May 30
TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence Awards have created quite a buzz on the web and social networks! Thanks to all winners who have shared the news on sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, their business’ blogs and news wires!
Here’s a sample of just a few of the ways people have shared the news:
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TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index is based on traveler feedback and reflects how your property ranks compared to your competitors. If you’re a business owner, it’s important to know what factors impact your popularity ranking. One of the questions we often receive is whether management responses are part of the equation.
The Popularity Index is primarily based on three key components: quantity, quality and recency of reviews written about the property. Management responses are not factored into popularity rankings.
However, research shows that when an owner responds promptly and professionally to a review, addressing any specific complaints as well as the positive comments, it can make a big impact on prospective customers. Our surveys show that 78% of travelers say that a management response to a good review makes them think highly of the hotel and when considering two comparable properties, 68% would choose the property with management responses.1 So while responding to reviews doesn’t impact your ranking, it does make a strong impression on travelers when it comes time to book.
Find out about some of the best practices in responding to traveler reviews here.
For more information about TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index, check out the Pop Index Overview and read our previous post on “How to improve your popularity ranking on TripAdvisor.”
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¹ “TripAdvisor Custom Online Survey 2010”, conducted by Forrester Consulting, commissioned by TripAdvisor
What is the popularity index ranking on TripAdvisor, where does it come from, and how does it influence travelers during the decision-making process? Discover the answer to the most common questions we receive from properties around the globe Thursday at 2 p.m. EST.
In this presentation, we’ll discuss:
Have any specific questions about your popularity ranking? There will be a 15-minute Q&A after the 35-minute presentation.
Click here to register for the “Popularity Explained” webinar.
From March 2011 to 2012, U.K. accommodations saw a substantial increase in page views on TripAdvisor, as well as growth in consumer and hotelier engagement.
In March, accommodations in the United Kingdom were viewed almost 66% more when compared to the same time last year.
53% of U.K. accommodations on TripAdvisor have been reviewed in the last 90 days.
87% of U.K. accommodations reviewed on TripAdvisor have a rating of 3.5 or higher (out of 5).
55% of U.K. accommodations listed on TripAdvisor now have at least one registered owner, with a 28% year-over-year increase in registrations.
To see U.S.-specific stats, go here.
Source: TripAdvisor internal data, March 2012
We’re pleased to report that both U.S. consumers and hoteliers are even more engaged on TripAdvisor so far this year compared to last, with both property page views and number of registered owners on the rise.
Almost 80% of U.S. accommodations reviewed on TripAdvisor have a rating of 3.5 or higher (out of 5).
In March, accommodations in the United States were viewed 110% more when compared to the same time last year.
Over half of U.S. accommodations on TripAdvisor have been reviewed in the last 90 days.
Almost 55% of U.S. accommodations listed on TripAdvisor now have at least one registered owner, with an 18.8% year-over-year increase in registrations.
To see U.K.-specific stats, click here.
Source: TripAdvisor internal data, March 2012
Apr 23
The TripAdvisor Popularity Index is based on traveler feedback and reflects how a property ranks compared to competitors within a geographic area. The closer you are to the top of the list, the more likely it is that travelers will see your listing when they search for properties in the area. In addition, research shows that travelers are drawn to places that are highly praised by other travelers.
Our popularity ranking algorithm is based on three key components: quantity, quality and recency of reviews written about the property.
All reviews must be authentic opinions of real travelers. We take content integrity very seriously and screen every review. If you are caught breaking our guidelines, it can take a big hit on your popularity ranking. Please review the guidelines to learn more.
The key to building a successful business and a higher popularity ranking is stellar hospitality and paying attention to your customers needs. Encourage customers to write reviews, learn from them and watch your hard work pay off.
If your business is listed on TripAdvisor, it is important for you to understand our incentives policy. While we encourage you to ask guests to write reviews, giving out incentives in exchange for reviews is against TripAdvisor’s policy.
Incentives are rewards or preferential treatment given in exchange for reviews. This can be in the form of drawings, raffles, discounts, special treatment (i.e. upgrades, coupons, free amenities, gifts), etc. We strictly prohibit incentives because they can impact the legitimacy of reviews; guests who receive incentives may be more likely to write reviews that don’t match their true experience.
TripAdvisor penalizes properties that offer incentives. All reviews in question are removed and further penalties, which range from a warning to a red badge on your property page, are given out on a case-by-case basis.
There are many acceptable ways to encourage reviews. To begin simply ask! Showing that you appreciate your guests’ feedback can go a long way.
For on and off-line tools to help remind guests, look no further than the Management Center. You can add widgets to your website or Facebook page, hand out reminder cards and much more!
Log in to your Management Center to access all of these helpful tools, and to contact TripAdvisor if you have any questions regarding incentives.
To read more about our incentives policy, see this guide.
Chosen based on the candid feedback of millions of TripAdvisor travelers, our 2012 Travelers’ Choice award winning-hotels were recognized in a number of categories, from most luxurious to best B&Bs and Inns. We recently chatted with some of the newly-awarded hotels to find out how they celebrate their win and attract guests in the process. In the video above, discover the top six ways to promote your Travelers’ Choice award – straight from the winning hoteliers themselves. If you’ve won a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, or any other industry award, these tips will give you some great ideas to spotlight those accolades, as well!
Also see our Tip Sheet for more details on promoting your award.
The world’s largest hotel company is now teaming up with the world’s largest travel site: TripAdvisor is pleased to announce a new partnership with Wyndham Hotel Group. Thanks to this agreement, TripAdvisor ratings, reviews and opinions will now be displayed on the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program site, making the process of choosing the right hotel easier for Wyndham guests. Within the year, the company plans to expand this agreement to include TripAdvisor content for 11 of its brands. A growing number of travel companies are looking to integrate user-generated content into their business using TripAdvisor. About 400 companies to date have entered into similar agreements in order to feature TripAdvisor content themselves, from hotel chains and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) to airlines and online travel agencies.
To find out more, see the full press release.
We’ve seen more and more evidence that hotels are starting to pay attention to the mobile lifestyle of today’s travelers. And now one brand is taking new leaps into the digital world, with innovations aimed at making it easier to choose and book a hotel room. The first brand to ever do so, La Quinta now allows you to hold a hotel room reservation via your smartphone…using only your telephone number. No other identifying information is initially required. The room will hold for up to four hours, during which period – whenever you choose – you can enter credit card information to confirm your stay.
The new mobile site also integrates TripAdvisor reviews for its hotels, letting travelers browse comments and ratings before booking. This makes La Quinta the first hotel brand to ever add TripAdvisor reviews directly to its mobile site. According to USA Today, these features will also be added to La Quinta’s regular website in the next few months.
La Quinta introduces this “Instant Hold” technology and other new mobile features here:
We’ll be watching for what other on-the-go travel innovations emerge this year for savvy travelers.
