Is your 2006 Strategic Marketing Plan Based on the Latest Research Findings?

The online travel industry is changing so much and at such a rapid pace that it is hard for the average DMO, hotel or other travel organization to keep up with it all. In fact it is impossible to keep up with it ALL. I have found that even when I pare down my reading to the most essential topics, I still take home reading me every night.

So how DO you stay abreast of the best and latest research?

Here are two great resources.

1. Purchase the definitive new online travel research report: Travelers Use of the Internet that USDM.net just co-published with the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). This is a very useful foundational document for basing your 2006 plan on solid research. If you read no other research report, you must read this one. It's one of the best.

2. Click to our newly updated web site at www.usdm.net, where we share some other important research data that you need to keep your eye on for 2006.

You will find helpful articles specifically for DMOs (destination marketing organizations), Hotels and for the general Travel Industry.

Topics include:
- Top 10 Travel Trends for 2006
- Planning Your Online Budget
- Organic Search - - the Online Annuity
- Click Fraud and Managing the Rising Cost of Search Marketing
- Direct Booking and Managing Online Distribution
- Conversion Content Mapping™

Strong growth and significant changes in the online travel marketplace continue to affect how you and your travel partners do business online. You need to develop mechanisms in your 2006 strategic plan for managing these changes. These two resources can help.

I hope you find this information useful, and would like to hear your comments on the topics.

Leah

Posted at 01:34 PM