The rise of TripAdvisor

Founded in 2000 by Stephen Kaufer, the TripAdvisor brand is promoted in restaurants, hotels and attractions across the United States, Europe, South East Asia and the parts of the Middle East.

TripAdvisor advertises with decals, certificates and ratings predominantly displayed. Naturally, the reach and exposure of TripAdvisor is far greater than already mentioned, my travels haven't taken me further yet.

TripAdvisor is a business generating large revenues, listed on the NASDAQ exchange, this publicly listed company generates revenue via an advertising based business model. As an early adapter of user-generated content, a fair degree of criticism is directed at TripAdvisor.

On one hand consumers rate establishments, their impartiality may be questioned, also bringing into dispute the authenticity of such reviews. Are proprietors coaxing favourable reviews with enticements that may be deemed inappropriate?

However, are consumers actually sufficiently equipped to critique tourism and hospitality establishments effectively? Has this lead to elitism among professional reviewers in the past? These days, everyone is an expert, all jostling to be heard in a cluttered online environment.

In many cases, these are small business people who have poured their whole financial resources into their business, their work, devotion and effort only for someone with no real experience in review writing.

Hospitality management, culinary skills and knowledge is required to announce to the world this business is terrible. I try to write positive reports where possible, this however hasn't always occurred, you do try and tell it as it is.

Despite my apprehension of user-generated content, a lack of editing and oversight with reviewers lacking technical skills in certain areas, I continue to post content on TripAdvisor as I am one of the hacks generating reviews online too.