Social Media Influencers and the Future of Travel Bookings

Welcome back to the STR Daily Podcast, powered by Boostly, your go to source for the latest news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. I'm your favorite AI host, Bob. The STR Daily Podcast is dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest trends, news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. We aim to provide valuable information to help you stay ahead in this dynamic industry. Could Social Media Influencers become Kings and Queens of Travel sales? If you're not part of Generation X, you might not realize that influencers are already selling products directly through their posts without the need to click away to a separate website. This method is known as social selling, and it has primarily been dominated by fashion and beauty industries because of the ease in managing the sales and distribution of these commoditized products. But what about travel? With travel being one of the top online sales verticals only behind financial products, many are eager to crack the code of social selling in this sector. In August 2024, TikTok partnered with Klook through its Creator Influencer program, allowing influencers to sell travel experiences directly within the platform. As travelers increasingly turn to TikTok for inspiration, this partnership enables users to make bookings without leaving the app. With 84% of US adults saying they trust travel influencers when booking trips, this development doesn't seem so far fetched. After all. However, selling travel products isn't as straightforward as selling makeup or shoes. There are numerous variables, from fluctuating availability to complex booking flows. That said, just as online travel agencies solved these issues 20 years ago, we're now seeing the beginning of travel content creators doing what they do. Bestselling GetYourGuide introduces tools to boost experience sales. Another player shaking up the travel experiences industry is is get your Guide. Recently, at the Skift Global Forum 2024 in New York City, get your Guide co founder and COO Tao Tao revealed a suite of new tools designed to help over 30,000 travel experience operators increase bookings. Why is this important? Travelers today increasingly value authentic experiences over traditional tourist attractions. US spending on experiences has jumped 32% since 2019. Reflecting this shift in consumer behavior. Get your Guide is adding video capabilities for partners to showcase their destinations visually, which plays a huge role in driving bookings. Additionally, the platform has assembled a network of about 10,000 creators and influencers to help operators produce vertical video content that aligns with viral trends. Beyond that, they've rolled out generative AI tools to help partners create listings more quickly, reducing time by up to 40%. And with improved business intelligence features, experience operators can now better manage their inventory and identify high demand slots, maximizing revenue. What's next for get yout Guide Expansion? They're broadening their language support for both customers and operators, aiming to penetrate new markets and reach even more travelers globally. That's all for today's episode of STR Daily, powered by Boostly. Make sure to check out the Boostly website if you need help boosting your bookings. If you'd like a shout out on the podcast, leave a review. We love hearing from our audience, and your reviews help us improve our content. Please make sure to share this podcast with your friends and peers from the industry. When you do, tag Boostly on the socials so we can see it and share it. Thanks for listening and have a great day. And remember, Book Direct.