tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4379719379610817315.post1579171451554219183..comments2023-04-19T22:50:11.235+01:00Comments on Plan B2B: TripAdvisor - Good or Bad?Ian McCaighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867447706592162945noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4379719379610817315.post-62216200232470649272009-09-23T12:08:28.814+01:002009-09-23T12:08:28.814+01:00If VS really want to make any positive contributio...If VS really want to make any positive contribution, they should set up properly moderated site where 'reviews' can only be left by identifiable 'reviewers' as the anonymous antagonism and cyber bullying allowed at TA is almost impossible for any individual business to counter.<br>Wake up VS and do something positive for the industry you represent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4379719379610817315.post-55589398554351383752009-08-06T11:01:50.437+01:002009-08-06T11:01:50.437+01:00The article quotes VS --"We believe the real ...The article quotes VS --<br><br>"We believe the real benefit of this will be seen in terms of increased bookings for participating accommodation. Unbiased user-generated reviews have been proven to turn lookers into bookers by using the trust consumers place on the opinions of travellers like themselves."<br><br>VS extolling the virtues of anything that is unbiased is laughable. The VS.com booking system relied on people booking accommodation that paid them the most commission. <br><br>Good luck davidandjo. Taking on VS is an absolute waste of time. These people are experts at defending their intransigent views. <br><br>Where I do disagree with you is in your comment that Jim Mather says correclty that this is a VS issue. <br><br>No it isn't. He, and his predesessors have involved themselves up to their necks in tourism when they saw political gain and then stand back at the first hint of anything controversial. Keep the lobying going and make sure JM is included along with all the other MSPs, councils etcAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4379719379610817315.post-3527552096681831542009-08-02T21:58:59.023+01:002009-08-02T21:58:59.023+01:00I was interested to see the question "TripAdv...I was interested to see the question "TripAdvisor - Good or Bad?"<br><br>There are clearly two separate, but related issues, with the whole TA phenomenon as far as Scotland is concerned.<br><br>First - TA itself as a subsidiary of EXPEDIA seems not to care in the least who writes what about whom/when and allows all sorts of unsolicited nonsense to appear under the guise of legitimate <br>"reviews".<br>Second - the ludicrous belief that this is the way forward for VS to "enhance" its national grading scheme.<br><br>The first is pretty straightforward and is relevant to everyone everywhere who uses TA - for whatever reason be it to "post" or to decide on travel arrangements. <br><br>The second is clearly Scotland specific and needs to be challenged in a BIG way. The level of incompetence shown by whoever it was at VS to go down the TA road beggars belief. There was clearly a complete lack of understanding as to the nature of TA and how it all works. There was no consultation with the industry and, as far as is known, no consideration of any alternative. What is needed, and what is well within VS's capability, is the introduction of their own on-line review system whereby genuine reviewers can identify themselves, give their stay details and only then be allowed to "post". This will generate genuine and useable feed-back to VS and supplement the current inspection based system which is also not without its flaws. <br><br>VS are now, of course, running their "pilot" scheme with selected hotels with a view to deciding whether TA is right for them or not. This is manna from heaven for those who abuse the system and who can populate their sites with all sorts of fake reviews and talk themselves up and their competitors down. These hotels are tagged (somewhat stupidly) "TripAdvisor rated" and it sits there like a genuine accolade! TA, of course, has its own unfathomable formula for "ranking" hotels and most of the time these "rankings" totally contradict the official VS gradings. It makes no sense whatsoever and, hopefully, even VS are now able to see this.<br><br>A great deal of work has been done this year on lobbying VS on the folly of their ways and we'd like to think that some progress is being made. Jim Mather has been included in the lobbying but, quite rightly, believes that this is for VS to deal with. We need to make sure that they do.....<br><br>Should anyone be interested in becoming involved and learning more then please feel free to contact myself, Dave Currie, at davidandjo@highlandcottage.co.uk. Other active "campaigners" are David Young at The Cross, Kingussie and Shirley Spears at The Three Chimneys, Skye.<br><br>Currently, Iain Herbert at the Scottish Tourism Forum has taken up the challenge and we are asking VS for information under FOI regarding details of the TA/VS contract and so on.<br><br>DAVE CURRIE.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07765490500585431258noreply@blogger.com