TripAdvisor thanks its community for sharing reviews and opinions over the years – More than 200 million and growing.
LONDON, UK – TripAdvisor announced that it is celebrating its 15-year anniversary helping travellers plan and book a perfect trip. TripAdvisor has rapidly grown from its early days above a Needham, Massachusetts pizzeria to become the world’s largest travel site. The company now spans more than 45 countries and had more than 2.5 billion unique visitors during 2014. TripAdvisor also recently crossed the 200 million reviews and opinions milestone.
“It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I am just as excited about what our future holds,” said Stephen Kaufer, president and CEO of TripAdvisor. “TripAdvisor has evolved from being the site for hotel reviews to becoming the ‘destination site’ where you go to research and book nearly every aspect of your trip.”
TripAdvisor Traveller Feedback Soars
The first-ever TripAdvisor traveller review was of Captain’s House Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts, which earned a rating of 4 bubbles. Since then, the number of traveller reviews and opinions on TripAdvisor has accelerated dramatically around the world, up 2,000 percent in the last 10 years, and up 60 percent since last year.
The Evolution to Booking on TripAdvisor
In its continued effort to help travellers have a perfect trip, in recent years TripAdvisor has evolved its mission to allow users to easily compare prices, find great deals and book not only hotels, but also restaurants and attractions. First, in 2013 TripAdvisor rolled out its hotel price comparison search and became the first to match real-time pricing and availability with more than 100 million reviews and opinions of TripAdvisor travellers. Consumers are able to check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices and click through to the booking partners’ sites to complete the transaction.
Then, in May 2014, TripAdvisor launched its instant booking platform that allows users to not only compare prices, but book hotels through the company’s hotel and online travel agency partners without leaving the TripAdvisor site. Instant booking is currently available to U.S. travellers with a gradual rollout in the works to global markets.
And, most recently, TripAdvisor acquired a number of restaurant and attraction booking sites, including lafourchette and Viator, to broaden the booking options for consumers on the site.
Leveling the Playing Field for Businesses
Not only has TripAdvisor helped travellers plan and book better trips, but it has also had a positive impact on the travel industry. Over the years, the site has elevated businesses that offer exceptional service and are highly regarded in reviews by their guests. With more than 315 million unique monthly visitors, the site serves an incredible marketing tool for many properties, especially smaller and independent establishments with little or no marketing budget.
Over the years the company launched a dedicated TripAdvisor for Business division and several innovative features to support the industry. These include tools such as a Management Centre, offering free resources and content to help hospitality businesses engage with the TripAdvisor community and respond to traveller reviews, and Review Express, an automated platform for hoteliers to encourage their guests to share candid feedback on TripAdvisor.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
