How to improve your popularity ranking on TripAdvisor

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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.

• Quantity: Ask your guests to write reviews, and use our management center tools to remind them after they check out.  Offering incentives for reviews is against the rules, though – take a look at our policy to make sure you understand what is and isn’t okay.
• Quality: Guests who enjoyed first class hospitality and a memorable experience are more likely to write positive reviews. Monitor what previous reviewers have written to see what worked and did not work best for your property so you can maintain and improve your service.
• Recency: Recent reviews factor more strongly on your popularity rankings and older reviews have less impact on a hotel’s ranking over time. Once again, encourage guests to write reviews to keep fresh content rolling in.

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.

Hoteliers share their top tips for promoting a TripAdvisor award

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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.

Hoteliers Share the Secrets to their Success with TripAdvisor

The owners and managers of four Caribbean properties recently sat down to tell us how they use TripAdvisor as a tool for their business – from marketing their accommodations to staying current with the needs of guests. Representatives from each weighed in on making TripAdvisor reviews work for them, sharing customer feedback with staff, and the role of TripAdvisor Business Listings. All very popular with travelers, these establishments were also the recipients of 2012 Travelers’ Choice Awards. In the following video, hear from the management of these four properties – Hermitage Bay, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, East Winds Inn, and The Cove Atlantis – and gain insight into their success.

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Travelers are taking off more in 2012…and they’re bringing their smartphones

TripAdvisor today released the results of its annual Travel Trends survey of U.S. travelers, and surfaced some good news in the process: travelers are on the move this year! Nearly a third of the more than 2,700 travelers surveyed said they plan to spend more money on travel this year than last.

According to the survey, travelers are also using their mobile devices more than ever as they hit the road. Forty-four percent of U.S. travelers plan to rely more heavily on their mobile phone or smartphone as a travel resource during their 2012 trips. Plus, nearly a third (31%) will be using travel apps (including TripAdvisor’s!) on their mobile device.

Congratulations to all the Travelers’ Choice Food & Wine winners

The TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice family of awards has been expanded to include food and wine destinations.

Earlier this week, 70 gastronomically outstanding destinations across the globe - including New Orleans, Florence, Bangkok, Buenos Aires and Melbourne - were recognized in the inaugural 2011 awards.

New Widget Center makes it easier than ever to bring TripAdvisor content to your site

We’re excited to announce our new Widget Center, where all the tools to bring TripAdvisor content to your site can be found in one convenient place.  Whether you want to showcase your rating and awards, display your reviews, promote your area or encourage more reviews, you’ll find the widget you need available for free in the new Center. 

Top 6 tips for pleasing families in vacation rentals

Vacation rentals are a popular accommodation option for family groups. So, to coincide with the release of the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice best family holiday awards, we went through our vacation rental reviews and put together a list of tips for owners and property managers.

Top Takeaways

• Reply to all inquiries and requests promptly. Owners who reply speedily to their emails are definitely chalking up the brownie points and will be getting plenty of repeat business!

“All emails from the owners were quick in response and provided all relevant details and information on the flat.” more

“The communication and instructions prior to our arrival were fantastic.” more

“Good communication via e-mail before we arrived with excellent and detailed instructions.” more

“They offered all the help we required, answered every mail promptly and went out of their way to accommodate our various requests.” more

• Put together a comprehensive instruction manual for your property. This should include instructions for how everything works: heating, air conditioning, kitchen equipment, plumbing, garbage disposal, recycling, location of the fuse box, and emergency numbers to call should anything go wrong.

“Very friendly service and helpful information on everything made staying here a first class experience. Would recommend it to all!” more

“The information packet provided at the apartment gives a lot of helpful tips about getting around town, as well as using the washer, dishwasher, TV, WiFi etc.”
more

• Put together a local ‘directory’ for guests with details of shops and services, restaurant recommendations, local doctors, public transport options, cab companies, etc. and encourage guests to add to it and keep it updated.

“Mrs. Kiss gave detailed instructions, including a Google map showing all possible necessities around the location.” more

“Maps/restaurant suggestions/ assistance with internet connections/grocery store directions all very much appreciated.” more

• Stock the fridge with a few basic supplies; it’s a low cost way of making guests feel welcome.

“I was welcomed with a bottle of wine, a loaf of fresh bread, a little food in the fridge, and a lovely flower.” more

“…the refrigerator stocked for our first breakfast went way beyond our expectations!” more

“The whole apartment is great and the personal touches of fresh muffins and croissants added by Peter on arrival really pushed our experience the extra mile.”
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“The flat was clean, well maintained and stocked with some basic grocery items (a nice touch)” more

• Provide a few DVDs and games for children; it’s a small detail but will be remembered.

“We travelled with our three teenage children so being able to cook, make coffee or watch movies (there are 200+ titles to choose from) made each day so much more enjoyable. We may never stay in a hotel again!” more

“Lots of Dvd’s and kids Dvd’s supplied as well as books etc.” more

“Extra details like a large collection of DVDs and plug converters made our stay just that little bit more comfortable.” more

• Keep the décor homey and relaxed; guests don’t expect their rental to be like a hotel, they want it to be like a home.

“It was lovely, cosy and warm and it really felt like ‘home away from home’.”more

“It’s beautiful. It has everything you have in your home. You feel like you’re at home, with all your belongings. Incredible!” more

“A truly lovely flat that felt like a home from home during our stay.” more

• Go the extra mile. Small things like leaving umbrellas in your property for guests’ use and providing a local cell phone for their stay make all the difference.

“…great idea to have a local mobile phone for use! “ more

“A cell phone comes with the apartment for use for local calls as well as internet.” more

“Some other nice touches: the large movie collection, the games, the grocery cart, the umbrellas, and the printer in the office (for our boarding passes).” more

Travelers’ Choice Family Award winners

TripAdvisor has released its first ever list of Travelers’ Choice family destinations and hotels. The winners have all been chosen based on the highest review ratings from those who traveled with family.

According to a recent TripAdvisor survey, 83 percent of U.S. respondents plan to travel with family in 2011. Ninety percent of that segment is planning family trips domestically. So, if you want to appeal to the family market, what services and facilities do you need to offer? We reviewed what people travelling with families are saying in their reviews to identify the most important factors; here are the resulting tips:

Photo taken by TripAdvisor member CatTan_2901

Sleeping & living
Give families space to spread out.
- Family rooms or interconnecting rooms are very popular with families.
- If parents need to book a baby cot in advance, make it clear on your website. Children are often tired and cranky after a long trip so it will be much appreciated if you can have the cot set up and ready in the room when they arrive.
- Offer families rooms on the ground floor. When traveling with small children, it is easier to avoid stairs and elevators when maneuvering prams and pushchairs!

“Rooms are beautiful, comfortable but slightly less spacious than we could have wished when travelling with children” Rickdekikkerfanclub

- Offer a fridge in the room to store milk and cool drinks for children.

“…the fridge was great for us as it meant we could have cold milk for our little one when required.” Lindylu_007

- Make extras like iPod speakers and TVs set up for games consoles available for families with older children .

“The plasma TV above the fire place had no HDMI hookup (and wasn’t HD). That meant no PS3, because we didn’t bring the A/V cables.” thomasgibbs

Eating
- Have a good selection of ‘child friendly’ food options in your restaurant.
- Provide high chairs for babies.
- Offer specials such as ‘children eat for free’ – these can be a deciding factor for parents when choosing accommodation.

“…the selection of food was perfect especially with 2 picky teenagers”
STNR

“Buffet breakfast was excellent and the kids ate free”
shroops

“The drinks we ordered for our 3 year old came free of charge too!”
vivacioussarah

Photo taken by TripAdvisor member bembudo

Playing
The exterior facilities are also very important to parents.
- If you are a resort style property, offer a kids’ club.
- If you have a pool, dedicate areas where small children can play safely.

“Pool was lovely but not ideal for children as there was no shallow area or fun slides.”
sfdgsdf

Relaxing
And of course, we can’t forget the parents themselves – it’s their vacation too!
- Provide in-house babysitting or recommend an external service to allow them to head down to the bar or restaurant and enjoy a few quiet moments while their children sleep.

“The only downside for us was there was no baby-sitting service for younger children…” thekellysDubai

“We used the babysitting service that they have to offer which was fantastic because it gave myself and my partner time to relax…” Terrie_10

And remember, it’s not just about supplying the services and facilities; it’s also about you and your staff’s attitude. Parents don’t want to feel like pariahs when they turn up with their children.

“Going away with a 13 month old is always a logistical nightmare but knowing you are going somewhere the 13 month old will be welcome is much appreciated!” ScubaFamilyLondon