Tuesday 29 August 2006 by Edward.

Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia. The encyclopedia’s content comes from registered and unregistered users, and can be added/changed/deleted at any time. It’s like a community journal based on an honour system. With such easy access to Wikipedia things can go wrong, as reported in Milwaukee’s Journal Sentinel Online.

Two ferries, the S.S. Badger and the Lake Express, compete for business on Lake Michigan. According to the article, the S.S. Badger has been in operation 50+ years while the Lake Express is the new kid on the block. Wikipedia articles and websites posted about these ferries have become part of the turf wars. The web content has turned nasty, with posted articles being altered and/or deleted then later restored, only to be undermined again. Tracking the culprit(s) is not easy.

This type of activity does not help the tourist. My recommendation is to rely not just on Wikipedia when learning about a new destination, service or product, but to seek out other sources of information as well.

Do you have Wikipedia horror stories to share?

Posted in Report/Book, BEFORE the visit | No Comments »

Tuesday 29 August 2006 by Edward.

Where there is a problem, there is an entrepreneur with a solution. With thousands of bags going missing at airports, check in lineups as far as the eye can see, and restrictions on carrying liquids and gels on board aircraft is it any wonder that website solutions are popping up?

A few days ago I noted how FirstLuggage.com, “The Luggage Airline”, provides door-to-door luggage pickup and dropoff services for tourists — no waiting around luggage carousels at airports.
The MyWetStuff.com website states “liquid ameneties for people on the go”. These folks let tourists pre-order trial sizes of their favourite liquid-based toiletries and travel amenities, and have their personal selections waiting for them at the hotel when they check in. Interested? The site launches 5th September 2006.
Roger A. Brooks Rule 4 “The Rule of Necessity” tells us that ‘Toilets attract more than flies.’ Do you have restrooms available to visitors? and signs to let them know they are available? and close to places where those visitors can spend time and money? So what’s this got to do with onboard luggage, lineups and flight restrictions? Brooks tells us that toilets are necessary. If you make them a good part of the tourist experience they’ll likely spend money at your destination. Well, making luggage and wait lines are good part of the travel experience will do the same thing. Maybe you should hook up with these “convenience” sites and make them part of the services you offer your travel clients.

Posted in Gadget/Idea/Webtool, BEFORE the visit | No Comments »