Review websites such as Trip-Advisor are littered with “warped and twisted criticism” which threatens the livelihood of bona fide businesses, UK travel guru and hotelier Alex Polizzi has said.

Polizzi said those posting reviews about their stays should “think before you click” when leaving a comment to stop some small business owners feeling “abused”.

In some instances, rival businesses are leaving feedback masquerading as aggrieved customers, the entrepreneur said.

In an interview with British magazine Radio Times, Polizzi said there was a need to counter the internet's “more malevolent side”.

She said: “When I speak to small business owners, what I hear again and again is that internet review sites such as TripAdvisor are filled with warped and twisted criticism.

It’s in the review sites’ interest to have scurrilous stuff up, because it is fun to read

“People have complete impunity to say anything they like, and lots of it is either factually incorrect, or stuck up there by competitors. It’s in the review sites’ interest to have scurrilous stuff up, because it is fun to read, but people's businesses can be destroyed.”

The hotelier has forged a successful broadcasting career, currently presenting The Fixer, touring the country meeting family businesses struggling to stay afloat, for the BBC.