New travel sale site Sniqueaway: a first look

by McLean Robbins on

The team behind TripAdvisor has joined the online flash sale market with SniqueAway, launching September 20. The sample sale site is the latest to join the the ranks of Jetsetter.com, Vacationist, Voyage Prive and auction-based site Off & Away in the market to offer limited time discounts on luxury properties around the globe for a limited members-only audience.

“We’ve watched and learned and now we’re ready to party with the players who have proven the private sale model to be a winner,” said Massimo De Nadai, general manager for Smarter Travel Media, the parent company of both TripAdvisor and SniqueAway.

The site will offer both four and five-star properties like The Greenbrier in West Virginia and The Crane in Barbados on its inaugural lineup. To qualify, resorts must have a minimum four star rating, with limited exceptions for small and very new properties that have not yet developed a following on TripAdvisor.com.

Like other sale sites, SniqueAway will utilize both its existing member base within TripAdvisor and the “refer a friend” functionality to promote the site, which promises a $25 credit to the referrer when a new member purchases their first trip.

On SniqueAway, TripAdvisor hotel reviews are shown alongside limited-time, members-only offers, providing trusted traveler opinions of the hotels, making it easy to book a room before they sell out.

To gain early access to the site, use the link www.sniqueaway.com/invite/gadlingdotcom to secure membership and stay tuned for a full comparison review in the coming weeks.

Hundreds of hotels plan potential lawsuit against TripAdvisor

by Melanie Nayer on

Seems the TripAdvisor “reviews” are rubbing some hoteliers the wrong way. According to Tnooz.com, more than 300 hotels from the UK and United States have expressed interest in pursuing legal action against TripAdvisor, accusing the user-generated review site of defamation.

The planned pursuit is being organized by KwikChex, a UK-based company specializing in online reputation management, and reports say the hotels have already paid the £35 preliminary fee to join the action against TripAdvisor.

KwikChex is gathering hoteliers’ grievances against TripAdvisor and investigating them. Among the complaints against TripAdvisor, as spelled out in an open letter from KwikChex:
  • “TripAdvisor claims that they are not responsible for user generated content – but claims ownership of all posts.”
  • “TripAdvisor has singled out businesses and directly advised consumers not to trust them – even when the majority of their own posters recommend these businesses.”
  • “TripAdvisor overstates the level of trust that can be placed in an individual review on their site. They are thus directly seeking to influence consumer opinion.” “TripAdvisor has failed to take appropriate action when offered evidence of falsehoods – thus removing their blanket disclaimer defense.”
KwikChex is currently investigating the possibility of filing dual lawsuits in the UK and United States against TripAdvisor.

Readers, We want your thoughts! Are these lawsuits justifiable? Do you think the user-generated comments on TripAdvisor put hotels in a bad light? Are hotels justified in suing TripAdvisor for defamation? Share your comments below.

TripAdvisor mobile app lands in the Nokia Ovi app store

by Scott Carmichael on

TripAdvisor just announced the availability of a new app for Nokia touchscreen phones. The new app provides a familiar interface for mobile access to TripAdvisor reviews.

In the app, you’ll find reviews for hotels, restaurants, attractions and more, and just like in the iPhone version, you also get easy access to cheap airfares.

The app can be found in the Nokia Ovi app store, accessible on your device or though the Ovi web storefront. The app is free of charge, but obviously requires a data connection.

In addition to a dedicated Ovi app, TripAdvisor also announced integration with Ovi maps, making it easier to get walking and driving directions to any of the content provided by TripAdvisor. This new feature is being rolled out globally, and should be available within a month.

This new Nokia app marks the fourth platform supported by TripAdvisor – previous versions were available for the iPhone, Palm Pre and Android.

To learn more about the new Nokia TripAdvisor app, check out the brilliant TripAdvisor blog.

Brits are worst-dressed tourists in Europe

by Mike Barish on

When it comes to dressing horribly, the British are the best of the worst. According to a survey conducted by TripAdvisor, Brits are the worst-dressed tourists roaming the Continent. According to the Telegraph, the Germans and Americans are next in line when it comes to fashion-challenged tourists. The survey covered several other topics, as well.

The French may be well-dressed, but they are the worst when it comes to checking their emails while they are traveling. 93% of Britons make an attempt to speak the local language while on holiday while 20% of French travelers admitted to making no attempt to do the same.

76% of those poorly-dressed Brits plan to take a summer vacation this year.

A TripAdvisor spokesperson said, ”Despite airline strikes, an uncertain economy and an erupting volcano, it’s reassuring to see British travellers recognising the importance of a summer holiday again.” It’s just a shame that they’re doing so in such horrible outfits.

New TripAdvisor iPhone app makes finding reviews on the go a lot easier

by Scott Carmichael on

There is no denying that TripAdvisor has become one of the go-to sources of hotel, restaurant and attraction reviews. So, if you have an iPhone (or iPod), check out the newest TripAdvisor app and get your reviews on the go.

The app is very easy to use, and makes finding reviews a beeze – based upon your location, or a manually entered location.

Best of all – you can write your own reviews right on your device, which means you no longer have to wait till you get home so post some praise (or a complaint).

Another handy feature inside the new app is a flight finder – obviously not the first on the iPhone, but I am always happy to see an app go beyond its main purpose. Flight information comes from a variety of sources – including Travelocity, Expedia and Vayama, best of all, the booking process stays right inside the TripAdvisor app.

You’ll find the new (free) app in the App store. A similar version is also available for the Palm Pre, and an Android version is “coming soon”.

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