Finalists Announced: Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards EUROPE

The finalists are in for the first European edition of the Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards. Learn more about the awards and see the complete list of finalists in each category here!

by | 14 December 2023

The results are in for the first European edition of the Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards, and we’re excited to announce the top 10 finalists for each category. 

These Europe-based finalists were chosen through a data-driven, independent and impartial analysis of customer reviews across multiple major review sites, online travel agencies (OTAs) and millions of customer reviews, powered by review management platform TourReview. This process enabled us to identify the tour, activity and attraction operators consistently going above and beyond for their customers. 

This will be the second rendition of the Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards and the first in Europe, after the inaugural North American awards were presented in October at Arival 360 | Orlando. 

The winners for the Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards: Europe will be announced during a special Welcome Party at Arival 360 | Berlin on 2 March, 2024. 

Congratulations to all the finalists!

Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards: Finalists

The Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards are based on careful analysis of nearly 40,000 tour, activity and attraction product listings for Europe (including Western and Eastern Europe, excluding Russia). 

10 finalists were identified for each category and company size, and are listed here in alphabetical order. The awards are divided into the following categories:

How were the finalists selected and what do the company sizes mean? Learn more about the methodology here.

Sightseeing Tours Award Finalists

This category includes companies that run tours within a city or destination with a primary emphasis on sightseeing, such as walking tours, urban cycling and hiking tours, segway tours, local driving or bus tours and city cruises or boat tours where the primary purpose is sightseeing.

Small OperatorsMedium OperatorsLarge Operators
Ataman Tours Colour My Travel Alternative London
Birchy’s Berlin Tours Freewalk CologneCab Tours Belfast
Glasgow Gander Walking ToursGetSegway Tours BudapestDubrovnik Walking Tours
Historic London ToursInMunich ToursFlorence Tour-Tale
Legends of BrusselsMijn Krakau Tours – MijnTours.comFreeDam Tours
Loop Tours LuzernOptimusTours GaliciaFun London Tours
M&T Lyon ToursPragueWay ToursInsider Tour
Timisoara City ToursSantorini Road TripsOriginal Dublin Walking Tours & Experiences
Toledo ForeverThe Bloody Tour of YorkRunner Bean Tours Barcelona
Ye Olde England ToursWalk is Free BordeauxTake Lisboa

Culinary Tours & Experiences Award Finalists

This category includes companies offering experiences with a primary focus on food and/or beverages, such as food tours, tasting experiences, brewery tours, winery tours and cooking experiences. 

Small OperatorsMedium OperatorsLarge Operators
Flavors of BudapestAdventurous Appetites Tapas TourDevour Tours – Madrid
Ikusnahi ToursCook With Us in RomeGourmet Madrid Tours
Kanpai TourismeFood Lover TourLittle Fish Tours
Northern Spain GastronomyGrape ToursLiquid History Tours
OzTour MunichHungry Mary – Food ToursRome Food Tours by Eating Europe
Paris Wine Day ToursLocal Flavours ToursSantorini Wine Adventure
Romeo & Juliet GuidePrague City AdventuresTaste Of Prague
Sparkling TourTaste of Lisboa Food ToursThe Roman Food Tour – Food Tour Rome
The Best of Brussels – Chocolate Beer Waffle Whiskey (ALL-IN-ONE) TourTaste Porto Food ToursWake Up Reykjavik
Wine Tasting In ParisTreasures of Lisboa Food ToursWalkabout Florence Tours

Adventure Tours & Activities Award Finalists

This category includes companies offering experiences with a focus on active outdoor adventure activities. This includes water sports and rentals,  hiking, kayaking, rafting, off-roading, whale watching, hot air ballooning, and a range of water- and land-based adventure tours.

Small OperatorsMedium OperatorsLarge Operators
Angel Sailing SantoriniDetours Adventure Dubrovnik
ATV ArboretumHightide Kayak SchoolAllboat
Beyond ArcticHowth AdventuresDIVE.IS
Bordeaux Bike ExperienceMobilboard NiceEcoTours
Exclusive BoatNewquay Activity CentreFat Tire Tours Berlin
Intrepidus OutdoorsNorthern Soul AdventuresKINboat
Madrid Pour VousOporto Adventure ToursLets Go Punting
Sup IbizaSPORT MIX Split Adventure
Turismo Activo MontgóViking RaftingThames Rockets
Vertical AventureZipline DolinkaTopBike Rental & Tours

Visitor Attraction Award Finalists

This category is for ticketed attractions including amusement parks, museums, observation decks, landmarks and monuments, zoos and aquariums that charge admission; free attractions and national and regional parks are excluded.

Small AttractionsMedium AttractionsLarge Attractions
Avicii ExperienceCatedral Basilica Metropolitana Primada de TarragonaBasílica de la Sagrada Familia
Falkecenter SamsøFængsletCasa Batlló
illusion AntwerpenFort Eben-EmaelColosseum
Jungle Garden KarlostachysGrotte du Pech-MerleDuomo di Milano
La Cronosfera Agencia del TiempoMaihaugen Open-Air MuseumEiffel Tower
Lofoten Krigsminne MuseumMalta Classic Car Collection MuseumHungarian Parliament Building
No Escape LondonMines de BruouxLouvre Museum
The Herring Era MuseumMusee Nissim de CamondoPantheon
Third Man MuseumMusee Toulouse-LautrecPrague Castle
Van Buuren Museum & GardensNitra CastleSt. Stephen’s Cathedral

Day Tours & Excursions Award Finalists

This category is for companies offering day tours & excursions which include transportation to destinations primarily outside of the city, such as by bus or boat.

Small OperatorsMedium OperatorsLarge Operators
Barcelona Y Day TripsActive TravelChasing Lights
Basque GuidesAltitude ActivitiesFinn McCools Tours
Bath Insider ToursDingle Slea Head ToursHaggis Adventures
Choose Your RouteGame of Thrones ToursMountain Goat Tours
Dreamlike JourneysHidden IcelandOne Excellence Tours
Kitzel toursLaus TravelPure Azores Tours
Nicolas Experience ToursLights of VikingsRabbie’s
Nordic AdventuresPrivate Greece ToursScotland City Tours
SeaByBus Explore CreteTasteTheExperienceThe Hairy Coo
Special Private ToursThe English BusTimberbush Tours Edinburgh – Day Tours

Methodology: How Are The Finalists Selected? 

The Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards selection process involves a careful analysis of 39,000 tour, activity and attraction product listings for Europe (including Western and Eastern Europe, excluding Russia).

Award Criteria: Reviews & Ratings

The award criteria are based on statistical analysis of the volume of reviews and aggregate customer rating (average review score on a scale of 1 to 5). TourReview compiled comprehensive review data on all 39,000 product listings between 1 November 2022 and 31 October 2023, from seven major online travel agencies and review websites, including: 

  • Expedia
  • GetYourGuide
  • Google
  • Klook
  • Tiqets
  • Tripadvisor (excluding reviews also on Viator)
  • Viator

The aggregate customer review score, or rating, is weighted far greater than the total review count, in order to reduce the advantage of larger operators, or operators who might get more bookings and reviews because they have been listed on more websites when compared to operators listed on fewer sites.

Verified vs. Unverified Reviews

Google and Tripadvisor reviews are unverified. Reviews from these websites are counted at approximately 89% and 95%, vs. 100% of reviews where only verified customers can post (all other OTAs). This weighting is based on this analysis of the incidence of fake user reviews for Tripadvisor and Google. 

Company Size Segmentation

Because of the significant differences in review volume and ratings for small and large operators, Arival and TourReview developed three segments based on review volume:

  • Small: 250-1,000 reviews during the one-year period
  • Medium: 1,001-5,000 reviews
  • Large: more than 5,000 reviews

Product listings with fewer than 250 reviews were excluded from consideration. 

Awards by Company

Each award is presented at the company level. TourReview conducted careful analysis using its proprietary AI as well as manual checks to correlate each tour listing to a single tour or attraction company. 

Learn more about the methodology for the award selection process here. 

The North American awards were presented at Arival 360 | Orlando in October — meet the winners here.

The Arival & TourReview Awards at Arival 360 | Berlin 

All finalists will be contacted by Arival—and we’ll be unveiling the winners at the upcoming Arival 360 | Berlin event during the Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards Ceremony, on March 2, 2023. While you do not have to be present to receive an award, we hope to see you there!

ARIVAL 360 | VALENCIA

28-30 APRIL 2025

Insider Pro Access Members Save 20%

THE event of the year for the European in-destination experiences industry

Save up to €860 with the Autumn Advantage ticket

Learn More
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Tags: Featured, tour operator awards, Awards, TourReview, activity operator awards, travel industry awards, Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards, tourism awards, attraction awards, tour industry awards, tour awards, awards for tour operators

Trending

Check Out Our New Report
X
Arival Guide to OTAs & Digital Distributors

A comprehensive directory of OTAs and online resellers for operators of tours, activities and attractions Authors: Brittani England & Martin Harlow Edited by: Douglas Quinby & Janelle Visser

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
GET REPORTCombined Shape
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ARIVAL | ACTIVATE EDINBURGH AND ARIVAL 360 | VALENCIA AND WHICH SHOULD I ATTEND?

Since 2019, Arival has hosted one major event in Europe each year. For 2024-2025, we’re thrilled to offer two exciting events: Arival 360 | Valencia and Arival | Activate Edinburgh. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which event to attend—or why you might want to come to both:

Arival 360 | Valencia (28-30 April 2025)
  • Scope: Flagship European Event with a global reach; up to 30% of attendees from outside Europe, including the U.S., Middle East, LATAM, and APAC.
  • Audience: Experience creators, tech and distribution companies, and industry professionals from around the world.
  • Arival Theater Content: Global topics including: over-tourism and sustainability, technology, distribution, European consumer and operator trends.
  • Breakout Sessions: In-depth workshops on operational best practices, product expansion, AI, channel management, marketing tech, a Spain-specific track and an Innovation Showcase highlighting the most tech-savvy companies in our industry.
  • Networking: Connect with leading OTAs and distribution companies, and build valuable partnerships.
  • Location: Valencia, a stunning coastal city offering rich cultural experiences.
  • Attendees: Approximately 800, providing extensive networking opportunities.
Arival | Activate Edinburgh (23-25 November 2024)
  • Scope: Regional focus on the UK, Ireland, and the Nordic regions.
  • Audience: Operators and industry professionals from the region.
  • Content: Gain insights on regional topics like technology, distribution strategies, and hear from top regional tourism leaders.
  • Breakout Sessions: Experience hands-on learning at Edinburgh’s top attractions and tours, with sessions on visitor experience, digital journeys and innovative tour development. In-depth sessions for companies at the beginning of their digital journey and more advanced sessions for people and companies looking to elevate their experience.
  • Networking: With a more intimate setting. you’ll have more time to build deeper connections and create more meaningful interactions with your current and future partners including distributors, tech companies, DMOs and more.
  • Location: Edinburgh, known for its stunning architecture and historic charm
  • Attendees: Approximately 400, fostering an intimate peer-to-peer learning and networking environment.
Key Differences:
  • Global vs. Regional Focus: Valencia is a global event with an international audience, while Edinburgh is a regional event focused on the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions.
  • Event Size: Valencia hosts about 800 attendees, providing broad networking opportunities, whereas Edinburgh’s 400 attendees create a more intimate, focused environment.
  • Content and Sessions: Valencia features global themes and advanced topics, whereas Edinburgh provides region-specific insights and hands-on experiential learning.
  • Location Experience: Valencia providing a coastal escape and Edinburgh offering historic and iconic attractions.
  • Who Will Be There: The most valuable part of Arival Events is the connections you make and the partnerships you build to grow your business. At Arival | Activate Edinburgh, you’ll engage with key industry players in the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions. If your business focus is on these areas, Edinburgh is where you need to be. For those targeting broader European or global markets, Arival 360 | Valencia offers the ideal platform to network with international leaders and innovators. 
Why attend both?

With limited opportunities for business development, learning, and networking in our industry, attending both events is a strategic move. By participating in both Edinburgh and Valencia, you maximize your exposure to diverse markets and influential contacts. 

However, if budget constraints or a specific regional focus dictate your decisions, choose the event that best aligns with your primary business goals. Join us in Edinburgh for regional insights or Valencia for global perspectives—or better yet, attend both to fully leverage the potential of Arival’s expansive network.

For service providers such as a restech or ticketing platform, distribution company, or other services including marketing, AI tools, etc., attending both gives you access to attendees from both markets to connect with your current customers and to meet new ones!

already a member?

Lost your password?

NEED TO REGISTER?

Become an Arival Insider
X
THE ARIVAL INSIDER PRO ACCESS MEMBERSHIP; YOU GET ALL THIS TO HELP YOU ADVANCE YOUR BUSINESS.

Included in Free Membership

Included in Arival Pro Membership

The Arival on-demand video library archive
Access to the entire library of over 150 video sessions and webinars

Arival.guides
Short, digestible research & trends reports delivering insights into our industry, such as The Tour Operator Outlook for 2021.

Arival.travel articles
Topical articles about marketing, tech, operator business and operator stories in all areas of tours, activities & attractions & experiences

Job board access
Find a job from our regular listings, post a resume to the talent network and learn strategies from the job resources articles

New webinars
Helpful, instructional sessions covering subjects such as Mastering Facebook Ads, Grow Your Business and How To Work With OTAs — topics to help advance your business.

Discounts on all Arival in-person events
20% Discount on all Arival in-person events (save up to $300)* based on business type

Arival ProShield – Insurance program
Access to tailored insurance solutions by Granite Insurance is available exclusively for Arival Insider Pro Access Members. Insider Pro Access Members also have access to a suite of resources from Granite Insurance including templates, forms and other informative documents.

Insiders Pro Access member exclusive webinars
Paid membership-only webinars to deepen your understanding of important industry topics.

Job postings & talent directory
Post jobs & connect with candidates most applicable to your business.

Private roundtables to connect, learn and engage
Small, focused and intimate discussions exclusive to Arival Insider Pro Access members.

Full access to Arival’s library of in-depth reports
Up to date, deep analysis of tourism topics ranging from Self-guided Tours to Sales & Distribution Trends and Outlooks, based on the data that defines the industry.

The latest on-demand videos
Over 350+ on-demand videos featuring hot topics in tours, activities & attractions

Insider discounts in digital marketing, tech, e-learning, and more
Save money on additional tools, services and learnings you need to run your business. Exclusive to paid members.

Membership Overview
X

Get on the List
Sign up to receive insights tailored for the in-destination industry as well as updates on Arival.
  *
 *
 *
 *
 
 
You can sign up to receive email updates from topics that may interest you.
*Required fields
Note: It is our responsibility to protect your privacy and we guarantee that your data will be completely confidential.
ARIVAL CODE OF CONDUCT​
CONFERENCES AND COMMUNITY SPACES​

At Arival, we believe travel can make the world a better place. Our mission is to establish and inspire a diverse community of individuals and companies in the In-destination Industry by providing opportunities to gain insight, share knowledge and build connections. To make it possible for true collaboration, creativity, innovation, and idea exchange to thrive, we are committed to facilitating a welcoming and respectful community for all. This Conference Code of Conduct shares our community expectations and applies to all attendees, employees, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and other participants at Arival- produced and sponsored events. We empower all participants in our community to actively engage in creating a friendly, inclusive and safe environment for all.

Arival’s core values include the following, and create an expectation for conduct at our events and in online community spaces:

We demonstrate a deep respect for human beings inside and outside our company and for the communities in which they live.
We value integrity and strive to consistently interact with others in ways that are authentic, ethical, and fair.
We are dedicated to transparency, committing to clear, open and honest communication.
We actively pursue and advocate for inclusion, diversity and representation of varying cultural backgrounds, perspectives and ideas

Arival welcomes people from all cultural backgrounds, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender (including pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity, religion (including religious dress and grooming), marital status, domestic partner status, genetic information, age, national origin or ancestry, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Accordingly, participants must refrain from displaying any demeaning, harassing, aggressive, or intimidating behavior or materials that would interfere with others’ experience and participation in our community.

If you witness or are subjected to inappropriate or disruptive behavior or have any other concerns, notify an Arival staff member as soon as possible.

Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Arival reserves the right to refuse entry to or remove any party from any event or community space at any time when participation or behavior create a disruption or hinder the event or enjoyment of the event by other participants. All determinations are at the sole discretion of Arival, and the decision of the Arival team will be final. Severe breaches of this Conference Code of Conduct may result in disqualification from participating in future events. Individuals expelled due to violating this Conference Code of Conduct will not be eligible for a refund or other consolation.

If you have questions regarding this Conference Code of Conduct or its implementation, please contact us at [email protected].

X