TripAdvisor To Host Free Workshops In Bermuda
The Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] has invited officials from TripAdvisor to the Island next month to offer free workshops to tourism industry stakeholders, saying the move is “part of a four-phase plan to improve Bermuda’s digital presence on TripAdvisor, one of the world’s most influential travel websites.”
“Half of all Bermuda air visitors go to TripAdvisor to scout places to eat, visit and shop before they arrive on the Island,” said Alastair Jack, who works directly with TripAdvisor as the BTA’s partnerships and promotions manager.
“The first phase of our strategy is designed to help stakeholders manage their online reputation on TripAdvisor so they can drive more visitor traffic into their establishment.”
Following the first phase the BTA will encourage more independent reviews to increase the amount of content available to all TripAdvisor users about Bermuda’s products and experiences.
Based on the response to the two initial phases, the BTA will work with TripAdvisor to create a destination guide for Bermuda which will allow travellers on smartphones to access and use the guide even when not connected to a data network.
The final phase focuses on improving the accessibility and convenience of TripAdvisor by providing Bermuda visitors with a greater number of free WiFi hot spots on Island.
The BTA has included the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, West End Development Corporation, the businesses of St. George and the Chamber of Commerce in its outreach to recruit participation in the workshops.
Chairman of the Chamber’s Restaurant Division Chris Garland said, “TripAdvisor is an important player in the travel landscape – especially for restaurants – so naturally we support the work the BTA is doing in this area. If all of us can strengthen our online presence individually it will raise the reputation for the destination as a whole.”
Chairman of the Chamber’s Tourism Division Lamar Caines of the BTA said: “Increasing the online presence of tourism businesses is a major objective for us this year so we are certainly encouraging our members to actively participate. Representatives from the BTA have already been to one of our meetings and there was a positive response to this plan.”
An official from TripAdvisor’s subsidiary Viator will also present at the workshops to educate local stakeholders on how they can make their Bermuda experiences and excursions bookable on the TripAdvisor platform. Additionally, the BTA’s new website, launching this summer, will display the TripAdvisor reviews of local businesses as a standard feature.
Mr Jack said: “Since 49 percent of our air visitors go to TripAdvisor before they come to Bermuda we know exactly the kind of content they’re looking for. By delivering it to them at gotobermuda.com we hope to retain users for longer periods – a key factor when convincing travellers to choose Bermuda.”
Five TripAdvisor and Viator workshops will take place May 10th to May 12th at several locations around the island.
May 10th – East End [St. George’s]
- 4pm-5pm – TripAdvisor for Hoteliers only [Grotto Bay Resort]
- 5:30pm-7pm – TripAdvisor & Viator for all stakeholders [Grotto Bay Resort]
May 11th – West End [Dockyard]
- 3pm-4pm – TripAdvisor & Viator for all stakeholders [Port Royal Golf Course]
May 12th – Central [Hamilton]
- 9:30am-11am – TripAdvisor & Viator for all stakeholders [Chamber of Commerce]
- 4pm-5:30pm – TripAdvisor & Viator for all stakeholders [Chamber of Commerce]
Advance registration for the workshops is required. Tourism industry stakeholders can register online. There is a limited number of spaces.
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Take advantage of this, it’s free. “The Bermuda Tourism Authority [B.T.A.] has invited officials from TripAdvisor to the Island next month to offer free workshops to tourism industry stakeholders, saying the move is part of a four-phase plan to improve Bermuda’s digital presence on TripAdvisor, one of the world’s most influential travel websites.
Where is the live MUSIC? That is a ? that a lot of guest to this island ask,TripAdvisor should ask the same ?.
Good stuff! Maybe someone should tell TripAdvisor that Bermuda isn’t in the Caribbean, so they don’t get lost on the way, though. (Search for Bermuda on TripAdvisor)
You are right! I get vexed with always being lumped in with the Caribbean. We need to make sure we stand out from all competition and educating people about our geography is a good place to start.
they need to see the real Bermuda not just front street
While getting TripAdvisor, the company, on board is a great idea what’s missing, at least from this article, is any mention of the fact that the reviews on that site are not written by TripAdviser staff. The people that really have to be reached are the ones that post the reviews. That is, real tourists. And in order to do that we have to ensure that their visit is sufficiently memorable (and pleasant) that they will take the time to post a (hopefully) positive review when they return home.
Blankman, I have visited Bermuda many times, and I have always written ‘rave reviews’ about my time there, on TripAdvisor. In fact, my reviews are so full of praise, I think that TripAdvisor became suspicious about me! I review under the name Pegasus8London.
Lindy, Tripadvisor must not review much because they have recent reviews for 9 Beaches which has been closed for at least 5 years. Traveladvisor needs internal workshop before they can tell Bermuda stakeholders what they are missing!!!
Lucky you for getting good service and being able to write a positive review. The norm here is poor service and overpriced everything. TripAdvisor can’t do anything about that. If we want good reviews we need to give consistently good service.