2nd portion of the Final Exam

1. What is meant by social sharing sites, link to 2 examples.

Social sharing sites are sites where users can share information (Pictures, videos, written content on personal information...).
It does empowers consumers to organize content themselves.
examples : myspace.com and youtube.com

2. How does social sharing influence consumers choices, link to 1 article to support your assessment.

Consumers are being more and more picky about their buying decision. They will listen to their friend's opinions, look at a hotel brochure, but he/she will not stop there. Like all of us now, we want to have direct feedback from previous customers who experienced or bought a certain product or service before making a purchasing decision.
An example of a customer review site :
- http://hotels.about.com/
- www.tripadvisor.com

3. How hoteliers can best utilize social trends to communicate with customers. Link to 2 examples.

For example, you have Bill Marriott, as we talked about it in class. It's definitly a good point there! The blog created gives accessibility (CEO & Chairman of Marriott International) and interactivity with people. More hoteliers should do that in order to really follow, with interactivity, the concerns and dialogue of their guests or future guests.

4. what is your opinion...can hotels effectively establish an online conversation with customers? Yes, why...no, why not?

Of course they can, and they certainly should establish an online conversation with customers. Customer's mind has changed and I believe it's essential to keep up with new technologies, new ways of marketing and of course new communication ways. A MUST!