| There should be a better way to deepen
the interaction of Mexican travel using Web
2.0 channels including Facebook, Flickr, Google Earth, Twitter
and Youtube. Our proposal: develop an array of partnerships with
friends in and outside of Mexico that connect locals
and visitors.
What would we like to see? For more than a decade we have been asking
locals and visitors what is on their map of Mexico: what they want
to show off, where they want to go and how they want to connect.
Planeta.com's award-winning Mexico
coverage is the result of this dialogue. We would like to take
this to the next phase by co-creating relevant materials, be they
actual take-away maps or innovative mash-ups using Google Earth
and smartphones.
Much of this work will start off on the Planeta
Wiki.
Our objective is not to duplicate existing materials. There is
a great deal of information available, but most of this is located
in 'silos' -- independent
websites and resource centers. Also, much of available information
is available only in español and often in a language that
has been used since the 1960s. Tourism cannot survive if it becomes
stale.
We would like to find a way to connect the dots and provide a multilingual
experience that benefits visitors and locals alike. Along the way
Planeta.com will be making a number of improvements to our website
and will be co-creating resources with partners.
Background
But what is most irksome in 2011 is the lack of frank and public
conversation. Earlier this year I had been invited to give a presentation
in Mazatlan but the
entire conference was cancelled. The tourism events that have
been held have been conducted without livestreaming
video and most often without a popular hashtag. Is this 2011
or 2001?
Proposal
If there is an opportunity to work with Mexico tourism pros, I
suggest a collaboratively developed campaign directed toward individual
travelers who are the most likely candidate to go off the beaten
route in search of the wonderful long
tail of Mexico tourism! We'd like to participate in lively and
helpful conversations, using online social media and face-to-face
meetings.
Let's reflect on how best to engage people seeking any of the
following
Interest in all of these topics is certain to grow in the coming
years. The question is how to engage locals
and visitors in ways that create win-win situations for all.
Let's consider how to raise the capacity and web-savvyness of
local artisans, mom and pop tour operators, restaurant owners and
others catering to tourism. These are the businesses that need to
learn sooner rather than later how to 'claim their place' on Google
and Foursquare.
How to participate
Slideshare: Please comment, favorite, tweet or
facebook the presentations Mexico
2.0 and Mexico
Now.
Platinum Partners
Partners will be asked to assist in editing features on the Planeta
Wiki and suggest changes to the Planeta.com website.
Partners will be asked to host local events, including photo safaris
and green drinks.
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