Firms see promotional, customer service opportunities

The travel industry is all a-twitter as travel companies begin to join Twitter, the social networking and microblogging service. Airlines, airports, hotels and other travel companies are “tweeting” in real time to promote services, advertise specials, update travel conditions and respond to individuals who have customer service issues. Among the travel companies using Twitter: JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Virgin America, British Airways, Tablet Hotels, Marriott, Carnival Cruise Lines and Crystal Cruises. Tourism officials in Chicago, Baltimore and Philadelphia also tweet, offering tips on restaurants and shopping.

Go to search.twitter.com to track conversations about a particular product or destination, or to monitor conversations about your own business and reply to user tweets.

Tweet Sheet

Tweeple: Twitter members and users

Tweeps: Twitterers who follow each other from one social or media network to another.

TweetUp: When Twitterers meet in person

TwinkedIn: Inviting friends made on Twitter to connect with you on LinkedIn (linkedin.com)