Kickbacks for good reviews?
From the Blog, The Good, the Bad, and the Funky, by Yvette Jong, for HOTELSmag.com
Are ratings, rewards and star classifications accurate, or can you buy your reviews?
A friend of mine was caught in a trap recently by a journalist. Despite receiving a list of pre-approved (and friendly) interview questions about his luxury goods company, he soon found himself in an interrogation about the corruption of luxury retailers providing kickbacks in exchange for good press. Out of distaste, he ended the interview.
So here's my question: Do hotels pay to get good reviews in guidebooks? And if so, who's to blame?
Just a reminder that comments can be anonymous, so feel free to share your thoughts!”
Craft House Founder and Director, Yvette Jong, contributes regularly to her HOTELS Magazine Blog titled, "The Good, the Bad and the Funky." Topics of discussion include all aspects of hospitality development, operations, branding, marketing, human resources, sustainability and much more.
