As we’ve covered in the past few weeks, the vast majority of internet users now expect companies to have a presence in social media.  There are a number of popular social networks in the travel industry, and since most travelers use the internet for trip planning, it’s important that you have a good reputation there.

How can you encourage positive reviews of your hotel in social media websites?

1. At check in, encourage your visitors to register at Yelp.com or TripAdvisor if they haven’t already, so they can discover some of the best local attractions.  Ask them to review your hotel once they’ve signed up.
2. Ask guests to review your hotel online at the end of all guest satisfaction surveys you distribute.
3. When you receive a positive survey response, thank the guest by email, and send a link to tripadvisor.com with a request to rate your hotel there.
4. When guests compliment you on your facility, thank them and say you would really appreciate if they would review you online.
5. Customize a special landing page on your hotel network, so the first web page guests see when they connect to the internet contains links to review sites.  Here’s a very basic sample page:

It all comes down to understanding the importance social media reviews play in a potential guest’s decision making process. So whether you ask a guest to review your hotel, or encourage travel bloggers to write about you, your goal is to take advantage of every opportunity to expand your web presence and improve your online reputation.

HotelMarketing.com points out a piece in Travel Weekly with Crystal Cruises’ Mimi Weisband.  According to her, the current credit crunch is causing consumers to shift their priorities from material acquisitions to experiences.

This is great news for hotel marketers.   Potential guests will be more open to hearing how staying at your hotel will be a meaningful experience.

Let me ask you this: How will you take advantage of this shift in priorities?