When it comes to online hotel reviews, do you believe everything you read?
I’m asking for two reasons. TripAdvisor, which dominates hotel reviews, just announced it has started offering a way to review airlines. (That ought to be interesting.)
Also, I’m working with a TV news program that is investigating hotel reviews. If you work for a hotel, or have ever worked for a hotel, and have engaged in “reputation management” designed to influence the reviews your property receives, please contact me directly by Monday afternoon. I’ll pass your name along to the appropriate people.
Now, to this week’s question. I’d like your comments on how these hotel reviews affect your travel purchasing decision. Do you take them seriously, or pay them no heed? Has the way you’ve used these hotel reviews changed in the last five years, and if so, how?
As always, please send me your full name, city and email address. Your comments may appear in a future post.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
