I have to admit I am not exactly cutting edge when it comes to social media and all the new web-based applications out there. But I think there is some definite merit in Twitter. So how can Twitter help you in your travels?

  • It's a great way to get insider information about a destination.... like recommendations on restaurants and local events. Chicago (@VisitChicago) and Arizona (@ArizonaTourism) lead the way, listening and interacting as well as broadcasting local updates. The Netherlands (@VisitHolland) is the most developed in Europe...for the moment. Almost 200 destination visitors organizations in North America use Twitter
  • You can use Twitter to get answers without picking up the phone or sending an email, and best of all the conversation is public with people with similar interests and other people will chime in as well. Those chiming in might include a real person at the visitor's bureau with this weekend's festival programme, or a resident keen for you to try their favourite restaurant.
  • Airlines and hotels are increasingly using their own Twitter feeds to broadcast late breaking discounts and deals and info.
  • It's s great way for truly last minute up-dates...that other mediums can't as easily provide....e.g snow rates at hotels, leaf peeping... New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development has launched its popular and interactive foliage tracker map at http://foliage.visitnh.gov. Leaf peepers can also sign-up for foliage text alerts and updates on Twitter (www.twitter.com/VisitNH) .

Easiest way to track down which organizations that are on Twitter - go to www.twisitorcenter.com. This will help you identify local experts or tourism bureaus that have set up a Twisitor Centre - allowing travelers to pose questions to get recommendations to pose questions.

Here are some other recommended Twitter feeds to follow.....

@worldhum : tweets from the editors of the best global travel blog

@davitydave: the latest from Frommers.com, courtesy of the editorial director

@Travelbite: a barrage of links to holiday ideas plus a destination-of-the-day feature

@NewYorkology: what to do right now in the Big Apple

@travelfish: backpacking in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand

@CruiseLog: cruise news and views

@deliciousbaby: tips and guides for travelling with young kids

@starwoodbuzz: hotel deals and news