The partnership fits within VisitEngland’s campaign to encourage tourism businesses to engage with digital platforms.
James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland, said: “Our star ratings appearing on TripAdvisor is a fantastic benefit to VisitEngland’s scheme, demonstrating the importance of star ratings in helping potential customers to choose their accommodation with confidence.
“It is also an opportunity for our official star-rated accommodation providers to raise their profile even further by having their stars displayed on one of the world’s leading travel websites. This is one of a number of new developments we are putting in place to support business to secure a strong online presence.”
Benefits
VisitEngland’s star ratings are awarded to hotels and other accommodation providers in England that have signed up to the organisation’s National Quality Assessment Scheme, and aims to allow customers to make more confident decisions.
Catherine Tremaine, vice-president of content, TripAdvisor, added: “We are pleased to be working with VisitEngland to display the national tourist board’s official star ratings for graded accommodations on TripAdvisor.
“We know that user-generated ratings and reviews have a significant impact on travellers’ planning activity and booking decisions – and coupled with the official star ratings, travellers are able to make a well-informed booking decision, suitable for their needs.”
Criteria
The criteria determining the ratings include services and facilities provided for guests, quality of the welcome, service and hospitality of the staff, food and cleanliness.
VisitEngland’s ratings will be updated weekly on TripAdvisor to update changes and ensure stars are displayed even on new entries.
As part of VisitEngland’s star rating scheme, hotels get an annual assessment by one of the organisation’s professional assessors, as well as silver and gold awards for hotels and guest accommodation and gold awards for self-catering properties.
The scheme also includes breakfast awards, access to advice and support and eligibility for the annual VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.