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Discussion: Study about Blogs in context of sustainable tourism
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RWander |
Study about Blogs in context of sustainable tourism
Nov 21 2008, 8:08 AM EST
Hey everyone, I just found a list of Blogs about sustainable tourism.Really interesting... Check out: http://www.trekking.net/sustainable-tourism-blogs.htm What do you think about? 7 out of 7 found this valuable. Do you?
Keyword tags:
sustainable toursim blog study
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Gillenium |
1. RE: Study about Blogs in context of sustainable tourism
Dec 4 2008, 12:32 AM EST
Some comprehensive info there :) Good resource
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cheriemccosker |
2. RE: Study about Blogs in context of sustainable tourism
Dec 4 2008, 9:05 PM EST
I think it is great. Thank you very much for sharing, and please do post more of these should you find them. :)
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jecochrane |
3. RE: Study about Blogs in context of sustainable tourism
Dec 12 2008, 3:29 AM EST
This is really useful, thanks. I shall pass it on to my students - I'm teaching a module on ecotourism next semester.BTW, I've been researching travel blogs myself recently - general ones, not just on sustainable tourism - and it's amazing how much information is being shared out there. For instance if you go to TripAdvisor.com and put 'Tak bat and stupid tourists' into the search field, then click on the forum topic when it appears, you'll find a whole series of comments about the morning alms-giving ceremony in Luang Prabang, which has now become a tourist circus. I'm using that as teaching material too. In another thread, a blogger in the UK asked people in Laos to see if they could find out which hospital her brother had been sent to after being in a road accident - they did, and reported back to her. More often, people are sharing a huge variety of information about where to go and stay, what to see and do, etc. I guess it won't quite make guide-books and tour operators redundant , but it must certainly be affecting their business! Best wishes Janet 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
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cheriemccosker |
4. RE: Study about Blogs in context of sustainable tourism
Dec 12 2008, 4:03 AM EST
Hi JanetI think that these online feedback systems are a tremendous help, and whilst I don't find the guidebooks I use are completely redundant, I do find that the online forums and blogs really empower us as travellers. It's also the more environmentally-friendly option than buying paper books for information. From a tourism provider perspective, it is becoming of increasing importance for their businesses to be reviewed and included (impartially) on these various forums and blog sites - as the balance of power is definitely shifting from traditional marketing models. These are exciting times! Cherie 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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jecochrane |
5. RE: Study about Blogs in context of sustainable tourism
Dec 12 2008, 5:24 AM EST
It's really interesting to hear your views as a provider, Cherie. As you say, it's an exciting time ... it seems to me there's a kind of revolution going on here which providers / tourism authorities mostly aren't aware of. Some are, of course, and there's a risk of abuse of these sites by providers hypeing themselves up ... perfectly understandable although undesirable! (It's normally pretty easy to see through them, however.)One thing that's odd though is that lots of blog sites list 'accommodation' and 'attractions' for user review, but not tour operators. I'd occasionally like to recommend a company I travel with but it's less easy than with hotels. I'm finding TripAdvisor.com, Virtualtourist.com, IgoUgo.com and Lonely Planet's Thorntree the best so far (in terms of most active and widest coverage) - do you (or anyone else out there!) have any other recommendations? If the company is obviously trying to take measures to behave responsibly I do try and say so. Best wishes Janet 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Gillenium |
6. RE: Study about Blogs in context of sustainable tourism
Dec 18 2008, 7:28 PM EST
Hi Cherie/Janet,Following on from the discussions, our company has just released a traveller information blog/newsletter, which focuses on hints/tips for independent travellers from actual locals in those destinations (following on from the information that doesn’t always make guide books). Please check it out at: http://www.whl.travel/blog/ Also, our business model is based upon having a network of these local connections, who own/operate their own accom/tour booking site connected to our global network (essentially franchise based). Although in its early stages (hence still building critical masses of feedback data), we are attempting to gather feedback about the actual operator, as well as the accommodation & tours travelers choose. This can then be seen by travelers before they book. A little twist to this is that for accom/tours who say they are doing something about responsible tourism, we promote that to travelers. They can also comment on whether they are doing what they claim. So in essence, we are hoping it will become a traveler driven certification scheme. After all, there is so much confusion on traditional certification, and the uptake in developing countries can be very costly and time consuming. Sorry to go off on a tangent, but thought this could be relevant to the discussion. Any thoughts always welcome. Cheers, Shaun. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Gillenium |
7. RE: Study about Blogs in context of sustainable tourism
Dec 18 2008, 7:29 PM EST
Sorry... our site is http://www.whl.travel if anyone wants to check it out :)
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cheriemccosker |
8. RE: Study about Blogs in context of sustainable tourism
Dec 18 2008, 8:44 PM EST
Thanks Shaun. I like your idea about promoting the responsible operators and then tourists being able to comment whether they actually walk their talk. That can effectively drive out the 'greenwashing'. I will look at your site over the Xmas break - thanks.Hi Janet - I agree with you that operators can review themselves, however they are pretty easy to see through. As for operators, I hadn't noticed that - that is an interesting statement which is quite odd indeed, I agree. I think you have listed down the main ones (aside from Shaun's suggestion of WHL of course), but I also use country specific recommendation sites also. Lately I've found personal travel blogs to be really useful too. It also gives me a feel of where they are coming from, so I know from what context their review is. Best wishes Cherie Do you find this valuable? |
