we’re all going on a summer holiday

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Like many of you, when summer finally dawns there’s one indispensable app I invariably reach for, the world’s most trusted travel site, TripAdvisor. I love the independent nature of reviewers, the sheer objectivity of opinion, the in-depth detail of most reviews, the relevance to my own escapades and the fact it’s a positive experience for all involved – readers, reviewers, visitors, hotel owners and restauranteurs alike. A true win-win all-round. Well, it would be if that were the case, but it ain’t.

I openly admit to being the most gullible of individuals, somewhat of a marketers’ dream, and for many years I have firmly believed what I’ve read and made decisions & choices based upon the info I’ve engaged with. My, I’ve even contributed the odd one here and there in the past. But all is not well with the TripAdvisor community. Apparently it’s riddled with fakes, idiots, loons, shrills and those who’ve held a grudge against everybody & everything for far longer than has been good for them. TripAdvisor now appears to represent no more than an echo chamber for the sound of axes grinding. No sh*t, Sherlock!

To highlight it’s lack of credibility, Mr Madeupreviews commented on his local greasy spoon with “I heard about this fine restaurant from a chap at the veg section of Lidl who is kind enough to allow me to flagellate myself with a marrow once a month”. An obvious spoof titled ‘The manager ate my dawg’ is not only still up, it’s even been awarded 200 points and a gold star. It turns out Ranulph Fiennes’ The Grand Budapest Hotel really does exist, in TripAdvisor Land at least: go check it out and book yourself in for a lovely virtual vacation. Furthermore, you have to question the actual validity of a site that made an award to the Tunisian Hotel where 38 tourists were shot dead, many months after it had closed, and where Exeter’s 27th best restaurant turns out to be a McDonalds on the ring road. Even Exeter deserves better!