Adam Rumanek’s Post

As part of marketing industry, we take pride in staying ahead of trends and keeping ourselves informed about the latest updates and promising predictions. While diving into research for our 2025 Influencer Marketing Trends, one topic stood out as both incredibly trendy and undeniably controversial: AI influencers. As you may know, we've been closely following this phenomenon, examining all the projections and debates surrounding it. After publishing our own article, "AI Influencer: How Virtual Personalities are Shaping the Future of Marketing," we were thrilled to be approached by The Washington Post to contribute with our thoughts to their thought-provoking piece, "AI Travel Influencers Are Here. Human Travelers Hate It," which explores AI influencers' impact on the travel industry. For us, here’s the thing: while AI influencers are fascinating, we don’t see them as a threat to human creators. These virtual personalities serve a specific purpose, and their audiences approach them with that understanding. Real creators, however, bring an irreplaceable human touch—their lives, layers, and stories are what make them so easy to connect with. It’s that authenticity that no code or algorithm can replicate. Sure, some may argue that real influencers receive compensation for promotions. But consider this: 1️⃣ Transparency Rules: With growing legal regulations, influencer disclosures are becoming clearer, ensuring audiences know when content is paid. 2️⃣ Authenticity First: Real creators know their value lies in their connection to their audience. They’re not willing to jeopardize that trust—or the organic feel of their content—just for a quick payday. We’re excited to share both articles with you: 👉 Our Article: https://hubs.ly/Q02ZHgwB0 👉 The Washington Post Article: https://hubs.ly/Q02ZH9jl0 What do you think? Can AI influencers compete with the authenticity of human creators, or are they just filling a niche? #InfluencerMarketing #AIInfluencers #2025Trends #HumanConnection #AuthenticityMatters

Will AI chatbots reshape the future of influencers? Fascinating look into the possible future. For small to medium businesses with a modest marketing budget, I could see real potential here.

AI image generators like Dall-E and Midjourney have made it easier than ever to create lifelike renderings of people, places and things. Over the past two years, users began churning out Facebook clickbait, glossy headshots and political deepfakes. Brands, tourism boards and tech-savvy opportunists followed, making synthetic travel influencers who share travel tips, selfies, cliché musings and risqué bikini shots. Some look like beautiful video game characters. Others are hyperrealistic and human-passing, unmasked only by the mention of “AI influencer” in their profile or the occasional #aitravelinfluencer hashtag.

📸 Spotlighting Top Travel Influencers for 2024! Are you looking for fresh inspiration for your next campaign? The Drum's latest article reveals top travel influencers making waves on Instagram and TikTok. Our Director of Talent Partnerships, Sofia Mogliazzi, is a fan of Hand Luggage Only. 🛫 Curious to see who else made the list? Is there anyone you think is missing? 🤔 https://lnkd.in/erjj6nDw #InfluencerMarketing #TravelInfluencers #SocialMedia #DigitalMarketing #MarketingTrends

Which Travel Influencers Are Marketers Following in 2024? ✈ Curious about which Instagram and TikTok creators are catching the eye of industry marketers? Check out this article from The Drum, naming their must-follow travel influencers. Despite concerns about over-tourism, significant marketing budgets are flowing toward influencers specialising in tourism and local experiences. Our very own Rebecca Thomas, Client Services Director at THE FIFTH, shared her insight: “When it comes to travel, I’m pretty typical in how I use social media. Instead of following just one influencer, I turn to TikTok’s search function. During a recent trip to Greece, I got all my recommendations from TikTok...” Read the full article, including a little more insight from Rebecca, as well as other industry experts to discover more about the influencers shaping the future of travel marketing: https://lnkd.in/erjj6nDw #TravelInfluencers #Marketing2024 #TravelMarketing #TheDrum #TikTokCreators #InstagramInfluencers #Tourism #TravelIndustry #InfluencerMarketing #LocalExperiences #TravelTrends #SocialMediaMarketing #DigitalMarketing

Is the traditional travel guide dead? In a world where everyday influencers are shaping our travel choices, it’s time we acknowledge a new era in travel inspiration. But can content creators truly balance passion with profit while maintaining authenticity? 1️⃣ Influence is Everything:*Did you know that 62% of travelers trust recommendations from non-celebrity creators? That’s a huge deal! As travel shifts from glossy magazines to the hands of everyday content creators, we need to ask ourselves: Are we still relying on old-school travel guides when real experiences are so easily accessible online? 2️⃣ Genuine Engagement Matters: Creators like Mimi Miaco have shown us the power of authentic connections. Her role isn’t just to sell a destination; she becomes a travel companion by providing informed insights. What’s stopping you from engaging with your own audience and becoming a trusted voice in your niche? 3️⃣ AI: Your New Best Friend: Creators are looking towards AI to break down language barriers and reach a wider audience. Why not leverage these tools for yourself? Whether you’re a creator or just someone trying to navigate this digital world, **embracing technology can lead to growth.** This shift in travel content challenges the old norms, pushing us to rethink how we book and experience travel. *Are we simplifying our travel decisions or adding unnecessary layers of complexity by sticking to traditional sources?* As your virtual assistant and social media manager, I can help you navigate this evolving landscape. From supporting your content creation to managing audience engagement, let’s craft a strategy that resonates. Ready to enhance your travel influence? Shoot me a DM, and let’s talk! ✈️✨

What can travel influencers teach marketers in 2024? “…Their expertise in visual storytelling offers valuable lessons for marketers, demonstrating how captivating visuals are essential for grabbing and retaining attention. By taking viewers on a journey rather than presenting straightforward, branded ads they create a more emotional connection and a more relatable, humanized experience for viewers.” https://lnkd.in/e_rtxvrQ

Why Reviewing Niche Travel Products Isn’t Just Another New Travel Content Idea Reviewing niche travel products is more than just fresh content—it’s a way for influencers to stand out by offering unique insights that truly solve traveler pain points. It shows a deep understanding of specialized travel needs, positioning influencers as trusted experts in their field. By promoting thoughtful, niche travel products, influencers can create meaningful connections with their audience while supporting ethical and impactful travel choices. https://lnkd.in/dbqWMvzq

An interesting callout to the power and resulting responsibilities that come with social media use. Does your company have ethical guidelines and policies in place for your social media account? If you partner with influencers, how do you work together to ensure these responsibilities are met? 🌱 #socialmedia #influencermarketing #sustainability https://lnkd.in/ePbaDPFJ

There is nothing like a good daydream scroll, imagining yourself in the scene of your favourite influencer as they explore the world. We can all thank travel influencers for fueling our wanderlust and sharing exciting destinations we may have never even considered booking a trip to. So, how does one land the illustrious job of being a travel influencer? Well, there’s a lot more to it than simply posting online. Like most organizations, travel and destination brands are seeking creators that align with their brand, have an engaged audience and showcase authenticity through their content. Storytelling needs to lead the charge for content creation with any brand. Destination marketing organizations and travel brands want creator content that takes their audience on a full journey, showcasing their key tourism drivers through creative, visual storytelling. Our top tips to make it big as a travel influencer: ✈️Dial in on the aspects of travel you really love! If hiking and mountains are your jam, focus on those core concepts in your content. ✈️Pursue destination partnerships that align with those core passions. ✈️Start with smaller, even local, destinations to build relationships and establish your portfolio. ✈️Create a kick-ass PR/Media Kit to bring forward when you are ready to approach the big players! There is no better way to wanderlust than through the lens of story-driven creator content! Take these tips and run with it! Want more tips on how to become a top travel influencer? It’s on the blog! https://loom.ly/y-Q8jSU