VBT Bicycling Vacations
Country Walkers
Reviews and ratings of vacation experiences will inform and inspire prospective travelers, provide feedback to company
BRISTOL, VT—VBT Bicycling & Walking Vacations website, www.vbt.com, is now publishing travelers’ comments on their trips. This latest feature on the VBT website will allow travelers to share their discoveries and award star ratings from 1 to 5 on their vacations.
“We know that travelers love to share their experiences with others,” said VBT president Gregg Marston. “We also know that all of us who are considering a travel experience to a new destination want to learn from those who have gone before. It’s a simple and helpful way to learn from others.”
“Now we have a method for experienced and prospective travelers to share information, tips, and observations of all kinds,” Marston said. “This is one of the great advantages of the Internet—VBT travelers can share the best of what they know with fellow travelers.”
Marston said he expects the comments section of the website to both inform travelers who are considering an attractive and interesting destination, and also to provide valuable feedback to the company.
“The best way we can improve our vacations—both to add more features to delight our travelers and increase their value—is to listen to what they tell us and to act quickly,” Marston said. “The Internet provides ‘real-time’ reviews and information not only to anyone who is considering one of our vacations, but to our dedicated Travel Planners, who are poised to make any change with our vendors for the benefit of our travelers.”
Marston readily acknowledged that he was inspired by the models developed by Trip Advisor and by Amazon.com, whose websites are well known for deftly incorporating user comments to share information and rate products.
“More than 500 past VBT travelers have provided reviews in the first four days since our comments feature was launched,” Marston said. “This is an encouraging and very powerful response. We expect our travelers will be candid with us if they were pleased, and also that they’ll tell us if we disappointed them for any reason.”
“Honest feedback is the best tool for prospective travelers to evaluate what we have to offer—and it’s also the best way for us to move promptly to make our vacations more rewarding,’’ he said.
As one recent VBT traveler posted online: “There is no better way to see the Vineyard and Cape Cod than by bike—that is with VBT. I have taken lots of adventure trips with several different companies, but VBT is by far the best. The Trip Leaders are very seasoned, experienced professionals who truly care that the experience is a positive one for all of the participants. They are easy-going, flexible, and determined to meet each individual’s needs. I have never met a VBT leader that I did not genuinely like and admire.”
Founded in 1971 by a Middlebury College professor, VBT offers deluxe, small group bicycling and walking tours worldwide, including destinations in Europe, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Peru, Argentina and the U.S.A. Each trip includes all accommodations, many meals, two expert local Trip Leaders, unique sightseeing and cultural activities, and full vehicle support. Unlike other companies, VBT also includes international airfare in its trip cost.
For reservations or more information, and to receive the newest 2012 catalog, call 1-800-245-3868.