Putting the Spotlight on the Industry!

At Arival, we’re all about advancing the business of creating amazing in-destination experiences—and The Arival Spotlight Awards recognize the companies doing amazing things in our industry.

Is that your company or someone you know? Nominate your own company by completing this application or share the link on to someone you think deserves to be recognized.

Your nominations will help us find outstanding candidates for the 2026 Arival Spotlight Awards!

Award Categories

The Tour Innovator Award honors tour operators who demonstrate innovative approaches, offer creative itineraries, or design unique travel experiences that set them apart from traditional offerings.

The Attraction Innovator Award honors attraction operators who demonstrate innovative approaches, creative design, or unique experience offerings that set them apart from traditional offerings.

The Tech Trailblazer Award 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.

The Inclusive Operator Award recognizes tour operators that have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, going above and beyond to ensure their travel experiences are welcoming and accessible to individuals with diverse backgrounds, abilities, and needs.

The Social Purpose/Community Engagement Award acknowledges tour operators that actively engage with local communities, support local economies, empower residents, and promote cultural exchange.

The Industry Innovation Award recognizes companies that are integral to the advancement of the In-destination Experiences industry through their tools and technology for operators of tours, activities, attractions, and experiences.

Application Instructions

• If you are applying to more than one award, you must complete a separate application form for each award category.

• Each application has a fee of $30. You will be prompted to enter your credit card info at the end of the application.

• Application questions are dependent on your chosen category, so please take care to choose the correct category when filling out each application form. If your application is not relevant to the selected category, it may be disqualified. If you are unsure about which to choose, reach out to us at spotlight@arival.travel before submitting your application. 

• Please complete all questions for each category. If a question is not relevant to the reason for your nomination, please type "n/a."

• You may save your form and come back to it later. Scroll to the very bottom and click the "Save and continue later" small disc icon  to receive an email with a link to your work-in-progress form.

 You must submit this form on or before 9 August 2026

If you have any questions, please email us at Spotlight@arival.travel

Application Step 1: Enter your company information for this category nomination

Awarded to a company that has demonstrated innovative approaches, creative itineraries, or unique travel experiences that set them apart from traditional offerings. 

Step 2: Tell us why you think your company best exemplifies this category and how you have demonstrated innovative approaches, creative itineraries, or unique travel experiences that sets you apart from traditional offerings using the prompts below.  

Awarded to a company that demonstrates innovative approaches, creative design, or unique experience offerings that set them apart from traditional offerings. Tell us who you think best exemplifies this category and why. 

Step 2: Tell us why you think your company best exemplifies this category and how you have demonstrated innovative approaches, creative itineraries, or unique travel experiences that sets you apart from traditional offerings using the prompts below.  

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

Step 2: Tell us why you think your company best exemplifies this category and how you have demonstrated exceptional innovation and integration of technology within your operations to enhance the traveler experience, streamline processes, and introduce cutting-edge solutions in the travel industry.

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

Step 2: Tell us why you think your company best exemplifies this category and how you have demonstrated exceptional commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in your operations by going above and beyond to ensure that your travel experiences are accessible and welcoming to individuals of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and needs.

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

Step 2: Tell us why you think your company best exemplifies this category and how you have actively engaged with local communities, supported local economies, empowered residents, and promoted cultural exchange.

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

Step 2: Tell us why you think your company best exemplifies this category and how you have contributed to the in-destination experiences industry through your innovative tools and technology for Operators of tours, activities, attractions and experiences.

Thank you for your nomination we are excited to learn more about your company! We will announce the winners at our upcoming Arival 360 | Spokane 2026 event, from 12-15 October, 2026. We look forward to seeing you there!

**Nominees need not be present to win