Ms Manners

Travel was and still is a vital part of my relationship with my parents and with my kids. We live for trips of any kind. Some of the best memories I have of my parents were on trips. One in particular was on a plane from Glasgow to Ibeza. I was 12 and I got my first electronic hand held game. It was back in when they first came out in 1982 so it was HUGE DEAL!!!

I still remember the exact seat I was in, what the view looked like out of the window, the people I sat beside, how excited I was to be going on the trip, all of it.

25 years from now your kids are going to have very similar memories and I don’t know about you but it gives me a huge boost when I think about it.

You are covered in goodness knows what, you are tired, you lost a bag but I think about the memories we are building and it all melts away.
We follow the number one rule of vacation. “Go with the flow”.

Keep traveling.

Calum

I used to do the same as you, Calum, and buy toys and books that the kids had never seen before. I didn’t bother wrapping them, and the kids were still so happy to see a new toy or book. Plus, you then have toys and books to play with wherever you’re going, in case they don’t have much.

I also packed little snacks (cheerios, crackers, cheese, applesauce, etc.) and drinks. Lots of variety keeps everyone happy.

Flash forward and the kids are now 10, 12, and 14 and we still bring something new (toy sor books), a variety of snacks, and my secret weapon: handheld games. I told the kids I would never get them Game Boys, but when my cousin gave each one a few years ago, I made the rule that they could only use them on a plane.

Now, my two boys sit quietly waiting for the magic moment when the announcement comes: “It is now safe to use approved electronic devices.” I literally let them play as much as they want, knowing that it will be another year before they get a chance to do so, again. I only make them stop for food, sleep, and breaks to make sure their brains haven’t totally turned to mush.

Traveling with kids can be an adventure and a challenge, but traveling to another part of the country or world give them experience that help them appreciate all different cultures.

Some other ideas:
Create a page on popular social networks where your target audience participates, i.e., facebook and post relevant happenings

Be an active participant on twitter… listen to and participate in the conversation. Its not about you or your hotel… its about the community – perhaps start a travel advice blog or integrat travel / attraction partners into how you are engaging with the community.

When engaging communities in social media, don’t just talk about yourself or your hotel… talk about happenings int he travel industry or what’s going on at local attractions, surround yourself with goodness and always add value.

Participate in other relevant blogs as a guest. Thought leadership is your ally.

Create a social media plan and strategy and educate your staff on proper behavior. Make sure everyone has a social media “job”

That’s a start… There are hundreds of other ideas… use your imagination!

Nice story you share it made me remember lots of good stuff while working at the front desk too, at the Marriott CM Cancun & on RC cruise ship, this was something else, having lines of passenger on embarkation day.

Nice blog you have, I’ll come often. I just add you to my twitter.

Have a nice day!