by Jeanine Kitchel
Kay Walten of Locogringo.com has transitioned into social media consulting with her new Walten group and Explore Tourism Seminars. October 8 and 9 she’ll host the social media boot camp in the Riviera Maya-Cancun area at Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa in Puerto Morelos.
The two day seminar will discuss how social media and networking can be used effectively by travel and tourism businesses, and explore strategies for tourism marketing for Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
Walten says Mexico is in the process of winning the battle against negative press and social media and the use of social networks can assist in overcoming some of the challenges Mexico faces in the international press.
Explore Tourism Social Media Boot Camp 2011 will educate industry professionals, both large and small, on how they can create a voice for their business and work with others to promote Mexico as a destination. The seminar is designed for marketing professionals, business owners, management staff and employees in the Mexican tourism industry, resort hotels, small hotels, e-commerce site owners, tour companies and small businesses such as dive shops, restaurants, wedding planners and spas.
Walten’s success with Locogringo.com has dovetailed with her new efforts in social media.
“Since the internet evolved and social media marketing began to get popular in 2007, I naturally gravitated towards more platforms than the Locogringo forums and website,” Walten said. “In 2011 I have discovered I have valuable information and want to share it with other businesses in the area so they can easily start or continue a social media marketing strategy that is not only good for their own businesses but for the area as well.”
Walten has lived in Akumal for over 19 years. She and husband Gary founded the popular locogringo website in the mid-90s, which is the largest independently owned online booking and resource website for the area and has been written up by the New York Times and the Washington Post.
The seminar begins October 8 and 9 at 9 a.m. and finishes at 1:30 p.m. Early bird discounted tickets start at 1750 pesos plus a 57.75 peso processing fee. The event includes lunch and refreshments. For more information, contact Kay Walten at kay@kaywalten.com.