Who Are the Main Influencers in Travel and Tourism?

By Anna Duncan

If you’re planning a trip or interested in the travel and tourism industry, you may be wondering who the main influencers are. These individuals and organizations have a significant impact on the industry and can help shape trends and popular destinations.

Travel Bloggers

One of the most significant influencers in travel and tourism today is the travel blogger. These individuals write about their experiences visiting different destinations around the world, often providing tips, recommendations, and insights into local culture. Many travel bloggers have a large following on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, where they share photos and videos from their trips.

Examples of Popular Travel Bloggers:

  • Nomadic Matt: A veteran in the travel blogging space with over 10 years of experience. He provides practical advice on budget travel.
  • The Blonde Abroad: A female-focused blog that covers everything from solo-travel to luxury getaways.
  • GQ Trippin: A couple-oriented blog that offers insights into exotic destinations around the globe.

Tourism Boards

Tourism boards play a crucial role in promoting specific regions or countries as tourist destinations. They often work with influencers to help spread awareness about their destination. Tourism boards may invite bloggers or social media personalities to visit their region, providing them with accommodations, meals, and experiences in exchange for coverage on their platforms.

Examples of Tourism Boards:

  • New Zealand Tourism Board: Known for its stunning natural landscapes, New Zealand’s tourism board has been successful in marketing itself as an adventure destination.
  • Tourism Australia: With its sunny beaches and diverse wildlife, Australia’s tourism board focuses heavily on the country’s natural beauty.
  • Visit Japan: Japan has become increasingly popular in recent years, and its tourism board has been successful in promoting both traditional and modern aspects of the country.

Travel Companies

Travel companies like airlines and hotels often partner with influencers to promote their services. This can include sponsored posts on social media, collaborations on content creation, or even influencer-hosted trips. These partnerships can help travel companies reach a broader audience and showcase their offerings in an authentic way.

Examples of Travel Companies:

  • Emirates Airlines: Known for its luxurious amenities, Emirates has partnered with influencers like Casey Neistat to promote its first-class experience.
  • Hilton Hotels: Hilton has worked with influencers like travel blogger Oneika Raymond to showcase its properties around the world.
  • TripAdvisor: The popular travel review site often partners with influencers to promote its platform and share user-generated content.

Celebrities

Finally, celebrities can also have a significant impact on travel and tourism trends. When celebrities visit a destination or share photos from their trips on social media, it can inspire their followers to do the same.

Examples of Celebrity Influencers:

  • Oprah Winfrey: Oprah’s recent trip to New Zealand helped boost tourism to the country, with her Instagram post about the trip receiving over 100k likes.
  • Beyonce: Beyonce’s trip to Italy last year inspired many of her fans to plan trips to the Mediterranean destination.
  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: The Rock often shares photos from his travels on social media, inspiring his followers to explore new destinations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many different influencers in the travel and tourism industry. From travel bloggers to tourism boards, travel companies, and celebrities, these individuals and organizations can help shape trends and inspire people to explore new destinations. Whether you’re planning a trip or just interested in the industry, it’s worth paying attention to these influencers and their impact on the world of travel.