One industry hottest (and getting hotter) for social media and the relationships that can be forged is the Tourism Industry — especially in small town and rural settings (and there's a bunch in Iowa!). And not just from a business perspective, but from a vacationer perspective as well.
Still, a business who can leverage and bring together the community and conversation around the content (destination place or along the journey) is going to win at the commerce piece.
Two experts (and trusted friends) – one specializing in small town, small business (Becky McCray) and one specializing in travel and tourism (Sheila Scarborough) have teamed up to launch Tourism Currents.
To quote my pal Chris Cree on this important work in his post "Social Media Training for the Travel Industry with Tourism Currents
"…whether you work for a chamber of commerce, a convention and visitors bureau, work in hospitality or the restaurant? business, these two ladies at Tourism Currents are perfectly positioned to help you tap into social media and attract more people to your business (and to your community)."
Sign ups start tomorrow (June 15). I've seen the course outline and I'm trying to fit this course into my schedule (as a student) – it's that good, and that important to continue building business in and around Iowa.
Here are what some other experts in these fields have to say:
- Is the Tourism Currents Social Media Training Right for You?
- School’s in Session: Social Media Learning Resources for Tourism
- Travel and Tourism Meet Social Media
Note: The links to Tourism Currents above are affilate links – a first for me here. That should say a lot towards what I think of our coaches Becky and Sheila, and of the importance of the program.
Photo on Flickr by Mahalie
