through its social networks. The resort´s efforts in social media have earned the team international awards.
Nuñez explained that Social Media Club Riviera Maya will be a community of professionals interested in the benefits of social networks in the tourism industry, sharing experiences, knowledge and developing better practices.
Among the objectives of being in this club are:
To create and develop a network of professional contacts in tourism and social media (networking). To offer relevant and appealing content about social media to the tourism industry through colloquiums, studies, cases, and links (knowledge). To observe, monitor, and analyze tendencies about the presence of tourism in social media (trending). To establish and diffuse good practices and case studies of companies and institutions in the tourism sector on social media (benchmarking). To use social media trends and tools to promote Mexico tourism (practice).
Finally, she highlighted that some of the benefits of being a part of Social Media Club Riviera Maya are continuous learning opportunities, training, networking, and a branding team for professional development.
The event concluded with a networking cocktail where attendees had the opportunity to share experiences and contacts.
Via Press Release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/7/prweb8661080.htm
Hacienda Tres Rios Resort was the host for the informative reunion with more than 50 professionals in the tourism industry who brought with them their experience and showed interest in helping with the initiative to benefit their business as well as the Riviera Maya.
Genoveva Garcia, public relations manager for Sunset World, gave the guest a warm welcome and spoke about the benefits of social networks as an important tool in communicating the public relations´ actions as a presence in the Mexican Caribbean.
There are 940 million people around the world registered on social networks in the internet, according to a study by InSites Consulting. Some of the most popular networks are YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedn, MySpace, Meneame, Metroflog, Badoo, and now Google+.
In this sense, Karla Nuñez, Social Media Club Mexico (SMCMX) leader, highlighted the successful work that has been done by the Riviera Maya green resort Hacienda Tres Rios in sharing its triumphs and campaigns through its social networks. The resort´s efforts in social media have earned the team international awards.
Nuñez explained that Social Media Club Riviera Maya will be a community of professionals interested in the benefits of social networks in the tourism industry, sharing experiences, knowledge and developing better practices.
Among the objectives of being in this club are:
To create and develop a network of professional contacts in tourism and social media (networking). To offer relevant and appealing content about social media to the tourism industry through colloquiums, studies, cases, and links (knowledge). To observe, monitor, and analyze tendencies about the presence of tourism in social media (trending). To establish and diffuse good practices and case studies of companies and institutions in the tourism sector on social media (benchmarking). To use social media trends and tools to promote Mexico tourism (practice).
Finally, she highlighted that some of the benefits of being a part of Social Media Club Riviera Maya are continuous learning opportunities, training, networking, and a branding team for professional development.
The event concluded with a networking cocktail where attendees had the opportunity to share experiences and contacts.
Via Press Release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/7/prweb8661080.htm
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Thursday, July 21, 2011
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