Social media's sphere of influence extends to travel.

People who like to send a parcel delivery home from their travels could well be using social networking sites to decide on the best courier services.

"Travellers like to have a personal recommendation, and they sometimes trust a comment on a social network from a stranger more than an advertisement," explained Carmel Dennis, project manager at New Media Trend Watch.

She went on to say that the rise of smartphones had made it much easier for travellers to engage with social media while abroad and in out of the way places.

Social networking can be addictive, cautioned Ms Dennis, and with smartphones the temptation to constantly check sites "can be overwhelming".

She added: "But for some people their smart phone is their work phone and a holiday means turning it off!"

Her comments follow the release of a survey from Sheraton Hotels that found 60 per cent of travellers use social media to stay in touch while away from home.

Posted by Tom Sands 

Article Added: 25/11/2010 15:44:43