Comments on: Travel Blog Honesty

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:32:44 +0000

Thank you for using my blog as a positive example of what travel bloggers have to offer. I started it 2 months ago in preparation for a forthcoming trip around the world, and am having a lot of fun sharing my experiences, past and present.

I like your idea about creating a list or directory of sites that stand out in terms of quality!

By: Stacy

Stacy — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 02:29:28 +0000

I think this is a great idea. I’ve been frustrated with social bookmarking sites like delicious and Digg. Trying to find good travel blogs is a frustrating experience, and I end up relying on links and comments on the sites I do read.

A lot of blog networks have a very small travel section, and I keep thinking, there should be a central list of travel blogs, with a way to showcase good articles. Does this make sense? I’m typing as fast as I can get my thoughts down, so they might not be organized.

I was checking all your links, looking for a new blog to read, and I was surprised to see my site. Thank you for that!

By: Marilyn Terrell

Marilyn Terrell — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 14:53:35 +0000

I’m a fact-checker at National Geographic Traveler. I knew the story about questionable travel blogs would cause controversy and I urged our editors to post it online as well as in our print magazine so bloggers could discuss it. A Trusted Travel Blog Network is a great idea. Also, the recent first-time-ever Travvy awards for best travel blogs turned up some worthy candidates for your network: http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/02/21/2007-travvies-meet-the-finalists-meet-the-judges-and-vote/

By: Maryam in Marrakech

Maryam in Marrakech — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 14:54:34 +0000

I think that your idea is a great idea. I find the phenomenon that you describe a bit astonishing but after a few minutes of thinking about it, not surprising. I agree - disclosure is a must.
Thanks for including me on your list of honest blogs. Let us know what the rest of us can do to help with your project.

By: Timen

Timen — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:58:45 +0000

Thanks everyone for the positive comments so far!

Stacy, I think version 1.0 of the network will probably not yet include RSS showcasing. It’d definitely be something to consider for the future, though. Version one will be all about establishing certain credibility and a decent list of sites under some sub-categories.

Marilyn, Thanks for the tip. I definitely think all Travvies finalists are worthy of being a member. I just hope they’ll want to be. If you can get the NGT blog to be a member, maybe that could help convince others to join as well?

Thanks all! Keep the comments coming.

By: ianmack

ianmack — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 16:04:15 +0000

A trusted network is a good idea Timen. Perhaps it could be sort of like the 9rules network, where sites that are approved can include a “badge” on their site, with perhaps a link to the central database of other trusted travel blogs.

By: TravMonkey

TravMonkey — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 16:20:44 +0000

I’d like to know in particular which sites were involved…..does the article actually state any examples?

The trusted network is a good idea to ensure that there is no foul play involved.

By: Timen

Timen — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 16:26:39 +0000

Hey Ian, That would be exactly what I want. Something like 9rules, but dedicated to travel blogs. 9rules’ travel section is a bit dead.

I think there would be three main criteria for membership: that they don’t hide deals as described the the NGT article (i.e. full disclosure is a bare minimum), that they are of good quality and updated frequently, and that they agree to being a part (with badge, of course).

TravMonkey, I do believe there are a few examples linked in the article. Check it out. Also, I want to link to something in your blog, but I don’t know your name or can’t find anything about your site (about page).

By: ourman

ourman — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 18:32:19 +0000

I’m in. Not sure I am strictly a travel blog. Mine are more about documenting volunteering abroad.

But I agree about taking freebies. The whole power and beauty of the blog was originally all about the fact that they weren’t beholden to advertisers and PRs in the way traditional media were.

Now increasingly all I read on blogs is about how to make money, how to increase revenue and what can be generated.

Financial gains will always mean a loss of honesty.

By: boris

boris — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 23:03:50 +0000

thanks for including me in your list, timen.
i love the idea of a 9rules-like blog network just for trusted travel blogs.

personally i think it’s bad karma doing paid reviews, even if you mention it in your blog, and it should probably be a criteria to be part of the network. that’s my thoughts anyway.

By: Harry, ExposedPlanet

Harry, ExposedPlanet — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 00:10:27 +0000

It’s a good idea, I am in and thanks for mentioning me. One of my objectives with my photo/anecdote blog is to spread a little knowledge and that is exact the reason I like some other blogs.
If you cannot trust them, then you cannot trust your knowledge and decision basis. Frankly I think that anybody/anything in the end will benefit more from the truth, especially in the long term. But alas, most tourist agencies, hotels etc think short term only..

I propose a sort of invitation-only list, where a logo/banner can be placed, linking randomly to another member of this list (likely easily done via some php-include).

Thanks!

By: Pia - Backpackers.com

Pia - Backpackers.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 10:22:26 +0000

Hey Timen
I think it’s a great idea… and thanks for putting us on your list of trusted bloggers. There’s something so very wrong about companies trying to buy themselves good press (instead of earning it)… and we’re totally against it.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:12:18 +0000

I’m the author of the article in National Geographic Traveler and also publish my own blog called Ellipses. I like the idea of a trusted blog network, and am interested in possibly writing something about it when it takes off. Does anyone know what the next steps are, in terms of putting together such a network? Please send me an email or post a response here. Many thanks.

By: Timen

Timen — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:28:56 +0000

Hi Chris,

I’ve recently been reading your newsletter. Pretty good stuff.

This week I’ll be busy, but next I’m free and will be dedicating that week to coding the basics of the network site, along with a redesign of this site.

Currently I’m pondering whether it could work under a sub-site of this site (i.e. …com/trusted/) or should get its own site (though the good ones seem to be taken).

I’d like to pick your brain on what you think is necessary for the successful launch of such a network. I’ll be contacting you via email shortly.

Thanks for your comment.

Take care,
Timen

By: pam

pam — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:04:14 +0000

I love this idea. I’m the travel editor for BlogHer and while I’m searching for travel blogs I find so many that are just thinly disguised advertising campaigns. I’m okay if there’s disclosure, but when I see travel blogs pushing swank hotels and swimwear instead of destinations and advice, I click away.

My personl blog isn’t a travel only blog, but I’d love to participate.

I don’t think comped services are in and of themselves evil and for many, it’s the only way to do some of the work we do. But disclosure and honestly are key.

By: trusted travel network

trusted travel network — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 22:20:46 +0000

[…] over at in my all stars has proposed the idea of a trusted travel network, where only quality and honest travel blogs will be listed. i am finding this quite exciting and a […]

By: Jul

Jul — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 10:31:14 +0000

Free trips? I want some free trips! And to think I’ve been plugging all these destinations all this time just because I like them…

But seriously, “traditional” travel writers having part or all of their trips paid for by the destination city/country/winery/etc. is not all that uncommon, either. And pretty much any form of publication has sponsors it has to keep happy. There may be some shady travel bloggers out there, but from my experience there are plenty more honest, independent-thinking ones.

Thanks for mentioning my blog, and keep me posted on the travel blog network idea!

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:30:55 +0000

I really like the “Trusted Travel Blog” idea, especially as it could get some momentum to counter the syndicated ‘reviews’ on sites such as Trip Advisor - most of which are useless.

I personally write a number of travel tips and reviews on www.eyeflare.com, and am slowly adding to it with the help of some friends.

Would love to be included in this project and help promote it.

By: Timen

Timen — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 15:54:33 +0000

I’ve posted an update on this project.

Take care,
Timen

By: 5 Reasons Why I Blog

5 Reasons Why I Blog — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 14:17:29 +0000

[…] Some people think that getting invited to lavish parties thrown by various hotels and tour companies is a bad thing. They say it compromises the integrity of the travel blogger’s unbiased review. […]

By: Maximus

Maximus — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:54:34 +0000

I would like to see a continuation of the topic

By: Seth Allen

Seth Allen — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:58:49 +0000

Thanks for the insight into the world of travel bloggers. As an advertiser and ecommerce manager for Independent hotels, we rely heavily on social media and travel review sites to give guests an unbiased perspective, as well as keeping the management staff aware of any recurring service issues that need to be addressed.

I also share your opinion that the marketplace is full of “thinly disguised advertisements”, and pose this question to you from the advertiser’s perspective;

How does one reach out to these ethical bloggers in a market space filled with these biased reviews?

How do we draw attention to our client’s properties without misleading consumers?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

By: raj

raj — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:07:50 +0000

thanks for all this