Posted on February 20, 2009 by Fiona Hilliard

I blame Stephen Fry…ever since the British comedian’s witty updates about being trapped in a London lift were broadcast to the world, it’s like the media has gone utterly Twitter mad.  Or maybe that should be ‘Twitturly’ mad?  Between TwiTrips, Twestivals and Twitchhikers, you can’t move for Twits these days.

So what is Twitter and what does it mean for the travel industry?

Basically, Twitter is a free social media service that allows members to send a 140-character message or “tweet” to a site that anyone can read.  Your message will also be sent directly to those who are your “followers”.  iPhones have seen Twitter’s popularity sky-rocketing.

Twitter/ The Travel Industry:

Industry insiders say Twitter is well on the way to revolutionising the way we travel.  Just think-you’re in New York for the first time…what are the best non-touristy things to do?  Where are the ‘hidden gems’, the hipster hang-outs, the off-the beaten track places?  Well, if you’re following your favourite travel writer, you’ll know.  All the best ones are tweeting these days.
 

The print media is in on it too.  In the UK, Guardian travel correspondents have been challenging Tweeters to tip them off on where to go next.  Already Benji Lanyado has twittered his way around Paris, now Anna Pickard is asking readers to help her Twitchhike around San Francisco.

Imagine the possibilities for road trips. You’re in Tuscany.  You’re starving.  You want the most authentic Trattoria in town.  Then you think…hmmm If only I had someone feeding me useful Twitbits of information like where I should go and what I should do. Wanna get a heads-up? Happy days -The Daily Telegraph has today drawn up a list of 50 of the best travel Tweeters.  Click here for enlightenment.