As a tour or activity operator, you’re always looking for ways to attract more customers or improve the guest experience. One idea you could consider is offering a custom or semi-customizable tour.  A custom tour…

Spark Orlando is just a few short weeks away. Can you believe it — we sure can’t! If you are unfamiliar with this event, Spark is our annual conference designed to help you, our amazing…

Reporting can feel like a very daunting task. Updating sheets every month and pulling out important insights takes up a lot of time. If you identify with those statements, we encourage you to start using…

The shoulder season is the time between your peak and low season — as well as the time between your low and peak season. That’s right, with two shoulder seasons per year, you should definitely…

Email marketing continues to be a powerful tool for tour and activity businesses to connect with their audience and drive engagement, especially during off-peak seasons.  However, with inboxes flooded with countless emails every day, it…

Looking for ways to sharpen your leadership skills and learn something new? Whether you are just getting started or are an established company with many employees, useful career advice fits all sizes. Recently, we asked…

Whether you are launching a new experience, creating an enhanced marketing campaign, or aiming for a higher conversion rate, keeping track of your progress will help you set attainable goals. One great way to do…

When a temporary closure impacts your business and causes a pause in all bookable activities, it can be difficult to get back on track. This is especially true when your business must shut down because…

In today’s competitive landscape, working with a marketing agency can be a game-changer for tour and activity businesses looking to enhance their brand presence, reach new customers, and drive business growth.  If you’re wondering whether…

We have covered the details of getting past any mistakes you may make in Google Analytics 4 (GA4) in a previous article you may want to check out.  Now, we want to dive a bit…

In today’s digital age, influencer marketing has quickly turned into a powerful tool for businesses across a wide range of industries. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are home to recognizable faces with a…

As an operator, your number one goal is to get as many bookings as you can. And we’re here to help you understand and utilize each Dashboard feature that will help make that possible! So,…

AI is a trending topic in pretty much every industry, and the tours and activities industry is no exception! If you’re already a member of the FareHarbor Community, you might have seen the buzz about…

Loyalty programs have been proven to build a loyal customer base, secure consistent revenue from repeat purchases, encourage organic referrals, and incentivize customers to make a purchase. Enter our new feature — memberships.  The memberships…

There’s no hiding the fact that tour and activity operators are busy. And that sometimes means your marketing initiatives can fall by the wayside. A successful marketing strategy can be what boosts your business into…

You’ve heard of Instagram stories (we hope!), but have you tried Instagram story highlights?! They are an easy-to-use feature that will make your stories stay on your page indefinitely. These highlights are a useful tool…

Google currently has a market share of roughly 85% of all online searches. That means the massive search engine is visited over 89.3 billion times a month for everything from “things to do near me”…

Google Analytics is one of the most popular and useful digital marketing tools you should have in your arsenal—and it’s free to use!  This tool has an abundance of uses but broadly speaking it allows…

In our highly competitive industry, tour and activity operators are constantly seeking innovative methods to drive traffic and increase revenue. High-value activities such as private tours, luxury experiences, and more expensive offerings are an excellent way…

If you are an outdoor activity provider offering experiences like walking tours or biking excursions, you are no stranger to unpredictable weather conditions. From rain and wind to heatwaves and other issues, maintaining customer satisfaction…

Custom fields are a tool you can use to optimize your book form for each specific tour and activity in the Dashboard. You can add custom fields to gather additional information about your customers like…

There are so many Dashboard features available to you — and we want to make sure you are using every one that makes sense for your business and will streamline your operations. Today we are…

Creating a Facebook event is a great way to increase visibility for your festivals, annual events, and more. They are a free tool and easy to set up — so you haven’t already utilized them,…

When it comes to the nuances of your availabilities, you can’t overlook your online booking cutoff time. This refers to the time at which an item should be closed so customers can no longer book…

At the end of 2022, we created our first ever online FareHarbor Community via Facebook! With hundreds of members already, this group of FareHarbor clients is getting to experience the major benefits of connecting with…

Working with affiliates is an excellent way to increase online bookings and sell your tours and activities in a variety of places to gain you more exposure. If you’re just getting started, it can feel…

To be successful in your digital marketing strategy, you need the right tools to get the job done. You might feel that you don’t have much space in your budget for marketing software, but there…

If you run a Florida boat rental business, we want to make sure you’re aware of the Florida Boating Safety Act of 2022 (SB 606).   This law requires you to obtain a no-cost permit through…

Putting together a beautiful website is no simple task. However, getting the right visitors to come to your site (and book) is a whole other undertaking. You already know how important it is to have…

As a tour or activity operator, you know a steady flow of customers is crucial to maintaining the growth and success of your business.  You need to capture the attention of any potential customer, whether…

Many businesses offer promo codes and discounts to entice their customers to choose specific products or services, and this strategy is perfect for tour and activity operators. Not only does this give customers an incentive…

As an operator, you want each customer’s experience to be seamless from start to finish. And that begins at check-in! Customers are excited to get to their tour or activity and do not want to…

Rental companies are prime candidates for getting repeat customers. Client satisfaction is essential for every operator’s success, but why is repeat business so important? Returning customers are 50% more likely to purchase from you than…

By now you have probably heard the buzz about generative AI, like ChatGPT, Bing Chat, or Google’s Bard, but you might not be sure how to leverage this new technology to grow your business.  In…

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is a new analytics service designed for the next era of online user behavior. It provides you with a complete view of your customers’ journey across devices, as well as essential…

When it comes to your marketing and advertising strategy, how and when you share it on your channels is just as important as the message itself. When your emails or social posts go unseen, your…

It’s an exhilarating feeling when you find yourself considering opening a second business location.  It means that you’ve successfully launched a business and developed a steady customer base—but more importantly, you have confidence in your…

Apple recently launched a new tool called Apple Business Connect that allows you to claim and update information about your business on Apple Maps. Think Google Business Profile, but for Apple. By setting up your…

Employee training is essential whether you operate year-round or run a seasonal business. In the lead-up to your busy season, you will be training new hires and giving yourself time to get your full staff…

We’re always looking for ways to not only help you grow your business, but also make your day-to-day operations easier to manage. FareHarbor Connect achieves that, and more. What is FareHarbor Connect? We’re glad you…

When your busy season or event is just around the corner, you’re likely filled with anticipation for the upcoming months. And you’re not alone—potential customers are eagerly planning their summer or winter activities and are…

Are you looking for ways to improve the customer experience at your attraction? If you don’t offer a guided experience in the traditional sense, it can sometimes feel challenging to engage with customers throughout their…

We’re sure you’ve put a lot of thought into the experience customers have during your tour or activity. But what happens afterward? If you don’t send a follow-up email or other communication, you could be…

Starting on September 30, 2023, Google Optimize will no longer be available. All tests and personalizations will also end on that date. Not to worry though—Google plans to incorporate similar features and solutions of Google…

A reminder email is an automated message that reminds all customers of their upcoming reservations. That in itself is a great reason to set up this type of email—but when you use this piece of…

Have you ever been on a tour or participated in an activity that absolutely enthralled you? Maybe the tour guide was a natural comedian who kept the whole group laughing, or the commentary had so…

Start the year off strong by taking advantage of all of the features FareHarbor has to offer. From zipline tours to boat cruises, kayaking excursions and gourmet food tastings—our Product team works tirelessly to provide…

With a new year comes a renewed focus on optimizing your operations and online presence. Creating a successful digital marketing strategy will put your business in front of more potential customers, so it’s important to…

Are you planning to promote your tours and activities around Valentine’s Day this year? Even if you’re still on the fence about this romantic holiday, you might be surprised by how easily and quickly you…

Are you interested in creating marketing materials at a lower cost? From social media posts to email graphics and edited photos, professional design work is often pricey and time consuming—but it doesn’t have to be! …

Are you utilizing Instagram stories in your marketing strategy? You definitely should be! If you’re unfamiliar with them, Instagram (IG) stories are posts that live on your profile for only 24 hours. If you are…

Private tours can be a low-lift, high-reward new offering for your company. But how do you get them off the ground? At this point, you have considered the benefits and potential drawbacks of offering a…

Luxury or upscale experiences are a trend in 2023! From private sailing charters to exclusive wine tastings, these activities come in many shapes and sizes, giving you so many opportunities to market them to the…

Upscale experiences are shaping up to be increasingly popular in 2023. By understanding who luxury customers are and what they’re looking for in a vacation experience, you can better market your tours and activities to…

The tourism industry has experienced a turbulent few years. After adapting to the pandemic and embracing new methods of travel, unique activities, and shifting booking patterns, we are thrilled to see what 2023 will bring…

What happens when you get to the bottom of the Google search results page? In the past, if you didn’t find a result you were looking for, you might have typed in a different query…

Are you looking for creative ways to expand your reach? Having your business featured in the news or online publications can lead to more bookings, and it feels amazing to get good publicity for your…

Life as a tour and activity operator is fast-paced and busy, so you may not have enough time to really dive into your writing, marketing, photography, and public relations initiatives.  Enter the freelance worker.  Rather…

Whether it’s framing your first dollar earned or commemorating your company’s 25th anniversary, there are so many steps on your business’s journey that are worth taking time to celebrate!  These opportunities are great for bringing…

You may think it’s just words, but having quality and effective content on your website can either help a customer make a booking or make them go back to the search engine. Website copy should…

Blogging is one of the most effective ways to drive organic traffic to your site, establish yourself as an industry expert and develop a community of readers. Knowing what areas to focus on when creating…

Email marketing is one of the most efficient ways to communicate with your customers. If you’re already comfortable with the basics of email marketing, you may be wondering what’s next for your email strategy. Whether…

Before any customer steps foot on your tour, they most likely will be checking out your Google Business Profile to get a feel for what your company has to offer. When you’re looking to stand…

While group bookings can open the door to more customers and revenue, many operators worry they can sometimes be difficult to deal with. There’s often a lot to juggle in terms of payments, expectations, start…

Spark Las Vegas was a major success and we’re thankful for each client, sponsor, and partner that was able to join us on October 10th, 2022. We’re still buzzing from seeing you face-to-face once again!…

When you put a lot of time and energy into hiring the right staff for your tour or activity business, you really want them to stick around. Of course, with highly seasonal businesses and changes…

The holidays can often feel a bit hectic. Whether you experience an increased demand for your activities during this time of year or you’re juggling a lot of moving pieces surrounding an annual event, you…

As a tour or activity operator, your work doesn’t end with running your experiences. You might also be a social media guru, blogger, or photographer for your business. Put on your digital marketer hat and…

During the busiest shopping months of the year, social media is a must-use tool for attracting new customers and nurturing strong relationships with your online community.  In 2022, holiday sales are expected to increase by…

Photos of customers enjoying your tours and activities can easily be the most effective form of marketing for your business.   You may not have put an emphasis on how you take photos of your business…

Is writer’s block getting you down? Not sure where to start in delivering your content strategy? We have a secret weapon that’ll make writing and publishing your blog and website content easier than ever —…

What makes your business unique? What key factors prompt your customers to choose your activities over your competitors? The first things that come to your mind are likely your unique selling propositions, or USPs. USPs…

Videos are a great way to get your company’s messages across in a very human way. They offer the opportunity to relate to your audiences on social media to not only increase engagement, but also…

Just because you’re not providing a guided tour doesn’t mean you don’t have any control of your customers’ experiences. From the minute they book an equipment rental with your company, your customer is relying on…

Marketing your tours and activities is one of the top ways to be successful. It leads to more visibility online and new and retained business.  Whether your goals are lofty (like starting a blog and…

Grab a glass of hot apple cider, gas up the hayride tractor, and start working on your costume because that oh so spooky time of year is almost upon us again. As with any holiday…

Your peak season is winding down, but that doesn’t mean your revenue has to dwindle. The shoulder season (between your peak season and off season) is full of opportunities to capture revenue and continue running…

Here at FareHarbor, we pride ourselves on our resources — from expert-run webinars to specialized Compass guides (like the one you’re reading right now!). And we’re sure you’ve taken advantage of our top-rated 24/7 Support…

As a tour operator, you want to get people talking about your business, and one of the best ways is to employ tour guides that make the experience amazing for your guests.  Much of this…

Do you have a good understanding of how far in advance your customers typically book? How about which activity start times are most popular? Eliminate the guesswork by running three quick and easy reports right…

No time is as exciting as the lead-up to your annual fall festival or highly anticipated event. Whether you’re running your farm festival for the 10th year in a row or thinking about launching a…

March 2023 update: Please note Google Optimize will be discontinued in September 2023. Head over to this guide for details on what this means for your website, how to save your data, and what tools…

Whether you’re in your slow or shoulder season or just looking to make additional revenue, offering equipment rentals can be a great addition to your business model. Even if you don’t regularly rent out equipment…

Maybe a previous employee set up a Google Business Profile and you didn’t know, so you created a new one. Or maybe you’ve recently restarted your SEO efforts and forgot you already had a listing.…

Whether you’re preparing for your busy season or need to fill vacancies in your staff, hiring employees is one of the most important things you can do for your business. Putting the right people on…

Are you looking for fresh strategies to generate revenue? Use the FareHarbor Distribution Network (FHDN) to expand your reach this busy season.  The FHDN lets you sell other FareHarbor clients’ tours and activities as well…