Whats your opinion of travel review websites?
Mar 30th, 2011, 06:14 AM
#1
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Whats your opinion of travel review websites?
Hi there,
I am a final year studying Hospitality Management, and conducting my Honours Project on the impact that online reviews have on hotels and other businesses. I am hoping to gauge your opinion on travel review websites.
By completing this survey, you will not only help me hugely with my project, but will hopefully become more aware of the prospect of fabricated reviews.
This survey is completely anonymous and will only take 2 minutes. If there is anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to contact me.
Here is the link :- http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/renders...6viygp2i893020
Thank you so much for your time
John
[email protected]
I am a final year studying Hospitality Management, and conducting my Honours Project on the impact that online reviews have on hotels and other businesses. I am hoping to gauge your opinion on travel review websites.
By completing this survey, you will not only help me hugely with my project, but will hopefully become more aware of the prospect of fabricated reviews.
This survey is completely anonymous and will only take 2 minutes. If there is anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to contact me.
Here is the link :- http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/renders...6viygp2i893020
Thank you so much for your time
John
[email protected]
Mar 30th, 2011, 08:10 AM
#3
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Yeah, I was in the same situation until a lot of my research has stated that many hotels ( probably the ones which need it) fabricate their own hotels. It has made me more cautious, but I still believe the majority are legit.
Thanks for the reply!
Thanks for the reply!
Mar 30th, 2011, 08:26 AM
#4
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Cruise Critic got in trouble not long along because it provided the names/emails of posters who had posted glowing remarks on RCCL to RCCL (upon their request). RCCL then contacted these posters and offered goodies/incentives if they continued posting glowing remarks. Really "playing" with the line that separates legit rec versus biased. The practice was suspended and I thik RCCL got into "hot waters" (no pun intended) in the industry...
That said, Cruise Critic is owned and operated by Orbitz/CheapTickets (same owners). You can post whatever but I would not doubt if negative reviews going to both of this venues would be left posted long...
That said, Cruise Critic is owned and operated by Orbitz/CheapTickets (same owners). You can post whatever but I would not doubt if negative reviews going to both of this venues would be left posted long...
Mar 30th, 2011, 09:18 AM
#5
The biggest "issue" is actually how much, if any, credence the viewer5 places in ANY of the reviews, be they bad or good.
The same thing happens right here...a bunch of people would go to lower slobovia if a few select posters, whom they have NEVER met, probably never EEN, said to do so, "beacuse I trust you, completely"...ooooooo..make the goo goo noises now.
The same thing happens right here...a bunch of people would go to lower slobovia if a few select posters, whom they have NEVER met, probably never EEN, said to do so, "beacuse I trust you, completely"...ooooooo..make the goo goo noises now.
Mar 30th, 2011, 10:37 AM
#6
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Hey du,
In that case, I shall not tell of the latest really terrific place that I have found in Lower Slobbovia.
Think a combination of St Remy and Lyon, but with beer from Berlin and wines from Alsace.
In that case, I shall not tell of the latest really terrific place that I have found in Lower Slobbovia.
Think a combination of St Remy and Lyon, but with beer from Berlin and wines from Alsace.
Mar 31st, 2011, 03:41 AM
#8
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TripAdvisor used to be user generated
but now owned by expedia now secret owner agents forums
for profit agents are deceptively secretly being allowed to
tout as "destination experts" lots of fake/censored reviews
to scam unsuspecting newbie travelers
who have paid thousands more than needed to those agesnts
on things like Galapagos cruises.
They are about to be sued by ftc.gov for this so
they are the worst but Caveat Emptor applies on all sites.
but now owned by expedia now secret owner agents forums
for profit agents are deceptively secretly being allowed to
tout as "destination experts" lots of fake/censored reviews
to scam unsuspecting newbie travelers
who have paid thousands more than needed to those agesnts
on things like Galapagos cruises.
They are about to be sued by ftc.gov for this so
they are the worst but Caveat Emptor applies on all sites.
Mar 31st, 2011, 05:50 AM
#11
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Reading reviews on sites like Trip Advisor is like taking advice from a stranger you meet in the street. I might ask a stranger for factual information, like the way to the railway station, but I can't imagine asking a stranger which restaurant to choose. Everybody's tastes are different and one person's favourite restaurant or bar might be a place to avoid for somebody else.
Apr 2nd, 2011, 07:40 AM
#13
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Thank you all very much for replying to the initial post. It's great to get a further understanding of opinions on travel review websites as a whole, and your perceptions of credibility of some of them.
You have helped me greatly!
Many thanks,
John
You have helped me greatly!
Many thanks,
John
Apr 2nd, 2011, 08:23 AM
#14
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I don't understnad the bad press the review sites get. I well remember what it used to be like in "the old days" before they came into being, when booking a hotel or restaurant in an unknown location was a complete lottery. Sure there are some fake reviews out there but usually it's not too hard to spot them (e.g. lots of first and only reviews from posters who are wildly enthusiastic, excessive personal praise of the owner and his/her familty etc.) I just ignore these reviews.
Apr 2nd, 2011, 09:39 AM
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@ quovadis - the Destination Experts on Trip Advisor have nothing whatsoever to do with sales. Where in the world did you come up with that idea? I know several of them, and they all volunteer their time to answer questions, just like all of do here on Fodors or on Rick Steves. The only difference is that they can pretty much be trusted to give accurate advice about their specific destinations. I got such great advice for Edinburgh from the TA Destination Experts, info like exactly which bus to take, how exactly to walk to my B&B, information about the neighborhood I was staying in, and good tips about restaurants.
The Destination Experts are the ones turning in the fake reviews, notifying TA about shills, scams and advertising in the forums. So, they are actually doing the opposite of what you are claiming.
The Destination Experts are the ones turning in the fake reviews, notifying TA about shills, scams and advertising in the forums. So, they are actually doing the opposite of what you are claiming.
Apr 2nd, 2011, 11:01 AM
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I agree with Gordon_R, I use these websites and filter through the reviews that seem fake.
I also dismiss the people who complain that the staff was rude. I don't care about the staff and if they're rude, it's their problem not mine. I certainly wouldn't mention it in a review.
People need to be realistic about what they're willing to spend and what they need. I am. I insist that the bed be comfortable, the place be clean and the unit be semi well located.
If one reads these reviews with an eye towards what the reviewer was expecting, it makes it easier.
I also dismiss the people who complain that the staff was rude. I don't care about the staff and if they're rude, it's their problem not mine. I certainly wouldn't mention it in a review.
People need to be realistic about what they're willing to spend and what they need. I am. I insist that the bed be comfortable, the place be clean and the unit be semi well located.
If one reads these reviews with an eye towards what the reviewer was expecting, it makes it easier.
Apr 2nd, 2011, 11:01 AM
#17
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I agree with Gordon_R, I use these websites and filter through the reviews that seem fake.
I also dismiss the people who complain that the staff was rude. I don't care about the staff and if they're rude, it's their problem not mine. I certainly wouldn't mention it in a review.
People need to be realistic about what they're willing to spend and what they need. I am. I insist that the bed be comfortable, the place be clean and the unit be semi well located.
If one reads these reviews with an eye towards what the reviewer was expecting, it makes it easier.
I also dismiss the people who complain that the staff was rude. I don't care about the staff and if they're rude, it's their problem not mine. I certainly wouldn't mention it in a review.
People need to be realistic about what they're willing to spend and what they need. I am. I insist that the bed be comfortable, the place be clean and the unit be semi well located.
If one reads these reviews with an eye towards what the reviewer was expecting, it makes it easier.
