Agoda.com, one of Asia’s leading hotel booking sites and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group announced today the results of its most recent Travel Smarts survey, which shows travelers trust online forums and blogs most when making travel plans.
The survey, conducted in April and May 2015, asked over 5,500 Agoda.com customers from all over the world which sources they found most reliable when making travel plans. Online forums were the most popular, with 34% of respondents choosing them.
Blogs and independent websites came in second with 28% of the vote. Online sources combined, which includes forums, blogs and travel apps, took 71% of the vote.
“It’s no surprise that more and more travelers trust online sources the most. When travelers turn to internet resources, they benefit from the combined knowledge and experience of countless other travelers, and can also target their research to suit their particular needs in a way they never could before,” says John Brown, COO of Agoda.com.
Most Reliable Source of Travel Information
Online forums 34%
Blogs and independent websites 28%
Advice from locals 13%
Printed guidebooks 12%
Travel apps 9%
Other 4%
Only 12% of respondents selected guidebooks.
As for sharing information with others after they’ve traveled, 79% of respondents said they posted reviews, commented on blogs or posted on social media about their travel experiences (respondents were only allowed to select one choice).
Do You Share Your Travel Experiences Online?
No 21%
Yes, I post reviews 38%
Yes, I post on social media 25%
Yes, I comment on blogs or forums 16%
