Mirroring the growth in digital media, the second annual Getaway Travel Blog Conference, held in Cape Town on 4 August, attracted a threefold increase in delegate numbers – 160 attendees, up from last year’s 50 – and necessitated a move to a bigger venue.
The conference was sponsored by Cape Town Tourism, who played host to four international travel bloggers who live the dream, travelling the world and getting paid for it. With years of experience under their belts, they had a wealth of advice to share with South Africa’s burgeoning travel blogging community.
The event highlighted the strong sense of community in the blogosphere – evidenced by the fact that the Twitter hashtag #GTBC trended in South Africa within 15 minutes and worldwide by the afternoon.
The day’s discussions focused on providing delegates with the tools to make a success of their blogging efforts and covered a gamut of social media, blogging and viral marketing topics, from tips on travel writing, idea generation and brand building to technical information and how to leverage social media channels.
Key trends to emerge included the collaborative nature of the blogosphere and the importance of understanding the latest technology and developments.
“The Getaway Travel Blog Conference has been the most exciting event as far as online travel in South Africa is concerned, in my opinion. I am absolutely blown away by the calibre and content of the speakers, the massive growth of the event and the massive coverage it generated, but most of all at being in an environment where everyone speaks the same language. I am so privileged to have been able to be a part of it. I have no idea how Getaway will make this better in 2013, but I can’t wait to be there,” said William Price, e-Tourism Global Marketing Manager and one of the speakers.
The Getaway travel blog continues to attract Africa’s best bloggers, with almost 200 contributors, she said. Anyone wanting to become a Getaway travel blogger can email sarahduff@ramsaymedia.co.za.
