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.

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 AgencysAccor Deutschland SMARD GmbH
Key Account ManagerAccor Deutschland SMARD GmbH
Director E-DistributionAccor Hospitality
Head of Marketing and SalesAer Arann
Marketing ManagerAu Pair in America
New Media StrategistAvvio
Chief Technical OfficerAvvio
Senior Strategist, Travelbigmouthmedia
UK Sales Business Development ManagerBooking.com
Global Product DirectorCheapflights Ltd
CTOChooseToTravel.com
Founder/ Managing DirectorChooseToTravel.com
DirectorCramonateConsulting
DirectorDiplomata Tours
Commercial DirectoreasyHotel.com
Managing DirectgorEnjoy Slovakia
Sales ManagerEprofessional GmbH
CEOEuro Relais
Head of International E-Commerce European Travel Insurance Group
Marketing DirectorExpedia.de
Director of MarketingFlybe
Coordinator - Web ChannelGeotur
Marketing ManagerGleneagles Hotels Plc
Head of Travel, FranceGoogle
Tourism DirectorGoRedSea.com
Technical DirectorGoRedSea.com
Marketing CoordinatorGoToGate
AdministratorGroup Pestana
Head of Communities & User ExperienceGuardian Unlimited
Co-Founder & Author Tracking TourismHighland Business Research
VP Corporate DevelopmentHolidayCheck AG
Revenue ManagerHotel Fira Palace Barcelona
MDKinkaa
Manager Interactive Commerce KLM
Jnr Promotions Manager - E-MarketingKLM
Director of E-MarketingKLM
Senior Internet Marketing ManagerKLM
Head of Web deptKompas
webmasterKompas d.d.
DirectorLaSer Loyalty
Managing Director - Germanylastminute.com
Area Director of Sales & MarketingMarriott International
Business Development DirectorMarshal Turism
CEOMobissimo
Director Distribution ChannelsNH Hotels
CEONordic Direct Travel AS
Managing DirectorOctopusTravel
Country Manager GermanyOpodo
Managing DirectorPandox Berlin GmbH
Director of Business DevelopmentPandox Berlin GmbH
Revenue ManagerPark Inn Berlin
Franchise ManagerPREM Group
e-Distribution ManagerPremier Hotels
Marketing ManagerRight Cover Travel Insurance
Regional Vice President, Commercial Director, EMEA Royal Caribbean International/ Celebrity Cruises
Sales And Marketing DirectorSani Sa
Commercial ManagerSAS Scandinavian Airlines
Travel AgentShanti Tours& Travel
Chief Commercial OfficerSkyEurope Airlines
Head of e-Business and Startegic Projects Slovenian Toruist Board
SENIOR DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL SPGStarwood Hotels and Resorts
Director of SalesSterling Airlines
Internet Marketing ManagerThe Gleneagles Hotel
Web EditorThon Hotels
Web AnalystThon Hotels
ManagerTourist Forum Group
Marketing ManagerTravel.ch
General ManagerTravel.Ch
CEOTravelmarket
MD, UKTravelTainment UK
Head of Sales, UKTrip Advisor
Sr. Account ManagerTripAdvisor
Co-FounderTripit
MDtrivago GmbH
Director Web Strategy & Business DevelopmentTUI Travel PLC
Board MemberTurismo de Portugal
CEOTVtrip.com
IT DirectorUnaira
Managing DirectorUnaira
Marketing and SEO ManagerUniTravel- GHRS
Marketing assistentUnitravel/GHRS Hotel
CEOUpTake
Direct Marketing SpecialistValamar Hotels & Resorts
Co Founder & Co-CEOWAYN?
Journalist/Media ConsultantWE Media
Director of the BoardWeb Analytics Association
MDWeb Certain
CEOWeb Reservations International
ManagerWitte GmbH
Head of Marketingwww.cruise.co.uk
Head of Market DevelopmentYHA (England & Wales) Ltd
Head of CommunicationsYHA (England & Wales) Ltd
COOZoover International
CTOZoover International

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