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#socialmedia

The development of digital media technologies, specifically the internet and social media, offer  a wide range of possibilities within the travel industry. These latest technological advances have enabled many travel businesses, including airlines and hotels to manage their distribution channels in a more efficient and convenient way. Nowadays, digital consumers are spending more time on social networks and messaging platforms than ever before. It is then important for businesses within the travel industry to have a brand presence and marketing efforts in social media channels.

Social media marketing allows for communications between consumers and potential customers, as well as a business to consumer (B2C) connections. This interactive element helps companies build a long-term relationship with their customers. Additionally, businesses in social media can utilize their platforms to distribute promotions, special offers, updates, and other information about new products and services. In this way, social media is used to enhance a travel company’s outreach without investing much in regards to resources and personnel.

Social media users share their travel experiences on these platforms which are then shared by other users, and this cycle can repeat and spread like wildfire. Most millennials plan travel activities based on these contents posted by their peers. From social media platforms such as Instagram or TripAdvisor, people can easily find other travelers’ photos, check-ins, ratings and more. This real-guest feedback serves to preview the in-person experience that the destination has to offer.

Social media has also had a major impact on the travel agency industry. The availability of information and simplicity of self-service booking have forced travel agencies to shift their focus from in-person to online experiences as they adapt to new technology and market trends.

In my opinion, agents working with millennial travellers should take into account the generation’s preference for “experiences over materials.” Instead of trying to upsell them on flight upgrades and lodging, consider presenting unique experiences guaranteed to create a lasting memory and to possibly inspire a great Instagram post.

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“The City of Love”

Destination branding is a process used to develop a unique identity and personality that is different from all other destinations. In doing so, destinations can be distinguished and differentiated from other competitors. Many destinations around the world sell themselves in very similar ways. Pictures are usually centred around images such as nature, beaches, families and couples all having fun. The tone of the messages about travelling to the destination are also generic, usually focusing on the ideas of escape and discovery. However, some destinations have developed clear, unique identities by branding the destination experience rather than the physical attributes of their destination. In doing so, they capture the consumer’s attention with a more compelling and urgent reason to visit.

Tourism plays a very important role in Paris and is by far the city’s largest source of income. The unique image that Paris has created for itself is being the “City of Love” and/or the “City of Lights”. As well, it has been promoted as the capital of shopping, romance and hospitality. Nowadays, Paris is primarily portrayed as one of the most romantic cities in the world. When it comes to romance, no city in the world can compare to Paris. One reason being is the French language itself. It might seem rather weird but French is considered to be a sexy and romantic language. Another reason for its romantic image lies in the fact that Paris is dubbed the “City of Lights”. The name originates from when Paris became the first big city to light up the streets at night with gas lamps. It is common for big cities to be lit up at night, but what distinguishes Paris from the rest are its monuments. In addition to its beautiful street lights, monuments made up of gold, marble and other precious materials make the ambiance at night that much more beautiful. Because of this aura in Paris, their target market of new lovers or couples looking for honeymoon destinations are easier to attract.

In my opinion, branding Paris as the “City of Love” would be an understatement. Due to the varieties of activities that are offered in Paris, dubbing Paris the “City of Love” will be disregarding the other types of tourists that Paris can potentially have. Instead, marketing the destination as a social environment would be the key factor in the increased success of Paris. In this way, the destination can attract a much broader group of tourists other than just lovers; it would widen the image of Paris as a destination for everybody. 

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ELF Solar-Powered Car

As the world’s urban centres grow, getting around them becomes increasingly difficult. In some cities, traffic is congested all day long and rush hour can last for several hours. Fortunately, there are a number of innovations in public transportation specifically aimed at alleviating those problems. While traditional buses simply add to street traffic and subways aren’t practical in all areas, engineers are looking for other transportations that can substitute regular car usage, making for somewhat easier ways to get from Point A to Point B without spending hours in traffic.

A concept that was designed by engineers is the ELF. ELF is a solar and pedal-powered hybrid that stands for “electric, light and fun”. As we all know, solar energy is the cleanest, most abundant renewable energy source available. Today’s technology allows us to harness this resource in several ways, giving public and commercial parties flexible ways to utilize both the light and heat of the sun to more productive uses.

Produced in Durham, North Carolina by Organic Transit, ELF is a cross between a bicycle and a car. It has three wheels, pedals, a solar panel, an enclosed cab, a carrier in the back and runs on a rechargeable battery. This vehicle has the ability to function without the need for gasoline. In doing so, ELF doesn’t contribute to carbon emissions, making it completely independent from fossil fuels. It is available in one, two and three seater models: ELF Solo, ELF 2FR,  and Tactical ELF. Legally considered a bicycle, it can be used on bike paths, parks and sidewalks and requires no license, registration or insurance.

The solar-charged electric motor does not power the vehicle, but rather “assists” the passengers’ pedalling with a boost of power whenever they need it. The ELF can travel at speeds over 25 mph, and the motor is geared low enough to handle climbing hills with ease. It takes about 2-3 hours for the motors to charge using a normal standard wall outlet. In direct sunlight, it can be completely recharged in about 7 hours.

In my opinion, I believe that the environment is a vital component to our well-being and every aspect of it should be protected. By using alternative energy sources, such as solar energy, for our vehicles, we will be able to preserve fossil fuels which will decrease the levels of air pollution and consequently global warming. I believe that innovations, such as the ELF, could be a great step in helping improve our environment.

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Treepod Dining

Envisioning a unique restaurant concept for a new restaurant is no easy task. The most successful restaurant concepts are the ones that provide diners with an experience they will never forget. With possibly over a billion restaurants in the world today, it is more difficult to deliver an experience that is truly unique.

Situated in the jungle on the fourth largest island off the coast of Thailand, the Soneva Kiri Resort is a remote eco-resort committed to sustainability and is home to private luxury villas. As well, this resort houses one of Thailand’s famous attractions known as Treepod Dining. Here, guests can savour a meal while sitting in a pod, suspended amongst the green, leafy canopy of the rainforest. At the same time, due to the restaurant’s proximity to the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, diners can enjoy the views of the ocean and distant tropical islands. The pod is constructed with a rigid steel frame that is wrapped in woven rattan material and is designed in the shape of an egg. Its design was inspired by the weaver bird’s creations and was woven by resident craftsmen. The treepod hangs about sixteen feet off the ground and accommodates up to four diners, who enter at ground level and are hoisted up with a system of cables. Dedicated waiters travel via zip lines and deliver freshly prepared Thai meals carried in picnic-style baskets. Varieties of meals are offered, ranging from peaceful high teas to candle lit dinners.

The Cuisines

The menu includes the playfully named ‘canapés in the canopy’, a natural palate cleanser with the combination of apple, celery, cucumber and marinated whitefish dish. The next course, ‘the forager’s basket’, includes more tropical Asian tastes and flavours: kaddafi duck, prawns, scallop escabeche, and smoked sea bass with lime. The food used in meals are harvested straight from the resort’s own organic garden and the seafood is freshly taken from the island of Koh Kood. The cuisine certainly plays a big role in the Treetop Dining experience.

In my opinion, Treepod Dining is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. With Koh Kood rainforest surrounding the treehouse restaurant from all sides, beautiful shell-covered shorelines, mesmerizing ocean views, and appetizing cuisines, there isn’t much else to ask for. Needless to say, the combination of its uniqueness and everything else it has to offer, Treepod Dining experience should be on everyone’s bucket list; it surely will be on mine.

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Citizens of the World

Culture is a strong part of people’s lives. It influences their views, their values and every aspect of who they are as a person. As the world becomes increasingly diverse, it is clear that in order to build successful communities, we need to understand and appreciate different cultures and establish relationships with people from cultures other than our own.

Each cultural group has unique characteristics and perspectives.

The Philippines is commonly referred to as a melting pot of western and eastern cultures. As a result from previous colonizations, the traditional culture of the Philippines is heavily influenced by cultures such as: Spanish, American, Japanese, Arabic and Indonesian culture. In terms of character, Filipinos are casual, fun loving, and very hospitable. Regardless of status, everyone is expected to act with humility, courtesy and respect at all times. Their values include personal and family honour, as well as dignity and pride. Education is also very highly valued and families make great sacrifices in order to educate their children.

Korea, on the other hand, is greatly influenced by Chinese and Japanese cultures. This influence established many traditions that can be seen in modern Korea today. These traditions include the ethical codes of conduct, in social life and in showing respect to elders and family. They believe that family is the most important part of Korean society and, as a country that also values hierarchical structure, they believe that when children become adults, it is their duty to take care of their parents. Koreans also believe in sincerity and loyalty. As well, they follow certain rules when meeting, eating, praying and even drinking.

Cultural etiquette, politeness, and good manners are passed down through generations and generations. It refers to the network of rules that govern good behaviour in our social and business interactions with cultures other than our own. It also reflects our cultural norms, generally accepted ethical codes, and the rules of various groups we belong to. Etiquettes vary widely from culture to culture. Despite having fairly similar traits and characteristics and being from the same continent, Filipinos and South Koreans have very distinctive cultural etiquettes.

Among the many differences, greeting the elderly seems very significant. When paying respects to older people, Koreans usually bow and add extensions to their words like “-nim”, “hyung” to older men, or “unnie” to older women. Due to this, they are well known to be very polite and courteous, especially to those older than them. As well, when paying respects to older people, Filipinos “mano”; they put the back of the elder’s hand onto their foreheads. Also, it is distinctly a part of Filipino culture to address elders or superiors as “sir” or “maam”. In addition to this, one will often hear them say “po” when they talk; this signifies that they respect and acknowledge the elders’ existence.

In terms of cultural etiquette, another difference that seems significant arises when one enters a household. In the Philippines, it is generally acceptable to wear shoes or outdoor footwear inside the house. This, however, is not common in Korea. In Korean culture, wearing outdoor shoes or footwear inside the house is deemed unhygienic and rude. This type of viewpoint is due to the fact that Korean people usually eat and sleep on the floor in their households. In both cultures, however, nearly all houses have a designated area by the main door where one can leave their footwear and change into the provided indoor slippers.

Humility is considered a highly honourable trait in Asia. The concept of “losing face” or “saving face” is both present in the Korean and Filipino culture. “Face” is the combination of social standing, reputation, influence, dignity, and honour. Causing someone to “lose face” lowers them in the eyes of their peers as well as themselves. On the other hand, “saving or building face” raises their self worth. “Hiya” or shame is instilled in Filipinos at an early age. In the Filipino culture, to be shamed would cause them to “lose face”, an idea they believe would bring disgrace to the family as a whole. As a result, they try their very best to avoid all possible embarrassments and failures. In some cases, people even go to extreme lengths and lie about who they are as a person in order to avoid “losing face”. As well, this concept of “losing face” or “saving face” is also acknowledged in Korean culture.

Although some people may argue that etiquette no longer matters and that the rules for good behaviour are old-fashioned and out of date, I believe that good behaviour and manners are never out of style. It helps us show respect and consideration to others and makes others comfortable with our presence. Without proper manners and etiquette, the idea of having a polite society would soon disappear and we would act more like animals and less like humans. Members of society would demonstrate impatience and disrespect towards one another, leading to insults, dishonesty, cheating, and other unfortunate incidents. I believe that if each of us practice both the small and large gestures of cultural etiquette every day to those around us, the domino effect will eventually spread, uniting one another and making life much better for all of us.

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The Rainbow Mountains of China

With the abundance of wonders that our planet offers; it is no doubt that it is also home to many unusual geographical phenomena.

Situated around 600 miles west of Shanghai (north-west of China), is the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, also known as “The Rainbow Mountains of China” or “The Eye Candy of Zhangye”. Many artists admire this masterpiece as it is of otherworldly colours that mimic a rainbow, painted over the textured tops of mountain ranges. Within the Gansu province, this geological park is accessible to tourists by shuttle bus or by taxi when travelling domestically.

Layers of different coloured sandstones and minerals were pressed together for over 24 million years, creating the dramatically marbled layers of magenta, maroon, and lemon-coloured stones. As time progressed, the layers were “folded” by the shifting of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates, giving birth to the mountains’ unique physical characteristics. Danxia’s exposed rock layers of different colours, textures, shapes, sizes and patterns, combined with long term freeze-thaw desert conditions, and wind and water erosion gave rise to its present appearance. The varying colours in these mountain ranges stand out against the greens and greys of the plains, making them look magnificently grand and vibrant, most intensely after rainfall or on sunny days in the morning or at sunset. As well, these ranges’ extraordinary formations helped gain its title as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites since 2010.

Upon reaching the park, tours are generally restricted and limited to specific areas. As well, an entrance fee is payable when visiting the Zhangye Danxia Geological Park. To help travellers enjoy the beauty of the landforms, there are four sightseeing platforms built at the top of some of the higher mountains. Travellers, however, need to hike winding stone steps to get to the top of said platforms. The first platform is about a ten minute walk from the main gate. The second, a further ten minute walk. The third, about another eight minute walk, and the fourth would take around three to four minutes bus ride, a service available for travel between the platforms.

As a nature lover, the bizarre physical characteristics that these ranges posses makes it an interesting place to visit. Furthermore, despite its popularity, Zhangye Danxia is not completely overrun with tourists. As someone with an eye for photography, it would be an absolute dream to capture these mountains.

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The Future is Now

It is no doubt that the travel and hospitality industry revolves around service and costumer satisfaction. Many employed in this industry are undertaking fairly mundane and monotone tasks such as: checking in guests, cleaning rooms, or serving drinks behind bars. Is there potential for robots to pave the way for a more efficient and more creative travel industry?

Efficiency and convenience play significant roles in tourism. Due to this significance, technology is an ever-changing aspect in the travel industry. 

Nowadays, tourism no longer starts with a visit to a travel agency. Instead, bookings can be made through search engines or various social media platforms.

As well, one of the most exciting technological advancements within the travel and hospitality industry has been the increasing popularity of robots. Robots have been introduced in these industries for many years. Although they may not appear in humanoid forms, robots such as ‘Alexa’ of Amazon Echo, or ‘Siri’ of Apple are designed to deliver concierge-like service to help costumers plan and manage their everyday needs. 

A stimulating example of the use of robots in the travel industry comes from Nagasaki, Japan. Here, the Henn-na Hotel is recognized as the world’s first robot-staffed hotel. At the front desk, guests will be greeted by two multi-lingual robots - one woman and one dinosaur - catering to their needs in terms of checking in or out. Once checked in, a robotic arm will then store their luggages for them. With the use of facial recognition system as a form of security in hotel rooms, the guests will be free from the hassle of carrying a room key around or worrying about losing it. 

Meanwhile, while sailing across The Seven Seas with the Royal Caribbean cruise line, one can enjoy a drink made by a cocktail-mixing robot bartender, dubbed the ‘Bionic Bar’. The robot bartenders respond to drink orders taken directly from passengers via tablets located around the bar. Onlookers can then watch as the machines prepare the beverages. First, the robotic arms draw liquor from dozens of bottles hanging from above and are programmed to add the right amount of mixers, ice, and even lemons and mint in the drinks. For precision, one can have the robot shake, mix, or stir his or her choice of beverage. 

The speed and innovation of technology, such as robots, and artificial intelligence, present hotels with an opportunity to become state-of-the-art accommodation providers, giving guests an enhanced experience driven by creativity and revolutionary service. 

With digital technology continuously evolving, its no surprise that its advancements in the travel and tourism industry evolve as well.