According to research conducted in Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK by InSites Consulting, people consider their friends, acquaintances and colleagues as the most reliable sources of information. Doctors and specialists come second, followed by academics, company employees and financial analysts. Unsurpisingly, celebrities and politicians scored the lowest.
The three most reliable sources of information were the Internet (50%), Television (23%), and Newspapers (13%). In fact, 7 out of 10 Internet users read other people's comments on websites about products and brands, a trend that has become a leading influencer of people's purchase decisions.
I put myself personally as one of these users - all my accommodation in Frankfurt and Barcelona for my forthcoming trip was based on other travelers' reviews and experiences. In fact, even my choice of airlines was a result of other people's reviews. Like they say, practice what you preach...