2011 is the year of the social media backlash. Well, apparently. Whether or not you believe this, there’s one thing that’s certainly true: this is the year when things will change for social media agencies and for brands.
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Archive for the ‘Hospitality News’ Category:
11 Deadly Social Media Sins for Brands
Most brands are trying really hard to succeed with their social media initiatives. They are trying new ways to engage – from receipts at checkout to advertisements in newspapers; brands are trying their best to connect with consumers on social networks.
In the pursuit of trying to get things done, some “top” brands have made mistakes. Here are some things to avoid, with no exceptions – things that I hope are rarely repeated.
Cut VAT to 5% for hospitality industry
Responsible department: Her Majesty’s Treasury
The Publican’s Morning Advertiser is calling for the Government to reduce VAT to 5% for the hospitality sector. 21 countries in the EU have a lower VAT rate for the hotel sector and 13 for the overall hospitality sector. In France, tax was reduced from 19.65% to 5% and led to the creation of 21,700 jobs in the first year. A cut in VAT could help create 320,000 jobs in the post Olympic years and help save pubs, restaurants and hotels.
Increased Marketing is the Key to 2012 Success for Hotels.
The majority of hoteliers believe that the sector will realise a sustained upturn in 2012, while 82 per cent believe a hotels most important business priority over the next six months should be to step up its marketing activities.
Social Media & Facts
3 interesting facts:
- By 2012, Travel will account for 9% of the global GDP
- There are more American with a Facebook account than a passport
- Only 7% of travellers use Mobile Internet when travelling abroad
UK Hotel Chains on Twitter / Aug11
The top 7 UK hotel chains remain at the same position in terms of their ranking based on number of followers. It would mean they are all progressing their audience at the same audience with a clear leadership from Premier Inn. But I guess when you are the biggest hotel group in the UK, you have to be the first on Twitter as well.
The most prolific account is still from Best Loved Hotels with more than 6,200 tweets.
Bespoke is the hotel brand who follows the least people on Twitter (31 accounts in total).
Hand Picked Hotels is now 8th in position with more activity going with their account in the last 2 months. I won’t be surprised if they reach the top 5 by the end of September. You will notice there is a strong correlation between the number of followers and number of accounts the hotel brand is following.. Same for Richardson hotels.
Mint Hotels follow more people than they have followers (1,839 vs. 1,290) but there is no surprise there. The chain doesn’t engage with their audience. They just talk about them all the time. They use Twitter as another channel for their PR stories or small events happening around their hotels.
