Where is the blogging

Can't believe that so few of you so-called web savvy guys and gals are not making the most of posting a few blogs.

Really good show and some of the sessions proved really interesting. The issue here is that while people are talking about blogging al lthe time, nobody seems to be giving it a crack - WHEN IT IS FREE AND ON YOUR DOORSTEP, right here.

The business has been penny wise and pound foolish

. . . said Peter Matthews in the seminar session on "Taking your website to the next level."

True?

The sentiment was recently shared by Forrester's travel analyst Henry Harteveldt. The "'We don't have the money' excuse is . . . wearing a bit thin," he wrote. "In fact, one must question the wisdom of travel companies that chose not to invest in [online marketing and] merchandising technologies: How much more money could travel sellers have earned had they done so?"

I think they're right. When a 1/2 percent increase in online bookings can mean millions, and with abandonment rates embarassingly high, it literally doesn't pay to scrimp on technologies (and/or services such as user experience analysis and personna creation) that are very likely to improve the customer experience.

My guess is that many companies think such investements must be justified by savings in process times and the overall costs of running the site(s) -- spend (only) in order to save. The problem is that the history of the web constantly shows that the winners are those who spend in order to earn.

Web 2.0

This was an interesting session...but no mention of China?!

Which exhibition is better.....

Business Travel or Travel Technology....?

Travel Blogs session

I must say that I learnt a lot from the session about Travel Blogs, it gave me great insight and practical solutions.

Attendance

Word on the street is that the show is pretty quiet.

Is it?

Peter Matthews...

...did a great session. Outlining the good, the bad and the ugly in web design...

Where are all the posts?

Come on delegates... It's your space.

What have you heard that's good/controversial/awful?

Blogging

Is it ethical?

Tip: go to the free seminars. They are better than the one you pay for! More interesting content, better speakers!

Nice confectionery...

The best thing about this stand is the purple sweets!

Bet they're not here tomorrow.

Travolution Awards - remember to enter!

For those of you that haven't heard, Travolution will be running its inaugural awards on Tuesday 24 April 2007.

For a full list of categories and an online entry form, make you visit out dedicated awards site.

Seminars today - Tuesday 13 Feb

REMINDER: Travolution is hosting a few seminar sessions over the next two days.

Tuesday 13 Feb:

Meta search and online travel agents - Kevin Eyres (Sidestep) and Alan Josephs (Ebookers)
Room TWO @ 11.15

Web 2.0 and the future for online travel - Simon Ferguson (Travolution) and Daniel Robb (Google)
Room TWO @ 14.15

Let us know what you think of sessions by posting here on the blog.

Kevin May, editor of Travolution, is also presenting at a session on blogging (funnily enough). Room ONE @ 12.45

Enjoy...

This is a great stand and I'm so happy to be here.