TRAVEL, SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOU by Ilaria Nardone.

Social media is so much more than a communication tool. It has gradually become a way of being, and we now use it to share our most precious moments, vacation pictures, viral videos, questions, inspirations of the day, and a great deal more.

This week we take an in-depth look at how social media relates specifically to travel – helping you to better plan a personalised holiday, discover useful tips during your vacation, and share your experiences upon your return home.

Facebook should be your first stop when planning your trip. By liking Anantara Vacation Club’s Facebook page you can plan and read about all our Club Resorts, gain exclusive access to resort promotions and dining deals at Phuket Mai Khao, as well as exploring Club Owner stories, VIP visits, flash news and much more.

Looking for vacation planning inspiration? Every Monday is your chance to check Bonus Breaks availability for the following two weeks, plus periodically we announce contests where you have the chance to win amazing prizes… so stay tuned and like our Facebook pages!

Recently named the fastest growing social site in the world (especially Asia), Instagram is the best way to make your photos look great and share them with friends and family.  Share and like your best memories with us by using the #anantaraclub hashtag with your picture and by following @AnantaraClub: we always strive to share your best pictures and memories for others to enjoy.

Twitter is a quick, bite-sized tool to give you information at a glance. By following @AnantaraClub you can keep up with interesting tweets regarding news and resort updates.  The majority of our followers use Twitter as a forum to ask us or other travellers for tips, advice and opinions about destinations – why not try it and we’ll be delighted to answer your vacation questions! Tag us during your holiday to share your own best experiences too.

Did you ever want to know the best nearby bar or restaurant during your travels, or find a great beach or sunset viewpoint on your way to our Club Resort? Foursquare is a mobile travel-friendly social media platform which will guide you to new places, provide information about activities happening around you, create a helpful where-to-go list and give cool tips about nearby bars and restaurants.

Follow Anantara Vacation Club’s Foursquare pages and lists – they’re like a personal tour guide to help you discover hidden gems during your holiday, and by checking in at Foursquare you will become a privileged member, receiving special discounts and promotions at amazing destinations such as Phuket Mai Khao.

If you love travelling, eating and planning where to go, Pinterest is the social media for you! Made from a collage of beautiful pictures, Pinterest is the platform where your inspirations take form. You can browse amazing pictures, follow pinspirational users, like images, find creative recipes, and organise all your interests on personalised boards.  One of the favourite ways to use this platform is to create a wish-list board with pictures of your dream vacation destination. Explore Anantara Vacation Club inspirational boards about enchanting Bali, amazing adventures in Queenstown, dreamy family holidays, easy and delicious recipes and much more… and start planning where to make your dreams come true!

For residents of China, the social media landscape is quite a bit different, as most of the above sites are blocked under the country’s policy of internet censorship. Weibo is an extremely popular Chinese social media platform, which combines the visual aspects of Facebook and Twitter so that you can stay in contact with friends, with a limited number of characters allowed. To keep up to date with all the news from Anantara Vacation Club, follow us on Weibo.

Now it’s your turn to take action, share and be engaged through your favourite social media. Don’t forget to like and follow Anantara Vacation Club’s social media to stay informed about special offers, reviews and news, share your best pictures with us, and let us help you plan the ultimate vacation.

A social mediaholic, Ilaria Nardone is passionate about travelling and the latest online 2.0 trends and developments.  As Anantara Vacation Club’s social media guru, you can find her surfing the net on all of the platforms mentioned above.

To view the complete Anantara Vacation Club blog series, please click here.