Thomson gives its resort welcome meetings a techie twist
Thomson is hoping to give its in-resort welcome meeting an overhaul to bring it into the technology age.
Even before they have left home, holidaymakers will be invited to communicate with their in-resort ‘iAdvisor’ using live Google+ hangouts and a dedicated Twitter hashtag.
They can even ‘chat’ with fellow holidaymakers who are away at the same time.
The system is being trialled at Thomson’s Sensatori Resort Crete this month.
If successful, Thomson is planning to roll it out across its Sensatori Resorts later this year.
It says research found holidaymakers are using social networks ahead of their trip to meet other travellers and share information.
The new initiative allows customers to ask their iAdvisor questions about the hotel, local area and the weather.
They will also be able to use #SensatoriCrete to tweet questions to their iAdvisor while on holiday from the comfort of their sun lounger.
Thomson director of holiday experiences Ian Chapman said: "What better way to get excited about your holiday than to virtually meet with your Thomson holiday iAdvisor via a Google+ Hangout and have a friendly chat about where you’ll be staying and what you can do while you’re there?
"You’ll even be able to meet some of the other customers that will be on holiday at the same time as you."
by Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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