Well done moderators, keep up the good work, I don't have any complaints,

Best wishes

I agree with what everyone's said so far - don't think there's a clear "right" answer for this. 

Would to great  to see more interaction and posts, which - under the current set-up - would need more active moderation (or something else).  But do understand there are issues if changes were implemented.  On the other hand, we do get answers to our specific questions pretty quickly - or, of course,  we can ring up if we have a query regarding a holiday we have booked.  In particular, I like to see reviews of holidays and really wish more people would post a review,  even of holidays that have been going for some time. 

Often when I have mentioned joining the forum to others on JY tours, if they're not already on the forum, they really don't seem to be interested.  I suspect there may be quite a few "lurkers"  - just wish they would join in.  Having said all this, I do know I'm not a very regular poster, so perhaps I should try harder myself to up my postings.

Katy

Kezzer, I disagree entirely, of course this forum is part of JY's customer care policy - it is part of their business model!  JY and TS employ several hundred people and surely it is not too much to ask that one person be given responsibility for the governance of the forum over and above their other duties.  Some posts have taken weeks to be answered and at times inaccurate and contradictory answers are given.  This is understandable given the obvious limited time the Moderators are able to give to the forum but it is far from ideal.  One member of staff focusing on the keeping the forum up to date would be able to answer many more questions than one person answering a phone.  Five or six years ago when Olly was the Editor, virtually all posts were answered within a day.  I say this as a very loyal forum member (as anyone who looks at the forum regularly will know) and who has become increasingly more frustrated as time has gone on.  When many of us had questions prior to the Mexico tour earlier this year, and as things turned out these concerns proved more than justified, the response from JY was wholly inadequate before and after the tour.

Bob

Hi

I personally am happy with the Forum. I usually manage to go on it once a week apart from some occasions when I have managed twice a week. I doubt if Just You can justify having one full-time dedicated person for the Forum. Costs of employing a full time person can be high - it is not just the salary, but holidays, pension, perks etc which all adds up!

Jaya

Jaya

The Forum is a great asset and I wish more travellers would use it.  It does annoy me when I hear the words 'oh, I can't be bothered with that'.  It is a source of great information and usually camaraderie.  Yes it has been frustrating recently when some days there is very little posting activity but as has been said JY is a business and I would rather have the phone answered promptly when I need to phone than have to wait for ages because the Forum is taking preference.  The Forum is not for queries that need an immediate answer.

As to using senior members as moderators that is fraught with danger as they are remote from JY's control and there is also the issue of proper data protection training.

Keep up the good work Julia & Elisa.

I echo what Avocet, Cindy & Angie say. This is a holiday forum not customer service! Nothing is that urgent and if it is you should be calling JY directly.

For me the forum is a fantastic place to visit and I don't see the need for it to be 24/7 or for there to be more dedicated people. My posts are always displayed in reasonable time (thank you moderators) and I have the patience to understand that if they are delayed by a day or two - its because my question is being investigated.

I am equally impressed with the patience they show...I don't think I have enough of it to make a good moderator 😞

Kezzer

Overall I am happy with the forum. It would be good if editors'questions needing time to obtain information before the moderator can reply could be acknowledged.  The impartial  reviews are always a great help in deciding where to go next.  Personal experience gives so much information that isn't  covered in the brochure, and it's so helpful to have the chance to question earlier travellers.

Personally, I can't knock the forum. It works for me. I can see what others are thinking and what advice they can offer and my queries are always promptly answered. I feel lucky to have found the forum as I don't think I would have had the confidence to try out solo travel without it and it has totally changed what I feel I can do.

At the end of the day JY is a business and I know in my place of work there are things you would like to do but usually economics dictate it will likely not happen.

Keep up the good work JY ?

Angie

I agree totally Bob.  🙂

Hi Leah and Elisa,

Whilst I understand and appreciate the points that Elisa has made, I have to say that I agree with Leah - the Community forum is a tremendous resource for us and the senior staff at JY need to understand this more fully and free up a member of staff so that more time can be given to moderating the Community.  I do appreciate that both Julia and Elisa give as much time to the Community as they can, but it is clear that they have too many other responsibilities and it often takes posts a long time to appear, even straightforward ones that do not require any research.  This stifles the atmosphere on the forum and deadens the impact of posts, as any sense of having a conversation is lost.  Sometimes a full day goes by with no new posts and this is frustrating for those of us who consult it and post on it regularly.  Please will the powers that be make the Community more of a priority and free up a member of staff so that posts can appear more speedily.

Best wishes,

Bob