Today the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) released it’s annual report of the dirtiest beaches in the United States.

You may be surprised to learn that the Great Lakes have the dirtiest beach water conditions in the country.  Apparently antiquated sewage treatment systems and urban storm-drain run off pumps pollutants into the Great Lakes on a regular basis.  There have been 18,000 closing and advisory days for 5 consecutive years!  Some coastal states aren’t faring much better.  Florida, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Rhode Island and South Carolina have their own major trouble spots.  While the shores of Southwestern Florida are considered the least polluted in the country.  States having the cleanest beaches include Minnesota, New Hampshire, California and Alabama.  Although Alabama has recently been affected by the Gulf oil spill which will change everything for them.

So how can you find the best beaches for swimming in your area?  The NRDC has published a terrific map of the 200 most popular beaches in the United States which includes there star rating for cleanliness.  The 5 star ratings are based on water quality, history of ratings, testing frequency, reporting compliance and on-site beach postings.  Beaches with a five star rating have complied with all of the regulations on a consistent basis.  Just click on an umbrella to reveal the area beach’s star ratings.  You may find beaching within the same general area may have very different test results.  If you’d like a more in-depth analysis of the beaches in your area, you can read their comprehensive reports by individual state.

Of course this year we are all concerned with the Gulf oil spill and the number of southern beaches affected by the oil washing ashore.  The NRDC has also prepared a map that charts beach closings along the gulf shoreline. As of today, Texas beaches have remarkably escaped the path of the oil.

The NRDC continues to work toward the improvement of water conditions at all our beaches.  Their goal is to reduce the amount of bacterial contaminants that enter our waterways leading to health concerns like skin rashes, pinkeye, respiratory infections, meningitis and hepatitis, as well as gastrointestinal illnesses.  Everyone is encouraged to pay close attention to warnings posted at beaches concerning water quality.  And as a general rule, they recommend avoiding swimming for at least 24 hours after a flooding rain storm.

We can all appreciate the good works done by the NRDC to make sure we all have a healthy, happy and cool summer at the beach!

We’ve just received notice that the OneOnly Ocean Club in the Bahamas and One &Only Palmilla in Los Cabos Mexico, are offering a super Summer Journey’s Sale running right though to the end of October!  Here’s their tantalizing offer:

• Stay three nights and receive a 4th night absolutely free (that’s a savings of  at least $600)
• Guests receive daily continental breakfast
• $200 in resort credits
• Two $50 spa certificates
• Two rounds of golf for the price of one
• Courtesy airport transfers
• and Welcome amenities

While this discounted offer is wonderful, it’s the exceptional settings of the One&Only Resorts that are the true gift.  The One & Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas occupies the former Huntington Hartford Estate on Paradise Island where dramatic terraced gardens evoke visions of a seaside Versailles. Fountains and statuary invite you to explore and the 12th century Augustain cloisters present perhaps the most dramatic setting in the Caribbean.

Perched at the southernmost tip of  Baja California, the One&Only Palmilla Resort hearkens back to the days when Hemingway and Harlow sought tranquility along the Los Cabos corridor.  The dramatic artistry of Mexico is evident at every turn, as is the majesty of the sea.  No matter what diversion you seek on vacation; golf, tennis, spa, sunbathing, fine dining, you find it all in spades at One&Only Resorts.  Don’t miss this chance to experience these incomparable resorts while they are being offered a terrific promotional price.  They will be vacations you will cherish for years to come.

As I stood staring upward toward the mountainside of powerful tumbling waters (mouth dry, heart thumping, knees quivering), Winston our guide at Dunn’s River Falls sidled up to me and said, “You – you’re coming with me!”

Our enthusiastic group of two dozen Travel Bloggers joined hands and slipped and dipped  our way upward.  We were fortunate to have arrived late in the afternoon and had the climb all to ourselves.  Before long we were squealing and laughing as currents twirled us around and dunked us into free form pools.  Winston, of course, heightened the adventure by pushing willing climbers down natural water-slides into deep aqua pools.  We all learned quickly – never be the first one to try one of Winston’s dares – Ji Yoon, you should have seen your face after the first unexpected dunking!

As we reached the upper levels, I don’t know what ached more.. my legs from climbing, my arms from holding on, or my cheeks from laughing.  One thing I do know.. the thrill of reaching the top with friends all around, and looking down to see where we had climbed from was incomparable.  What a blast!  Thank goodness I didn’t wimp out, and praises to Winston, our guide extraordinaire.

Admission to Dunn’s River Falls is a very affordable $15 for adults and $12 for children under 11.  You absolutely need a pair of aqua socks (a.k.a reef shoes) or at least an old pair of sneakers.  Flip flops are NOT a good choice as the current will whip them right off your feet.  There are vendors within the park who will rent you a pair of snug fitting water shoes if you don’t have your own.  You should positively use the services of a Dunn’s Falls guide.  They know where all the foot holds are, will make sure you are following the least slippery path, take control of your camera so it stays dry, and will snap hysterical photo’s along the way.  Of all the sites we saw in Jamaica, Dunn’s River Falls proved to be the most exhilarating and memorable experience I had – You won’t want to miss it!

Our buddies at Open Skies Airways are offering a RED HOT Summer Sale for flights to Paris from New York or Washington DC

We did a quick comparative pricing for flights to Paris from New York in August.  Open Skies came in at $1886 rt including all taxes and fees, while BA, DL & AA priced flights between $4,500 and $6000 for business class.  In fact pricing for coach on the ‘big boys’ was in the $1,200 range – so for just a few hundred dollars more, you enjoy a luxury business class airline.  Open Skies is less than 1/3 of the price of American and half the price of British Airways in business class – astounding!

Here’s our trip report of a recent journey on Open Skies from Washington DC to Paris in June.  We think you’ll love flying Open Skies!  If you can’t squeak out a vacation this summer, you’ll might be interested in their Early Fall Sale with prices staring at $700 each way.  The Fall sale must be booked by July 26th.  I can’t think of a better reason to jet off to Paris for a few days!

Here’s a fabulous new travel contest

Do you know someone who has no job, no direction, no umph, is truly annoying with no redeeming qualities?  (May sound like your recent college grad who’s returned home….) Here’s a chance to nominate them for eviction and send them packing for a full 6 months with the hope they return a better person.  To be chosen your entry will have to be witty and employ a variety of media tools  (video, song, sound effects, prose) – anything you can think of to garner the votes of friends, family and voters to just “Get Rid Of Me“!  The prize will include two tickets, so maybe you can find a friend who is just as annoying as you and tag team the competition.

Each candidate will need lots of votes, so be sure to enlist all your friends, relatives and even strangers in the voting.  One of the top contestants even performs annoying songs in public parks in order to gather voters to get rid of them. So you’ll have to be crafty  and imaginative in your approach.  Get all the details of the fabulous trip and the contest rules at GetRidOfMe.com.  Entries must be submitted by September 30th and the winner will be picked in October.  Be truly obnoxious and good luck!

When you dream of a trip to Paris, does your hotel have a iconic Haussmann facade, a bustling lobby with sweeping views down broad boulevards, comfortable rooms with plush linens and cream colored marbled baths?  If this sounds like your Parisian fantasy, look no further than the Hotel du Louvre to fulfill your heart’s desire.

Linda and I had a brief but wonderful stay at the Hotel du Louvre at the end of our journey and it left us wistful to return again soon.  The hotel has an ideal location for culture enthusiasts, as you can easily walk to the Musee du Louvre, the D’Orsay, the Garnier Opera House, stroll through the arcades of the Rue de Rivoli just outside the door, or  walk across the square to the Comédie Française Theater for an evening performance.  No matter which direction you wander you will be embraced by some of Paris’ most delightful neighborhoods.    We strolled through nearby avenues doing our last minute shopping and had dinner at the hotel’s outdoor cafe.  The cafe was our least favorite memory of our otherwise wonderful stay (service slow, food just okay).   But breakfast the next morning in the newly redectorated Brasserie was excellent.

Here are 10 reasons you should stay at the Hotel du Louvre – you’ll want to return time and time again: 

• The hotel has recently gone through a major renovation.  Rooms are large and elegantly decorated with premium amenities.
• Luxury marble bathrooms are comfortable and impressive.
• Step into The Defender Lounge where the rich mahogany woodwork and deep red fabrics transport you back to an earlier age.  The lounge becomes a Jazz Club on Wed, Thurs and Fri evenings attracting a dedicated following of Parisians who drop in after Theatre.
• Built for the 1885 World Exposition, the hotel has a grand and storied history which predates the Eiffel Tower.
• The hotel staff is 100% fluent in English and the entire hotel is smoke free.
• If you are a running enthusiast, be sure to request one of their jogging maps which charts routes past memorable Paris sites.
• The hotel has wonderful views of the Louvre and the Garnier Opera House.  Numerous cafes, brasseries and boutiques are just outside the door.
• The staff at the lobby Concierge Desk are charming and helpful.
• There is a truly impressive breakfast buffet each morning in the Brasserie.  The breakfast buffet we encountered on Sunday morning wrapped around the 3 outer walls of the restaurant offering every morning nibble and indulgence you may have been dreaming of – exceptional.

You can stay at the Hotel du Louvre for surprisingly affordable rates.  The Hotel du Louvre is part of the Concorde Group of Hotels who are offering summer promotions – ‘Travel In Style’.  From June until the end of August guests receive discounts up to 30% along with extra promotional amenities.

Here are some Paris travel tips that will make  your journey safe, comfortable and fabulous.

#1  A Quick Brush Up On Our High School French
Linda found a terrific language learning program – EarWormsLearning.com.  Despite the crawly name, the concept is amazing.  They believe that you learn better, faster and with more recall when you learn with music.  So their language lessons come with music playing in the background.  We loved it and listened on our iPods all the way to Paris.

And for extra reassurance, we picked up a quick translation guide – 30 Words ($9.95).  These are terrific passport sized accordion folded translations of tourist phrases that are waterproof and tear-proof – perfect for toting around.

#2 – Find a Pickpocket proof way to carry our money.
This year I found Baggallini’s – awesome, durable, lightweight bags just made just for traveling.  They have lots of zippers and interior pockets and straps that let you switch from shoulder, to hand, to waist – etc.   We also picked up some super small collapsible nylon travel bags at Eddie Bauer and LL Bean – great designs!

#3 – How To Phone Home.
Verizon has an incredible International Phone program! If Verizon is your cell phone carrier, give them a call and they’ll mail you an international cell phone to use for a $15 fee – wow.  They will swap your phone number over to the new one and help you load up your important phone numbers.  Just pay for the calls you make – and yes, there are discounted plans for that.  When you get home, give them a call and they’ll switch your phone number back, mail back the phone and you’re done.

For those without Verizon service, you can purchase an inexpensive international phone from either Telestial or Mobal (under $50).  There is no calling plan or contract, just pay for the calls you make in over 150 countries at reasonable rates (incoming calls in much of Europe are free).

#4  – Taking The Stress Out of Touring and Sightseeing
We purchased the Paris Pass so we could take all the public transportation, enter museums without waiting in lines, take a Seine cruise, do a wine tasting – all while eliminating confusion and stress, AND it saved us money in the long run -perfect! We actually used the hop on/hop off bus (that was included in the Pass) to bounce around the city.  It was more entertaining than taking the Metro since we could sight-see while getting to our next destination.  You can order the Paris Pass online and it will be sent to you, or if you are on a last minute schedule like we were, order it online and pick it up at the Fat Tire Tour Company near the Eiffel Tower.

# 5 – Be a traveler not a tourist.
Linda and I wanted to experience Paris on a more personal level than just moving from place to place looking at art and architecture.  Three sources brought the city alive for us as we met and chatted with people and learned fascinating information about the city of Paris.

• First and foremost was Paris Greeters a free volunteer organization that connects you with an English speaking Parisian guide. – FABULOUS!  Here’s our article all about it – “Meeting The Friendly French”.

• Secondly we participated in Paris Walks run by Peter and Oriel Caine.  With Peter in the Marais, our group literally BECAME ancient Paris and enacted the city’s development through the centuries – amazing!  Their tours are congenial, entertaining and packed with fascinating information.  Just check the schedule of tours online and show up at the designated Metro stop at the appointed time – tours are a very affordable 12€ per person.

• Finally we clicked through the offerings on Viator.  Viator is a terrific site that aggregates local touring options.  Beyond the standard bus tours, there were lots of listings to meet with local Parisians.  You can take a cooking class, join a Parisian household for dinner, take an art class, be introduced to the intricacies and history of the perfume industry in France, and lots more.    If you haven’t visited Viator for awhile, we think you’ll be impressed with the depth of their touring choices.

#6 -  Making Our Euros Last
Frommer’s has just published a new series of travel guides for finding “Free & Dirt Cheap” city attractions!  I picked up the Paris Free & Dirt Cheap book and thumbed through the 387  listings of inexpensive activities in Paris.  I learned about free summer dance lessons along the banks of the Seine, free classical music performances, cheap chic eats, and lots more.  This little book is WELL worth the price!

Do you have a great insider’s Paris tip?  Share it in our comments section to share it with everyone!!

NorthernOutdoors.com

Be A Really Cool Family – Go White Water Rafting On The Kennebec River! You can’t get much more refreshing than a plunge down the rapids in an inflatable boat.  The adrenaline rush all the water and amusement parks are trying to duplicate is right here in northern Maine on the Kennebec, Penobscot and Dead rivers.  Until July 15th it’s value season at Northern Outdoors – you can take 35% off standard summer rafting and lodging prices.  AND all summer long, kids raft at half price on weekdays.  On Wednesday it’s single parent day, two kids pay half price with a single paying parent.  These rivers will give you the ride of your life! 

SacoBound.com

Families wanting a slow lazy river experience can paddle a canoe down the quiet waters of the meandering Saco River.  Crystal clear waters tumble down from the White Mountains as they make their way from New Hampshire to the Maine coast.  The folks at Saco Bound can outfit you with everything you’ll need for a one day trip or 2 days with overnight camping.  You’ll hardly need to paddle as the current glides you over sandy bottomed river beds where the water is usually just a few feet deep.  Strap a tube on the back of the canoe and float down the lazy river!

Photo by Michelle McLean

For some old fashioned country fun head to the 50th anniversary celebration of Mollyockett Days in Bethel Maine from July 17-18th.

A beautiful village just down-mountain from the Sunday River Ski Resort, Bethel celebrates the life of Mollyocket a famed Indian Healer from the Peuqawket tribe who befriended early settlers in the region.

Photo by Michelle McLean

There will be all the down-home country fun you could wish for: a grand parade, all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, farmer’s market, arts, craft and food vendors, a pig and turkey roast, frog jumping contest for the kids, chain saw carving, fun run, fiddlers and jazz band concerts, Adirondack auction, and of course we can’t forget the fireworks!

Come for the whole weekend and take advantage of specials at the beautiful Bethel Inn where kids 11 and under can stay and eat for free.

So for some summer fun that will have the whole family smiling, head north to Maine!

Future Trends and Predictions
Forester Research – Henry Harteveldt, Vice President

• Very quickly China will generate the largest number of travelers across the world and they are expected to have the largest travel spend per person per day.
• Most US residents think their personal economic condition will stay the same or worsen over the next year or two
• Austerity is the mindset in Europe.  Profound social change is in the works for Europe including longer working hours, fewer benefits, reduced vacation time and an increased retirement age
• We are at the beginning of a 30 year Boomer retirement cycle.  This enormous population group will have more time than money.  They will look for value, experience and reliability first when making travel purchase decisions
  • They are willing to accept some inconveniences for the sake of saving $
  • They will however spend extra for an above average product or service
• The travel industry should expect 2 to 3 years of frugality ahead
  • Saving will be a point of pride – frugal chic
  • Travel is considered personal reward for working hard
• In the past 2 years hours of Web use has pulled even with hours of TV watching.  It is expected that time spent on the Web will outpace time spent watching television within the next 2 years
  • TV viewing has remained stagnant while internet time is growing
  • Lunch and evening is the greatest time of use
  • Travel industry must gravitate to mobile
  • Don’t think of it as a cell phone experience, mobile is becoming a stand alone communication experience.
  • Connectivity features will become more important than the phone function
  • Instead of being just your ‘phone’, your ‘mobile device’ will be your gateway to access information, interface online and communicate.
  • Currently there are 93,000 travel Apps and growing
• Mobile and Social are converging
  • 72% of travelers worldwide engage actively in social media
  • Facebook + YouTube = the largest share of global online usage
  • Eyes are looking for: #1 a deal, #2 product info, #3 interesting content
• We now have a “Splinternet” – nearly every person has multiple platforms for access which they use interchangeably all day and through the night
• Women perform social networking during the day, men in the evening
• The decline of Brand – no more loyalty.
  • 52% of purchasers have no brand in mind when they begin a search
  • It is difficult to measure the buying response from social media
  • Travelers turn to search and meta sites first
• AR is the next big thing  (Augmented Reality on smart devices)
  • Requires permission from device user to push content – still unclear how many will opt themselves in
  • Targeting – how to deliver the right message at the right time – when buyer is actively looking and ready to receive messaging
  • Messages are ‘pulled’ in rather than ‘pushed’ at consumer
  • Example – when users log into Foursquare near a Starbucks, they are invited in with a discount coupon.
• Mobile is the fastest growing element of Facebook use.
  • ½ BILLION travelers have Facebook accounts
• Affiliate Marketers are encouraging the placement of booking engines on Facebook friends pages enabling individuals to monetize their Facebook account.

Social Media – Best Practices,  Who’s Making Money?
Susan Black, Partner, The Black & Wright Group

Social Media Stats

• Estimated 400-500 Million Facebook users (and this number may be low)
• 384 million bloggers
• 168 million on Twitter
• 60 million on Linked-In
• 50% of users access Social Media at night
• 4 out of 10 wake up to Social Media first
• 56% of users check their Facebook account daily

What works in Social Media?

• It is vital to establish a two way conversation as often as possible.  Consider it like a cocktail party conversation.  If you dominate, telling all your stories and never ask for a reply or for the other person to share their experiences, no one will stay around long to continue the conversation
• SM participants are looking for Honesty, Responsiveness, Conversation, and Transparency.  Their preference is to do business and relationships with people they know and trust
• To build travel trust – go where your customers hang out.  Educate yourself, communicate to excite, engage and evangelize.
• Testimonials are extremely valuable – a good example of excellent SM use is “Nuts About Southwest”.
• Develop your social circles between Twitter and Facebook.  Offer ‘friends’ discounts.  Having a good following in both will improve your search rankings.

Who’s Doing It Right Today?

• Travelocity is prime example of doing it right – robust following, far out distancing Expedia
• Almost 50% of Facebook users recommend products on their pages.
• Travel Agent, Stacy Small (EliteTravelGal on Twitter) is an example of an individual who has built a sizeable (loyal) following and has generated substantial business as a result.
• Photos sell on social media
• Jetsetter is another example of a site that has ramped up quickly and uses Facebook and Twitter well

What’s Next With Digital Advertising/Marketing in Travel?
Future of Marketing – Gary Leopold, CEO & President ISM

• Fractured media with all components generating valuable, relevant content and vying for attention.
• People view  7,000 messages (directly and indirectly) on average per day
• Messaging is trending toward being with and for people instead of directed at people
• Branding is more important than ever to gain audience confidence in the vast array of messaging  (Gary’s opinion of Brand standing differs from opinion expressed earlier by Forester Research who predicted Brand loyalty is on the wain)
• Smart marketers are providing new experiences for people who cannot be there.  A prime example is the Nike promotion at Tour de France, they developed a “chalkbot” to paint messages of encouragement from cancer survivors and family members along the route.
• New App’s are out to help people avoid where tourists are and stay off the beaten path
• AR is where it’s going (again)
• Playful content  works because it encourages sharing
• Be generous with useful information, tell great stories
• Ask yourself how you are enriching and enhancing at every touch point?  How do you engage your audience?
• Example of a company who is leveraging positive customer satisfaction marketing through Social Media is Best Buy with their @Twelpforce agents who answer questions and troubleshoot through the Twitter account.

5 Top Things You Don’t Know About Google, Bing and TripAdvisor!
Rob Torres, Head of Travel at Google:

• “Mobile First” is the mantra at Google and prime immediate initiative
  • Mobile, Social, Local, Personal
  • One out of six are already on social media
  • 20% of all tweets are about products
  • Relevancy is key and must be delivered by trusted advisors
  • 1 in 5 searches is about places – maps get the highest number of hits
  • 5 New Tools From Google (Active or in Beta)
    • Google Places – delivers organic real time hotel prices by neighborhood on area map.You can search by date and neighborhood receiving  real time pricing AND availability
    • Maps + Street View – Check out a hotel’s location before you decide to stay.  Are there are restaurants nearby, safe area?
    • Site Links – Provide deep links into your site in the primary site listing.
    • Search Funnels – Part of Analytics, will show full cycle of a site visit and purchase. – i.e., the 20 sites visited prior to a visitor making a travel purchase.  You may be able to discern where to best intercept potential motivated travelers and influence where they make a purchase.
    • Google Goggles –  Be brilliant!Take a picture, get information.  Order a bottle of wine at a restaurant.  When your date goes to the restroom, take a picture of the label and learn all about the wine – you’ll look like a wine connoisseur on their return.  It even automatically translates – great for menus when traveling!

Christine Petersen, CMO at TripAdvisor

• TripAdvisor is the largest travel site in the world with an average of 21 reviews posted every minute of every day around the clock.

• 5 New Initiatives from TripAdvisor
  • Cities I’ve Visited – Share your map on your Facebook page
  • Trip Friends – A ‘pin’ location database that can interface with Facebook friends.  See who among your friends has been to the place you plan to visit.  See who in your home town as been there.  This allows users to access the wisdom of their friends.  You can also see which of your friends is actually visiting a city at the same time you are – cocktails anyone?
  • Mobile App Just introduced and already #1 in travel apps – Access reviews and book reservations from your mobile device.  No ads appear at this point.
  • Business to Business Division – Consider it like a classified ad listing with an annual fee available for businesses to place an ad near their review with information and special offers.  New vacation rental review section is included, meaning homeowners and rental property managers can participate. They are offering free listings for oil affected properties.
  • Trip Advisor has formed a close alliance with Facebook – Facebook friends can easily “like” properties.  Trip Advisor + FB Like = marketing power

Who’s Doing Social Media Right – Panel

• Pleasant Holidays – Successful Twitter initiative with last minute travel deals
  • Bookings are made typically within 3 days of travel
  • Primarily by males
• CheapFlights.com – They will soon have two faces, Cheap Flights for bargain hunters, and new brand, Zugu, a next generation need driven meta engine
  • They negotiate proprietary partner deals – you won’t find their pricing duplicated on other sites
  • They use variety of newsletters to target specific audience demographics
  • Recently offered a “Travel Pursuit” game that brought in good traffic increase
• WhereI’veBeen.com – has parlayed a $15,000 marketing spend into a 45,758 rank on Compete.com
  • Recommends starting conversations on social media – For instance a question posted to Twitter will generate a 5 minute peak in activity
  • Be open, social and relevant
  • Had good success with trivia questions posted to Twitter, t-shirt giveaways as prizes, question of the day (need a hint button) used as drivers to current initiative
  • Each message results in 150 click throughs
  • (Rumor has it,  they have just received $9 million in funding from Groupon)
• FareCompare.com
  • Most asked question – when is the cheapest time to fly? (Wednesday morning)
  • 3pm on Tuesday is the best time to shop for flights
  • Consider themselves as the “Kelly Blue Book” of travel
  • They are able to analyze travel trends in conjunction with current events – i.e., what has been the effect of the gulf oil spill had on airfares to southern Gulf States? – average price down $20%

How many Twitter accounts does your company maintain?

• Fare Compare – 180, many answer traveler questions, supported by extensive database of frequently asked questions
• Where I’ve Been – 500 (!)
• Pleasant Holidays – multiple including last minute deal site

Who else is doing it right outside of the conference attendees?

• Southwest – has a extensive bank of customer service reps dedicated to answering questions and concerns posted to their Twitter accounts.
  • More importantly, they are empowered to resolve problems, issue refunds and/or promotional certificates
• QR Codes – look for increasing use of QR codes (appear on print media/surfaces).  Bring a smart phone in the vicinity of a QR code and it leads you to a web landing page with special offers and/or promotional messages.  This will bring new life to “old” print media
• Joie de Vive Hotels – excellent promotions, tweets to drive traffic to their blog

What You Need To Know About Mobile Marketing Now
Priceline – Brett Keller, CMO

• Hotel centric websites are enjoying increasing traffic
• Flight based websites are down in traffic
• Total number of shoppers has decreased – they gravitate first to comparison research sites
• Conversion rates online are down
• Ad spends are currently going offline – some to TV (Southwest is prime example)
• There has been a dramatic rise in flash sales
• Priceline has introduced a new guarantee program – price match plus $25
• Major problem with Social Media is that it’s difficult to determine users intent
  • It’s hard to target individuals who may be in a buying cycle or frame of mind
• Marketplace for business may improve with new Twitter feature – Promoted Tweets
• Mobile Booking Apps attract predominantly last minute travel purchasers
  • Booking through mobile apps are considerably faster than ANY other method of securing a reservation.  Instead of standing in line or making a phone call, you can immediately access necessary information with rebooking options and execute your reservation while everyone else is on hold.
  • Ideal for travelers experiencing flight delays, cancellations etc
  • Has the potential to eliminate rebooking lines – benefit of confirmation being delivered to smart device – just show bar code and go.
  • Generates largest % of same day bookings in travel industry
  • Excellent for road trips – pick a hotel ½ hour down the road while you’re driving (eyes on the road?)
  • Priceline will be launching mobile rental car app – plane lands, book while on tarmac and you’re all set.
  • Popularity of member-only promotional sites are on the rise – keep an eye on Groupon (king of the hill), TripPr, Scout Mob, Voyage Prive, Rue La La, Jetsetter, kgb deals
  • Groupon is expected to add tours in the near future
  • Priceline booking App for iPhone only at present
  • 23% of all phones in use today are smart devices
  • By 2013 more users will use mobile devise rather than web
  • Use curve has seen increase from 1 in 10 users, to 1 in 5 users in ONE year
  • Mobile ads are currently 5% more effective than banner ads
  • Important to include ‘click to call’ strong call to action in any mobile app
  • Mobile ads require shorter, faster, mobile specific landing pages
  • Adding a prominent phone number increased ad response by 30%
  • Increasing number of travel apps will include Geo Tagging
  • Mobile is ALWAYS connected to the user
  • Has ability to pre-guess what the user will need based on geo tagging – answers questions…. Who else is in town?
• Mobile device manufacturers will get in the travel distribution market

Boston Visitors and Convention Bureau, Cathy Doran, VP Marketing

• Has introduced new mobile app featuring Events, Sites, Deals, Maps, Restaurants, Ace Tickets
  • Make a reservation and/or purchase a ticket -receipt appears on phone, show and go (like airport mobile phone boarding)
  • Currently developing GPS advertising component
  • You always have to ask….. what will this tool replace – where is the benefit to the user
  • There is a market need for a directory of mobile apps by location – none currently available

What Can Travel E-Commerce Learn From Retail?
Delta Airlines & Forester Research

• American Airlines has just launched ‘Your Choice’ platform with mobile couponing – interesting concept/development
• Delta will push flight solutions to customers during flight delay/cancellation circumstances, helping them control their flight experience
• WorldMate Mobile App already does this – may help eliminate lines at airports
• Newly designed Marriott.com site is excellent example of transitioning web content to a mobile landscape

Channels:  Established and Up & Comers

• Travel Scream, Kristen Kopplin VP Marketing
  • White label distribution of travel deals
• Travel Zoo, Shirley Tafoya, President
  • Market differential and strength is that their deals are constantly tested for link functionality and deal availability
  • They push to newsletter database and network of affiliates and pull from website
  • Introducing a new site format in the next few weeks – in final testing
  • Maintain 3 booking centers worldwide to constantly test functionality of site and offers
  • 50% of travel purchases on their site are on impulse – consumer had no intent to travel to destination prior to seeing the deal
  • 40% click through to a promotional offer but end up purchasing a different offer presented by the client
• Jetsetter, Drew Pattersen, CEO
  • Launched 9 months ago, leading invitation only travel community
  • Average travel sale/promotion open for 5 days
  • Position themselves as ‘a trusted voice’ as all properties are personally visited and inspected by Jetsetter
  • They present the “excitement of possibility” executed in sophisticated photography
  • They answer the question, “What Makes It Great?”
  • Always asking clients, “Is it Relevant, Engaging, Useful?”

In conclusion: The proliferation of choice is expanding dramatically for consumers of travel products.  The processing of data in more imaginative and analytical ways will continue to produce more customized information, providing an expansion of options for consumers.  These options will be delivered to the consumer with increasingly rapid speed through social media and smart devices.  Within a very short time consumers will turn to their smart devices first and most often (before their computer and before their television) therefore primary marketing will move to mobile platforms quickly.  With the proliferation of choice, trusted voices will increase in importance.
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About ATME: The Association Of Travel Marketing Executives (http://www.atme.org)
“The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME), established in 1980, is a non-profit, professional association made up of experienced and innovative travel industry marketers representing all segments including: airlines; hotels and resorts; cruise lines; tour operators; online travel companies and initiatives; CVB’s; local, state, and international tourist offices; car rental companies; technology and marketing solution providers (ad, marketing, pr agencies, database, crm companies); and media executives.

ATME is the only worldwide organization of its kind to provide members with an ongoing forum for the exchange of creative ideas and effective marketing solutions within the travel industry.”

About Wicked Good Travel Tips.com: (http://www.wickedgoodtraveltips.com)

We are an online travel magazine that shares news of the latest trends in travel, fun and imaginative trip ideas, money saving travel opportunities and travel tips your best friend would be likely to share after returning from a trip.  We are a trusted voice for our community of avid travelers who love to share news of the good, the bad, and the fabulous!  Visit us and join the fun.