ShayTay

Tripster, should I consider you a "shill" for Malawi when you recommend going there? Rocco was extolling the virtues of Zambia long before he became an Africa travel planner because that's his favorite place. Was he a "shill" then, too? ANY African TP you work with will have their preferences with regard to countries to visit and places to stay, and, I daresay, their opinions will have NOTHING to do with their financial arrangements. Those TPs won't last long if they steer clients wrong. How do you ever book a trip with a TP if you automatically suspect that their recommendations are made only on the basis of their financial arrangements? You have to get to know them and that's what we've done with Rocco and the other TAs on the Board. Love 'em or hate 'em, they'll always give you their honest opinions.

I can also understand your opposition to Mugabe; I think we'd all love to see him and the ZANU-PF gone. However, with regard to traveling to Zim, there are two sides to that issue and we should be able to have this discussion without the rancor you always seem to have. "Travel Africa" magazine printed the pros and cons of travel to Zimbabwe a few issues ago. Should the editor be fired for publishing that?

It's time for Fodor's to reinstate Rocco. They should have clarified what their issues were with him before summarily knocking him off. You just don't do that to a long-time member of this community.

thit_cho

Tripster, if you, as you claim, are not in the travel business, how is it that a lodge has "told you" that a frequent poster on this forum has elected not to recommend them. No one that I know who is not in the travel business has regular exchanges with lodges.

tripster

You guys are really paranoid about anybody who disagrees with your deification of Rocco et al.
If anyone cares, I have lived and traveled widely in Africa(in fact I am about to post a report from a recent wonderful trip to Malawi and Mozambique).
I found out about the shenanigans I mention because I brought up the site and how passionate some of the people on it were.
The operators at more than one place had the same account about Rocco.
Maybe it's all part of an elaborate and multipronged scheme to take him down a notch. I have no idea.
Like I said, if you want to stay in the church of Rocco, just ignore anything I say and have a great trip!

cynstalker

Just sent the following to the editors:

Add another voice to the “reinstate Rocco” chorus. I appreciate the information that Rocco provides on the board – his enthusiasm and dedication of his time are admirable, and since he and Julian started Destiny Africa, he has always tried to be up front about his affiliation.

Cyn Stalker

panecott

I join the chorus calling for Rocco's reinstatement. The very first time I posted on this board, Rocco was the first to respond with helpful information (Closely followed by many other Fodorites). In fact, he started a special thread addressed to me to answer my questions. I didn't learn until months later that he is a TA, and only through another poster. And the same applies to the other TA's on the board.

I have never found any of the professionals on this board to be self serving. On the contrary I am constantly amazed at how generously they share their knowledge and experience. I think their contributions to the board far outweigh any potential benefit to them.

This is by far the friendliest, most intelligent, enthusiastic, lively and helpful board I have experienced. What a shame that a poster who doesn't share the board's agenda was able to cause such a stir. I really hope Fodor's reconsiders its decision.

ricksah

Sorry, I am putting this up anonmously. I think tripster is basically correcta bout Rocco and operators. If operators wont diccount Rocco he plays them down. I have no firsts hand witnesses to this only inderect speaking. Also but Rocco contributions to this forums is still very valuable and he must belong here. I just want to let you know that I don't think tripste is making all of this up. Ricky

Matt_from_England

FODORS EDITORS please take note:

LIBEL:
<b>
libel
1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), writing or broadcast through radio, television or film, an untruth about another which will do harm to that person or his/her reputation, by tending to bring the target into ridicule, hatred, scorn or contempt of others. Libel is the written or broadcast form of defamation, distinguished from slander, which is oral defamation. It is a tort (civil wrong) making the person or entity (like a newspaper, magazine or political organization) open to a lawsuit for damages by the person who can prove the statement about him/her was a lie. Publication need only be to one person, but it must be a statement which claims to be fact and is not clearly identified as an opinion. While it is sometimes said that the person making the libelous statement must have been intentional and malicious, actually it need only be obvious that the statement would do harm and is untrue. Proof of malice, however, does allow a party defamed to sue for general damages for damage to reputation, while an inadvertent libel limits the damages to actual harm (such as loss of business) called special damages. Libel per se involves statements so vicious that malice is assumed and does not require a proof of intent to get an award of general damages. </b>

(Taken from LAW.com)

And I quote from Tripter's post at 10:59 am -

<i>&quot;Rocco and others can't provide that because they only promote places they choose to promote. For example, did you know that he tries to get discounts and when operators refuse, he badmouths their camp or just keeps silent about them.&quot;

03:37 pm

&quot;There are other places out there that Rocco will never mention even though they are just as nice if not better, simply because he doesn't see eye to eye with the operator. They have told me this.&quot;</i>

This last quote then clearly states as defined by the law that poster Tripster is not just voicing an opinion but is stating it as <b>fact!</b>

Rocco quite clearly then has a legal recourse not only against the Poster &quot;Tripster&quot; but too against FODORS for publishing, or allowing to be published this libelous commentary. I would suggest that <i><b>immediate</b></i> action be taken against tripster, removing his LIBELOUS comments against Rocco and the other aforementioned posters and likewise banning him from any other future action on Fodors.com. This would then both protect the integrity of FODORS and Rocco Morrelli who should be reinstated without hesitation.

Please note that should this post be removed I have saved this entire thread to my hard drive to be used if neccesary in evidence.

I have forwarded this post to the editors and Rocco Morrelli as I feel it is in their interests for this matter to be resolved.

Matt from England

Former Police Officer - England.

ShayTay

Since Rocco isn't allowed on to defend himself, let me set Ricky and Tripster straight by quoting Rocco:

&quot;So people are accusing me of badmouthing properties who would not provide me a discount? This is absolutely insane. The ONLY time I have ever asked for a discount on a trip (and received it) was when I made a return visit to Zambia. I was scheduled to arrive on June 01st (the first day of high season) and I enquired about low season rates being extended ONE week. This enquiry was made to Star Of Africa, Kaingo and Robin Pope Safaris. I honestly don't recall what RPS response was, but SOA and Kaingo did extend me the courtesy of extending low season pricing by one week. Big deal! How often have you seen me post the IT'S MONDAY newsletter from Robin Pope Safaris on the board? Too many times to mention.

&quot;As far as seeking discounts anywhere else, I have not done so. My last two trips were booked through well known operators and I paid full rack rate which is more than I sell safaris for! (Taga Safaris took care of my September 2006 safari to Zambia and Simbambili and Africa Travel Resource booked me to Tanzania (with Sandi from Africa Serendipity doing my Zanzibar extension).&quot;

There you have it. Tripster, some properties don't like Rocco because he has always posted his opinions about them on the Board and they're not always positive. That should be his right, but now those properties won't let him book clients there, which is a petty way of doing business on their part. If all you want to see is glowing reviews of a property, buy &quot;Travel and Leisure&quot;.

Matt_from_England

What I said regarding Libel then also applies to the statement as made by ricksah at 4.33pm

<i>&quot;If operators wont diccount Rocco he plays them down. I have no firsts hand witnesses to this only inderect speaking.&quot;</i>

So that is now 2 clear offences of Libel against Rocco Morrelli perpetrated by the aforementioned posters and FODORS.com.

This has gone far beyond name calling - this is now a legal matter and for one I am witness to it.

Shame on the posters involved and FODORS for allowing this situation to develop.

Matt.

stakerk

Dear Editor (Turnstile Traffic):

Thanks for allowing Sandy and Eben to continue. They are valuable members of our community.

Again, please kindly reinstate Rocco. He is just a bit enthusiastic. He is a great resource and real nice guy.

Thanks again for hosting such a great forum.

safaridude

Whoa! Let's cool our jets here... Based on everything written here, I think all intelligent adults can make their own decisions on whether Rocco is sincere or insincere and whether those accusing Rocco are sincere or insincere. I don't think it needs to come down to a legal affair. I am for free speech, so I think Rocco should be let back in. If travel agents want to identify themselves, great... I think it's helpful. If they don't, intelligent adults on this site can sort them out. Can we move on now?

TurnstileTraffic

We appreciate the back &amp; forth dialogue regarding the role of travel agents in the forum. While a poster's suspension is a private matter between us and that poster, your feedback is certainly considered and reviewed. We have a responsibility to impose our rules as judiciously and fairly as we are able.