travel tech insights

In a recent entry, we discussed why younger travelers - millennials in particular - are coming back to travel agents in recent years to help coordinate their travel plans and bookings. Reasons for this return include the first-hand perspective or ‘on-the-ground’ knowledge travel agents have about a given destination, but also the personalized, one-on-one interaction millennials seek in purchasing their products and services.

But travel agents are also leveraging social media platforms as a way to connect with travelers and forge personal relationships with customers that continue long after a traveler has unpacked their bags.

Travel is an inherently social act. Even if you’re traveling alone, whether for business or leisure, you’re not really alone - instead, you’re surrounded by scores of other travelers in airports, bus terminals, or hotel lobbies, most of whom are frequently checking their smart phones for the latest updates on Facebook or Twitter. Even if you’re not the one logging on, by extension you’re in greater company than you think.

There are times it seems the travel industry should take a cue from its customers; go to some quiet place and just relax for a long time without reading anything about travel (except this blog, of course) or talking to anyone in the business.