How Social Media has affected the Hospitality Industry

I am beginning to drift away from blogging, aside from all the other numerous social media tools out there, this has sadly taken a back seat of late and I am trying to think of a new topic to write and coming up with some new inspiration. Time for a change of scenery perhaps, maybe, maybe not. Just a little update though I have changed the design of my website (AGAIN!) alistairdolphin.com for future reference, the joy's of free templates, makes it look so much better.

Anyway back to the subject in hand. The Hospitality Industry is massive and according to caterer research has a total value of £55 - £60 bn a year, through hotel revenues, restaurants and numerous other hospitality orientated activities. Since the dawn of the Online revolution, businesses and hospitality establishments have slowly come round to the idea of moving online. In today's world we can now book a hotel room, order a meal and even take a look at the room before we ever step foot in the door. In hospitality there is a familiar phrase you never get a second chance to make a first impression and obviously the bells are still ringing.

By putting a photo, image or video on a review site such as trip advisor, visitors can instantly get a feel for th accommodation and services. In my opinion when ever I book a hotel room I always regularly check to see if the hotel has a website, just so I can get a feel for the place. This is why businesses should regularly update there imagery of there establishment, making sure its fresh and to up to date as there is no point giving customers a false impression.

In addition when customers have stayed at your hotel they can instantly review or post a testimonial of what they thought of your hotel. Of course, there is nothing like a positive review. Review sites like trip advisor, allow other users to make a decision, add that with the pictures and pleasant surroundings hospitality firms can lure new business in.

Social media is ever present, in today's society, twitter, facebook are just a few examples. Social media icons are everywhere as well on websites. It is more and more important then that hospitality firms adopt social media strategies to enable them to make a good first impression, as with hospitality, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.