Is Twitter full of wasted opportunities and big ego’s?
I have my ups and downs with Twitter, but what gives me great pleasure, is connecting with like-minded tourism professionals from other parts of the globe, most of whom I would otherwise never have ‘met’. We interact, share good and bad news and stories about the world of travel and tourism, poke fun at one another, and do a lot of procrastination. Or perhaps that’s just me? We generally don’t seem to take ourselves too seriously and I was going to include some of them here, but at the risk of sounding smug, the list would be a long one.
That’s the good side.
Now for all those wasted opportunities.
Twitter was made for this industry; it’s mobile, accessible, fun and has a global reach. Sadly, this is not always the case for some DMO’s and visitor attractions. I love travel and tourism so much, I happily indulge my work at the weekends and when visiting various destinations, museums and events, I like to tweet about what I am experiencing and how the providers may or may not be doing some great things that are worth sharing. Or, the really awful things.
The great irony is that travel and tourism is by it’s nature, a 24/7 industry, so it fascinates me to read so many tourism tweeters signing off at 5.30 on a Friday evening to surface at some point on a Monday. The best is those who go on holiday! This leads to tweets going unanswered, and in the old days, you would have imaged a telephone ringing at the end of a long dusty corridor. These unanswered tweets have included requests for information, but more importantly, feedback; in some cases a whole visit’s worth of feedback (I don’t mean complaints). Companies pay market research companies good money to collect this sort of information. It is called qualitative research. If I have taken the time to interact with a business, I would very much like them to interact with me.
There are several # jokes doing the rounds, but do providers never look at them? Or search for # with their business name?
What about the DMO tweeter who clearly never leaves their desk? So easy to spot. And the hotels, bars and restaurants who tweet about what’s for dinner that night.
There are some DMO’s and suppliers who think they are so important they can’t follow anyone – unless it’s the President, their favourite band or a trade association. Hello…this isn’t about you.
It always fascinates me just how many people will follow an egg!
If your business fits more than one of the above, it’s time to hand over your Twitter account to people who can write, are passionate about the your place of business or part of the world, won’t be trotting out lines lifted from press releases and can get down and dirty with the customers. In a manner of speaking.
The brave souls @Sweden have done it. Are you ready?
Although those DMO’s that really need to read this probably won’t. Far too busy doing important things.
– ends –
Mary Tebje 
Well said – knowing your customers and potential customers doesn’t mean only 9-5 Monday-Friday. Actually, they are more than likely ‘being social’ in the evenings, lunchtime & on weekends….
thank you, i have very little to add, but am glad you wrote this – #capeInsider
Excellent post Mary. My sentiments exactly!
Would you mind if I reblog this?
For many it is a wasted opportunity for sure. I find it an incredible place to do market research and to discover peoples problems and potential solutions.
The key I think, is to use the medium to learn and contribute in ways that people remember. To bring something dynamic to the table and to stick to your own personal standards.
It sounds to be like you have some insider knowledge that your industry could benefit from. Take that and use it to enhance your own business.
Cheers from Australia!