We asked some of the team here at 80 DAYS for their thoughts on inspirational websites for travel businesses. The answers we got were all completely different… and say a lot about the people who chose them.
Google Maps
Google Maps is probably my most-used website when it comes to travel planning. From using local search to find and compare hotels in my chosen destination, to planning my journey from the airport, and finding places to eat near my hotel. As a consummate over-planner I often also save my own Google map which plots the attractions, restaurants etc I'm looking to visit which is super handy!
Lynne Sadler, Head of Account Management
TripAdvisor ... For Customer Engagement
TripAdvisor first set up stall in February 2000 as an online community of travellers reviewing hotels, destinations, and attractions around the world. The site has since expanded into other areas, but reviews remain at the core of what their website offers.
Chris McGuire, 80 DAYS’ Managing Partner says…
“I always check out Tripadvisor reviews when I am booking my travels, more so to see how the hotel is responding than the actual review themselves.
It’s one of the few places online where you can genuinely see how hotel staff engage with their guests, whether they’ve had a good or bad experience. A scathing negative review can sometimes be turned around into a really positive story of customer engagement; something to be embraced and leveraged, rather than ignored or only done out of necessity.”
Photography
Personally, photography is one of the most immediate ways I’ll feel inspired to travel. Instagram is a key resource for me when in the early stages of planning travel. I follow a number of travel related accounts that inspire destinations, specific hotels and things to do. Chic Retreats is a personal favourite with a wide range of destinations and hotel types. Their website even has an ‘Inspiration’ section which is organised by some somewhat unique criteria including eco hotels, wellbeing, art hotels and interior design hotels.
Design Hotels is another go-to resource as they have a strong culture element to their site. They’re much bigger on telling the full story of a hotel. Appreciating the architecture, themes, lighting and textures, and the overall mood a hotel evokes – its these sort of details that inspire me to add their hotels to my ever growing wish list of destinations!
What can I say, aesthetic really works to inspire travel and sell experiences, especially when you’re in need of a holiday!