Cape Town Tourism’s “I ♥ Cape Town” Facebook fan page has attracted over 100 000 fans. The milestone was reached one year after the page was launched, demonstrating the power of social networking to connect people with shared interests.
“Our Facebook fan page has united people who share a love for Cape Town, as well as various groups with common interests,” says Mike Metelerkamp, e-marketing co-ordinator for Cape Town Tourism, Flow’s largest client.
“It’s been encouraging for us to see fans posting their own photographs and engaging online with each other.”
Initially, growth in fans was slow and steady. However, thanks to interest generated by the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the site drew approximately 40 000 new fans between May and July 2010.
Initially, growth in fans was slow and steady. However, thanks to interest generated by the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the site drew approximately 40 000 new fans between May and July 2010.
The increase in the number of “I ♥ Cape Town” Facebook fans reflects a general growth in visitor database numbers for Cape Town Tourism during the corresponding period.
Thanks to an integrated social networking and information sharing marketing strategy, which promotes the use of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Beenthere.tv and RSS feeds, the organisation is engaging with more lovers of Cape Town than ever before. Potential visitors to the Mother City are also being targeted via social networking.
“It is well documented that the tourism and travel playing fields are rapidly shifting online,” says Cape Town Tourism CEO Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold. “It’s the fastest, most direct way to gather information, search for the best deals, book trips and read about other people’s travel experiences on citizen journalist sites such as TripAdvisor.com.”
The “I ♥ Cape Town” Facebook page helps fans to keep up to date with the latest the latest Cape Town news, views, specials and more.