Stars fade as hotel reviews go online

THE days of star ratings for hotels and bed and breakfasts could be numbered because of the rising popularity of customer review sites on the internet.

Ministers are to withdraw their support for official ratings because they believe sites such as TripAdvisor give consumers a more accurate reflection of the standards of accommodation.

Tourism chiefs in Yorkshire admit the star system is imperfect and the industry needs to adapt to changes in the way people research and book holidays and trips away – but the news will raise alarm for owners who claim to have suffered unfair reviews which they are powerless to stop being posted online.

TV’s Dragons Den star Duncan Bannatyne is battling TripAdvisor

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