Glasgow – A SCOTS hotelier has been artificially boosting his establishment’s ratings by making up reviews and posting them online, it emerged last night.
David Bremner, owner of the Drumnadrochit Hotel by the banks of Loch Ness, was reported to have admitted writing glowing accounts from non-existent guests on the TripAdvisor website for travel information.
Bremner wrote: “My parents stayed many years ago and said what a lovely spot this place was. They were so right!”
Another fake recommendation stated: “Well done to the staff, who were really charming … The food is outstanding … Believe me you’ll love it.”
Bremner was reported to have admitted the ploy but was apparently unrepentant. He is reported to have said: “Maybe I shouldn’t have done it. But I don’t think it’s that big a deal.”
However, Bremner’s motive for posting the reviews could be explained by genuine assessments of his establishment, which included complaints of high prices and shabby rooms.
TripAdvisor.com has more than 20 million visitors a month and, while people must register before posting reviews, only site moderators are there to catch self-aggrandising postings.
Source: www.scotsman.com
Blogger Muzi Mohale
I’m Muzi Mohale, based in Roodepoort (South Africa). Blogger with www.travelwires.com. Love Travelwires.com since I get to travel our beautiful country through blogging and get first hand tourism experience.
I know for a fact that Trip Advisor does not verify the validity of reviews on their website, this is what they wrote me when I complained about a fake review few years back:
“We determined that the review does meet our review criteria and will remain posted on the site. Since reviews are posted by our members on our open forum, and we do not verify the information posted in them, we are unable to provide you with proof that this member ‘reserved, stayed or actually visited ideal hotel’.”
here is a summery of that incident:
http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-are-not-crooks/
Regards,
Nawar
ex-hotel manager
I know for a fact that Trip Advisor does not verify the validity of reviews on their website, this is what they wrote me when I complained about a fake review few years back:
“We determined that the review does meet our review criteria and will remain posted on the site. Since reviews are posted by our members on our open forum, and we do not verify the information posted in them, we are unable to provide you with proof that this member ‘reserved, stayed or actually visited ideal hotel’.”
here is a summery of that incident:
http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-are-not-crooks/
Regards,
Nawar
ex-hotel manager