Tui Travel UK is stepping up efforts to engage with consumers by pushing social media and independent reviews as a way for customers to provide feedback.

Later this year Thomson will add reviews from Holidays Uncovered to its website, giving customers access to 150,000 more independent opinions. It introduced TripAdvisor in 2007.

First Choice will launch customer reviews on its website next year.

Thomson this week launched a web page listing the company’s latest ideas on improving holidays and has also set up a research panel of 800 people to provide regular feedback.

Meanwhile, MyThomson, a personalised pre-departure website for online bookers, will be available later this month.

Customers will be able to talk to their travel adviser before departure via a new email address and phone number. A UK call centre has also been set up to support customer queries.

Branch staff now have access to blogs written by resort reps, and customers are being encouraged to blog: next year Thomson Cruises will offer a free internet service onboard for guests who want to blog about their experiences.

• Tui survey reveals Brits plan to spend more on 2010 holidays (3 Sep 2009)