TripAdvisor recently released findings from a tourism industry study for 2012. More than 9,000 lodging owners and managers around the world took part in the survey.

The outlook, not surprisingly, is optimistic. Hoteliers anticipate business will begin to slowly recover in 2012. In order to profit from the potentially better economic climate, tourism professionals know they must stay on the leading edge of technology to best reach travelers.

We’re lucky to live and work in such a culturally diverse region and have a passion for destination marketing. We have the privilege of working with several travel and tourism professionals and associations, including Tahoe South, Union Square San Francisco, and Reno-Tahoe USA, to name a few.

In an industry competing for your attention online, it’s important to not only create visually compelling branding and website design that inspires you to travel, the challenge is capturing the visitor once they’ve arrived. How do you extend the experience beyond the website?

Below are a few recommendations for helping you connect with travelers and their friends via one of the most powerful tools out there – their smartphone.

1. Mobile site.  -  Build a functional and keyword-rich mobile site to compel travelers to easily search and browse your site before and during their visit.
2. Check-in deals. -  Offer discounts and reward incentives to mobile users checking in via Facebook, FourSquare, or Yelp.
3. Social sharing. -  Encourage tourists to tweet using a specific hashtag or post photos to your Facebook wall/timeline with the promise of seeing their image on a larger venue, i.e. your website or public display.
4. QR campaigns. - Using a QR code, send visitors to a mobile compatible webpage offering them special restaurants and shopping deals or event details during their stay.
5. Mobile apps. -  Create a customized app or suggest a useful navigation or entertainment app to enhance the consumers travel experience. 

Social sharing can greatly enhance the visitor’s experience. It’s no secret that a majority of users turn to the Web before making their travel decisions, and more importantly rely on recommendations or online reviews before booking. 

By creating a digital marketing strategy and aligning the proper tools, you have the ability to connect and share travel experiences in person before they book and in real-time once they’ve arrived.

We totally dig destination marketing. If you have questions or ideas about creating an effective digital strategy or want to bounce off ideas, email Vanessa, our content strategist, at vanessa.vancour@noblestudios.com.