TripAdvisor’s intrepid growth continues apace with independent visitor measurement stats showing that it has broken the 40 million unique monthly visitors barrier.
ComScore Media Metrix numbers for July showed the phenomenal figures, that were up 60% from the beginning of the year, along with those that reveal TripAdvisor’s registered members have risen by 5m to 20m between January this year and July.
This year has seen the travel review website launch websites in eight new markets and now 23 countries across the globe can access the site and leave their thoughts on the world’s hotels.
Said founder and chief executive officer Steve Kaufer: “We are excited that TripAdvisor continues our aggressive growth globally, to help new audiences around the world plan and experience the perfect trip.
“We have always believed that user generated content would greatly benefit the travel community and are delighted that this belief has been demonstrated with the site becoming the first in the travel arena to break the 40 million monthly user barrier.”
Despite TripAdvisor’s impressive latest stats, there are those think its style is becoming old hat.
Those behind a new review website that has been launched, www.trip-elated.com, say the negativity of TripAdvisor is unhelpful.
Trip Elated only publishes reviews of places that travellers have enjoyed visiting and claims potential high-profile legal action against TripAdvisor shows that unfiltered, user-generated reviews have outstayed their welcome.
Amanda Brown, Trip Elated’s resident hotel reviewer, said: “Travellers are tired of trawling through a constant array of conflicting information and bad experiences.
“Now, whether it’s a cheap and cheerful hostel in France, a top-notch villa in Turkey or a honeymoon paradise in Australia, Trip Elated gives travellers the thumbs up from those who have already been there and loved it.”
According to Trip Elated, the site is carefully monitored so that if any misuse is spotted, rogue reviews can be removed within seconds.
“There is no room on our site for those looking to complain, criticise or moan about their bad experiences.
“Of course we want our reviews to be objective and that includes mentioning anything that fell short of expectations. But if the accommodation was not up to scratch, then it’s probably not right for Trip Elated,” said Brown.
** What do you think of this idea? Do you think Tripadvisor’s days are numbered? Do you agree that holidaymakers prefer to only read positive reviews?
Send us your views by clicking on ADD A COMMENT below. And we don’t mind if your view is positive or negative!!
by Dinah Hatch and Bev Fearis
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