They’re Not All the Same
Where should you go to get reviews on hotels and resorts? Do you use TripAdvisor, Oyster, or something else? In this day and age there are so many web sites to choose from that it is becoming totally confusing. Here is a bit of advice.
#1 Make Sure the Review Is Current
If the review is more than a year old it does not carry nearly the weight of a recent review because resorts change frequently.
#2 Look for Consistency in What People are Raving About or Complaining About
Always take complaints with a grain of salt because what one person doesn’t like won’t bother another person. However, if you are seeing the same complaint over and over by multiple people, that could be a red flag. Keep in mind that complaints will always outnumber raves because people are more likely to spend their time writing a complaint than a compliment.
#3 Use the Search Bar on Your Facebook Page to See What Others Are Saying
Facebook has its own review system now and it is widely used. Even better, you might discover that you have a friend or acquaintance who has been to that location. The word of someone in your network carries much more weight than an anonymous review on a web site.
#4 Talk to Your Travel Agent
If your travel agent hasn’t sent someone there the chances are good that he knows another travel agent who has. The travel agent network is huge and works well. Use it!
Bucket List Advice
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know everything about every destination, but having reputable resources to research is priceless!
Suggested Review Sites
Oyster was acquired by TripAdvisor in October 2013. It operates independently and has an independent editorial voice. Many people like it because it lists PROS and CONS.
Tripadvisor is the leader when it comes to opinions from travelers. It has a rating and ranking system for easy access for the best a city or island has to offer. Critics, however, claim that TripAdvisor’s system can be gamed, especially by competitors.
Expedia is the world’s largest OTA (Online Travel Agency) and seems to foster a love/hate relationship with its customers. It lists its own reviews apart from TripAdvisor and Oyster.
Article by: David Anderson – Gramps Travel
gramps_travel@yahoo.com
www.facebook.com/grampstravel
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