Technology

 Auckland is by far New Zealand's most popular destination, welcoming about 70 per cent of international arrivals. The question is: what does the rest of the world think of us? And what better place to find out than from the horse's mouth - social media.

Auckland tourism professor Simon Milne recognises this and says social media has become a new, much more powerful, word of mouth."It's a vital way for visitors to communicate with each other," he says, "and it's also a vital way for people to be able to put down their memories and discuss their thoughts after they leave a destination."

The creation of www.westernsouthland.co.nz brings the whole community together to develop the content of their web pages using open source software created by AUT University's New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI).Director of NZTRI, Professor Simon Milne, says the website is like no other. "It's a tourism marketing and development tool as well as a community building instrument for the people and businesses of the area."

Tourism 'needs to get tech savvy' - New Zealand could be attracting half a million more visitors a year by better using interactive technology like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, says an American tourism marketing expert.Philip Wolf, chief executive of PhoCusWright... [NZ Herald]

Simon Milne is the Associate Dean of Research and Director of the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute.

Tim West-Newman completed his PhD at NZTRI on the topic of Usability and User Engagement in Tourism Web Presences.

Luiz Mendes Filho is undertaking PhD study around understanding how UGC empowers online consumer behavior in booking accommodation based on experiences of international backpackers staying in YHA (Youth Hostels Association) in Auckland.

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NZTRI128.mp3

Dan Roberts from Xebidy Social Web Design talks about Social marketing and tourism businesses online.

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Dan_Roberts-NZBIC.mp3