It would seem the votes are fairly evenly spread at present, with the 'Yes' vote slightly ahead. I'm not inclined to accept recommendations from anyone who is trying to sell me something.

I dont know why I didn't see Chris with the thumbs up post. I think fwh makes a good point. If we were getting reviews from independent TAs, I would assume that it would be very clear and I wouldn't like any of these reviews to make a difference to the score holidaymakers give so would there be a seperate section for these? I'm not saying there is not any place for them- just not to be muddled through with real holidaymaker reviews.

I would read all the reviews, which is what I do now and not care whether it came from a holidaymaker with a past experience or from a travel agent (independent or otherwise). I read them all and then read between the lines when it comes to reviews and make my own mind up from what I see there...

I find when there are complaints about a particular place there's usually a common denominator so the first thing I look at are the dates of travel (if given - not everyone does or the site doesn't request those details). I tend to find the usual British syndrome that if something went wrong they're quite happy to jump on the bandwagon and complain about it (a lot of the times, it's people from the same party all writing their own review) but the same doesn't happen with good/glowing reviews. They generally seem to come on an individual basis so in that respect, the bad will often outweigh the good.

This concerns me:

I know that HT doesn't allow reviews posted from the country of the hotel (with UK being different of course)

as an ex-pat living in Cyprus, it's not unknown that we go and stay in hotels in different areas on the island (ie Paphos, Ayia Napa etc). I'm sure I'm not the only one so why should we not be allowed to give a review? Why indeed should the UK be treated any differently?

Once you've lived in Cyprus a while you come to realise that nobody wants to drive more than 20 minutes and many people attending a function (and there are lots of them here) will often stay over at a local hotel. We have friends who go to different areas of the island every 3 months or so and stay in hotel accommodation for 2 or 3 nights at a time so these are personal reviews.

You can usually spot the "dodgy" reviews even if they're in different names etc as people don't tend to change their style of writing.

The best way would be to state that same country reviews will required to be contacted for verification prior to a post being displayed. If there is no reply forthcoming or it's unsatisfactory, then the review does not receive any visibility and stays hidden. It should make the false reviewers think twice before posting if they see either a) they may have to speak or confirm their details or b) they can write something that won't ever be made visible and so will be a complete waste of time.

I understand that reviews are not automatically visible when a review is made on HT so I don't see same country reviews as being a problem.

I have asked the same question previously as I sometimes stay in hotels in Germany, I think it was Glynis who answered saying it wouldn't be a problem if I wanted to write a review.

cyprus100 wrote:

This concerns me:

I know that HT doesn't allow reviews posted from the country of the hotel (with UK being different of course)

as an ex-pat living in Cyprus, it's not unknown that we go and stay in hotels in different areas on the island (ie Paphos, Ayia Napa etc). I'm sure I'm not the only one so why should we not be allowed to give a review? Why indeed should the UK be treated any differently?

Once you've lived in Cyprus a while you come to realise that nobody wants to drive more than 20 minutes and many people attending a function (and there are lots of them here) will often stay over at a local hotel. We have friends who go to different areas of the island every 3 months or so and stay in hotel accommodation for 2 or 3 nights at a time so these are personal reviews.

You can usually spot the "dodgy" reviews even if they're in different names etc as people don't tend to change their style of writing.

The best way would be to state that same country reviews will required to be contacted for verification prior to a post being displayed. If there is no reply forthcoming or it's unsatisfactory, then the review does not receive any visibility and stays hidden. It should make the false reviewers think twice before posting if they see either a) they may have to speak or confirm their details or b) they can write something that won't ever be made visible and so will be a complete waste of time.

I understand that reviews are not automatically visible when a review is made on HT so I don't see same country reviews as being a problem.

Having read many reviews over the years I developed a gut feeling if a review wasn't genuine ie if posted from the country where the accommodation is situated.

There were a few factors, the obvious one being they'd state they lived in London (or even Landan ) although they had, for eg a Turkish ip.

The reviewer would tend to focus on their area of work so the 'entertainment team' (especially Fred) were always brilliant.

Generally the review just didn't flow, as a true holidaymaker's would

We have let reviews through, (from the same country) that we deemed genuine, as they were a balanced view. So really you are relying on your instincts due to the amount of reviews you've read. I'm not saying it was perfect but we tried our best to remain impartial and used the tools at our disposal as best we could.

Judith wrote:

I have asked the same question previously as I sometimes stay in hotels in Germany, I think it was Glynis who answered saying it wouldn't be a problem if I wanted to write a review.

Yes it was me Judith

We are bringing in tools that will make it much easier for us to detect fraudulent reviews.

For the purposes of this thread though, the question remains, would you trust reviews from an independent agent we could quantify them, as genunie reviews and not selling 'tools'.

all the time T/O's and T/A's insist on giving false grading's to properties NO, when they start showing honesty in their broachers and advertising then i would consider it, but it would very much be suck it and see

brian

For the purposes of this thread though, the question remains, would you trust reviews from an independent agent we could quantify them, as genuine reviews and not selling 'tools'.

It is not a case of them being genuine the problem is how you can possibly separate them from marketing. Agents, independent or otherwise would be fools to post reviews that failed to compliment the product they are selling. Promoting a product or service with a positive message is what marketing about.
There is a plethora of review sites and forums from which to choose. HT has always been unique in that reviews always told things as they are and people viewing them were confident they were a true reflection of the posters holiday experience. Negative alongside the positive, and many of those who posted the reviews were willing to assist if anyone had a question. Allowing reviews from those with a financial interest in the outcome could very easily devalue the whole thing no matter the good intentions.

That would be detrimental to the name holidaytruths.

fwh

I agree again! fwh, you put it so much more eloquently than I ever could

I'm not even sure why this poll is up, considering that the frontpage of HT states that the reviews are by holidaymakers. Surely that is the whole ethos of this site? Truly independent reviews from "people just like us"? I, like others, have sent a review of a complex I stayed on here in Lanzarote. But I too, double checked with the mods, after realising I perhaps shouldn't be posting, and my review was really just to update the info already held.

Slightly off topic, but I came across a post in the restaurant thread in Lanzarote, a one post wonder (so far) just mentioning a particular restaurant, clicking on the profile there is a website shown linking the poster to the island. In the past that would have been queried very quickly by the mods I believe?

It will be interesting to see the final result when the poll closes. At present the No's are well in the lead. If it were to be made perfectly clear which reports were actually from a travel agent there wouldn't be a problem, as they could be given the degree of legitimacy they deserve, but that may impinge on the TA's desire to contribute.

The poll is up because I wanted to ask the question, I still think its an avenue worth exploring. HT has and is being left behind be the competition, despite the changes we have made, it needs to CHANGE and ADAPT to meet the demands of the users that use the internet, they expect so much more from a website these days, hence we need to match what our competitors are doing and go that step further and offer something new and different in addition.

madsue wrote:

Slightly off topic, but I came across a post in the restaurant thread in Lanzarote, a one post wonder (so far) just mentioning a particular restaurant, clicking on the profile there is a website shown linking the poster to the island. In the past that would have been queried very quickly by the mods I believe?

I am not sure what you're trying to say? HT has always (Pre us) allowed users a link to a website from their profile on the 'www' button.

fwh, you raised some valid points which I appreciate and hadn’t actually thought of myself, so thanks. Its certainly a subject with I will continue to think about.

Chris

Aslemma wrote:

If it were to be made perfectly clear which reports were actually from a travel agent there wouldn't be a problem, as they could be given the degree of legitimacy they deserve, but that may impinge on the TA's desire to contribute.

If we were to proceed, yes, we would keep agent reviews completely seperate from user reviews and make them clear as to their origin.

I have polled some travel agents too, they all expressed an interest in contributing. They (Agents) and any content that submit would be heavly moderated before being made live on the site.

In that case I personally can't see a problem. The question asked was if we would trust the reviews, not whether they should be included and I personally would not trust them. It would be up to the members to make up their own minds and I have the utmost faith in their judgement.

Well if no ones trust them, there wouldnt be any point in including them. My initial questions stands.

Chris wrote:

The poll is up because I wanted to ask the question, I still think its an avenue worth exploring. HT has and is being left behind be the competition, despite the changes we have made, it needs to CHANGE and ADAPT to meet the demands of the users that use the internet, they expect so much more from a website these days, hence we need to match what our competitors are doing and go that step further and offer something new and different in addition.

Chris

I agree completely with this, I have booked 2 hotels for my November holiday and there is ONE review of only one of the hotels I've booked , where did I get the information from in deciding to make my booking ? Well , you know the " big one " that usually gets slated on here ( not that it's a problem , everyone is entitled to their opinion) but how the hell is HT going to get more people on here and create more helpful , honest and truthful information to boost what is already on here ? Ok perhaps travel agents reviews aren't the real answer , but they might add some more information that could be helpful , and I would trust something they write just as much as the mass who post " unqualified" views on TA , with any bunch of reviews you have to decide what you judge as important and dismiss any over personal views . Just having the option of being able use somewhere other than TA might be useful .

Kath who was HT Admin on here for many years, was also a Travel Agent. She always posted reviews on HT and I would trust her opinion 100%.

Chris
I think if you are looking at ways to improve reviews, then the hotel management could be invited to reply to any reviews. Once they know HT is about, you might find that they encourage visitors to put their reviews in. It also is useful for those looking at reviews.
Of course, the second improvement is one you are going to do anyway- add photos which members upload.
Just thought- I like the suggested threads that come up under the one you have picked- any way that could happen for reviews?

Glynis HT Admin wrote:

Kath who was HT Admin on here for many years, was also a Travel Agent. She always posted reviews on HT and I would trust her opinion 100%. :tup

As would I, Glynis But of course we all "know" Kath