EyeforTravel’s Social Media in Travel conference sees impressive bookings

Published: 17 Jul 2008

EyeforTravel’s inaugural European Social Media Strategies in Travel conference has seen an impressive number of delegates from across the travel industry all keen to debate how to turn this new phenomenon to their advantage.

‘For many travel companies it’s no longer a question of if social media and user-generated content will affect their business, it’s how’ said Gina Baillie, Regional Director, Europe, EyeforTravel.

‘Jupiter Research recently found user-generated content to be twice as influential as brand to accommodation seekers. With over 30% of leisure travellers in the US planning fewer trips in 2009, user-generated content will undoubtedly play a decisive role in the purchasing cycle’.

Whilst the US leads the way when it comes to social media and user-generated content (UGC) strategy, Europe follows closely on its tail. Established and new social and UGC sites such as WAYN, Trivago, Vinivi, Boo.com, Holidaycheck, appeal to the diverse, multi-lingual European consumer.

With internet penetration reaching 47.7% in Europe (peaking in Norway at 88%), it goes without saying that the web savvy European consumer knows how to find the information they need online.

What’s perhaps more interesting is the amount of ,cite>time Europeans spend online. The European Interactive Advertising Association’s latest Mediascope survey found 82% of the younger demographic use the internet between five and seven times a week, with only 77% watching television as often.

The reason? ‘A key role in rising time online appears to be played by social networks, which are rocketing in popularity around the globe. Social networking is now the third most popular online activity behind search and email. Our study demonstrates just how quickly consumers can change their habits according to the digital opportunities they are offered’ said the EIAA’s Chairman, Michael Kleindl.

Delegates and speakers from across the travel industry including Accor, KLM, SkyEurope, TripAdvisor, Starwood, Royal Caribbean, SAS, TUI, Expedia and more will be joined by new industry players to discuss how to turn the latest developments in social media and user-generated content to their advantage.

Topics include an analysis of the impact of user-generated content on the purchasing cycle, an insight into UGC metrics and how to monetize social media, case studies of how to use social media to increase customer loyalty, brand awareness and quality traffic to your site and many more.

To find out more about the event which will be held in Munich, 14-15 October visit http://events.eyefortravel.com/smeurope/socialmedia/more-information-log... or alternatively contact gina@eyefortravel.com .

To view the delegate list so far after 3 weeks on the market see below:-
Director of Travel Agencys Accor Deutschland SMARD GmbH
Key Account Manager Accor Deutschland SMARD GmbH
Director E-Distribution Accor Hospitality
Head of Marketing and Sales Aer Arann
Marketing Manager Au Pair in America
New Media Strategist Avvio
Chief Technical Officer Avvio
Senior Strategist, Travel bigmouthmedia
UK Sales Business Development Manager Booking.com
Global Product Director Cheapflights Ltd
CTO ChooseToTravel.com
Founder/ Managing Director ChooseToTravel.com
Director CramonateConsulting
Director Diplomata Tours
Commercial Director easyHotel.com
Managing Directgor Enjoy Slovakia
Sales Manager Eprofessional GmbH
CEO Euro Relais
Head of International E-Commerce European Travel Insurance Group
Marketing Director Expedia.de
Director of Marketing Flybe
Coordinator - Web Channel Geotur
Marketing Manager Gleneagles Hotels Plc
Head of Travel, France Google
Tourism Director GoRedSea.com
Technical Director GoRedSea.com
Marketing Coordinator GoToGate
Administrator Group Pestana
Head of Communities & User Experience Guardian Unlimited
Co-Founder & Author Tracking Tourism Highland Business Research
VP Corporate Development HolidayCheck AG
Revenue Manager Hotel Fira Palace Barcelona
MD Kinkaa
Manager Interactive Commerce KLM
Jnr Promotions Manager - E-Marketing KLM
Director of E-Marketing KLM
Senior Internet Marketing Manager KLM
Head of Web dept Kompas
webmaster Kompas d.d.
Director LaSer Loyalty
Managing Director - Germany lastminute.com
Area Director of Sales & Marketing Marriott International
Business Development Director Marshal Turism
CEO Mobissimo
Director Distribution Channels NH Hotels
CEO Nordic Direct Travel AS
Managing Director OctopusTravel
Country Manager Germany Opodo
Managing Director Pandox Berlin GmbH
Director of Business Development Pandox Berlin GmbH
Revenue Manager Park Inn Berlin
Franchise Manager PREM Group
e-Distribution Manager Premier Hotels
Marketing Manager Right Cover Travel Insurance
Regional Vice President, Commercial Director, EMEA Royal Caribbean International/ Celebrity Cruises
Sales And Marketing Director Sani Sa
Commercial Manager SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Travel Agent Shanti Tours& Travel
Chief Commercial Officer SkyEurope Airlines
Head of e-Business and Startegic Projects Slovenian Toruist Board
SENIOR DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL SPG Starwood Hotels and Resorts
Director of Sales Sterling Airlines
Internet Marketing Manager The Gleneagles Hotel
Web Editor Thon Hotels
Web Analyst Thon Hotels
Manager Tourist Forum Group
Marketing Manager Travel.ch
General Manager Travel.Ch
CEO Travelmarket
MD, UK TravelTainment UK
Head of Sales, UK Trip Advisor
Sr. Account Manager TripAdvisor
Co-Founder Tripit
MD trivago GmbH
Director Web Strategy & Business Development TUI Travel PLC
Board Member Turismo de Portugal
CEO TVtrip.com
IT Director Unaira
Managing Director Unaira
Marketing and SEO Manager UniTravel- GHRS
Marketing assistent Unitravel/GHRS Hotel
CEO UpTake
Direct Marketing Specialist Valamar Hotels & Resorts
Co Founder & Co-CEO WAYN?
Journalist/Media Consultant WE Media
Director of the Board Web Analytics Association
MD Web Certain
CEO Web Reservations International
Manager Witte GmbH
Head of Marketing www.cruise.co.uk
Head of Market Development YHA (England & Wales) Ltd
Head of Communications YHA (England & Wales) Ltd
COO Zoover International
CTO Zoover International

Gina Baillie, Regional Director, Europe, EyeforTravel, gina@eyefortravel.com, +44 (0)207 375 7197.

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