World Travel Market London 2016, the leading global event for the travel industry, has lined up Facebook’s head of travel, the Instagrammer known as ‘the globe-trotting hunk’ as well as instigators of successful campaigns for its 2016 social media programme, in association with Travel Perspective.
Following on from previous years, the first session is jointly hosted by UNWTO and Travel Perspective, looking at destinations in the digital world. #SilkRoadNow: Sharing the Experience takes place on Tuesday November 8 in Platinum Suite 1, 10.15 – 11.30.
Arrive early to secure a seat for session two, when Facebook’s Head of Travel EMEA Neasa Costin shares thoughts on the future with Travel Perspective founder Mark Frary. Come to learn about Oculus Rift and virtual reality, chatbots and booking, artificial intelligence and how travel companies can make use of these innovative technologies.
Facebook: the Futures of Storytelling takes place on the WTM Global Stage (South Hall), on Tuesday November 8, 16.30 – 17.00.
Next, the thorny issue of ‘blogging or flogging’ is discussed in a thought-provoking session where a representative of the UK Competition and Markets Authority explains its crackdown on marketers and bloggers who do not clearly label content so that it is distinguishable from the reasoned and independent opinion of a journalist or blogger.
The session, Content in Crisis: Independent Blog or Undisclosed Advertising? takes place on the WTM Global Stage (South Hall), on Tuesday November 8, 17.05-17.50.
The final social media session of Tuesday sees a return of the popular Five Minutes of Fame – where exciting new travel start-ups share their brilliant ideas in front of an audience, before a winner is picked.
Five Minutes of Fame takes place on the WTM Global Stage (South Hall), on Tuesday November 8, 17.50-18.30.
It’s over to the new WTM Inspire Theatre for the first of Wednesday’s social media sessions, a masterclass from Visit Philadelphia, which has long been at the forefront of the use of social media to promote the state. The tourist board’s V-P Communications Paula Butler and CEO Meryl Levitz share insight on what they have learned along the way, what has worked – and failed – and what other destinations and travel brands can expect to contend with in 2017.
The Social Media in Tourism Masterclass takes place at the WTM Inspire Theatre on Wednesday November 9 12.15-12.45.
Pokemon Go has taken the world by storm this summer and destinations and hotels have been quick to see the marketing potential for them. Is it just a passing fad or can augmented reality bring new business for travel businesses? Find out during a panel debate with Alltherooms CEO Joseph DiTomaso, Skignz CEO Si Brown and Basel Tourism Director Daniel Eglof.
The session, called Is Pokemon Go the best we can expect from augmented reality? takes place in the WTM Inspire Theatre on Wednesday November 9 12.55-13.35.
Pokemon isn’t the only social media phenomenon to capture the public’s imagination this year, as the next session, The Best of Social Media 2016, will show, when a panel of experts review the best social media marketing campaigns of 2016.
Delegates can see how industry leaders are pushing the boundaries and working with influencers despite limited budgets to create campaigns that actually work. The session will be presented by Visit Denmark UK & Ireland Press and PR Manager Kat Lind Gustavussen, with some expert judges including BeautifulDestinations founder Jeremy Jauncey, affectionately known as the ‘globe-trotting hunk’, who instagrams his way around the world.
The Best of Social Media 2016 takes place in the WTM Inspire Theatre on Wednesday November 9 13.45-14.30.
WTM London, Senior Director, Simon Press said: “Don’t be surprised to see lots of tweeting, instagramming and posting of selfies during these social media sessions, which we expect will be packed to the rafters, given the thirst for knowledge on everything from chatbots, Facebook and other developments in this exciting and fast-growing arena.
“These sessions are a must-attend for anyone who is serious about marketing via social media.”
