Competition and Market Authority launch probe into the use of online review websites

Negative reviews submitted through websites such as TripAdvisor and Yelp often mean sleepless nights for B&B owners – especially if the reviews are known to be false. But with 81% of UK consumers reading these reviews it is vital that they are trustworthy.

The B&B Association is calling for B&B operators to submit their experiences to a new official review of the way these websites operate, and the way businesses are able interact with reviews they see as malicious or indeed fake. The review is being undertaken by the Government's business watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), whose spokesperson said “there are a number of potential concerns about the trustworthiness or impartiality of information in some reviews and endorsements that are being provided to consumers”.

The CMA is welcoming views and thoughts through its website: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/online-reviews-and-endorsements (http://bit.ly/1witfMj).

David Weston, Chief Executive of the B&B Association, which represents the 25,000 B&Bs and guest houses in the UK, says: “We often have members who have had negative reviews that are clearly unearned and false, having a detrimental effect on their much-loved businesses. At present there is no way for our members to remove reviews or challenge the individuals behind them, if the websites themselves (as they often do) refuse to remove a false review. We'd like to see a situation where small businesses are given the chance to protect their valuable reputations that have often been established through hard work before sites like TripAdvisor even entered the public psyche.” 

B&B and other business owners have until 17:00 on 25 March 2015 to submit their views regarding online review sites.

For more information about the B&B Association, visit www.bandbassociation.org.

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For further press information please contact:
Nick Wheywell / Stuart Fyfe / Kevan Barber
Rooster PR
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E: stuart.fyfe@rooster.co.uk / kevan.barber@rooster.co.uk

About the B&B Association
The Bed & Breakfast Association is the trade association for B&Bs and Guest Houses in the UK. The Association was founded by B&B owner David Weston to inform, support and represent owner/operators and their interests. In 2010 the Bed & Breakfast Association was awarded the “Sector Representation Award” by the CBI/Trade Association Forum as the best trade association in the UK (out of 313 associations across all sectors) at representing its members.