In the web's every changing attempts to generate money, TripAdvisor is adding a "Business Listing" component that adds your web adress, email and phone number to your listing.
Here is the web link to sign up: http://www.tripadvisor.com/BusinessListings
Here is how to sign up by phone 1-866-322-5942 (toll-free within US) +1-617-431-5424
(outside US) Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:00pm EST
Here are the annual rates:
Rooms
10 or fewer - $600 Discounted to $420
11-25 - $1000 Discounted to $700
26-50 - $1500 Discounted to $1050
If all the top inns in your area refuse to pay this fee, then I think you should decline to pay TripAdvisor.
The other component to consider is whether you have already made your inventory available to be booked via the TripAdvisor booking engine. If you are, then paying for this listing might save you the commission that the TripAdvisor booking engine would take.