What is the "Fake Reef Tour Review Manipulation" scam in Cairns?

Question

Accepted Answer

Some reef and rainforest tour operators in Cairns pay agents or use fake profiles to artificially inflate their TripAdvisor and Google ratings. Travellers booking based on these inflated ratings may find the actual boat is overcrowded, the equipment is outdated, or the tour does not visit the reef sites advertised in promotional materials. Cross-reference reviews on at least two independent platforms and look for consistent recent complaints. Book through the Cairns Visitor Information Centre at the Esplanade or with operators carrying the Queensland Tourism Award accreditation logo.

Online Scams in Cairns

Fake Reef Tour Review Manipulation

Experienced a scam here?