TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site*, today announced that it is expanding its Certificate of Excellence program to include new business types. Last year, the accolade honored highly rated lodging businesses, based on travelers’ reviews. This year, the award will also recognize travelers’ top-rated restaurants and attractions. Honorees will receive a digital recognition badge to display on their business’s website and, by request, a hardcopy certificate by mail to display on site.

To qualify, these businesses must maintain an average rating of four or higher out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include volume of reviews and how recently they have been submitted by TripAdvisor travelers. The accolade will be extended to qualifying businesses worldwide.

“Following last year’s successful launch of the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor is pleased to not only formalize the program on an ongoing basis, but also expand it to now cover attractions and restaurants, as well as accommodations,” said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. “The accolade gives exceptional businesses in a variety of different industries around the world the recognition they deserve. From top-rated restaurants in Boston to top-rated attractions in Barcelona, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience.”

The Certificate of Excellence program does not replace the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, but will be an extension of TripAdvisor’s recognition of top-rated businesses, as reviewed by travelers on the world’s largest travel site.

For more information and materials on the Certificate of Excellence program, please visit the TripAdvisor Owners Center at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Owners.