How Israeli Hotels Secretly Pay to Delete Negative Online Reviews

Choosing a hotel based on high ratings and glowing reviews on booking platforms can sometimes be misleading. A recent recording broadcast on Channel 13's HaTinor program revealed that guests are allegedly offered compensation in exchange for deleting negative reviews, raising serious questions about the reliability of the scores travelers rely on.

The Leonardo Club Dead Sea Incident

The details came to light in a report detailing a conversation between a representative of the Leonardo Club Dead Sea and a guest who had posted a critical review following her stay. During the call, compensation was discussed alongside a request to alter or remove the review.

The guest made it clear that while she was willing to soften her wording, she refused to delete the review entirely. Explaining her motives, she stated: "This is not about compensation. I just don't want people paying money and getting what we got." She ultimately refused to remove the review regardless of any offer.

Systematic Review Manipulation

According to testimony from a former hotel chain employee with six years of experience, this may not be an isolated incident. Employees were reportedly tasked with tracking low ratings on platforms like Booking.com, contacting dissatisfied guests, and offering upgrades or compensation in exchange for removing negative feedback or posting positive reviews.

"In many cases, we would simply ask them in return for the compensation we provided to delete the negative comment or upload a positive review about the hotel instead," the former employee stated.

Experts advise travelers not to rely solely on a single booking site score. Consumers should compare multiple platforms, check social media, and look for independent opinions to ensure they obtain an authentic picture before booking a vacation.