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Travel
#ThisIsQueensland: Australia’s Second-Largest State Trends on Twitter
Queensland gains influence on Twitter with its specialized hashtag.
Since I studied abroad in Australia, I have used Twitter to reconnect with the country I called home for a semester.
I live vicariously through many of the users’ posts, and I especially enjoy tweets from Jayne Gorman, who also runs a fabulous travel blog.
In one of her recent tweets, she included #seeaustralia.
Naturally, I began searching through the hashtag, and I noticed a second hashtag that commonly accompanied #seeaustralia: #ThisisQueensland.
Hashtag Popularity
Queensland, for those that do not know, is Australia’s second-largest state, and it spans from Coolangatta to Cape York – that’s over 4,000 miles of coastline. I lived just north of Coolangatta in a town called Surfers Paradise, part of Australia’s gorgeous Gold Coast. Continue reading
Take Your Travels to Instagram with United Airlines
A spotlight on how the airline giant is effectively using Instagram to promote user engagement.
The travel industry is built on breathtaking sights. The internet is the perfect place to share travel pictures that inspire the wanderlust in anyone, and Instagram in particular has flourished with travel-related pictures – over 38,000,000 posts feature #travel.
Even the first photo uploaded to Instagram was taken by CEO and co-founder Kevin Systrom while he was on vacation in Todos Santos. Granted, the photo is of Snyder’s dog, but something about travel inspires people to share their experiences with the world.
Companies involved in the travel industry have a valuable opportunity to utilize Instagram to further connect with key publics, and United Airlines soars above the competition.
United’s Approach
Every brand should know that an Instagram strategy cannot be put on autopilot.
United effectively uses Instagram to showcase a variety of its interests and behind-the-scenes happenings. It consistently features content from other users, including photos and original art.
United truly shines in multiple ways:
1. It encourages user engagement.
Germanwings Crash: The Importance of Hashtags in Crisis Communications
Hashtags are crucial for controlling the flow of information, especially in crisis situations.
The infographic shows how social media has changed crisis communications.
Every organization needs to be prepared when disaster strikes. No matter how many preventative measures are in
place, disaster is always lurking around every corner. This is especially true for the travel industry, which is now the fourth most crisis prone industry, moving up from seventh place in 2007.
With a detailed crisis communications plan, an organization has potential to emerge from the crisis stronger than before. However, many organizations are falling flat on one key aspect of social media communications – the hashtag.
Germanwings
On March 24, 2015, a Germanwings plane crashed in the French Alps en route to Germany.
As with any plane crash, details continue to unfold as investigations take place. For this crash, the details seem fairly straightforward, unlike for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
In any crisis, though, the first 48 hours are crucial to implementing the crisis communications plan and controlling the flow of information. Continue reading
Travel Booking Apps: A Growing Market
Travel-related companies have recognized the market potential of mobile apps, and travelers are taking advantage of these booking options.
Any savvy traveler knows that booking a flight or hotel is much like shopping at a street market. Vendors are going to have the same product – maybe slight alterations and an added compliment or two – but at the end of the day, you are leaving with that same souvenir sweatshirt, whether you paid $35 for it or $10.
Or, rather, you are going to get your flight, whether you pay $300 for it or $150, and hopefully the deal includes your in-flight meal.
Finding the Best Deal
There are plenty of travel app options to explore deals.
Travelers have searched for that magic time to buy plane tickets, and booking hotels is a whole different game. Throw in the dynamics of international travel, and consumers can easily become exhausted while searching for that best deal.
In recent years, though, many companies have gifted travelers with an added outlet to scour for potential savings: mobile apps.
Travel Booking Gone Mobile
Researchers at Criteo released a 2014 flash report, and the report further confirmed the direction that mobile bookings have been trending:
- Mobile bookings are growing faster than desktop.
- Apps have potential to reach new customers.
- Mobile advertising can increase conversion opportunities.
This means that any travel-related company must optimize for mobile if it plans on remaining relevant in today’s travel market. Continue reading
Chico State Study Abroad Office: Adventure Awaits
The study abroad office at Chico State is a valuable resource of skilled staff and information to help anyone achieve their dream of studying abroad.
Breaking Borders
Almost 300,000 U.S. students studied abroad during the 2012 – 2013 academic year, and that number continues to grow each year.
During the fall 2014 semester, I studied abroad in Surfers Paradise, Australia, and I had the most life-changing experience. The people I met and the experiences we shared will stay with me for the rest of my life, and I want every student to at least consider the possibility of studying abroad.
Much of my success from studying abroad came from the support of the study abroad office at Chico State.
Chico State Study Abroad
The office is located in the Student Services Center, next to the BMU.
Chico State sends over 300 students abroad each year, and the university hosts programs through three main providers:
Chico State is ranked second in the nation for the highest number of students sent abroad for a full academic year or longer, and it is also ranked second for highest numbers of students sent abroad through USAC. Continue reading
Aleksander Irvin 