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travelconsumers.com
is a consumer-driven evaluation organization targeting the two major businesses in the travel industry: hotels and restaurants. In time we might add transportation including airlines, trains, cruise ships, buses, and rental car companies. But that's later.
Thus far, about 50 businesses in 12 states have been critiqued and those results will be posted on our website. The website will probably be up in about two weeks. For those interested in my credentials to do so, I was the drafter of Ohio's first Bed & Breakfast evaulation instrument, wrote the first Ohio B&B directory, wrote a travel/personal journey book, own a B&B, was a member of the Ohio Hotel Motel Association, wrote a hospitality industry book for house staff, and was a reviewer for travel and entertainment for ZRock 103.1 Columbus a few years back. Regardless, all consumers have a right to critique and make known the conditions they find in hotels and restaurants. The current deplorable state of affairs gave birth to travelconsumers.com.
Managers have been deeply interested in travelconsumers.com, invited me into their inneroffices for long detailed conversations, shown fear in the eyes and lumps in their throats, but most have shown respect and eagerness to take the reports seriously and respond with concern. I have also been bribed (attempted) with top shelf wine and/or free lodging,"which we refused, of course".
Individuals are welcome to apply to be freelance evaluators for a $15 membership fee. Evaluators-at-large sign an integrity contract, download evaluation forms free of charge from the website, and mail their evaluations to our offices at Pudding House. Evaluators may not under any circumstance accept gifts from the hotel/motel or restaurant industry intending to obtain favor.
The purpose of this organization is to take on the ever-deteriorating state of hotel accommodations in America and to reward those who are doing a good job, especially ever-mindful of health and safety issues.
If you or someone you know is a frequent traveler, you might want to participate in this program and watch conditions improve. In the filing of my findings with hotels in the past two months I have seen immediate response and permanent change (managers say) regarding:
laundering blankets and bedspreads far more often (good timing with the NPR reports in May 2001);
purchase of bottom-fitted sheets again instead of the current bottom flat trend;
improved vacuuming skills and plans to replace unsanitary carpeting
and other issues--
this in mid-to-high-range hotel accommodations.
I reserve the right to cancel acceptance of evaluations from anyone I feel is not fairly or logically conducting reviews. That's why this is a dot.com and not a dot.org!
Brief realMail or email letters of interest in becoming a consumer evaluator and explanation of your skills for impartially and fairly completing evaluations should be emailed to Jennifer Bosveld or mailed to travelconsumers.com, 81 Shadymere Lane, Columbus Ohio 43213. You will then be notified when the website is available and whether you are asked to become a travelconsumer-evaluator. The current plan is to establish a $9/yr membership fee for all participating in order to cover administrative costs.
If you have questions, feel free to call me at 614-986-1881.
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