Smoasting: the latest travel trend

Smoasting: the latest travel trend
By admin


Do you choose a holiday destination based on its “smoast” potential? Do you consider the level of envy your friends will experience when looking at your latest holiday snaps on Facebook?

If you answered yes to the above, you are part of the latest travel trend – smoasting. And even if you answered with an indignant no, this is a trend worth knowing about. An amalgam of social media and boasting, tourism boards are keen to tap into its potential.

It is a trend that has seen supermodel Miranda Kerr smoasting about her holiday to Hamilton Island this year. Kerr posted a photo against the beach backdrop of Qualia resort on Twitter which went viral on social media in a marketing boon for Hamilton Island tourism.

Tourism Queensland (TQ) believes that smoasting is the modern-day equivalent of a postcard. The main player in their social media strategy is Facebook, where they rate engagement and interaction over the number of followers.

“Facebook is our most successful outlet, and we can get really targeted in our content, targeting geographical locations,” TQ digital marketing director Chris Chambers said.

According to Facebook’s report, Sharing Life’s Biggest Moments, travel adventures make up 42% of major milestones on user’s timelines. The ideal for tourism boards like TQ is that facebook followers take photos and then share them on TQ’s page.

“We are taking full advantage of this social media revolution by ensuring Tourism Queensland is on the front foot, uploading beautiful, ‘braggy’ Queensland images that people want to share,” Chambers said.

With Australians uploading 136 million photos to Facebook each month, there is a wealth of images that could spurn users to book a jealousy-induced trip.

“The potential of travellers viewing their friend’s social media activity and booking their next holiday based on that activity is high,” Chambers said.

T-Mobile in the UK has official stats on what people will and will not share on social media. The majority of respondents to the survey would only brag about their destination if it was glamorous or made them look good. This is why it’s unlikely that you will find snaps of a holiday to Whyalla, say.

But there are perils that travellers face in pursuit of a trophy photo. Three French tourists were sentenced to six months imprisonment in Sri Lanka after they staged a photo of a woman kissing a statue of Buddha on the lips and a man mimicking the pose of Buddha. Funny enough, they were caught only when they took the photos to be developed, old school style. If it had been a digital smoast, perhaps they would have escaped scrutiny. 

What do you think of smoasting?

Do you or would you partake?

Or do you think it is self-promotion on steroids?

Have your say below.

""

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/toymaster/477394816/">Zellaby</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photo pin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events

NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests

Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]

  • Tour Operators

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge celebrates 25th anniversary with new adventures

Baillie Lodges has announced that it is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge with a range of new helicopter experiences for the 2025 season. Kicking off on 22 May, the 2025 season promises five months of generously inclusive luxury adventures for guests in nature’s own playground where black bears forage shoreside, whales, […]