Free bathrobes. Upgrades from small hotel rooms to full apartments. Ten percent discounts on food and drink. Rebates of $10 on stays.These are just a few of the bribes that hoteliers are offering to guests who write positive Trip Advisor reviews, according an article published yesterday in the UK's the Daily Mail. Apparently the false review situation in Britain has gotten so out of hand that the Office of Fair Trading is stepping in to investigate.
I would think it's even more difficult to investigate the hundreds of fake of reviews that hotels or their marketing staffs are simply posting, without the help of actual guests--an issue not addressed in the article.
Just another reminder that user generated reviews have serious credibility issues. Remember that the next time you're looking for a place to stay or eat.
Could not agree more. I stayed at a really bad place in Canterbury, UK in May based on a TripAdvisor review. I ended up moving to the Abode which was fabulous. It should be #1. The only good news was that the hotel did not charge me for the second night.
ReplyDeleteI never consider TripAdvisor in my travel decisions. There is little, if any, critical review there. Most of the reviews I have seen tend to be fluff pieces and shills. I get more usefulness from Yelp and Ripoff Report.
ReplyDeleteI've used TripAdvisor for my local and travel choices in hotels and restaurants for a year or so and haven't been disappointed. I do take the hotel or restaurant that has few reviews with a cautious eye. Also if the reviewer posting has few other reviews on the site I am wary.
ReplyDeleteBut I like to think there is no such thing as too much research. I'll check out Yelp and Ripoff Report.
Thanks for these wonderful trip advices ! I will follow them in my next travel!!
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