Will social networking change the way you travel?

Everyone likes traveling and it’s an important component of most peoples' lifestyle. I read an article in National Geographic named ‘Smart Traveler: Next up 2.0’. The basic argument is that the new wave of travel sites will help us plan the perfect vacation, navigate our way through traffic, get updates about airport delays, and track down other like-minded souls. Meanwhile, the author also gives some background and examples of how to get information from travel social network websites. As Christopher says, social networking has changed travel in small but significant ways. Travel's Web 2.0 revolution hasn't quite arrived, but it's fair to say that social networking is taking travel sites in new--and often unexpected directions. All of the necessary ingredients，cutting-edge technology, interesting sites, and creative applications seem to be there. Everyone is ready, except the users.
Frankly speaking, I agree that the biggest influences in the development of the Web2.0 for the travel and tourism sector have been the ability of consumers to research, compare and book online without relying on a travel agent. Through Blogs, Message Boards, Online Maps and Online Booking, Social networking changes a lot of things – including travel. We book flights and hotels online, meet other travelers online, stay in touch via blogs, and find information via Google and community forums. This trend will only continue.
But actually, the problem is not very simple. It’s not very reasonable to say that everyone is ready except the user. Maybe some countries do, not all over the world. For instance, although the Internet is now widespread among Chinese, to make this mainstream in the near future would require a lot of process and structural change. It’s just the start in China. I think the true should be that users are ready except social networking and Travel Web2.0. In China there is no doubt Internet bookings have grown exponentially over recent years, as evidenced by the massive growth of travel companies such as Ctrip, eLong and Qunar. But I think that we are limited by a couple of factors in China that would make the social working change the way people travel. Maybe fares for flights are not easily found online or at least the real costs. A lot of Chinese travel by train and the ticket cannot be purchased online. We have to go and find a special train agency. So people tend to go online to get the telephone number, but still contact an agent to make the actual booking. Further, the travel agency will deliver the ticket to your home or place of work. Some hotels where local Chinese would stay less 3 star are not listed widely if at all etc…I think many travel operators also believe their products may be too complicated to be booked online in China, or that travelers need someone to talk them through visas, insurance and other requirements.
Another article I got is ‘What is the travel 2.0 revolution all about’ written by Joe Lichtenberg. The author says that travel companies are realizing they must incorporate rich social media and other tools in order to enrich the customer experience, with the advent of Web 2.0. The author also shows some examples such as TripAdvisor, Best Western and Yahoo those who adopt different measures to make their websites more ‘social networking’.
Based on the strong social networking technology, the key point many companies never can neglect is the customers and users’ needs. Although companies continue to increase their web profile as more people use the Internet for information, business, and maintaining social relationships. Many of the savviest companies already use social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook to advertise and keep consumers aware of developments. These social networking and media services are vital for them to get information. They have already made Google a verb. No matter how advanced the social networking tools and media are, however, I believe that not all the companies who embrace Web2.0 will succeed. Maybe a short comment named ‘Why many French DMO’s will fail’ with Web2.0 and Travel2.0 can bring some thinking to us.
It seems everything indicates that we everyone in the world are changing or be changed by social networking and Travel Web2.0 as well. It’s no wonder that many people say the future of travel is on the Web2.0. In fact, we are rather easy to Google a great deal of articles or blogs going along with travel web2.0 revolution has come completely. When they immersed in the eyeless pursue with Travel Web 2.0, we should think about the question calmly and objectively. Has Travel's Web 2.0 revolution really come? Will social networking change our way traveling? And how it changes? Due to tourism industry is comprehensive and complex, if we intend the real Travel's Web 2.0 revolution come true, I think it will need all the partners and stakeholders’ collective efforts, including the travel companies, the users, the government, the technology. Needless to say, user is always the focus.

sources
1. Smart Traveler: Next Up: Travel 2.0
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/resources/st_webtravel0803/webtravel.html
2. What is the travel 2.0 revolution all about
http://www.trginternational.com/news/other_news/what-is-the-travel-2-0-revolution-all-about.html
3. Why many French DMO’s will fail’ with Web2.0 and Travel2.0
http://hotelitour.com/all-posts/why-many-french-dmo%E2%80%99s-will-fail-with-web20-and-travel20-some-views-261
4. 13 Top Travel Social Networking Websites
http://tusharvickkie.blogspot.com/2009/08/13-top-travel-social-networking.html