Feedback App Update 4/7/1
You can now check out a very early beta version of the app online.
Before you go to the app, if you have not done so already, you should read the previous post at http://www.vacationtimeisprecious.com/2011/05/thoughts-on-promoting-and-disememinating-travelers-reviews-for-travel-consultants-tour-operators-etc/
Here are some new things you should know before you look at the app.
As of this writing, July 6 2011, we have uploaded to the app all the feedback we have received between January 1, 2011 and June 15, 2011.
We have recently added the tags that categorize the feedback as follows,
(This is a picture of the screen. Don’t try to click on it.)
Notes in red type are for inclusion in a future version
So far we have only tagged the most recent past guests. Obviously if you go into Advanced Search and select different categories of feedback you will only get results for those responses that we have had time to tag.
I just searched for rave and got this screen:
Click on “View More” and you’ll get this screen
Scroll Down and you’ll get:
Scroll down some more and you’ll get:
And finally scroll down little more and you’ll get th rest of the feedback:
Before we make the site available for visitation by the general public, as well as the advanced search, we will have navigation that will allow users to search by category of feedback, company, tour operator, hotel, destination or a combination of these.
The log in and register functions are still under development and do not yet work.
Since the idea app is under development, it is not stable. That means that you may well encounter functions that are not working that worked when I tried them. It would be a great help if you would advise me about these.
We are working on defining the next steps and coming up with a target dates for completion. I’ll keep you informed.
In part what we do will depend on your feedback. Click on the link below wander around and let us have your suggestions and comments.
http://testimonials.vacationtimeisprecious.com/
2:11:13 pm
Kristen said:
Michael, as I was browsing this thread today: Need More Advice on How to Get More Inquiries… And the bags of coffee go to… Tommy Galan & Max Waugh!!!!
I was also really impressed with Chase Buckner’s ideas. Especially those in the last paragraph he wrote related to social networks and photo sharing. A picture says 1000 words and conceivably can go much further in marketing a destination/company than text alone. We’ve not been as successful as I we could/should be in getting our guests to share some of their vacation images with us after their travels. Especially considering that most people are taking digital images now and forwarding them is relatively easy to do.
We’ve included a line about photo sharing in our post-tour evaluations, but even those who have indicated they’d like to share (who aren’t the majority, by the way) are usually remiss in forwarding images and we haven’t been overly insistent since my personal feeling is that it might border on being invasive. So far, it’s kind of stopped there. So I was thinking that Chase is onto something here, where you really have to offer something in order to draw them in, perhaps via the company’s Facebook page or other social media outlet. I like his idea of creating postcards they can share with their friends relating to their holiday experience. I think this has potential, although I’m not sure how we’d manage to get professional shots for each tour. Anyhow, I’d love to see more on this. And think that maybe incorporating some kind of link into the post-tour evaluation is the right place to suggest it. But the power just went out here in heavenly hot Havana, so I must post before my laptop battery runs out! Hope you & Yolanda are having a great summer. Look forward to seeing more on this soon.
12:36:33 am
Kuan said:
I like the concept very much and it performs a needed consumer service. Some comments for now:
1) Tagging each feedback entry (record) by destination, type of travel company (airline, cruise etc.), type of travel experience (e.g., adventure, luxury, custom) etc. is key. Presently, having everything only listed chronologically is not very useful.
2) In the “Browse Feedback” tab and under the search bar, there are links marked Rave – Bitter Complaint. I assume that without clicking on Advanced Search, it is possible for people to browse all raves or bitter complaints by clicking on these links respectively.
3) While this is primarily a feedback site, some pictures would also help users to stay engaged. People should be allowed to upload pics (subject to approval) – as it can lend further credence to positive/negative feedback and spices up the site.
1:59:22 pm
Linda Allen said:
Impressive you have done a great deal of work in a short time.
Everything was going well in my browsing until I hit the back button…
12:51:17 pm
Kristen said:
What kind of a response is this question aiming to get that would be relevant for other potential travelers?:
“Did the trip change your feelings about those you traveled with?”
What issue beforehand almost decided you to not travel with us?
Is “decided you to not” the accurate grammar here? I’m not a grammar queen (just a princess!), but I would probably use “made you decide not to” instead.
Is this question published in its entirety?:
As you think about how we planned and fulfilled your Costa Rica vacation…
Reading through some of the posts, I think that CRE’s response to Carolyn Phillips’ feedback re going beyond her hopes should actually come after her response to the last question in the least, so perhaps it’s misplaced in the order it appears?
I hope to have more time to look at more of these reviews this week, but for now duty calls and I must run. It’s looking very good so far. I’m impressed.