While others (VisitSweden Development Blog & CoolAustria) are still developing, New Zealand and Canada have launched their first versions of Social Media enriched destination marketing Sites.
New Zealand Tourism features a blog with these categories: Art, Design, Events, Fashion, Food & Drink, Music & Bars. Comments are possible, but you have to register as a member. Once a member you can also submit your own reviews to the City Guide section. While blogs have already been employed by Tourism British Columbia before (read my interview with William Bakker here), I believe registering a destination on MySpace is a first in destination marketing.
The Social Network platform MySpace allows people to connect and share their experiences of the country. Sam Cash from the London based Web agency Cake in charge of the relaunch says that users will be invited to submit inspiring photos, videos and words reflecting what New Zealand means to them. I love the whole concept.
Canada Tourism Commission has also relaunched their site providing travel blogs in cooperation with RealTravel at www.blogs.canada.travel. According to Jens Thraenhart this is a beta version "to test into the social media
arena." I agree with Jens, this will be an exciting ride.
For more information on the Swedish travel community project please read Claude´s interview with Tommy Sollen at Les Explorers.
This was my traditional weekly English post. If you liked it, please check out my recent English articles:
- Travel 2.0 & User Generated Content in Destination Marketing – Interview with William Bakker from Tourism British Columbia
- Hotels & the Social Web – Some suggestions for Yotel
- Fake Travel Reviews are no Issue – Interview with Ian Rumgay from Tripadvisor continued
- About Hotel 2.0 & Travel 2.0 – Interview with Ian Rumgay from TripAdvisor
- Hotel 2.0 – Interview with Opus Hotel CEO Blogger Daniel Craig
- Travel planning today – Greetings from the Easter Island III
- Marketing manifesto for the travel industry – Interpretation of Jeff Jarvis
More to come at English category. Every Monday, I promise!
Über Karin Schmollgruber /passion PR: Die Pionierin für Online-Kommunikation ist Vortragende, Seminar-Leiterin für den Einsatz von Social Media und (PR-)Beraterin – mit Schwerpunkt Tourismusbranche. Zu ihren Kunden gehören u.a. Österreichische Hoteliervereinigung, APA-OTS Tourismuspresse, Katla Travel und Hotels in D/A/CH. Seit 2006 bloggt die Austro-Chilenin & studierte Juristin auf fastenyourseatbelts.at über Do’s und Don’ts in Social Media und Online-Kommunikation. Für noch mehr handfeste Umsetzungstipps bestellen Sie ihren Newsletter auf passionpr.at/impuls
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