One in eight claim Facebook photos inspire them to book a destination

Influence of Facebook and the web social graph kicking in, as a survey finds pictures posted on the social network are having a direct impact of purchasing behaviour.

The study of 3,000 Brits by Teletext Holidays (not Facebook, incidentally) found 13% had gone on to book a trip at the same or similar destination after seeing images posted by their “friends” on the omnipresent service.

The finding was part of a wider look at influential factors when people research and book a trip, with 27% claiming they go on to book somewhere after learning about a particular destination or product.

Travellers clearly can’t escape the lure of Facebook – half claim they post pictures of a trip on their profile pages and quarter updating their status update with details about the trip while away.

Teletext Holidays marketing director Mark Bloxham says:

“Social networking sites make it easier than ever to gloat about where you’ve been or where you are going.

“More people are updating their status from their sunlounger or posting photos of themselves at the airport, on the beach or next to a world famous landmark, so it’s not surprising that anyone reading it wants some of the excitement for themselves.”

Unfortunately not all travellers are completely honest when they get home – with 10% admitting to stretching the truth about how fun they had on a trip when talking colleagues or friends on their return.