Friday, September 17, 2010

TripAdvisor Goes Exclusive

One of the unfortunate aspects of modern travel is that it is now within easy reach of the great unwashed.

Low cost airlines and commercial accommodation that have not kept tariffs in pace with inflation have allowed tattooed, lager swilling, cigarette-sucking Britneys and Gazzas to holiday accompanied with their ghastly feral kids, Chardonnay and Chantelle.

Back in the good old days there was a class system in travel that would separate the genteel from the underclass.

Luckily, TripAdvisor Media Group have announced this week the launch of SniqueAway.com, a U.S. based private sale website featuring travel deals across the globe.

SniqueAway is being promoted as an exclusive members-only site where each travel deal is endorsed by the people.  All luxury properties featured on SniqueAway have earned four- to five-star rating classification on TripAdvisor's review rating.

On SniqueAway, TripAdvisor hotel reviews are shown alongside limited-time, members-only offers, providing trusted traveler opinions of the hotels, making it easy to book a room before they sell out.  SniqueAway will also rely on the wisdom of the in-crowds to spread the news, since membership can only be obtained through invitation by another member.

According to Steve Kaufer, founder and CEO of TripAdvisor, "the accompanying TripAdvisor reviews will provide an extra element of confidence to SniqueAway members as they book their travel deals."

We are still anxiously waiting for our invite...

It will be interesting to follow the fortunes of this new concept.

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