Presidential candidates, world poverty and women’s periods
Social Media was debated at the recent ABTA Travel Conference where a panel of experts acknowledged the importance of Facebook and Twitter when dealing with a PR crisis. Whether that is a natural disaster or a country in civil unrest, all agreed that social media monitoring was as vital as monitoring traditional media.
Third world campaigners WATERisLIFE put Twitter complainers in their place this week when they hijacked the hashtag #FirstWorldProblems. After getting fed up of hearing users complain of trivial problems such as the inability to walk and text at the same time or the dilemmas faced when a phone charger doesn’t reach as far as the bed, they decided to get even. Making a mockery of these inconveniences WATERisLIFE created a video putting these issues in stark contrast to third world struggles. The video has become a YouTube sensation and has already received 1.4 million views.
As the US presidential campaigns get in full swing, the second debate showed Facebook and Twitter level pegging as they both scooped a 40% share of voice online, compared to the last debate where Twitter reigned supreme. Maybe Obama and Romney have lost their edge in the Twittersphere?
A skydiver breaking the speed of sound? Could it be true? Seeing is believing – Red Bull Stratos, the event behind Felix Baumgartner’s skydive from the edge of space, reached eight million concurrent views on YouTube, making it the highest-ever concurrent viewing figure on the Google-owned site. If that wasn’t enough there has been in excess of 3.1m tweets posted relating to the event.
And finally, one Facebook user questioned Bodyform’s advertising campaigns suggesting that they were unrealistic. Instead of snubbing his comment Bodyform responded with a viral video where the fictional CEO revealed the truth about periods. A must see for women and men alike.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent