I’m Reading – Hotels – Be Wary of Web Bravado

Doug Offen — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:10:23 +0000

I have been using the web for research since it first became available to me as a school teacher 20 plus years ago. Over the years the percentage of hype, boldness of claims and “bald-faced” lies have increased dramatically. Not just in the travel industry but right across the board, it is reader be aware and reader be wary. What is read or heard on the web must be taken with a grain of salt.

Truth and shades of truth are hard to police, hard to perceive, hard to understand and easy to believe.

The old adage if it’s too good to be true, it probably is fits much of the web hyperbole.

This ongoing manipulation of hotel revues has been debated for months now. I use SiteAdvisor, but with caution.

Does TripAdvisor hotel manipulation scandal render the site completely useless?

How do I boost my TripAdvisor rating?

That’s the most common question I get from hotel executives. And even though I try to persuade them it’s the wrong question — that there’s no proven link between a good review and bookings — they insist that their TripAdvisor reviews are the be-all and end-all.

Does TripAdvisor hotel manipulation scandal render the site completely useless?

Having covered the site since the very start, I think I’m uniquely qualified to answer that question. And my answer is: maybe.

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I’m Reading – Hotels – Be Wary of Web Bravado

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