The Importance of Social Media in Destination Choice

Abstract

The widespread use of the internet by individuals has brought companies to carry out their marketing activities on social media. Destinations offer goods and services for their customers, just like the companies. They present different kinds of tourism products under their brands. The aim of the destinations is to satisfy their customers' needs and wants. Modern tourists want to choose the best destinations that meet their needs in a short time. This chapter aims to present and discuss conceptually the significance of social media in destination choice of tourists. Therefore, the concept of social media, the relation between social media and the tourism industry, word-of-mouth and electronic word-of-mouth are discussed. Destination choice, the positive and negative effects of electronic word-of-mouth in the tourism industry is also discussed in this chapter. Moreover, a literature review about social media and tourists' destination choice has also been provided.