Misers of trip advisers

WHEN it comes to tourism, Far North Queenslanders are damn proud of their attractions, particularly the natural assets.

But unfortunately, not everyone who visits the region agrees that the places we promote are worthwhile checking out.

Internet site TripAdvisor, which can make or break a tourism business, provides ratings and reviews for all manner of attractions, including some spots you would not consider tourists to be interested in.

For example, a visitor from Toronto, Canada, left a fourstar review of Cairns’ Courthouse in April this year:

“I was there during the evening and I was impressed,” they wrote. “Very attractive.

“Lots of people come here to defend themselves or to accuse others.

“No wonder that they needed a big courthouse. Worthwhile to see!”

Bruce Prideaux, the director of CQUniversity’s Cairnsbased Centre for Tourism and Regional Opportunities, said TripAdvisor was a valuable tool for the industry, as long as it was used properly.

He said people should never make a judgment from a single review on the site, but instead look at a broader picture.

“I think it provides a very good mechanism and platform,” he said.

“If a hotel, for example, says it is five-star, then the usergenerated content on TripAdvisor gives you an actual idea of what the hotel is like, from people’s perspective.

“It also makes the hotel a little bit aware of what standards they are delivering.”

Here are some of the worst reviews left on the site by visitors to the Far North.