Bloggers from around the globe arrive in Belfast for 'Social Travel Summit'

by Gráinne Connolly

Bloggers from around the world have arrived in Belfast for a two-day summit focused on the future of digital travel content. 

The event called the 'Social Travel Summit' has been sponsored by 'VisitBritain', organised by travel inflencer network 'iambassador' in partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland and is taking place at The Merchant Hotel today and tomorrow. 

It'll see more than 40 bloggers from 14 countries join travel delegates to discuss innovations in digital travel marketing and hear from experts about the latest trends in the industry.

The bloggers, who have come from Europe, America and China, as well as India and Australia, will also have the chance to share their experiences of influencer travel marketing in peer-to-peer sessions. 

Emma Mead Head of Global PR at VisitBritain said: “We are really excited to be working in partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland and iambassador to bring the Social Travel Summit to Belfast.

"We know influencers can play a powerful role in promoting the UK to overseas visitors. We are looking forward to working with the bloggers and vloggers to shine the global spotlight on Belfast, as well as showcasing the huge variety of experiences that can be had across the UK.”

iambassador Chief Executive Keith Jenkins said: “We're especially proud of the programme and events we have lined up this year in Belfast for what is shaping up to be the most exciting Social Travel Summit yet!

"We're confident that Social Travel Summit Belfast will be another milestone in terms of digital and influencer marketing insights and innovative ideas.

“Delegates can look forward to a range of events that showcase the wealth of culinary and cultural delights in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

"The iambassador team is very much looking forward to the Social Travel Summit Belfast and I hope many people will follow the summit via social media using #STSBelfast.”

Tourism Northern Ireland Director of Marketing Naomi Waite said: “Tourism Northern Ireland is delighted to partner with VisitBritain to bring the world’s leading travel bloggers to Belfast.

"Northern Ireland has much to offer the international visitor, from a high standard and variety of accommodation to award-winning and unique visitor attractions and activities.

“The Social Travel Summit is a fantastic opportunity to showcase what we offer to this important group of world-class travel influencers and give them compelling reasons to promote Northern Ireland.

"To compete on a global scale, and attract more international visitors, we must bring innovative thinking to all that we do and this means embracing the power of social media and its influence on people’s decisions to travel here.”

The bloggers will also take part in educational trips across the UK to see first-hand the tourism experiences on offer.

Individual itineraries have been created with destination partners including; Bath and Bristol, Exeter, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, to promote the UK to international visitors. 

The trips will highlight the lesser-known experiences and less-explored destinations, alongside globally renowned and iconic landmarks and attractions – aligning with VisitBritain’s global campaign, I Travel For.

Social media plays an important role in VisitBritain’s campaign, based on its global research into motivations, passions and inspiration for travel including adventure, fun, relaxation, discovery, culture, food and drink and the unexpected.