Why travel professionals should blog

This year’s Travel Industry Exhibition at Luna Park Sydney will host a panel of experts who will share with travel professionals the value of online blogging as a tool to engage, promote and acquire new customers for travel businesses.

One of the sessions focuses on the importance for travel professionals to incorporate online marketing strategies into their business plans. Blogging is an easy and affordable means for travel agencies to utilise the latest marketing tools, ensuring the ability to reach new customers and engaging with existing ones via relevant content.

The exhibition’s panel of experts is chaired by well-known public relations figure Prue MacSween, Co-Founder of Catablog and Director of Verve Communications. A former journalist and radio and TV presenter, Prue has been at the forefront of marketing since 1986. Her award-winning public relations company, MacSween Communications attracted global brands including British Airways, the Nine, Ten and Seven networks, 2UE, Nestlé, Goodman Fielder; Norwegian Cruise Lines, Inter-Continental Hotels, Citibank and Australia Day Council (NSW) to name but a few.

Ms MacSween expressed the importance and influence of the blogging market and welcomed travel professionals to the session. “We are delighted to be able to introduce Travel Industry Exhibition attendees to the very important blogging community. We will demonstrate how easy and quick it is to tap into this influential consumer market to ensure their campaigns and marketing initiatives are successful.”

Prue is now in partnership with Louise Di Francesco at Verve Communications, a consultancy which provides counsel on crisis and issues management, PR, social media marketing, promotions, media relations and strategic and creative campaign development.

The second guest panellist on the blogging panel is Caz Makepeace of Y Travel Blog. Ms Makepeace elaborated on the function of blogging for travel agents by saying, "blogging is such a great way to build a connection with travellers wanting more personal recommendations and stories. Working with bloggers, in the right way, is a very effective way to get your brand at the top of people's minds.” Caz continues, “I’m looking forward to sharing more insights into how to do this the right way.” Ms Makepeace is the co-founder of Y Travel blog with husband, Craig Makepeace. As Australia’s biggest travel bloggers, they have been featured on Lonely Planet, The Today Show, National Geographic online, Virgin Australia, Expedia, Huffington Post, and various radio stations.

The third guest panellist for the exclusive session is Amanda Woods. Known for her popular weekly travel segment, “Adventures All Around” on 2UE, Ms Woods’ work spans radio, television and freelance travel writing. Ms Woods has worked with a range of local and international tourist boards and travel clients, and is one of Microsoft’s Work Wonders blogging ambassadors.

The Travel Industry Exhibition offers a series of free to attend seminars in addition to this panel session. Sessions are hosted by industry experts from Trip Advisor, AFTA, DFAT and many more and are free to travel professionals who have registered to attend the show.

The Travel Industry Exhibition takes place at Luna Park Sydney on Thursday 16 to Friday 17 July.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia