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How to Earn a TripAdvisor Award and Improve Your Ranking

Tobias Roelen-Blasberg
Tobias Roelen-Blasberg
Co-Founder & Head of Product
Learn how to earn a TripAdvisor Award and improve your ranking on the platform. Discover the importance of Travelers' Choice Awards and Certificates of Excellence.
How to Earn a TripAdvisor Award and Improve Your Ranking
TABLE OF CONTENTS

When it comes to travel and accommodation, Tripadvisor has become the go-to platform for travelers worldwide. In the ever-expanding digital age, it's hard to underestimate the influence Tripadvisor wields. In fact, according to Tripadvisor's TripBarometer 2014 Global Report, it's not just a source of inspiration; it's also highly influential across many countries. So, if you're in the hospitality industry, you're probably wondering how to get a TripAdvisor award to make your property stand out.

We're here to share some tips on how you can boost your chances on winning the Tripadvisor award. Whether you're running a hotel, inn, or any other accommodation, this guide will help you navigate the path to Tripadvisor success.

What are the Tripadvisor awards?

Tripadvisor awards are more than just digital badges. They're a stamp of approval from travelers worldwide. Earning an award can significantly boost your property's visibility and, ultimately, your bookings. Let's dive into the two main types of awards you can earn:

  • Traveler’s Choice Awards: Best of the Best
  • Certificate of Excellence

What is a Tripadvisor Best of the Best Award?

Established in 2002, the Travelers' Choice awards are the highest accolades that Tripadvisor bestows upon properties. These awards are unique because they're based on millions of reviews and opinions from travelers across the globe. They reflect the "best of the best" in terms of service, quality, and customer satisfaction.

badge tripadvisor best of the best 2023
Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best 2023 badge. Source: Tripadvisor

The Travelers' Choice awards are given across various categories, from hotels and accommodations to destinations, attractions, brands, and products. In fact, over 7,000 properties received recognition this year. While that might sound like a lot, it's just a tiny fraction (0.94%) of all accommodations listed on Tripadvisor.

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How to get a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award?

To qualify for a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award, your business must meet specific criteria. These criteria typically include:

  • Listing Duration: Your property, business, destination, or point of interest must have been listed on Tripadvisor for at least 12 months.
  • Minimum Rating: Maintain a minimum bubble rating equivalent to "Very Good" or "Excellent" (typically, 4 out of 5 stars).
  • Review Quantity: While the exact number of reviews required is unspecified, ensure that you receive a substantial number of reviews within the evaluation period to increase your chances of consideration.
  • "Best of the Best" Sub-Categories: If you aim for specific "Best of the Best" award sub-categories, additional eligibility criteria may apply, depending on the guest experiences or amenities featured on-site.
  • Content Compliance: Maintain a strong commitment to safety and animal welfare and avoid discriminatory behavior.
screenshot j.k. place roma tripadvisor travelers choice
A hotel listing with a Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best badge.

What is a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence?

The Certificate of Excellence is another prestigious award, but it's focused on consistently outstanding reviews. It's given to the top 10 percent of accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and vacation rentals listed on Tripadvisor.

To qualify for a Certificate of Excellence, your business must meet the following criteria:

  • Maintain an overall Tripadvisor rating of at least four out of five.
  • Have a minimum number of total reviews.
  • Be listed on Tripadvisor for at least twelve months.

Tripadvisor also considers your property's popularity ranking for both the Travelers' Choice and Certificate of Excellence awards. The better your ratings and the more recent reviews you receive, the higher your property's ranking can go.

raiding the rock vault tripadvisor certificate of excellence
An event place taking pride on their Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence. Source: Dpjason

How do you rank 1 on Tripadvisor?

Achieving the top ranking on Tripadvisor requires a proactive approach to managing your listing. Respond to reviews, both positive and negative, with professionalism and a commitment to improving your services. Consistently update your listing with high-quality images and detailed information, and aim to maintain a high average rating through exceptional customer experiences.

What do the badges on Tripadvisor mean?

Badges on Tripadvisor are indicators of specific achievements or designations. These can include "Travelers' Choice," "Certificate of Excellence," and "GreenLeaders," among others. These badges help travelers identify and choose businesses that have received recognition for their quality and commitment to sustainability.

What do the stars mean on Tripadvisor?

Stars on Tripadvisor represent the overall rating given by travelers based on their experiences. A higher star rating typically indicates better quality and satisfaction. Businesses aim to achieve and maintain a high star rating, as it can positively impact their visibility and credibility on the platform.

How do you get awards on Tripadvisor?

So, now that you know why these awards matter, how can you improve your odds of earning one? Let's explore some strategies to set your property apart from the crowd.

1. Respond to all your reviews

Regardless of whether they're positive or negative, it's crucial to respond to each and every review left by your guests. This shows not only that you value their feedback, but it also demonstrates your commitment to providing excellent service. Make sure your responses are personalized — avoid simply copying and pasting the same message for each review.

screenshot of La Cuisine Paris responding to a customer review
A top-rated Tripadvisor listing responding to a review. Source: Vacation Labs

Additionally, responding to all your online reviews increases your overall rating and visibility on search engines. Moreover, the way you handle negative reviews can turn a negative experience into a positive one, showing potential guests that you regard their satisfaction as a priority. To learn more, read our article How to Respond to Tripadvisor Reviews in Seconds.

Consequently, you can leverage numerous review management tools like an AI reply assistant to help you write the best responses to Tripadvisor reviews. These AI solutions are specially made to write optimized replies that will not just help you rank on leading review platforms such as Tripadvisor but also build a strong connection with your guests.

2. Join the GreenLeaders Program

Another way to distinguish your property is by becoming a part of the GreenLeaders program. This program adds a special badge to your hotel's listing, highlighting your commitment to eco-friendly practices.

sample of a listing with Tripadvisor Green Leaders badge
Tripadvisor Green Leaders badge. Source: Tripadvisor

3. Leverage Tripadvisor badges on your website

Tripadvisor offers badges for businesses that have received a minimum number of excellent reviews. For instance, the Bravo! badge is available for businesses that consistently receive high praise. Incorporating these badges on your website can build trust with potential guests. To learn how you can use these badges to attract more guests, read Boost Your Search Rankings: Tips to Optimize Your Tripadvisor Listing

screenshot st regis hotel article tripadvisor badge
The St. Regis Hotel’s article on their Tripadvisor win. Source: The St. Regis Hotel

4. Stay informed

To stay ahead of the curve on Tripadvisor, keep yourself informed about what's trending. Review response metrics and hospitality reputation trends can provide valuable insights. Don't forget to check out Tripadvisor's reports for even more data on how you can optimize your profile.

screenshot pdf tripadvisor report power of reviews
Sample of a Tripadvisor report on the effect of reviews to travelers. Source: Tripadvisor

Boost your review management with MARA

One strategy that can significantly improve your response rate and quality to reviews is the utilization of AI technology, specifically the MARA AI Review Assistant. This intuitive tool is designed to ease your Online Reputation Management process, making it more efficient, personalized, and time-saving. It offers the best and most personalized AI for responding to and analyzing your guest reviews.

Review Inbox for your TripAdvisor reviews

One of the key features of this tool is the Review Inbox. Your review inbox makes responding to reviews as simple as hitting "Generate reply" and clicking "Send". The Review Inbox connects to multiple review sources, including Google, Booking.com, and Tripadvisor, giving you a panoramic view of all your reviews. And you can even configure review response automation: Why not allow MARA to automatically respond to simple reviews, like 5-star TripAdvisor reviews with no text, ensuring you never miss a review? Daily notifications about new reviews keep you updated and in control.

MARA Review Inbox
Streamlined Review Inbox for TripAdvisor reviews and other listings.

Review Analytics for customer insights

To help you understand and analyze the multitude of reviews, the Review Assistant also incorporates Review Analytics. This provides actionable, easy-to-understand insights that are tailored exclusively to your business. With MARA, you can quickly get the gist of all your reviews without needing to read each one. The analysis is so detailed that you can find out about specific issues like "water in the pool is too cold" or "lack of vegan breakfast option”. These insights help optimize guest experience without requiring you to be a data expert.

MARA Review Analytics
Running advanced review analytics for your TripAdvisor reviews.

Personalized TripAdvisor review responses

MARA's AI isn't just about efficiency; it's about personalization too. The Brand Voice feature allows the AI to adapt to your tone, making sure your responses sound authentically you. Plus, with Smart Snippets, you can "teach" the AI how to respond to recurring praises or complaints. Your AI then incorporates this information into its responses, but always with different words, providing more personalized, relevant replies.

This review response assistant has quickly become a game-changer for over 2000 customers. Its promising capacity to elevate your overall rating, amplify response rates, glean insights from customer feedback, and economize both time and money is the reason behind its growing popularity.

Final Thought

In the competitive landscape of platforms like Tripadvisor, earning awards requires strategic pursuit rather than luck. These accolades not only symbolize excellence but also significantly boost visibility and bookings. By leveraging AI technology like the MARA AI Review Reply Assistant and staying abreast of industry trends, properties can further enhance their online presence. Ultimately, success on platforms like Tripadvisor is a deliberate journey marked by dedication to excellence, ensuring properties stand out as the best. Managing online reviews doesn't have to be overwhelming; with the right software, you can streamline the process, personalize responses, and glean valuable insights. So, why hesitate to try our AI Review Assistant, MARA? It's free for testing, requires no credit card, and can be fully operational in less than five minutes.

This article is part of our hero content on “Mastering Tripadvisor: The Complete Guide to Improving Your Business’s Online Reputation".

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Are Tripadvisor awards really that important?

Absolutely. These awards are like digital gold stars for your property. They boost your visibility and reputation, making travelers more likely to choose your accommodation.

How can I improve my Tripadvisor rating?

Maintain the quality of your services, encourage guests to leave reviews, and respond to those reviews. Proactive management is key.

Can small businesses win these awards, or is it just for big hotels?

Small businesses can definitely win Tripadvisor awards. The Certificate of Excellence, for example, is open to all types of accommodations.

What's the role of Revinate in this process?

Revinate's Post-Stay Surveys can help you generate more reviews and improve your Tripadvisor ranking, as seen with the Morningstar Express Hotel example.

How often do these awards get updated?

Tripadvisor awards are updated annually, so you have a chance to earn them each year.

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