Base and Hostel World ratings
I have written two earlier posts regarding Base Backpackers and their courageous move allowing Hostel World reviews and ratings to appear on their website unedited. But today a thought…
Clearly, the use of this independent user generated content signals a tick of recognition by Base of the dominant position of Hostel World in the online hostel booking space but does it also mean an erosion of the Base brand online? Is this in effect saying to a customer book with Hostel World and not us?
When we originally designed the Base web strategy the majority of Base hostels were using the Hostel World property management system Backpack for Windows which meant that every customer that booked online at both the Hostel World website and the Base website were sent an online survey. Unfortunately, in the last 6 months many of the hostels have switched systems and this is no longer the case. So, I guess the answer will come over the next few months. If Hostel World can maintain the necessary level of content to make this functionality work for Base then Hostel Worlds’ position as the dominant independent source for traveller reviews and ratings will be confirmed - if not, perhaps Base will be forced to look elsewhere.
As an aside, the whole displaying of these reviews and ratings on the Base website developed by Xebidy is pretty flash - well we thought so anyway! We use a variety of products to continually monitor the relevant Hostel World pages, pick up the content, strip it of any presentation and represent it on the Base website in valid HTML. Since making it public I have been advised that Hostel World are going to RSS feed that content in the next 4 to 6 weeks. This is a great move by them, firstly it stops uncontrolled hits on the server by guys like us, and secondly it will make the content widely available for use by everyone - and maybe this is the answer to the dominance of the Hostel World brand online.
Interestingly enough it also means that those wanting to display only good comments could use products such as our Xefeed RSS feed rinse to remove bad comments - not quite what everyone had in mind I am sure!
Tags: Base Backpackers, Hostel World, Industry, Web 2.0