Travel websites
Discussion
This thread has been prompted by Ari’s thread (Where do you search for hotels) I'm interested in how much you rely on sites such as trip advisor.
This summer, Mrs. DG3 and I spent 15 days in Vietnam, and these sites proved a good resource. However, I noticed the following
Ranking does favour expat run establishments, by nature many will seek out places they are familiar with.
These sites can make or break an establishment, business owners seemed genuinely concerned about the effect such sites can have on their ventures. At one place I was asked if I enjoyed my food, “not really” the owner became very defensive, but this was a dam good restaurant, which I ate at several times, I just didn’t like the way they cooked ribs.
For a new business it can be difficult get on the ranking table as many will just go to the top rated establishments, especially overseas, thus leaving new businesses facing an uphill struggle.
How accurate are they, a few examples, ranked 2nd in the city an expat owned Tapas restaurant, good, but by no stretch of the imagination number 2, However, bier garden type place not even on trip Advisor, outstanding Vietnamese food.
Best budget hotel ranked 1st, old décor, no lift, dimly lit basic rooms. However, the staff spoke excellent English. Following morning went for a walk, found a hotel for the same price, modern, clean, nice room and a decent pool. The staff, however, spoke limited English, I booked 5 nights, this establishment was much better on so many levels.
If anyone on here is in the hospitality business, how do you view such sites?
PH in general, how much do you rely on these sites and do you have experiences where ranking has left you disappointed or exceeded your expectations?
This summer, Mrs. DG3 and I spent 15 days in Vietnam, and these sites proved a good resource. However, I noticed the following
Ranking does favour expat run establishments, by nature many will seek out places they are familiar with.
These sites can make or break an establishment, business owners seemed genuinely concerned about the effect such sites can have on their ventures. At one place I was asked if I enjoyed my food, “not really” the owner became very defensive, but this was a dam good restaurant, which I ate at several times, I just didn’t like the way they cooked ribs.
For a new business it can be difficult get on the ranking table as many will just go to the top rated establishments, especially overseas, thus leaving new businesses facing an uphill struggle.
How accurate are they, a few examples, ranked 2nd in the city an expat owned Tapas restaurant, good, but by no stretch of the imagination number 2, However, bier garden type place not even on trip Advisor, outstanding Vietnamese food.
Best budget hotel ranked 1st, old décor, no lift, dimly lit basic rooms. However, the staff spoke excellent English. Following morning went for a walk, found a hotel for the same price, modern, clean, nice room and a decent pool. The staff, however, spoke limited English, I booked 5 nights, this establishment was much better on so many levels.
If anyone on here is in the hospitality business, how do you view such sites?
PH in general, how much do you rely on these sites and do you have experiences where ranking has left you disappointed or exceeded your expectations?
Sidekickdmr commented
“So I don’t see how trip advisor can "favour" a ex-pat run place and how this will impact me booking somewhere”
My apologies, terminology used was a bit vague.
When English speaking people are abroad in some of the more exotic locations’ they may tend to go somewhere they are more familiar with in terms of what is on offer and ease of communication. Therefore, such establishment will receive more reviews, therefore a higher rating. A start-up or local restaurant may be just as good or superior, but will remain on page whatever, because, they don’t get the exposure.
luS1fer, commented
I used to rate and review some of the places I stayed at and rate them highly. Sadly, the reward for this was that, the following year, the price had gone up and someone else had booked the apartment, based on my cracking review. It has an irony to it...
I completely agree with you, shooting oneself in the foot. Previously thought I use the resource, so should contribute, my thinking is now changing.
Thank you everyone for your contributions
“So I don’t see how trip advisor can "favour" a ex-pat run place and how this will impact me booking somewhere”
My apologies, terminology used was a bit vague.
When English speaking people are abroad in some of the more exotic locations’ they may tend to go somewhere they are more familiar with in terms of what is on offer and ease of communication. Therefore, such establishment will receive more reviews, therefore a higher rating. A start-up or local restaurant may be just as good or superior, but will remain on page whatever, because, they don’t get the exposure.
luS1fer, commented
I used to rate and review some of the places I stayed at and rate them highly. Sadly, the reward for this was that, the following year, the price had gone up and someone else had booked the apartment, based on my cracking review. It has an irony to it...
I completely agree with you, shooting oneself in the foot. Previously thought I use the resource, so should contribute, my thinking is now changing.
Thank you everyone for your contributions
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff