Since Hawaii travel deals are our stock in trade, some related industry regulations in the United Kingdom (UK) caught our interest. New advertising rules that go into effect next week make it illegal to proffer misleading marketing communications on company websites and in related Social Media. UK consumers finding suspected violations can report them to the Advertising Standards Authority.
Deal website Travelzoo’s European director chimed in that they already reject a majority of travel deals because they are either sold out, have hidden costs, or an inability to actually book.
I believe that we’ll have similar laws in the not too distant future. Right now in Hawaii there is an interesting bill going through the House. HB 548 would make any commercial travel website, print or Social Media provider responsible when they entice individuals (visitors) to trespass in order to get to exotic locales, who subsequently suffer injury or death.
Finding Hawaii Travel Deals
I concur that too often deals offered throughout the Internet either cannot be replicated, or are so limited in availability as to be virtually non-existent.
Beat of Hawaii performs “test bookings” on travel deals published, to the point of actual purchase.
Validating the availability of travel deals is at the core of our process. If we cannot replicate the ability to purchase directly on a site, we don’t publish it. Further, the only time we post extremely limited availability is when the offer is truly exceptional in our minds, and we specifically state it as such. A recent example is Monday’s last minute $185 round trip including car offer, which had only a few possible travel dates but was about 70% off the normal price.
Why Deals Are Hard to Get
Travel deals will always be fleeting. Today’s on-line travel marketplace is one in which airlines, hotels, and car rental companies adjust prices in real-time. The best deals are of limited duration and availability, which is intentional by their very nature. Airlines post bargains to peak your interest and get you planning a trip.
Also, since content posted on websites and in Social Media can be found even long after a short duration deal is concluded, it can give travel consumers the perception that the offer never existed at all. We’ve had countless comments to that effect as you probably know. It’s also why we now offer Post Alerts for those determined to be the early bird gecko catching the worm insect.
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“HB 548 would make any commercial travel website, print or Social Media provider responsible when they entice individuals (visitors) to trespass in order to get to exotic locales, who subsequently suffer injury or death.”
I had read this on the StarAdvisor and was stunned by the ramifications of this…And I had many questions because the bill seemed to vague. For instance, if the travel or social site has some kind of forum, what is their level of responsibility if someone posts on their site about how much fun they had at the Toilet Bowl on Oahu (oops, sorry, I think I just caused a violation!)
I guess the only workaround is that you don’t call yourself a travel or social website…call it a DIY website…then you can talk about whatever you want!
I think that personal responsibility needs to be taken into account when these kinds of bills are made!
Thanks for your comment Ed.
I don’t know what to make of it either. The bill went racing through the House, and is now in committee. We’ll see what comes of it.
Aloha, Jeff