Fake reviews - hotels and restaurants to be named and shamed

Hotels and restaurants that write their own glowing reviews are to be named and shamed in a move, which could lead to loss of revenue and irreparable damage.

Reviews and referrals count for an average of 70% of a company's new business. Traditionally, these referrals are made word of mouth, customer-to-customer. However, in today's technology-savvy world, reviews and referrals are made and found online.

Mark Hall, Managing Director at GotJuice.co.uk, an online reputation management consultancy that specialises in reviews commented: "Until recently it has been made very easy for opportunist business owners to enhance their company's online reputation by simply writing fake positive reviews and asking friends and family to do likewise without any repercussion.

"This, of course, amounts to nothing but fraudulent behaviour, but was seen as an easy route to not only enhance their own reputation but also - for some - as a way to harm their competitors by posting fake negative reviews about them.

"With advancements in technology, review platforms have started to launch new initiatives to rid their sites of fake reviews and name the guilty in the process. Yelp are the first to roll out the technology and it is expected that Tripadvisor and other major review platforms will follow suit shortly."

"Review sites such as Yelp, Qype and Tripadvisor can be brilliant platforms to help consumers with purchase decisions. By crowd sourcing public opinions, you can build up a realistic view on whether you want to use the company or not.

"This only works if the reviewers are honest and objective. Any business that writes it's own glowing reviews or pays people to do this undermines the credibility of these sites and pulls the wool over the eyes of potential customers. This is why review platforms such as Yelp, who have already taken previous steps to keep their platform free from spam by adding filters that removed questionable reviews from the calculation of the star rating, has now gone one step further in the fight against fake reviews.

"If a review site finds evidence that an establishment such as a hotel, restaurant, tradesman or any other business has added their own reviews or paid for reviews, they will have a 'mark of shame' added to their profile for the whole world to see.

Sophisticated detection methods include:

• An algorithm that is capable of detecting fake or deceptive reviews. When people are lying, this changes the way they use language. This algorithm automatically spots and flags this 
• If a profile is not completed in full, then it could be flagged as a dummy account 
• If you only have a small number of reviews built up over a set time period and nothing after, then you will be flagged
• If multiple reviews are submitted or have been submitted from the same IP address then you will be flagged 

"Of course," says Hall, "the review platforms are not going to tell you everything they are looking out for.

"Our advice is simple: Don't write fake reviews, don't pay for fake reviews, don't bribe or beg for reviews - good or bad - about anyone."

6 tips to help you sleep when travelling

Long distance travel can be very tiring. For starters, if you're flying, you don't get chance to lie down, unless of course you can afford to fly first class.

Even getting comfortable in a seat on the aircraft can be difficult. And if you do manage to find a comfortable position, getting to sleep is going to prove even harder.

If you’re about to jet off to sunnier climes and the thought of spending several hours on a plane without any sleep fills you with dread then check out these top tips for sleeping whilst travelling:

1. Wear something comfortable
   Dress for comfort when flying. Wear loose clothing, nothing tight, and wear natural fabrics such as cotton rather than polyester. Wear layers so that it's easy to remove an item of clothing if you get too hot, or add an extra layer if you find you are getting cold.You can't possibly get comfortable and sleep if your clothes are too tight and restrictive.
   
2. Request a blanket
   Most night flights offer a blanket to passengers but check before you fly, so that you can take your own onboard if required. If your airline provides them, then once you have boarded ask one of the air stewards if you can have a blanket.
   
3. Travel pillows
   A pillow will support your head and make it easier to get comfortable. If you know you can't sleep without one, invest in a travel pillow. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, or wear a thick jumper on board so that you can roll it up and use it as a pillow.
   
4. Music
   Load your MP3 or iPod with your favorite relaxing music to help you to relax and get in the mood for sleep.
   
5. Avoid caffeine
   Avoid caffeine for a few hours before your flight - if you are flying in the evening it’s probably worth avoiding tea and coffee from midday. Don't forget to exclude caffeinated fizzy drinks too.
   
6. Watch what you eat
   Don't overdo the amount you eat in the airport before your flight. Feeling uncomfortably full won't help you get a good night's sleep, especially on an airplane. If you are having a bite to eat at the airport, go for a lighter option.

The above tips will help you to sleep on a plane. To help you have peace of mind and relax when travelling make sure you arrange everything for your holiday before you leave, such as buying your foreign currency, car hire, travel insurance and of course your meet and greet parking. The last thing you need is to worry about forgotten holiday extras as this can put paid to your sleeping plans.

Cheap holiday destinations

The Euro crisis is having a great impact on the exchange rates with the price of Sterling on a 19-month high against the Euro.

With the pound buying more Euros this year perhaps a holiday in Europe would be a cheap option?

According to The Post Office Travel Money annual report, Brits can make their money stretch furthest in Bulgaria.

The Post Office report compares the same top ten shopping list, purchased all over the World in popular holiday hot spots, including items such as larger, sun cream and a meal out for two.

Last year’s winner was Spain, with the shopping list coming in at £42.15 but this year, in 2012 the very same shopping list came in at £56.84, a 35% increase on last year’s figure.

This year’s winner for the cheapest shopping list was Bulgaria, at just £23.70 – cheaper by 4% compared to last year. The country boasts many beautiful beach resorts along the Black Sea, making it a serious contender for the British holiday market.

 This year in Turkey the £ will buy around 14% more lira than it did this time last year – its shopping list of ten products came out at £54.22, a staggering 22% less than last year.

Portugal came in at the third cheapest, at £54.46 but still this figure saw an increase of 10% compared to this time last year.

 Further afield, Orlando in Florida, was a tad on the pricey side too, at £69.41.

Croatia, often considered to be an undiscovered and therefore cheaper holiday destination, was actually found to be the most expensive of all the countries compared, at £73.65.

However, these drops in prices for food stuffs in resort doesn’t sadly mean for a ‘cheap’ getaway. Popular resorts in Spain, Portugal and Greece are actually more expensive now than they have been for years. Whilst the short haul destinations fare better with regards to APD taxes, resorts are making up for lack of funds by charging more.

Thinking about a UK ‘stay-cation’? Think again, your shopping basket will be even more expensive - the same items were purchased in Brighton for a whopping £79.25!

If you’re looking to get away for a break this year then it seems you should forget the Jubilee and Olympic celebrations in the UK and instead consider a week or two in Bulgaria. Bulgaria takes just 2.5 hours flight time from London, and flights are available from all of the main airlines including easyJet, BA, Monarch and Ryanair.

Don't forget when you book your holiday to book all the essential extras like currency, travel insurance and your airport parking - why not try meet and greet parking this year for the most convenient type of airport parking.

Which? report: book airport parking early

Which? magazine has recently published a report on airport parking, identifying the dos and don'ts of how to get the best possible price when booking your holiday parking.

The report highlights how expensive gate prices can be when compared with booking in advance - as much as three times the price of pre-booked airport parking.

According to the Which? report, 36% of travellers drive themselves to the airport. And without pre-booking, these travellers can leave themselves ‘vulnerable’ to costly parking charges.

The report cites Heathrow Airport’s own car parking with prices of around £120 per week when arriving without a booking. Booking in advance is a much cheaper option and the sooner you book parking the cheaper it is likely to be - much the same as budget airline ticket prices.

Following the publication of the report, Gatwick meet and greet parking company, Help-Me-Park, issued the following tips for booking the cheapest airport parking:

• Book the airport parking the moment the travel plans have been confirmed. This secures a company’s best price, not to mention the peace of mind that the parking is booked; and that’s one less thing to worry about! 
• Another top tip from Help-Me-Park.com is always to book your airport car parking online, again this is cheaper than making same booking over the phone
• Combine this – booking online and in advance - for the very best price
• Always make sure the company you are booking your valet parking with is a reputable and reliable operator 
• Ensure the company provides fully insured, mature and experienced drivers
• Always make sure the parking operator provides a land line contact number and 24/7 contact number. 

Winter skiing

Popular Winter skiing resorts

Gatwick meet and greet parking company wins top award

Eco Parking, a Gatwick meet and greet parking company, has scooped the Essential Travel Car Park Attendant of the Month award in association with the British Parking Association.

The coveted award is voted for by thousands of Essential Travel customers who book their great value Gatwick Airport meet and greet parking on the price comparison website each month.

December's award was presented to Sean McCarthy of Eco Parking, who showed ‘exemplary performance, professional attitude and dedicated customer service’.

Eco Parking, a division of Help-Me-Park, prides themselves on their customer service and attention to detail. Details that include fully uniformed and insured drivers, a courtesy call whilst the customer is en route to the airport to reconfirm details and ETA, safe and secure parking facilities, as well as a 24 hour telephone contact number – something many car parking firms do not provide.

Meet and greet parking at Gatwick Airport’s South and North Terminals with Eco Parking and Help-Me-Park gives passengers total peace of mind that their vehicle will be parked safely and securely by driving professionals. The secure parking facility boasts double fencing around the entire perimeter, is floodlit, has CCTV and 24/7 alarm monitoring. The meet and greet service operates 24/7, 365 days a year. It is the ideal choice for families, time pressed business travellers, elderly and disabled passengers, negating the need for timely waits for courtesy buses to the airport from remote car parks. Prices are from just £53 per week.

Speaking about the award, which is through a mixture of outstanding customer service, time keeping, and service ethics, Sean says “It’s really great to get the award. I would like to say that this is an award for the whole team. We all work really hard and this could not have been achieved without the commitment of all the guys here.”

Sean wins a month’s supply of his favourite biscuits, which are … Jammy Dodgers! And finds his place on Essential Travel’s ‘Parking Attendant of the Month Hall of Fame’.

Essential Travel offers a whole host of reputable companies offering a complete range of holiday extras, including airport parking across the UK, travel insurance and airport lounges. The site offers guaranteed best price, with no hidden extras or charges.

Pack It In – a Flight Crew’s Guide to Perfect Packing

With the peak summer holiday period about to start, holidaymakers across the UK will be getting suitcases down from the loft and digging out their sarongs and swimming trunks. But from creased clothes to fear of forgetting something, packing can be fraught with difficulties, so who better to advise than those who travel the world for a living - flight crew.

Jet2.com , the north’s leading leisure airline, has polled its 940 cabin crew and pilots asking them to reveal their top packing tips to help holidaymakers prepare for the great summer getaway with ease.

Top travel tips for packing from the Jet2.com crew:

• Roll it up - roll clothes instead of folding to use less space and keep clothes crease-free.
• Create layers - use sheets of tissue paper between layers of clothes - it reduces creasing.
• Stuff your shoes - roll socks into balls inside footwear so the shoes keep their shape.
• Weigh it up - invest in a set of luggage scales so you aren’t over your airline’s baggage weight limit.
• Don’t under or over pack - use the right sized suitcase as over or under packing means creased clothes at the other end.
• Plan, plan, plan - time spent planning outfits before you go can make a massive difference and trying on will get you in the holiday mood and save time when you’re in resort.
• Leave the heels at home - the view from the crew is that you won’t wear them – take comfortable shoes - particularly if you are on a city break - don’t let sore feet to ruin your holiday.
• Safe from spills - pack any liquids in your beach bag, that way any leaks won’t spoil your clothes.
• The early bird packs best - start packing early so you ensure you’ve remembered everything, or to change your mind on that extra pair of shoes you really don’t need.
• Bag it up - the crew members suggested to taking plastic bags to stash dirty clothes in, making it easier to sort the piles of washing when you get back home.
• Keep valuables close - Jet2.com’s 10kg hand baggage allowance means that items that you don’t want to pack in your case can travel with you in the cabin.
• Safety first - take a first aid kit with plasters, and any medications you may need. The last thing you want to do is hunt for a local pharmacy when you should be enjoying your holiday.
• Don’t stress - the crew’s advice was to not get wound up by packing as Jet2.com has the most commonly forgotten items on sale on board – such as sunglasses, cameras and phone chargers.

Hand luggage help:

• Limited liquids - liquids over 100ml are prohibited in hand luggage. This includes pastes and gels, so make sure you don’t lose your favourite lip gloss or eye cream because you forgot to pack it in your suitcase. Remember razors, tweezers and other sharp items must be checked in.
• Copy cat - photocopy your passport and travel insurance and keep copies in a different bag so that if you lose the original you still have the details.
• Small change - have some of the local currency, coins if you can, to give a tip, hire a trolley, or buy a bottle of water as soon as you arrive.
• Dress for your destination - take a swimsuit or change of clothes in hand luggage or at the top of your case - with Jet2.com many flights arrive in time to be able to enjoy the afternoon at the beach, or some city sightseeing.

When asked what item they always pack the Jet2.com crew’s top responses were – Ear plugs, adapters, corkscrew, a maxi dress, Pot Noodle, coffee sachet and travel kettle.

For a little fun Jet2.com asked its crew members which famous person they would most like to holiday with – David Beckham, Peter Kay, Simon Cowell and Lady Gaga were the most popular would-be travel partners.

Charity scheme set up by Endeavour Business Centre Stansted

Endeavour Business Centre Stansted, owned by Arora International Hotels, has initiated a combined recycling and Cancer Research charity campaign. Staff at the business centre have begun collecting empty ink toner cartridges from Endeavour Business Centre’s client occupiers and recycling them each month, with all the proceeds going directly to Cancer Research UK.

Leanna Dileva, Centre Manager, said: "We have all known sufferers of cancer and we feel that the great work of Cancer Research UK deserves our support. We also actively promote a green approach to our business and by encouraging our customers to recycle we can also help charities to benefit."

Endeavour Business Centre also aims to encourage eco friendly modes of transport to the new centre by offering secure bicycle storage and shower and changing facilities.

Endeavour Business Centre Stansted is located in Endeavour House, adjacent to junction 8a of the M11 motorway and just minutes from the main terminal of the fourth busiest airport in the UK.

Flying with children – 8 summer travel tips

The countdown is on to the children's school holidays and if you have children, you know that taking them on a long flight requires lots of forethought and preparation. The following article provides tips to make your flight as easy and as stress free as possible.

1. Lists
   Write your packing list early to ensure you have everything you require, or have chance to purchase items without the need for a last-minute trip to the shops.
   
2. Packing
   When packing clothes make sure each suitcase you take has items of clothing for each traveller, just in case the unexpected happens and one of your cases is delayed or lost. Keep a list of items packed so that you can use it as a checklist when packing on your return – the list also serves as a reminder should a suitcase be lost and you need to make a claim on your insurance.
   
3. Liquids
   Make sure you pack all your liquids in your checked-in baggage. Although liquids of 100ml or less can be packed in your hand luggage, it's still advisable to pack them in your suitcase. If you need to take baby formula, milk, or baby food with you in your hand luggage take only what you need for your journey. You will be required to taste the baby products at security.
   
4.  Hand luggage
   Pack items to keep your children occupied during the long flight. Choose items suitable for their age ranges: a book, coloured pencils and a drawing pad, travel-friendly games, and hand-held electronic games, but make sure you have fully-charged batteries to avoid disappointment during the journey.
   
5. Clothing
   Dress your children for comfort. Go for loose, unrestrictive clothing for travel and make sure they have a warm jumper or cardigan for the flight.
   
6. Seats
   Reserve your seats in advance to ensure you are all sitting together – try to book a window seat so your child can observe the activities at the airport while you are waiting to take off.
   
7. Airport parking
   Take the strain out of travel to the airport and book meet and greet parking. With this type of parking - also known as valet parking – you can drive right up to the airport terminal with your children sitting in the comfort of their own car seats – no need to ferry them on and off a shuttle bus between the airport car park and the terminal. This also saves hassle on your return as your car is brought back to the terminal for when you exit the building.
   
8. At the airport
   Research the layout of the airport before you arrive so you know where the children's play area is. Once though security head straight to the play area to allow your children to let off steam and hopefully wear themselves out prior to the flight. With any luck they may sleep through part of the flight. If travelling with another adult, take it in turns to watch the children while you wander through the airport shops or grab something to eat.

Air Travel Costs Soar this Summer

The cost of air travel is set to soar this summer according to travel and aviation experts as airlines pass on the cost of fuel prices via increased fuel surcharges.

The cost of air travel is expected to cost travellers as much as 20% more than it did last summer.

The unrest in the Middle East, the civil crisis in Libya and the rising cost of crude oil reaching a two and a half year high of $122 a barrel is pushing aircraft fuel up by over 30% across the globe, effecting travellers worldwide.

Whilst many of the summer flights have been sold, those remaining are likely to increase between 15% and 20% industry experts predict.

Costs have seen a number of airlines increase their charges, either directly or indirectly, as fuel takes up around a third of the cost of each ticket.

BA for example has passed on fuel costs for the third time since December. The airline’s long haul passengers will incur extra costs - economy passengers paying an additional £10 per flight fuel surcharge and premium passengers by £20 per flight. Whilst tour operator Thomas Cook have introduced an extra levy for passengers of £15 for short haul passengers and £40 for those on long haul flights.

The rises come as the industry is only just beginning to bounce back after a dip in travel. As the global economy begins to recover so too is the demand for both business and pleasure travel. So far this year the UK travel market has seen a healthy increase in flights, with many major and provincial airports reporting big increases in passenger numbers.

So the question now is whether the fuel prices will discourage passengers from travelling as prices increase. The industry is hoping that air travel is considered essential by business to continue the growth experienced in the last 6 months, and that consumers are not prepared to forgo a holiday this year.