TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site*, today revealed the findings of a study¹, which looked at review ratings collected by TripAdvisor from travellers around the world. Amongst the Australian states, territories and self-governed islands of the region, the Nation’s islands are showing the mainland how to impress their guests.

Travellers give Norfolk Island accommodation the highest average review rating of 4.44 out of a possible 5, followed by Christmas Island (4.11), Queensland (4.09), Tasmania (4.08) and Victoria (4.03).¹

Top 5 Areas in the Australian Commonwealth with the Highest Average Review Ratings on Accomodation¹

“We are thrilled the Norfolk Island accommodation operators have distinguished themselves as the highest rated in the nation, according to TripAdvisor travellers,” said Glen Buffett, General Manager of Norfolk Island Tourism. “Norfolk Island offers memorable experiences with countless attractions and places of intense natural beauty. When travellers and their families pay us a visit, they can rest assured that they’ll be staying in some of the best and friendliest hotels in the country.”

B&Bs Outperform Hotels
As part of the study, TripAdvisor also examined the difference in travellers’ review ratings for Australia’s hotels versus its B&Bs. The results show that B&Bs are edging out their hotel counterparts with an average review rating of 4.31 out of a possible 5, versus 3.89 for hotels1.

“TripAdvisor provides an excellent gauge of guest satisfaction, and we’re thrilled that so many of our guests have been pleased with the service we’re providing,” said Beth Reid, Owner, Reid’s Place, Scarborough QLD. “We love reading the feedback our guests share on the site and it helps us make informed decisions about how we can continue to exceed their expectations.”

Who’s Writing the Best Reviews for Australia’s Accommodation?
In addition, the study also looked at countries that contribute the highest number of reviews to properties in the region and found that travellers in Australia contributed the most reviews, followed by the U.K., U.S., New Zealand, Germany and Canada. Reviewers from the U.S. offer the most favourable reviews giving an average rating of 3.97 for Australian properties, followed by the British (3.90) and Canadians (3.88). Australian and New Zealand travellers prove more critical of the Nation’s accommodation with an average review rating of 3.81 and 3.75, respectively.

“In the last seven years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of travellers posting reviews about where they have stayed. Today’s findings show the wealth of information now available hasn’t just benefitted other travellers, it has benefitted the industry as well,” said Christine Petersen, president, TripAdvisor for Business. “Hotel and B&B owners have, it appears, clearly been listening to the free feedback they have received, and used it to improve the service they provide.”

1 Based on average review ratings (not property ratings) submitted in 2012 (1 January 2012 to 21 September 2012) on Australian properties listed on TripAdvisor.