Tuesday, October 26, 2010

A picture is worth a thousand words

I have already questioned why Americans choose to go to resorts, however, for this post, I decided that it would be only appropriate to research how hotels and resorts advertise their services and influence potential tourists.

I discovered that videos actually have a strong influence on people because it makes the experience tangible. People can see the beauty of the country (whether that beauty is real or created for the tourist) and they can almost imagine being there.

The Hyatt has made multiple promotional videos for their hotels in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Amman, Jordan and Delhi, India. The videos feature different music which seems to capture the atmosphere of the city. The videos are also tailored to each city because they depict the sights and experience a tourist may have during their vacation.

Dubai is a fast-paced city that is becoming more popular. Tourism is the largest part of the country's revenue. It is known for the retail industry and the architecture which generates many tourists from all over the world.

Amman, Jordan is one of the most historical and cultural countries in the world.

Delhi, the capital of India, is one of the most populous cities in the world. It has one of the largest retail industries in the world which can entice many tourists.

Each city has its unique aspects which can influence travelers. The videos show each city at its finest -- there's no sign of the heat in Dubai or the slums in Delhi. The Hyatt tries to persuade people to stay at their hotel where they can create this image of perfection, which is simply false reality.

I found it interesting how ingenious the travel industry actually is because travel agencies, hotels and airlines have learned how to work together to create an idyllic getaway setting for the "overworked American". Are Americans really that easily manipulated though?


Sources:
http://www.youtube.com

2 comments:

  1. Advertising has so much power, especially in a country where technology reigns supreme. When I visited New York City last summer I spent every second I could on my feet exploring the city. I photographed the entire city through my eyes, the good and the bad. After my trip I felt I had a deeper connection with N.Y.C. because I looked for things out of the ordinary. I kept my eye open for things other people wouldn't even have noticed. This post is a perfect example of how traveling Americans should explore more than the tropical beach featured in a commercial.

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  2. Yes... the sad truth is that most tourist do not seek to culturally enhance themselves or really learn about people around the world. They want to get away from the fast pace life they live to a perfect place. But perfection is in the eye of the beholder and they choose to turn their cheek to the "ugly" parts of their ideal vacation spot. Those who realized this are making the money off of it.

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