Social media’s evolving role in travel: More than just inspiration, it’s driving bookings

A new study by Phocuswright, a travel industry research firm, reveals that social media has evolved beyond a mere source of travel inspiration.  It’s now a powerful force driving actual bookings and influencing key decisions throughout the traveler’s journey.  The report, titled “F Is for Funnel: Social Media and the Path to Travel Purchase,” uncovers how travelers are increasingly turning to social platforms to not only dream about their next trip but also to plan and book it.

The study found that 65% of travelers who used social media for trip planning made a purchase or visitation decision based on content they encountered.  This influence spans across demographics, with younger travelers, frequent travelers, and those embarking on international trips being particularly susceptible to social media’s sway. Close to three in four international travelers made decisions based on social media content for a recent trip.

Key findings:

• Conversion is king – Nearly two-thirds of travelers under 55 who used social media for trip planning converted, making a purchase or visiting a destination based on social media content, along with 53% of over 55s.
• Beyond inspiration – Social media is used for active trip planning, with 39% of converters using social media to compare specific options and prices.
• Visual content wins – Images (55%) and short-form video (53%) are the two format types most likely to produce a conversion.
• Authenticity is key – Travelers crave genuine content that showcases real experiences, both positive and negative. User-generated content (UGC) is seen as particularly trustworthy, with an added layer of credibility embedded in content that’s self-posted without any financial stake.
• Multi-platform approach – Travelers use a variety of social media platforms for trip planning, with Facebook (69%), Instagram (68%) and YouTube (65%) leading the pack, and TikTok (47%) gaining popularity among converters.
• The long game – The path to purchase on social media can be lengthy, with 54% of converters recalling first viewing the influential content within a month of taking the actual trip, and 82% viewed it within two months of departure.

“The study’s findings highlight a massive opportunity to use social media as a marketing channel,” said Madeline List, Analyst at Phocuswright and author of the report. “Travelers – and not just the young – are actively seeking out information and making decisions based on social media content.   To remain competitive, travel companies should create a strategic social presence of interest-based content, candid collaborations, authentic UGC, smart targeting and an emphasis on priorities over avoidance.”

The Phocuswright study was conducted through an online survey of 1,064 U.S. travelers who had taken at least one leisure trip in the past six months and used social media for trip planning or sharing content.  The survey was fielded between March 29 and April 6, 2024.  In addition to the survey, Phocuswright conducted in-depth interviews with travel brands, marketing agencies, and other ancillary services in social media marketing to gain qualitative insights.

The evolving role of social media in travel and other key industry trends will be further explored at The Phocuswright Conference, taking place Nov. 13-15, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona.  The conference will bring together leading travel executives, innovators, and investors to discuss the latest developments and strategies shaping the future of the industry.