According to a blog on 'Hotel Marketing News' the e-zene from Net Affinity,   the walls on every hotel worldwide are now made of glass and are completely transparent; the outside world can now see into your hotel lobby and witness how real guest are treated in the real-world daily. For those who thought that TripAdvisor had revolutionized the hospitality industry, be assured that we have so far only seen just the beginning.

Now that TripAdvisor has just recently integrated with facebook by offering it’s “Trip Friends” link, those who are researching future travel plans will rely less on the number of stars or diamonds on the plaque behind the front desk; they will also relay less and less on online guest reviews posted by strangers. Instead, they will be reaching out to their own network of facebook friends for advice and input.

'On one level, this is really nothing new to our industry which has always been judged by the subjective opinions of others. Long before the days of Tripadvisor postings, those traveling to unfamiliar destinations would often confer with friends, associates, and colleagues on the best places to visit and stay. It’s just that today’s travelers have more “friends” to confer with and much faster tools for connecting' the e-zene says.

OK- so play these 'reviewers' at theor own game. Get your loyal customers and friends to post positive blogs, and if needs be bribe them with a voucher or freeby. In particular get them to distribute the reviews on their own Facebook page.

Time was when we were all scared of Helen Lucy Bourke. Now HLBs are everywhere- probably staying or dining with you tonight. Inevitably some will be unimpreessed and will spread that view to thousands of contacts.

But what if your friends, who love your place did the same....