Ski Area Marketing - 6 Ideas for Snazzier Ski Resort Blog Posts

By D Gregg Blanchard  |  

Over the last few years, I've been doing a fair amount of blog posting and even more blog reading. Here are 6 things I've found and noticed that your resort can blog about to drive visitors to your site over and over again, especially if you use your social media outlets (Google+, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to promote each post.

1) Stories 

Find people on Facebook/Twitter who mention your resort and let them tell their "epic" story. They'll spread it like wildfire. Stories are the best testimonial a resort could ever have. When you tell stories, use Facebook and Twitter tags alike in your promotion. This gets people the story is about to tell their friends about it, and encourages others to share their stories as well with the hope of getting their name up in lights.

2) Riding Tips 

Tips about riding, waxing boards and skis for snow conditions, etc. Give valuable information from talented people that work at the resort like ski techs, instructors, patrolmen, etc. If these are videos, you can also post them on YouTube for additional exposure and simply embed them in the blog post.

3) Resort History, How it All Happened 

We all have a soft spot for entrepreneurial success, especially when it's related to some part of our life; like our favorite ski resort. Tell the story of how your resort came to be and who played a part. Spread it out, conduct a few interviews, and you'll have some killer blog content.

4) Video / Photo Contests 

Photo and video contests are a great way to create/gather user generated content and if users get to vote they'll send their friends over and over again to the site. Don't forget to post these to Facebook and tag the photographers so that the pictures and your album show up on dozens of Facebook walls.

5) Resort Tips 

Give tips on secret stashes, when to get the best groomers, where to go if you want good tree skiing, etc. Give them reasons to come back to the resort and find the stashes you are blogging about.

6) Fun Stuff / Trivia 

Anything where the winner gets a prize. Contests like this make people want to pay attention to your blog. The prizes can be small like a free t-shirt or bigger like a free day pass. Doing this at set patterns (like weekly) and labeling the contest as such help keep people coming back as well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D_Gregg_Blanchard

Ski Resorts: Tips For Choosing The Best Resort

By Alice M Shown  |   

Aspen Ski Resorts: Tips on Finding the Right Resort

Here are a few tips to choose the right kind of Aspen ski resort, which will make your skiing experience memorable:

1.Online review: Check out the websites of the various Aspen ski resorts that you are interested in. Through their website, you can gather information on various aspects, such as location, prices, facilities, contact information, availability of ski professionals, level of base snow and current conditions. Review each resort thoroughly and compare with the other options.

2.Your skill level: It is favorable to choose a ski resort according to your skill level in skiing. For example, if you are a beginner, you might prefer a small mountain resort. Such resorts include simple trails and large areas particularly designed for beginners. Some resorts also offer lessons for beginners, which might be included in the total costs. If you are an advanced skier, look for a resort with high mountain slopes and exciting terrain to exploit your skiing skills. Most ski resorts in Aspen include trails for beginners, intermediates as well as advanced skiers.

3.Children friendly: If you are going on a holiday with your family and kids, choose a resort that is family focused. These resorts offer simplified skiing trails as well as day care programs for kids.

4.Online purchase of tickets: When you finish selecting a ski resort, find out if you can purchase tickets in advance. Since you can get discounts on advance booking, it is not only a convenient option but also a cost effective one.

5.Weekday planning: Try to avoid weekend trips if you are a beginner in skiing or are going to Aspen with your family. This will save you from the weekend crowds and you are likely to save more on the ticket prices as well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_M_Shown

7 Tips To Avoid Costly Surprises When Travelling Abroad

By Zahid Saddique  |   

1.  Try to buy your vacation travel package from a business you know.

If possible, deal with businesses that belong to professional associations such as the American Society of Travel Agents, the National Tour Association or the United States Tour Operators Association. If you're not familiar with a company, get its complete name, address and local telephone number.

2. Be cautious if the names of the seller and travel provider differ.

You may be dealing with a telemarketer who has no responsibility to you after the sale. And be wary of ads in the newspaper, on the Internet or that you receive by unsolicited fax that offer deeply discounted vacations. These "deals" often contain hidden costs or don't tell you that you may have to attend a sales presentation to qualify for the discount or the travel. Avoid buying from a firm that wants to send a courier for your payment or asks you to send your payment by overnight delivery. The business may be trying to avoid detection and charges of mail or wire fraud.

3. Verify arrangements with your travel agent before you pay.

Get the details of your vacation in writing and a copy of the cancellation and refund policies. Ask if the business has insurance and whether you should buy cancellation insurance. Get the names, addresses and telephone numbers for the lodgings, airlines and cruise ships you'll be using. Don't accept vague terms such as "major hotels" or "luxury cruise ships." Call to verify specific reservations, too.

4. Use a credit card to make your purchase.

If you don't get what you paid for, you may be able to dispute the charges with your credit card company. Some telemarketers may claim they need your account information for identification or verification. They don't. Your account number should be used only to bill you for goods and services.

5.  Be wary of prepaying for long-term arrangements.

Timeshares, campgrounds or travel clubs may offer to sell membership vacation accommodations for five years or more, or until you resell your interest. Unless you're certain you'll stay healthy, both physically and financially, and that the company selling the memberships will stay in business, prepaid vacations may not be right for you. In addition, annual membership and maintenance fees may rise. If the seller claims the fees will stay the same, beware. Beautiful properties today may be run-down in five or 10 years without sufficient maintenance. If you decide to buy a timeshare or membership in a vacation club, be aware that resales are difficult, if not impossible, because there's no secondary market. As for timeshares as investments: they rarely appreciate in value.

6. Learn the vocabulary.

"You have been specially selected to receive our SPECTACULAR LUXURY DREAM VACATION offer" doesn't mean you'll get a free vacation. It means you'll be offered an opportunity to pay for a trip that may fit your idea of luxury - or not. "Subject to availability" means you may not get the accommodations you want when you want them. "Blackout periods" are blocks of dates, usually around holidays or peak season, when no discount travel is available.

7. Watch out for "instant travel agent" offers.

Companies may offer to sell you identification that will "guarantee" you discounted rates. These companies have no control over discounts. Only suppliers of travel - cruise lines, hotel companies, car rental companies, or airlines - can decide to extend professional courtesies, and to whom.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zahid_Saddique

Six Important Tips On Hotel Etiquette

When we stay at an inn, we look for the best they have to offer. We want our rooms to be clean and comfortable, our food to be tasty and filling, and the staff to be professional. As the customer, we deserve first-class service. This is especially true when we visit a high-profile establishment.

While we come to expect a lot from the people who serve us at places of lodging, it is easy to forget that they put forth lots of effort and time into making our stay as enjoyable as possible. These people often go out of their way to accommodate us in any way they can. Showing them our appreciation can encourage them to keep up the good work, even making our stay even better. Here are six important tips on hotel etiquette that can benefit both parties.

1. Make reservations early. Everyone is familiar with experiences of trying to book a room at the last moment, and not getting one as a result. Holidays are notorious for these kinds of incidents, and the team at the inn can be struggling with unhappy customers during these times. Reserving your space in advance can help take some of the stress off the hosts, not to mention ensure that you are guaranteed a room.

2. Keep an eye on your party. If you're travelling with friends and family, make sure that everyone respects the rules of the hotel. Excessive noise and activity can disrupt other guests and hinder the staff on duty.

3. Respect your room. Damaging or mishandling furniture in your room can cause trouble for the establishment. It can result in restrictions being enforced and prices being raised down the line, which can affect your future visits. Treat everything in the room with utmost care.

4. Respect the housekeepers. These professionals usually have large sections of rooms to maintain on a tight schedule. Remember to dispose of any trash in your room using the designated receptacles. If you have any used bath towels, group them together on the bathroom floor or another designated area. Keeping a tidy area helps housekeeping aides work quickly, allowing them to see to other guests' rooms on time.

5. Be considerate of consumables. Items such as shampoo and soap may be complimentary, but it is poor form to take them when you leave. These resources cost the hotel money, and they may bill you for any items you simply take. Additionally, when you visit the complimentary breakfast area, don't take more than what you plan to eat there.

6. Use manners. A simple "please" and "thank you" can do wonders when interacting with the hotel team, making a pleasant experience for you and your hosts.

Courtesy is a two-way street when you stay at a hotel. Using these tips will not only demonstrate your appreciation for the establishment, but will also help make your stay and that of others all the more enjoyable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antoinette_Ayana

Hostels in Paris - Catering to Every Type of Traveller

Hostels attract a wide variety of people so, today, modern establishments must cater to the full range of travel styles. This is no less true for those in Paris, but while the city is known for its opulence, it still offers a range of budget experiences for many different types of traveller.

The Walker

The City of Love has long been an icon of nostalgia, with its many beautiful streets and tiny, cobbled lanes and back alleys. From the winding streets of Montmatre to the elegant boulevards of the 7th arrondissment, this is a city that reveals its true character to those who explore on foot. Famous monuments like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe aside, there is an intangible romantic quality to the sometimes calm, sometimes frenetic paths that have gathered so much history. It should come as no surprise, then, that many of those who come to stay in the hostels in Paris are keen to explore the city on foot. This type of visitor is not necessarily a backpacker; they may well have money to spend on more expensive accommodation, but are keen to immerse in a more inclusive and authentic experience of the city. The centrality and diversity of the locations of hostels in Paris, juxtaposed with the ease with which one can stroll around the city, using the central River Seine as a backbone of discovery, make it an ideal choice for this kind of traveller.

The Photographer

It seems that everyone is a photographer these days. The advent of quality lenses on mobile phone cameras and social sharing sites such as Instagram and Pinterest has seen the end of photography as a domain for the professional or a culmination of artistic sweat and tears. This has also led to the rise of the traveller who seems perpetually glued to their camera. The best hostels in Paris serve as an opportune base, allowing the keen amateur snapper to explore the many central landmarks, museums, and cultural hot spots deemed the most photogenic. What could be more iconic than the instantly recognisable silhouette of the Sacre Coeur, or the imposing facade of the Louvre? But alongside those images are the ones waiting to be captured by the eagle-eyed amateur - ones of the street market in Montegueil or far ranging vistas from the tower of Montparnasse.

The Social Butterfly

The solitude of staying in a hotel is perhaps at its most romantic in this city, and has been exemplified in many a whimsical film. Yet such romance is often better tasted in the context of fiction! For many, the key to enjoying this famous cultural melting-pot lies in mixing with other travellers and, importantly, with locals. The hostels in Paris are designed to cater to this type of traveller, let's call them the "social butterfly", with a range of common areas that encourage open communication and the opportunity to share experiences.

The Gourmand

Along with the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the romantic vision of lovers locked together by the Seine, the French capital is perhaps most renowned for its cuisine. The gourmand traveller, even those on a tight budget, will have at their disposal countless opportunities to taste, test and be tempted by the myriad places to eat in Paris. For those who choose to stay in a hostel, visiting local markets and purchasing authentic delicacies to bring back and cook for themselves is often one of the most memorable 'foodie' experiences of their stay.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_H._Cunningham

4 Tips For Choosing One Of The Best Hotels

Planning for vacation with your friends and family members, this weekend? There are a lot of wonderful places in the deep forest of deodar or a hill station that provides the ultimate comfort and pleasure to the people who visit for a small vacation. But before you are planning to visit any place, there are various points which one must consider in order to experience the tour in the best possible. Besides various points, choosing the best hotel from the various hotels can be a stressful job.

The hotels range from the reasonable to the most expensive ones. It totally depends on the size of your wallet that how much you can afford. Expensive hotels can lead to a hole in your wallet. Accommodation is one of the most important points which can influence the number of days visitors will be willing to stay at a particular place.

In order to help you in finding the best hotel, below have been discussed some of the points which must be analyzed while choosing a hotel

1. The first important point is to make a list of hotels that are available. You can surf the internet or go through various reputed travel magazines in order to gain knowledge about the list of hotels in any tourist destination. Make sure to collect the addresses and contact numbers of each of hotels in the list.
2. The next vital point is to check the location of the hotel. You can go through the map to get an idea about the neighborhoods of the various hotels. Make sure to select a hotel according to the neighborhood of your choice.
3. The next important point is to check the reviews of the hotels. You may go through the third party websites to check the comments and reviews posted by visitors on the quality of service provided by different types of hotels. If possible you may also gather the contact numbers of above visitors and to gain whether they were satisfied with the type of services provided by the various hotels.
4. Budget is also one of the most important points which must be analyzed while searching hotels. Before comparing the prices, make sure to avail information about the amenities provided by the various hotels. Some of the common amenities provided by the above hotels are swimming pool, good restaurant servicing delicious local food, gymnasium, Wi-Fi technology, etc. More the amenities, higher will be the pricing of the hotel.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Naman_R_Sanghvi

Where To Stay in Maldives - 5 Luxury Resorts

The stretches of white sand beaches, the turquoise waters, breathtaking scenery, dazzling underwater spectacles, good weather and hospitable people are just a few of the reasons why Maldives makes a good tourist destination. This cluster of coral islands promises the ultimate in fun and luxury. Further making sure you have a comfortable stay, there are a great number of international hotel chains and extravagant resorts offering bespoke facilities.

So, if you are making a trip to the Maldives and don't mind splurging a bit, here is a list of the 5 top Maldives luxury resorts where you can book yourself.

1. One & Only Rethi Rah:

One & Only Rethi Rah is the top choice; there is no other Maldives luxury resort that can give you better than this. It is grand and glamorous. It made of enormous villas done up in Asian interior décor. While a few have private pools, the others overlook the beach. There are three restaurants on the island where you can enjoy lip smacking local and foreign cuisine. There is a range of other facilities including spa treatments, art classes, water sports and yoga.

2. Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru:

A fairly new restaurant (opened in 2006), the Four Seasons has made it to the top of the charts on account of its brilliantly designed villas coupled with its great services. It is palatial. The design blends modern touches with local Maldivian village influences. Four Seasons has been touted as one of the best Maldives luxury resorts for honeymooners. There are private outdoor dining areas, private lap pools and big gardens where couples can spend some romantic time together. There's a club for kids and teens and babysitting services too just in case you are planning a family vacation.

3. Angsana Velavaru:

If you're wondering where to stay in Maldives, a place that is not as pricey as One and Only Rethi Rah and Four Seasons, Angsana Velavaru is one of the options for you. It gives you classy accommodation at a reasonable price. There are waterfront villas as well as stand-alone structures a few kilometers away from the mainland. There are five restaurants where you can wine and dine.

4. Six Senses, Laamu:

One of the three Six Senses resorts, this Maldives Luxury resort boasts of 97 villas built in the classic, rustic style. This eco-resort has all its villas made of ecologically sourced wood. Despite its rustic charm in its construction and its natural backdrop, it is staffed with a lot modern amenities such as iPod docks, Bose entertainment systems, flat screen television, air conditioners, tree top decks and all-glass bath rubs. There are yoga, meditation, gym and spa facilities too.

5. Jumeirah Dhevanafushi:

Tucked away in the South end of the Maldives, this is another Maldives luxury resort where you can set up when on a vacation. There are luxurious villas attached to private pools. You can spend the afternoons lazing around in the sun at the outdoor seating areas. Tourists can also indulge in adrenaline-pumping water sports such as diving, fishing and windsurfing. You can soothe your tensed nerves at the spa with their massage and sauna facilities.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shalini_Mittal