I admit it ? I still love reading a guidebook.? Despite the rarity of reading various bits of travel information typed on these strange white pieces of paper bound together with a cover, I find them interesting, educational, relaxing, and fun.
I know.? I can download a walking tour of Rome now on my iPod.? I can carry my kindle with me and download the latest guidebook for Paris.? I can read numerous blogs, post a question on Facebook, or send out a tweet asking travelers where I can find the best place to eat steak in Buenos Aires.
I am not a dinosaur.? I realize times are changing.? However, sometimes finding the right travel information can be hard to find.
Where do I go to look? ?How much time is it going to take me to research?? How much planning should I do?? Do I ask people I know who have been to a place?? Do I trust what I find written on popular travel sites?? Or do I ask my friend Google what he recommends?
A brief history of travel and the internet
In the travel industry, things have changed a lot in the last twenty years as there were only a few sources of travel information available.? Travel guide books like Arthur Frommer?s Budget Travel, Lonely Planet, Fodor?s, and Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door were just a few of the many guidebooks that people packed in their bags, luggage, and backpacks for their travels.
Those who may not have used guidebooks may have liked reading travel magazines like National Geographic, Conde Nast, or Travel and Leisure.? Before the explosion of the internet, printed media was the best way to access information for travel destinations and tips.? Then along came travel TV shows as travel destinations came to life on camera.
As the internet grew in popularity, large online travel sites began to replace the popular travel agent.? Now people could find and book their own deals on Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, and a number of other sites.? We moved beyond the need for travel information to booking our own travels.
Now, these sites began writing about travel and destinations as well as selling flights, hotels, and vacation packages.? Crossing over met potential conflict of interest as information about travel destinations could now promote travel packages and companies at the same time.
While newspapers were also part of the old school print media that made a name for itself in the travel industry, the internet age hasn?t wiped them out completely.? ?Online media has allowed travel news to spread quickly as sites could give us real time travel information, tips, breaking news, alerts, and more.
Online publications like USA Today, the New York Times, MSN Travel, or more niche sites were on the rise to give travelers the news and information they want.? Not only could people find out what was going on in other parts of the world, they could access the information from anywhere as mobile phones, laptops, and technology have given us instant updates on flights, directions, and where the nearest Starbucks is located.
Now the rise of social media in the travel industry has created a massive travel overload as travel agents, travel start ups, well known travel sites, and travel writers and bloggers flood the internet with travel information.
Travel start ups are trying to use social media to boost travel bookings in an attempt to take advantage of the popularity and wealth of travel information that can be found on sites like Twitter, Facebook, Google +, or even Pinterest.? Bloggers are now partnering with online travel sites to promote interesting and unique travel projects like a new one on Expedia called the Passport Party project.
The world of travel guidebooks and information has come a long way in just a few years.
Travel guidebooks meet the world of online dating
Recently, I asked travelers what was their favorite source of travel information.? Years ago, the overwhelming response to this question would have been guidebooks.? Even just a few years ago, the choices may have been guidebooks or the internet (Google searches, blogs, online travel sites, etc).
Now the number of answers to this question may vary as much as the number of sex scandals in Hollywood.? Simple forms of travel information have given way to more online travel resources. ?And now the online world of travel research is giving way to odd partnerships and intercultural hook ups.
Travel sites are partnering with travel blogs.? Travel companies are using social media to actually book more travel.? Travel guidebooks are becoming more popular on screen than on paper.? Travel videos have their own market now.
Travel information has entered the world of online dating now all sorts of new and interesting relationships are forming.? And this is just the beginning.
So what is the future of travel information, online travel, and guidebooks?
The current state of the union on travel guidebooks
Some people prefer independent sources of travel information.? Others may want the respected opinion of traditional travel sites and writers.? Others may depend on travel sites that post reviews from travelers like those found on Trip Advisor (are those travel reviews reliable?).
Today, it?s not enough just to let people know that a place exists and what there is to do.? People want more information than this.? Now the quality of the information or the reliability of the source seems to matter just as much as the destination itself.
Maybe others need as much information as possible so a big travel site with lots of resources is what they need.? Maybe Google is their best friend for travel research.? Many people like to travel vicariously through others on TV or through videos.? Others may still like the traditional guidebook while others may want a travel site that gives them the best deal without a need to research or plan at all.
With all of these changes in the last 20 years, one thing is obvious ? how, why, and what do people want from their sources of travel information?? The answers to those questions are as varied as they?ve ever been.? That?s a good thing for those who want to explore and be creative about new ways to embrace travel.? For others, too much information can be overwhelming.
Looking into the travel crystal ball
Traveling these days is easier than it has ever been.? There is more travel information available than there ever was before and in various forms ? guidebooks, blogs, magazines, online travel sites, photos, videos, documentaries, TV, and more.
Travel information has come a long way in 20 years.? From traditional print media and guidebooks to TV shows, online travel sites, blogs, and social media, there is no shortage of travel information or places where you can get it.
Has this wealth of travel information led to clarity or confusion?? How do travelers know who to trust when it comes to researching their next vacation or trip?? Does the commercialization of travel muddy the waters any more or should it be viewed in the same way as all other products being marketed to the public? ?What is the next big travel trend for travel destination information and guides?
So what do travelers have to say about the type of travel information they want to see?
Time will tell what becomes of travel information and traditional travel guidebooks.? So let the traveler use the information that is available to him and explore from home before he ever leaves his couch.
What?s your favorite source of travel information?
What factors are most important to you in researching a destination or trip?
Do you like all the opportunities out there to research travel destinations?? What are your pros and cons?
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