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Popularity of online reviews forces Star Ratings Australia to cease operations

If you're a little wary of other people's opinions then you'd better find a way to start trusting your travelling peers because soon word-of-mouth will be the only hotel rating system available in Australia.

If you’re a little wary of other people’s opinions then you’d better find a way to start trusting your travelling peers because soon word-of-mouth will be the only hotel rating system available in Australia.

Star Ratings Australia – Australia’s only independent and accredited accommodation scheme – will cease operations as of 30 June 2017 after over 60 years of providing Australian travellers with hotel ratings.

In a statement, Star Ratings Australia’s parent company, Australian Motoring Clubs’ CEO Michael Reed said the independent review model has struggled to survive in the increasingly digital world, particularly against major peer-to-peer review sites such as TripAdvisor.

Hotel bed

“In a digital world, where consumers can provide online reviews, and with more accommodation providers choosing to self-rate, the Star Ratings scheme has found its independent review model increasingly unsustainable.”

Michael Reed, Australian Motoring Services CEO

He continued, saying the business is proud to have provided its members with “a valuable and respected scheme” since the 1950s and assisted thousands in booking their “holiday or business accommodation with confidence”.

“At the height of Star Ratings Australia’s success there were 15,000 Star Rated properties across Australia,” he added.

“Being star rated meant that consumers would always know what to expect from the accommodation they booked.

“We were always true to our message – the accommodation you expect should be the accommodation you get.”

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