Abstract
Technological development at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries determined the possibilities of communication. Internet access has resulted in the rapid development of social media, bringing together users from around the world. Social media affect all aspects of human life, including leisure and tourism. The article focuses on the element of this influence, namely the selection of tourist destinations made by Generation Y. It presents the influence of social media on consumer choices in tourism and the specificity of tourist products. The main purpose of the study was to indicate the most commonly used social media in the process of selecting a tourist destination and implementing the journey by Generation Y. The analysis of research results shows the important place of social media in the life of Generation Y. They mostly trust materials shared in social media, although they are aware of it coloring reality, and sharing impressions from tourist destinations is per se the purpose of the trip. Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram are the most used social media for Generation Y. It was also important to define the purpose of activity in social media (SM). Studies have shown the emergence of goals not yet declared among young SM users. One of the main goals of a trip is to report and share travel content in social media. The survey method and the analysis of the literature and available reports were used. A diagnostic survey was conducted among Polish SM users, who are considered representatives of Generation Y. The survey was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interviews) method. The subject requires further empirical research.
Highlights
Technological development at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries opened up new opportunities for communication
It was quickly discovered that the largest invention—the Internet —provides extraordinary socialization opportunities, which resulted in the rapid development of social media), bringing together users from all over the globe
It is important that among consumers, 97% read answers to reviews, which is extremely important from the point of view of companies in the process of building credibility and trust [30]. These results indicate how the popularity and the success of tourist destinations is closely linked to their presence on the Internet [31]
Summary
Technological development at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries opened up new opportunities for communication. It was quickly discovered that the largest invention—the Internet —provides extraordinary socialization opportunities, which resulted in the rapid development of social media), bringing together users from all over the globe. The Internet has transformed into a new sphere of life in which many people try to create themselves again [1]. Web Index, digital consumers spend an average of 2 h per day on social media and messengers [2]. Social media affect all aspects of human life, including leisure and tourism. Data from the report indicate that 2.9 billion people use at least one of the company’s core products (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, or Messenger) each month [4]. It is all the more important to examine this impact on issues related to tourism and leisure. The article focuses on an element of this influence, Information 2020, 11, 396; doi:10.3390/info11080396 www.mdpi.com/journal/information
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