Finalists Announced: Arival Spotlight Awards

The finalists are in for the first Arival Spotlight Awards. Learn more about the awards and see the finalists in each category here!

by | 3 October 2023

The results are in for the  Arival Spotlight Awards, and we’re excited to announce the top finalists for each category. 

These awards shine a spotlight on the global in-destination experiences industry, celebrating the very best in tours, activities, attractions and experiences. Nominations were open to anyone until 15 September 2023, and the finalists for each category were chosen by a panel of experienced and impartial experts: leaders in marketing, tour and attraction operations, research, technology and other aspects of the industry. 

(Note: these awards are separate from the Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards, which were selected 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. Winners of both types of awards will be announced in Orlando.)

We will be announcing the winners for each category at Arival 360 | Orlando, on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023. 

Congratulations to all the finalists!

Arival Spotlight Awards: Finalists

The inaugural edition of the Arival Spotlight Awards includes five categories, which honor tour operators, activities providers and experience creators, and the companies that support them, who reflect the growing innovation, creativity, diversity,  and specialization and technology within the in-destination experiences industry.

Learn more about the awards here and see the complete list of judges here.

Tour Innovator Award Finalists

This category honors tour operators that demonstrate innovative approaches, offer creative itineraries, or have designed unique travel experiences that set them apart from traditional offerings.

Attraction Innovator Award Finalists

This category honors attraction operators who demonstrate innovative approaches, creative design, or unique experience offerings that set them apart from traditional offerings.

Tech Trailblazer Award Finalists

This category recognizes tour operators that have demonstrated exceptional innovation and integration of technology within their operations to enhance the traveler experience, streamline processes, and introduce cutting-edge solutions in the travel industry.

Inclusive Operator Award Finalists

This category recognizes tour operators that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, going above and beyond to ensure that their travel experiences are accessible and welcoming in to individuals of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and needs.

Social Purpose / Community Engagement Award Finalists

This category acknowledges tour operators that actively engage with local communities, supporting local economies, empowering residents, and promoting cultural exchange.

Industry Advancement Champion Award Finalists

This category recognizes non-operator companies* that are integral to the advancement of the In-destination Experiences industry through their support, advocacy, tools and technology for Operators of tours, activities, attractions and experiences. 

*Includes: Distribution / Reseller (OTA, Wholesaler, Local, GDS, Travel Agent, etc.), DMO or CVB’s, DMC’s, Technology, Marketing / Advertising Agency, Training & Education, Consultants, Association / Not for Profits, and others.

The Arival & TourReview Awards at Arival 360 | Orlando 

All finalists will be contacted by Arival—and we’ll be unveiling the winners at the upcoming Arival 360 | Orlando event during the Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards Ceremony, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. While you do not have to be present to receive an award, we hope to see you there!

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Header Photo: Anna Tarazevich / Pexels

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Tags: Featured, tour operator awards, Arival Spotlight Awards, Awards, activity operator awards, travel awards, Arival 360 | Orlando, tour company awards, tourism awards, attraction awards, travel tech awards

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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!

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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.

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