Your tour and activity listings are crucial for securing bookings. They’re where customers find essential details like pricing, tour highlights, or special requirements. But cluttered or unclear descriptions can lead to missed opportunities and unnecessary…

If you’re having trouble filling availabilities or want to increase your business’s exposure, working with affiliates could be just the ticket.  Affiliates are companies that sell other operators tours and activities for a commission. While…

It’s not uncommon for customers to leave checkout before booking their tour or activity. But how do you recapture their attention? Enter —  Abandoned Cart Recovery! This tool makes it easier than ever to convert…

Whether you’re looking to start an affiliate business side-hustle or have been reselling other operators’ tours for years — we all can appreciate some expert advice. We sat down with Jordan Fromholz and Erica Gellermanto…

Our memberships feature was released in 2023 and we’re thrilled to share that we’ve made some major advancements — based on your feedback!  If unfamiliar, memberships are a customizable tool designed to bring in more…

Whether you own multiple store locations, offer rentals on top of your typical offerings, or simply have a lot of availabilities — managing your inventory can be overwhelming. But that’s where FareHarbor’s resources feature comes…

Updating and optimizing your tour and activity prices is a crucial element of your yearly business strategy. You want to strike the perfect balance — charging enough to maximize profits while keeping prices attractive to…

FareHarbor’s booking point-of-sale solution is designed to make your life easier. With this cutting-edge offering, you will speed up your in-person sales while elevating your overall customer experience.  This guide will explore how you can…

We hope you had the time to check out our recent guide covering online reputation management. This time, we’re chatting about a topic that is a bit more heartwarming: how to respond to positive reviews.…

FareHarbor’s Account Management team is dedicated to our operators’ success. They are ready to help clients reach their goals by offering growth initiatives, optimizing their Dashboard, and following up to make sure everything they suggest…

FareHarbor’s in-house waiver solution is here! You can now streamline your waiver management directly in your Dashboard — no third-party needed.  By implementing this new tool, your customers can sign their waivers seamlessly after checkout…

Have your customers been asking for the ability to buy multiple tours and activities in one checkout experience? Well now they can!  Combos makes it easier than ever to upsell to your customers and seamlessly…

Why Use a Link in Bio Tool  In the tour and activity industry, making the most out of your social media presence is essential. It’s one thing to showcase incredible images on your pages, but…

Creating a compelling and well-structured tour/activity itinerary can be the key to unlocking a memorable customer experience.  It’s more than just a schedule of events; it provides potential customers with an engaging snapshot of what…

AI is a trend that we do not foresee going away any time soon. Luckily, using AI for your business endeavors can save you time, help with your marketing campaigns, and even increase your revenue.…

So, you’ve decided to rebrand your business. Whether it just feels like the right time, or you recently read the previous Compass guide on determining whether to rebrand, you’re ready to take the plunge. When…

Welcome to part two of your email automation journey — with information straight from our Email Marketing Strategist, Liz Legatt.  As you learned in part one, email automation (drip campaigns) is an email or series…

Mastering your marketing strategy is a top way to bring in more bookings, from customers new and old. This time, we have a two-part series about email automation featuring tips and tricks from FareHarbor’s own…

Starting April 1, 2024, the FareHarbor Distribution Network (FHDN) & FareHarbor Connect (FH Connect) programs will merge under the FHDN. Whether you’re looking for additional strategies to generate revenue or partner with leading OTAs, these…

As an attraction, tour, or activity company, you are bound to run into competition. From the flyers you leave in hotel lobbies to the paid ads you use on social media, you need every advantage…

In the dynamic world of marketing, timing is crucial. Whether prepping for your high season or an upcoming promotion, launching your campaigns at the right time is key. People browse travel options year-round, with certain…

Trip protection (aka “tour protection” or “activity protection”) allows customers to pay a fee at the time of booking to gain flexibility to cancel or rebook, if needed. The exact coverage is up to your…

Your marketing initiatives likely focus on your USPs (unique selling points) — you know, the aspects of your tours and activities that really make your business stand out. While this is a great strategy to…

QR codes are a type of barcode that are scanned with a smartphone to take someone to a specific website link. They can link to pages such as your website, social media, or your book…

Whether you’re operating a tour of San Antonio’s Riverwalk or a bungee jumping station outside Portland, Oregon, you need to find creative ways to maintain a consistent flow of interest and traffic toward your company.…

If you ran a holiday marketing campaign last year, you likely added new customers to your email and marketing lists. For example, you might have offered incentives for people to sign up for your newsletter…

Running a business requires adapting to consumer demands. For tour operators, the challenge is to present an activity that turns into an experience customers will never forget. While the right path may seem straightforward, there…

When you build a business, you must cultivate a strong brand. Not only is this critical to your day-to-day operations, but it generates an emotional connection and memories with your target customers every time they…

Instagram is consistently putting out new updates and features to improve its platform and keep up with current trends. If you use Instagram regularly (and your customers do too!), it’s worth staying in the know…

Start the new year strong by implementing essential Dashboard features. Join us as we reflect on FareHarbor’s most impactful product updates from 2023 and enable functionalities that are right for your business. 2023 was a…

Without reporting and data collection, it’s hard to know which aspects of your business are performing well or what needs improvement. As a client, you have access to FareHarbor’s inherent, powerful reporting tools.  From financial…

What does 2024 have in store for the travel and tourism industry? Existing focus areas like bleisure travel and sustainable tourism remain essential, while digitization throughout the experience is a growing expectation among consumers. With…

Staying relevant in the tour, activity, and attraction industry means reaching a targeted audience of potential bookers, especially as you strive to achieve your business goals in 2024. But is your online marketing game up…

Ready to spice up your social media game? You might be a pro at stories, text-based posts, and quick videos, but there’s a whole world of content waiting to inject some serious pizzazz into your…

Your marketing efforts don’t have to pause after the end of the year — New Year’s Day offers numerous possibilities to boost brand engagement on social media and maintain a strong connection with your loyal…

No-shows and last minute cancellations are disruptive to your business and can negatively affect your revenue, customer experience, and employee schedules. Although there are plenty of ways to reduce no-shows and cancellations (read our top…

No-shows and last-minute cancellations can be extremely frustrating for operators. Not to mention the fact that they can cause a loss of revenue, fewer tips for your employees, unplanned changes in staff schedules, and disgruntled…

With 1,400+ operators currently in Community (and counting), we are able to get firsthand insight into the problems our clients are facing. And this helps us identify which topics you want to see on Compass.…

Like it or not, billions of people use social media around the globe. Why does this matter to your tour or attraction business? In a word – exposure.  Short-form social media video has a massive…

‘Tis the season of gift giving, and when those holiday sales start to make their way around, you don’t want your touring company or activity-based business to be left out in the cold.  The holidays…

If you’re part of a business that offers many different tours and activities, this one’s for you!  Having many offerings without any organization on your website can cause your customers to get lost in their…

Ah, the off season. That time of the year when your Colorado kayaking company needs to take a break from the cold weather or your Arizona hiking tour has to stop to avoid heatstroke in…

As the holiday season approaches, tour operators should tap into the potential these special days bring. But why can holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Christmas do so much for tour operations?  In this…

Calling all operators who work with affiliates (a.k.a. resellers or partners)! We’ve got a brand new feature for you: affiliate rules.  Affiliate rules is a powerful tool that enables you to control the days that…

We’re still soaking up the moments from Spark Orlando, the biggest FareHarbor event to date. With over 500 operators in attendance, 14 unique sessions, and a networking reception to end each day — we are…

Black Friday, a day synonymous with bargains and long queues, is no longer exclusive to retail businesses and storefronts. Now, we don’t even have to leave the comfort of our homes to cash in on…

Have you ever thought about diversifying your business to take advantage of the winter season? If you traditionally offer summer or warm-weather activities, you might be wondering what you can do to capitalize on the…

What’s new at FareHarbor? We’re glad you asked because we are so excited to announce the launch of our new podcast, “Growth Powered By FareHarbor.”  Hosted by FareHarbor’s Head of Community, Shane Whaley, each episode…

At FareHarbor, our #1 goal is to help you increase your conversion rate with everything from simple Dashboard adjustments to in-depth Compass guides or full-fledged strategy updates. So we sat down with our Director of…

As a tour operator or activity provider, many of your customers find your business from your primary marketing channels.  But it can help to leverage other methods of driving bookings, especially during the holidays when…

Preparing for the busy season is crucial for tour and activity operators to maximize revenue and provide exceptional customer experiences. Each region and activity type presents its own unique challenges and opportunities, but no matter…

You’re probably aware of the benefits of marketing to your local customer base. But depending on your location and the tours you offer, your target audience could be primarily made up of non-locals, and even…

The Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend can easily become one of the most profitable times of year for your business. Just take FareHarbor client, Triton Charters, who made $250K in only 6 days during…

With the ever growing number of social media influencers in the world, the landscape of the travel and tourism industry has changed massively.  These days, you can spread the word and branding of your business…

Getting comfortable with the many new aspects of GA4 (Google Analytics) may seem a bit overwhelming. That is why our team at FareHarbor wants to ensure you get all the critical details needed to maximize…

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…