Trip Truths

“The hotel was dingy’’. “These were rooms with a view,and the holiday was simply superbly organized,as promised.’’ “We were so disappointed with the amenities at the guest house.’’…A few of the many comments posted at TripAdvisor,a travel community site owned by US-based online travel community Expedia that features traveller reviews and opinions on hotels,destinations,packages,vacations…”What makes us different is that we have product reviews of hotels and places by people who have stayed there and travellers can use these candid comments to decide where to check in,by reading detailed comments and viewing photographs too,’’ Sharat Dhall,Managing,Director of TripAdvisor India agrees that accommodation is an area where people face the biggest disappointments. Hotels and destinations all over the world and not just in India is what you can scrutinize and according to Sharat they have more than a million users making choices from all over the world. As the site was getting many visitors from India,to widen their presence they decided to launch here. “We’re not promoting anything,be it sights to see,places to visit or shop at,travel deals,packages. We don’t make bookings for hotels or flights,but assist people in making wise travel deals beforehand. Our mantra is,get the truth and then go. So you have the rants and raves,’’ adds Dhall.

The holiday season,observes Dhall is no more limited to summer and winter vacation. “In fact,there are no lean months now. With high stress levels,more and more people are taking short breaks all the year round. The domestic market is growing rapidly,’’ Sharat says they have got a list of budget accommodations all over India,places which cater to budget-conscious leisure travellers and which have been zeroed in according to traveller popularity. Jaipur,Kochi,Bharatpur,Pushkar,Goa,Darjeeling..the destinations have been chosen according to the season,with the hotel,prices and comments posted alongside to help make a quick choice. “Great holidays and wallet-friendly too,” smiles Dhall.