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How Travel Awards and Expert Recognition Lists Are Shaping the Future of AI-Powered Trip Planning

  • Writer: Alexandra Avila
    Alexandra Avila
  • Jul 30
  • 4 min read

As AI becomes more deeply integrated into how travelers research and book trips, one thing remains clear: credibility and trust still matter. For years, awards from trusted publications like Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler have helped travelers navigate a sea of options. In today’s AI-driven landscape, where discovery is guided by algorithms, voice assistants, and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), these accolades now serve a much bigger purpose.


So what role do industry awards and expert recognition lists play in the age of AI? A critical one. 


Below you’ll find examples of the various hotels, operators and travel specialists REYA Communications has helped land these coveted awards. But first, here’s why they’re important to include in your overall PR strategy and invest in.


Travel Awards: From Bragging Rights to AEO Gold


Whether it’s Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards or Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, these highly anticipated annual rankings do more than boost a hotel or destination’s profile. They feed directly into how AI systems surface and recommend travel options.


Why It Matters:


  • Trust Signals for AI Models: AI-powered discovery tools rely on structured, credible data. Awards are clear, high-authority signals that help systems like ChatGPT or Google SGE determine what’s “best” in a crowded field.


  • Answer Engine Optimization (AEO): Just like traditional SEO shaped how brands approached web visibility, AEO focuses on optimizing for AI-generated responses. Hotels with recognizable accolades are more likely to be featured in voice searches or AI-curated itineraries.


  • Emotional Impact: Consumers inherently trust award-winning properties. These accolades provide social proof that influences decision-making, especially when presented by AI as part of a personalized recommendation.


Social Proof at Scale: Awards add emotional and psychological weight. They show that a brand has been vetted by experts or endorsed by real travelers, influencing both organic rankings and traveler trust.


How REYA Helps:


At REYA Communications, we take a proactive and strategic approach to travel awards on behalf of our clients. We ensure that all our hotels, cruises, and tour operators are nominated for the most respected, high-impact awards programs, focusing on those that actually move the needle in terms of consumer trust, visibility, and AEO value.


Today’s travel brands are increasingly overwhelmed by a flood of new awards programs landing in their inboxes, many of which are thinly veiled pay-to-play schemes with hefty entry fees and little to no real industry or consumer influence. At REYA, we audit and review every award opportunity, filtering out those created purely for profit, and focusing only on those with real credibility and market value.


With very few strategic exceptions, such as the World Travel Awards, where the exposure may justify the investment, we prioritize free-to-enter or editorially driven awards, where recognition is based on merit, not money. This ensures our boutique clients aren’t just seen, they're taken seriously.


We manage the full submission process, track key deadlines, and guide our clients every step of the way, giving them a real shot at making the shortlists and, ultimately, the winners' lists. These honors do more than generate PR, they play a vital role in enhancing discoverability through AI-powered recommendations and search engines.


We’re honored to see so many of our hotel and operator clients year after year, be awarded and recognized for their commitment to hospitality and excellence. 


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Recognition Lists: Validating Human Expertise in an AI World


While AI can streamline and personalize travel discovery, complex or high-stakes trips still require human insight. That’s where expert recognition lists like Travel + Leisure’s A-List or Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialists come into play.


Why It Matters:


  • Credentialing for Specialists: In a world where anyone can claim to be a “travel expert,” these curated lists provide a credible, third-party endorsement. They’re becoming digital credentials that AI tools can use to recommend the right human for the job.


  • Personalized, Human-Led Planning: From bespoke safaris to multi-generational trips, many travelers still seek expert guidance. Being named to a top specialists list signals that these advisors offer experience and value that AI alone can’t replicate.


  • AI-Human Collaboration: In the near future, AI tools may begin recommending top travel specialists to consumers looking for more tailored help. Recognition lists serve as the “verified badge” that tells both AI and consumers: this person is legit.


How REYA Supports Travel Specialists:


For our travel specialist clients, REYA develops an awards strategy, from managing applications to crafting compelling submissions to amplifying your wins. We leverage our industry insights and relationships to get you nominated and considered for top lists. Whether it's the Travel + Leisure A-List, Robb Report’s Travel Masters, or Conde Nast Traveler’s Top Specialists, our clients can rest easy knowing their awards strategy is in expert hands.

Here are a few Travel Specialists we’ve helped. 


New Specialists Added to the Travel + Leisure A-List: 



New Specialists Added to the Conde Nast Traveler Top Specialist List: 



In today’s competitive and AI-influenced travel landscape, awards and recognitions are far more than a PR win. They are strategic assets that drive visibility, enhance credibility, and secure discoverability across both traditional and next-gen platforms.


At REYA Communications, we’re proud to help our boutique clients harness the full power of awards, not just to compete with big-budget brands, but to stand out and thrive.


Looking to elevate your awards strategy and get you or someone your team recognized for their work?

Reach out! We’d love to help.



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