FareHarbor Compass is exclusively for FareHarbor clients. Please use your FareHarbor login to access Compass.

Last Updated: May 17, 2024

All Skill Levels

45 minutes

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Ask Us Anything: Unlocking Effective Pricing Strategies

Uncover how to manage your pricing strategy by joining our live panel discussion. Submit your burning questions when you register then get those answers in real-time! In this 30-minute panel discussion, you will learn: How…

Last Updated: March 25, 2024

All Skill Levels

4 minute read

Industry Insights
Websites

Designing Tour Itineraries That Captivate and Convert

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…

Last Updated: March 18, 2024

Beginner

5 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Your AI Questions, Answered: Insights from AI Expert, Christian Watts

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.…

Last Updated: March 13, 2024

Intermediate, Advanced

53 minutes

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

Increase the Lifetime Value of your Customers: Cracking the Code on Memory Marketing with Fotaflo

Turn guests into repeat bookers! See how you can capitalize on the nostalgia of your tours and activities through the power of photo and video. In this 40-minute webinar presented by Fotaflo, you will learn:…

Last Updated: February 22, 2024

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

Strategic Timing for Success in Busy Season Marketing

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…

Last Updated: March 1, 2024

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Low Risk, High Reward: Use Trip Protection to Boost Revenue and Customer Satisfaction

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…

Last Updated: February 8, 2024

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

5 Methods to Meet the Demands of Today’s Travelers

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.…

Last Updated: January 31, 2024

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Industry Insights

How to Design an Engaging Tour Route Your Customers Will Love

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…

Last Updated: January 24, 2024

Beginner

58 minutes

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Passport to Profits: How Everyone Can Make $$$ with Affiliates [Spark Rewind]

Gain insights into the various affiliate categories, including direct, program, and API affiliates. Plus, discover strategies to optimize your earnings through these channels. In this webinar, you will learn: How affiliates can extend your reach…

Last Updated: January 17, 2024

All Skill Levels

69 minutes

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

AI Tools to Manage and Grow Your Business [Spark Rewind]

Join Christian Watts, founder and CEO of Magpie Travel, as he simplifies the concept of AI and demonstrates how AI tools can have a transformative impact on your tour business. In this webinar, you will…

Last Updated: January 5, 2024

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Industry Insights

2024 Tour Operator Trends: Embracing Digitization and Beyond

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…

Last Updated: November 9, 2023

All Skill Levels

3 minute read

Industry Insights

Seasonal Surges: Why the Holidays are a Goldmine for Tour Operators

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…

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

Beginner

8 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Inside Spark Orlando: A Recap of Our Operators’ Top Discoveries

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…

Last Updated: October 23, 2023

All Skill Levels

2 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Check out FareHarbor’s New Podcast Featuring Successful Tour Operators

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…

Last Updated: October 13, 2023

All Skill Levels

12 minute read

Business Management Tips
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

Unlocking Busy Season Success: Statistical Insights for Tour Operators in ANZ

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…

Last Updated: October 11, 2023

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

From Locals to Globetrotters: A Guide to Broadening Your Customer Base

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…

Last Updated: November 20, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

5 minute read

Industry Insights

Seize the Season: 4 Black Friday Promotions for Tour Operators

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…

Last Updated: September 27, 2023

All Skill Levels

30 minutes

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Get Ahead of Next Season: Build Your 2024 Booking Calendar Now!

Don’t lose out on bookings! With more customers booking trips in advance, FareHarbor is here to help you set up your 2024 booking calendar today. Duration: 30 minutes of presenter content + 10 minutes of attendee questions.

Last Updated: September 22, 2023

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Industry Insights

Tailoring Experiences: How Custom Tours Can Transform Your Business

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…

Last Updated: September 21, 2023

All Skill Levels

32 minutes

Business Management Tips
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

Unlocking Year-Round Success: How to Extend Your Season to Maximize Profits

Watch this recorded webinar to learn how to turbo-charge your seasonal marketing efforts and make this shoulder season one for the books with events and promotions. Duration: 32 minutes of presenter content + 7 minutes…

Last Updated: September 14, 2023

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

7 Reasons Why You Can’t Miss Spark Orlando

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…

Last Updated: September 19, 2023

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Travelers Love the Shoulder Season; This is Why You Should Too

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…

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Industry Insights

6 Books to Inspire You in Your Business & Personal Life

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…

Last Updated: August 23, 2023

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

KPIs: The Best Metrics to Track for Tour Operators

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…

Last Updated: August 21, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

10 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

From Pause to Progress: How to Protect & Improve Your Business During Temporary Closures

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…

Last Updated: August 15, 2023

All Skill Levels

44 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Turn Refunds into Opportunities: Keep Your Money Flowing

Let’s get familiar with refunds! How to issue one, how to create a sound cancellation policy, and how to turn your refunds into opportunities (hint: online rebooking!).

Last Updated: August 4, 2023

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Industry Insights
Social Media

Campaign Ideas: Influencer Marketing for Tours & Activities

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…

Last Updated: August 3, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

29 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Charting a Course to Compliance with Buoy

Ship happens, but we can help prepare you for it! Join us for a webinar presented by our new software partner, Buoy! If you run a Florida boat rental business, this is your chance to…

Last Updated: July 28, 2023

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Content Marketing
Industry Insights
Social Media

Gaining a Competitive Edge: How Tour Operators are Using AI

Last Updated: August 7, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

8 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

4 Membership Ideas To Encourage Repeat Customers and Revenue

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…

Last Updated: July 12, 2023

All Skill Levels

29 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Updating your Availabilities: A Live Workshop to Generate Meaningful Conversions

An exclusive live workshop! Learn directly from a FareHarbor expert on ways to quickly make effective updates to your Dashboard, including how to duplicate availabilities to different dates.

Last Updated: June 28, 2023

All Skill Levels

55 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights
SEO
Websites

Be The Booker: A Live Workshop to Drive Your Online Conversions

During this session, our website experts reviewed client sites LIVE to share insights that turn lookers into bookers.

Last Updated: June 23, 2023

All Skill Levels

12 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Weathering the Storm: Guidelines for Managing Weather-Related Challenges in Outdoor Activities

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…

Last Updated: June 21, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

6 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

3 Ways to Improve Your Checkout Process with Custom Fields

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…

Last Updated: June 16, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

4 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Dashboard Quick Tip: 2 Features to Increase Sales at Checkout

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…

Last Updated: June 16, 2023

All Skill Levels

38 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

Driving Direct Bookings with Google Things to Do: The Setup and Integration with FareHarbor

Get to know the many advantages of Google Things to do as well as how to set up the integration in your Dashboard.

Last Updated: June 9, 2023

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

The Key to Choosing the Right Online Booking Cutoff Time

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…

Last Updated: June 9, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

34 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

FareHarbor for You: Tools for the Reservationist (June 2023)

Brush up on the quickest ways to take a booking and accept payments within the Dashboard. Duration: 34 minutes of presenter content + 10 minutes of viewer questions.

Last Updated: June 28, 2023

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights
Social Media

9 Reasons You Should Join the FareHarbor Online Community Today

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…

Last Updated: June 6, 2023

All Skill Levels

24 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

FareHarbor for You: Tools for the Guide (June 2023)

Prepare for the busy season with our FareHarbor for You series. First, learn the Dashboard features that will make your daily tasks easier than ever. Duration: 24 minutes of presenter content + 6 minutes of viewer…

Last Updated: June 5, 2023

All Skill Levels

17 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Working with Affiliates 101

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…

Last Updated: June 5, 2023

All Skill Levels

33 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Price with Confidence: Updating Prices in the Dashboard

Want to update your prices ahead of the busy season? Our Support agents will walk you through the simple steps to do so!

Last Updated: May 23, 2023

All Skill Levels

14 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Everything You Need to Know About the Florida Boating Safety Act (SB 606)

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…

Last Updated: November 27, 2023

All Skill Levels

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Google Things to do Setup Checklist

If you’re considering setting up Google Things to do, it’s natural to worry about a complicated process. However, the FareHarbor Connectivity Team is here to help set up and manage the integration for you. Google…

Last Updated: June 5, 2023

All Skill Levels

40 minutes

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Price with Confidence: Navigating the Landscape of Tour Pricing

Presented by Chenmark, join us as they guide you on how to make the tough decisions that arise when pricing your tours. Duration: 40 minutes of presenter content + an additional 17 minutes of viewer…

Last Updated: May 12, 2023

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Industry Insights
SEO
Websites

6 Sources of Web Traffic for Tour and Activity Sites

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…

Last Updated: May 12, 2023

Beginner

37 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

FareHarbor for You: Tools for the Reservationist (May 2023)

Brush up on the quickest ways to take a booking and accept payments within the Dashboard. Follow this essential training to get your reservations staff up to speed. Duration: 37 minutes of presenter content +…

Last Updated: May 10, 2023

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Local Strategies
Social Media

Make Your Brand Stand Out to Attract New Customers

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…

Last Updated: May 9, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

18 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

FareHarbor for You: Tools for the Guide (May 2023)

Prepare for the busy season with our FareHarbor for You series. First, learn the Dashboard features that will make your daily tasks easier than ever. Duration: 18 minutes of presenter content + an additional 13 minutes…

Last Updated: May 5, 2023

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Digital Marketing
Email Marketing
Industry Insights

4 Discount Ideas to Drive Bookings Year-Round

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…

Last Updated: May 3, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

6 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

5 Steps to Speed Up Your Check-In Process and Increase Customer Satisfaction

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…

Last Updated: April 26, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

29 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Unlock the Power of Custom Fields (April 2023)

Curious how to add a waiver or add-on purchase to your book form? Discover the easy way to set up these fields (and many others!) in just a couple of steps. Duration: 29 minutes of…

Last Updated: April 26, 2023

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Drive Repeat Customers to Your Rental Company [4 Strategies]

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…

Last Updated: April 14, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

5 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Opening a Second Location

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…

Last Updated: December 7, 2023

All Skill Levels

14 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

The Complete Guide to Seasonal Staff Training

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…

Last Updated: April 5, 2023

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

5 Reasons to Join FareHarbor Connect

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…

Last Updated: March 30, 2023

All Skill Levels

29 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

FareHarbor 101: Unlock The Power of Custom Fields

Learn more about Custom Fields, our easy-to-use feature that lets you gather additional info from your customers, offer add-ons, and more!

Last Updated: March 24, 2023

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Digital Marketing
Email Marketing
Industry Insights
Websites

The Early Bird Gets the Worm: Tactics to Drive Early Season Bookings

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…

Last Updated: March 22, 2023

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Tips to Impress Your Customers and Increase Attraction Revenue

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…

Last Updated: November 16, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

Industry Insights
Reputation Management

Checklist: How to Thoughtfully Handle Customer Complaints

Responding to customer complaints following your tour or activity is just as important as navigating an interaction with a challenging customer during your tour. When customers go to social media, review sites or directly to…

Last Updated: March 16, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

54 minutes

Industry Insights
SEO
Websites

Be The Booker: A Live Workshop To Improve Your Website

During this live workshop, our experts reviewed websites submitted by you, our clients, to give insight on what turns lookers into bookers. We also covered website design best practices and tips for guiding customers to…

Last Updated: March 15, 2023

All Skill Levels

Industry Insights
Social Media

Checklist: Need-to-Know TikTok Tips for Operators

As a tour or activity operator, TikTok is the perfect place to share videos and images of your customers having fun at your business. This lets potential customers put themselves into the experience or go…

Last Updated: March 10, 2023

Beginner

7 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Email Marketing
Industry Insights
Reputation Management

4 Points to Include in Every Follow-Up Email

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…

Last Updated: February 27, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

7 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Email Marketing
Industry Insights

How to Write a Reminder Email That Improves the Guest Experience

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…

Last Updated: February 24, 2023

Beginner

5 minute read

Industry Insights
Reputation Management

6 Ways to Captivate Customers During a Tour or Activity

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…

Last Updated: February 22, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

5 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

6 FareHarbor Product Updates To Help Jump Start Your 2023

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…

Last Updated: February 17, 2023

All Skill Levels

5 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

3 Tour & Activity Marketing Considerations For 2023

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…

Last Updated: January 20, 2023

All Skill Levels

27 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Fireside Chat With FareHarbor Leadership

Get cozy and tune into this fireside chat with FareHarbor’s Chief Product Officer, Director of Account Management (Americas) and Managing Director of the Americas, joined by Booking Holdings’ VP of Strategy and Business Development. Together,…

Last Updated: January 18, 2023

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Business Management Tips
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

Marketing & Pricing Considerations For Your Private Activities

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…

Last Updated: January 11, 2023

Intermediate

6 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Websites

8 Ideas Tour Operators Can Use to Evoke Luxury in Their Brand

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…

Last Updated: January 11, 2023

All Skill Levels

4 minute read

Industry Insights

2023 Travel Trend: Luxury Experiences

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…

Last Updated: January 9, 2024

All Skill Levels

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Checklist: Our Top Productivity Tips for a Successful 2024

The start of the year is the perfect time to think about and plan your goals for the upcoming months. Hello, New Year’s resolutions! But, as the weeks go on, even an easy goal can…

Last Updated: January 4, 2023

All Skill Levels

5 minute read

Industry Insights
Local Strategies

5 Travel & Tourism Trends to Embrace in 2023

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…

Last Updated: January 27, 2023

All Skill Levels

75 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights
Websites

Optimize Your Website: Understanding Performance and Leveraging Your Data

Discover simple ways to make more online bookings. Keeping your site up to date and analyzing performance is just the start!

Last Updated: December 19, 2022

Advanced

22 minutes

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Insider Tips From Our OTA Partners

Interested in learning more about OTAs and how they can benefit your business? Check out this Spark session led by Olivia Geraghty, Directory of FareHarbor Connectivity, who is joined by Andy Hunter of GetYourGuide and…

Last Updated: December 19, 2022

All Skill Levels

21 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Unmatched Support: 3 Teams Working For You Behind The Scenes

Learn about three FareHarbor teams you might not be as familiar with, but who are tirelessly working for your business behind the scenes. These include: Quality Control, who interpret how FareHarbor Dashboards and websites can…

Last Updated: December 19, 2022

All Skill Levels

37 minutes

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Tweak These 4 FareHarbor Features and Make Even More Money!

These four FareHarbor features not only drive conversions, but are also able to be optimized and best used by your unique business. Learn how FareHarbor can help you put more money in your pocket using…

Last Updated: December 16, 2022

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Content Marketing
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

How to Find and Vet Freelancers for Your Business

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…

Beginner, Intermediate

20 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Developing Together: How Client Feedback Informs the FareHarbor Roadmap

Our Product team gives the scoop on how new FareHarbor features are prioritized and developed, starting with ideation and research to testing and development. We also share how you can be involved in the development…

All Skill Levels

43 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights
Websites

Captivate, Optimize, Sell: Proven Strategies to Turn Your Lookers Into Bookers

Your website is your 24/7 salesperson – are you making the most of it? In order to turn your online lookers into bookers, you have to captivate your visitor from the beginning, optimize your content,…

All Skill Levels

40 minutes

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

How I Grew My Tour Business: 3 Operators Reveal Their #1 Growth Strategy

FareHarbor Head of Community Shane Whaley is joined by three tour operators discussing the top growth strategy they’ve implemented at their businesses. In this session, you’ll hear business advice from: Midgi Moore: Owner and “Chief…

Last Updated: December 7, 2023

All Skill Levels

26 minutes

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Websites

[Spark Virtual] Be Your Own Customer – Simple Steps To Understand Your Customers’ Booking Journey

We explore the three phases a customer goes through before booking activities, providing you with actionable takeaways to help improve your business’ online presence. From the dreaming phase to the booking phase, understanding customer touch…

All Skill Levels

28 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights
Websites

[Spark Virtual] Increase Your Automated Bookings with ASN Book Buttons

Use your partners’ websites to maximise your online exposure and generate more bookings. By the end of this session, you’ll have an understanding of what ASN buttons are, the benefits of using them, and how…

All Skill Levels

28 minutes

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

[Spark Virtual] Captivate In-Destination Customers

During the summer of 2022, 30% of European bookings were made on the same day as the scheduled activity (FareHarbor). With this in mind, it’s more important than ever to market your activities to in-destination…

Beginner, Intermediate

38 minutes

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

[Spark Virtual] How To Make The Most of Your Off Season

Learn useful tools to boost and grow your business during your off season. We show you how to take advantage of your slow time in order to increase your revenue and online presence, as well…

Beginner, Intermediate

32 minutes

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

[Spark Virtual] Marketing to British Customers and How to Keep Them Coming Back

In this presentation we take a look at travelers from the UK and break down specifics on where and how they travel. We also take a deep dive into some great ways to turn these…

Beginner, Intermediate

24 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

[Spark Virtual] Using Data To Understand Your Customer

With so much data at your fingertips, it can be difficult to know where to start. The goal of this Spark session is to show you how your business can use data to better understand…

Last Updated: January 31, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

29 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights
Websites

[Spark Virtual] How You Can Build Trust Throughout the Customer Journey

Your website is an extension of your business, so it is critical that it is set up in a way that builds trust with your customer. We are going to take a journey in the…

Last Updated: January 31, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

28 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

[Spark Virtual] Customizing FareHarbor: 5 Ways to Streamline Your Day-to-Day Operations

Learn how to customise FareHarbor and improve your workflow. Your Dashboard should work for you, not the other way around! We’ve selected five key functionalities within FareHarbor that you can use to optimize your operations,…

Last Updated: November 21, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

6 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Websites

Attract More Group Bookings & Keep Them Running Smoothly

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…

Last Updated: December 6, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

10 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

It Doesn’t Always Stay in Vegas: Spark 2022 Highlights

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!…

Last Updated: November 16, 2022

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

5 Strategies To Reduce Tour and Activity Staff Turnover

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…

Last Updated: November 9, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

7 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

3 Digital Marketing Tips Every Tour Operator Should Follow

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…

Last Updated: November 2, 2022

Beginner

6 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Social Media

5 Easy Photography Tips to Catch the Attention of Bookers

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…

Last Updated: November 30, 2022

Beginner

45 minutes

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
SEO

What Every Tour Operator Should Know About Google Tag Manager and Goal Flows

Want to gain an understanding of how the data you are collecting through Google Analytics can work for you? This webinar covers Google Tag Manager and the value it brings to your Google Analytics! In…

Last Updated: October 27, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

6 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

What is a Unique Selling Proposition? (Plus How to Use It To Your Advantage)

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…

Last Updated: October 24, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

7 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

How To Confidently Appear On Video To Promote Your Business

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…

Beginner

5 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

How To Improve the Customer Experience at Your Rental Business

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…

Last Updated: October 14, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Prepare for Spark Virtual 2022 (CEST) – Pre-Event Checklist & Resources

Spark Virtual is almost here, and we are so excited to connect with you on October 24th-28th, starting at 10:00 CEST, for a full week of immersive presentations and networking. We’ve designed this experience with…

Last Updated: October 14, 2022

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Expand Your Reach: Offer Private Tours & Experiences

Private tours have become increasingly popular recently. Not only does this type of offering promote safety and peace of mind, but it also helps travelers have a unique experience with their chosen company. People can…

Last Updated: October 14, 2022

Beginner

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Prepare for Spark Virtual 2022 (AEDT) – Pre-Event Checklist & Resources

Spark Virtual is almost here, and we are so excited to connect with you on October 25th and 26th, 2022, starting at 9am AEDT, for two days of immersive presentations and networking. We’ve designed this…

Last Updated: November 9, 2022

All Skill Levels

40 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

Promo Codes, Gift Cards, & The Holiday Season

With the holiday season approaching quickly, take the time to engage with your promo codes and gift card options. Give the gift of simplicity by setting up these two FareHarbor features today!

Last Updated: June 8, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

7 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

Should You Outsource Marketing? Considerations for Getting Started

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…

Last Updated: September 30, 2022

Beginner

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Are You Ready for Spark 2022? Don’t Miss These Pre-Conference Resources

FareHarbor Spark is almost here, and we are so excited to be back in person for our most anticipated event of the year! Hundreds of tour operators will be joining us in Las Vegas on…

Last Updated: September 28, 2022

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

7 Must-Ask Customer Feedback Questions

Customer feedback is an essential part of doing business. While it might feel a little uncomfortable to ask guests for their honest opinion, it’s the best way to improve the quality of the experiences you…

Last Updated: September 22, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

8 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Everything You Need to Know About Operating Multi-Day Tours

Multi-day tours are exciting for guests and tour operators, with options to enjoy diverse itineraries, meet new people, and try multiple activities over the course of several days. For guests, multi-day tours offer hassle-free travel,…

Last Updated: September 7, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Adding a Self-Guided Tour to Your Offerings

Tour operators are always searching for creative, unique ways to keep their businesses successful. One option that is exceedingly popular (especially after travel restrictions and social distancing) is a self-guided tour. A self-guided tour is…

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Social Media

5 Marketing Ideas to Scare Up Your Spooky Season

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…

Last Updated: August 24, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Introducing a New Tour or Activity

Are you ready to offer a new experience to your customers? While the excitement of developing a new activity can be enticing, taking a strategic approach to growing your business is key. Similar to the…

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Business Management Tips
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

How to Take Advantage of the Tourism Shoulder Season

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…

Last Updated: August 12, 2022

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Industry Insights
Reputation Management

5 Ways to Get More Reviews and Referrals

When your whole team puts in the effort to provide your guests with an incredible tour or activity experience, you hope that you wowed them enough for them to leave you a good review. But…

Last Updated: August 5, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

5 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Reputation Management

Customer Feedback: 2 Surveys That Will Give You Actionable Data

Collecting customer feedback is a great way to improve your business. The individuals that have already experienced your tour or activity are able to give you real answers and suggestions about the aspects they enjoyed…

Last Updated: July 29, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

6 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

How to Reduce Wait Times and Start Your Activities On Time

As a tour operator, wait times may not immediately seem like a problem. This usually means your attractions are bringing in significant crowds and revenue. The flipside of having long wait times, though, is that…

All Skill Levels

31 minutes

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

How to Extend Your Season & Maximize the Value of the Shoulder Months

Bookings don’t have to stop when your high season does! Join us and discover how to extend your peak season into the shoulder months to capture additional bookings from your local audience.

Last Updated: July 20, 2022

Intermediate

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Websites

Checklist: Reduce Customer Calls with These Simple Website Updates

Your busy season will always be your most frenzied time of year, and you may notice a major increase in customer phone calls. This could be an indication that they cannot find the answers they…

Last Updated: July 27, 2022

Intermediate

55 minutes

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Reputation Management

Collect Customer Feedback; Improve the Guest Experience

Do you know what your customers really think about your business? Now is the time to find out! Discover actionable strategies to ask for customer feedback – and implement it! This webinar covers customer surveys,…

Last Updated: June 29, 2022

Intermediate

5 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

Why Do Customers Choose Certain Activities? [3 Reasons]

How did you decide what to do on your last vacation? Maybe you researched the top-ranked activities on Tripadvisor or you got a recommendation from a local friend. Choosing which tour or activity to add…

Last Updated: March 28, 2023

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Tour Guide Training: 5 Strategies for Success

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…

Beginner, Intermediate

9 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Festival & Event Guide: FareHarbor Features and Marketing Tips

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…

Last Updated: February 22, 2023

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Generate Additional Business with Equipment Rentals

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…

Last Updated: May 27, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

Business Management Tips
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

Checklist: Make Your Tours & Activities Appeal to “Workationers”

We’ve all heard the saying about working hard and playing hard…well, it turns out the two truly go hand in hand in the form of “workations” (work vacations). Whether people have to travel for business…

Last Updated: September 14, 2023

All Skill Levels

40 minutes

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

3 FareHarbor Reports for a Successful Summer Season

Reporting is essential all year-round, but especially during your summer or busy season! You might think you need to wait for some downtime before you start running reports in your Dashboard, but that’s not the…

Last Updated: May 13, 2022

Intermediate

10 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Reputation Management

7 Customer Service Tips to Give Your Guests an Amazing Experience

Tour and activity providers must have stellar customer service skills in order to run their business more smoothly, get positive reviews, and stay successful. You and your employees interact with guests every day, and while…

Last Updated: April 22, 2022

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

4 Benefits of Including Free Tours in Your Business Model

As a business owner, adding a free offering may seem counterproductive. Contrary to what you might think, adding a free tour may actually help you increase profits! Of course, this is not for everyone and…

Last Updated: September 11, 2023

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Drive Year-Round Revenue with the FareHarbor Distribution Network

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…

Last Updated: April 8, 2022

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Travel Trend: Welcome Dogs on Tour!

Looking for additional ways to market your tours and draw in new customers? Offer dog-friendly activities! These days, it seems like more and more people love to travel with their furry, four-legged friends. In fact,…

Last Updated: March 23, 2022

All Skill Levels

10 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Websites

Travel Trend: Marketing to Solo Travelers

Traveling alone is a unique and exciting experience that everyone from Baby Boomers to Gen Zers is eager to have, creating a valuable opportunity for tour and activity operators. Marketing to solo travelers is a…

Last Updated: March 9, 2022

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Travel Trend: Exploring Your Roots Through Ancestry Travel

In the past few years, at-home DNA testing has become more and more common with the popularity of companies like Ancestry and 23andMe. People are increasingly interested in learning where they come from, and these…

Last Updated: February 15, 2022

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Travel Trend: Bikepacking

One of the best parts of traveling is experiencing the beauty of the great outdoors, and luckily you don’t need to plan an expensive trip abroad to do just that. The emerging travel trend of…

Last Updated: February 23, 2023

All Skill Levels

30 minutes

Content Marketing
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – The Future of Tourism

Do you prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in your business plan? When tour, activity, and attraction operators implement DEI policies, they can influence positive change within their communities and expand their customer base. In…

Last Updated: January 19, 2022

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Content Marketing
Industry Insights
Websites

How to Make Your UX Writing More Inclusive & Accessible

You’ve heard us say many times that your website is your number one sales tool. When a user lands on your website, you have a chance to convert them into a customer through great copy,…

Last Updated: January 13, 2022

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Reframing & Decolonizing Tourism

We typically think of travel as a way to connect with different cultures, but the reality is that travel is often framed through a lens of colonialism, particularly when tourists from higher-income, predominantly white countries…

Last Updated: December 10, 2021

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

2021 (Food) Tour Trend: Veggie & Vegan Travelers

Veganism has far surpassed being a new diet trend. In fact, WTVOX estimates there are 79 million vegans worldwide. With veganism and vegetarianism entering the mainstream, it’s time for tour operators to revisit the way…

Last Updated: December 6, 2021

All Skill Levels

15 minutes

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Rapid Fire: Connect the Dots with Zapier’s Data Automation

Learn about our Integration with Zapier, a third-party tool for automating processes and moving data between softwares. This information will be helpful whether you are a Zapier power user, or have never heard of it…

Last Updated: July 25, 2023

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Effective Ways to Earn More Tips as a Tour Guide

Leading tours in a historic city or pristine wilderness location is one of the most enjoyable jobs available… but that doesn’t mean it’s all fun and games! Tour guides work hard to make the experience…

Last Updated: November 10, 2021

Beginner

30 minutes

Industry Insights

From Eco to Educational: Creating a Greener, More Giving Landscape for Tours, Activities, and Attractions

Sustainable tourism, eco tourism, voluntourism and other niche tourism activities are a popular way to both help your local community and set yourself apart from the competition. This type of tourism addresses the current and…

Last Updated: November 15, 2021

All Skill Levels

35 minutes

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

A Look Under the Hood: FareHarbor’s Latest Dashboard Updates

Have you ever wondered how FareHarbor determines what new products to develop and how to roll them out? In this session, our product team takes you through our focus for the year ahead, including helping…

Last Updated: March 11, 2022

All Skill Levels

Business Management Tips
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

The Trust Factor: Instill Trust in Your Customers & Boost Your Bottom Line

Trust has always been a major indicator of success in the tour industry. Instilling trust in your customers is what gets them to book with you and leave a good review, not to mention that…

Last Updated: August 17, 2021

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights

Your Questions About the EU Digital COVID Certificate, Answered

International travel has been slow to pick up amid the pandemic, with a variety of different restrictions and quarantine requirements in place throughout the world. The European Union Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC), launched on July…

Last Updated: August 13, 2021

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Reputation Management

Impress Your Guests and Create Memorable Experiences [7 Tips]

Few things are more rewarding to a business owner than opening your computer and seeing a great 5-star review for your tour or activity business. To keep the praise coming, focus on creating an amazing…

Last Updated: August 4, 2021

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Reputation Management

5 Tips to Help You Deal with Challenging Customers on Tour

Hospitality is central to our industry, and that means we always have to be prepared to deal with any challenges that arise with customers. Most customers will be excited to partake in your tour or…

Last Updated: September 10, 2021

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
SEO

Goodbye, Reserve With Google — Hello, Things To Do

Earlier this year, Google announced that it would be phasing out Reserve with Google (RwG) for tours, activities, and attractions. The booking service officially ended on August 1, 2021. Reserve with Google was a feature…

Last Updated: May 14, 2021

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Industry Insights
Local Strategies

2021 Travel Trend: Family Flexications

With vaxications on the rise, we can expect to see travel picking up throughout the North American summer season in countries where vaccines have been rolled out effectively. It comes as no surprise that a…

Last Updated: May 12, 2021

All Skill Levels

12 minute read

Business Management Tips
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

All Together: Your Guide to Inclusive Marketing

Tourism is about bringing people of different identities and backgrounds together to share in a common experience — often one that exposes them to new cultures and ideas — and when selecting tours and activities…

Last Updated: February 22, 2023

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

How Tour Operators Can Capitalize on Vacation Rentals

Whether they’re staying in a hotel or vacation rental, or just crashing at a campground, travelers have a lot of options when planning where to stay—and it’s no different when it comes to tours and…

Last Updated: May 3, 2021

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

3 Ways the Pandemic Has Made Travel Better (Yes, Better!)

As we navigate through the spring of 2021, most of us have spent over a year in some form of lockdown following ever-changing travel restrictions, and we’re all itching to get back out there and…

Last Updated: April 26, 2021

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Save Time & Stay Organized with Staff Scheduling Software

As a tour and activity business owner, you’re probably used to wearing many hats. In addition to managing daily operations, your other responsibilities probably include monitoring reviews, posting to social media, and communicating with customers…

Last Updated: May 3, 2022

All Skill Levels

4 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Local Strategies
SEO

Reserve with Google Shake Up – New Search Experiences Coming Later in 2021

For the latest information on this topic, head over to our new guide on the introduction of Google Things to do! As a tour operator, you’re probably familiar with Reserve with Google (RwG), the service…

Last Updated: April 6, 2021

All Skill Levels

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Start Here: A Sustainability Checklist for Tour Operators

If you’re just starting your journey into sustainable tours and activities, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed or unsure of how your business can make an impact. Whether you are a small, family-owned business…

Last Updated: April 7, 2021

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

2021 Travel Trend: Vaxications

What do you get when you take eager travelers and give them the coronavirus vaccine? A new travel trend: VAXICATIONS! These celebratory trips stem from pent-up demand for travel and the increased feelings of safety…

Last Updated: August 12, 2021

All Skill Levels

10 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Come One, Come All: Making Your Tours More Accessible

One of the main tenets of the tourism industry is to give people the opportunity to experience different places and cultures. When we fail to consider tourists with different accessibility needs, we ignore a huge…

Last Updated: April 22, 2021

All Skill Levels

5 minute read

Industry Insights
Local Strategies

2021 Industry Trend: (Re)Focus on Sustainability

As we look forward to the continued return of travel in 2021 we do so after a year where we collectively re-examined our relationships with work, technology, businesses, and the planet. One silver lining to…

Last Updated: March 8, 2021

All Skill Levels

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Beyond the Basics: Stand Out in a Competitive Market

A basic understanding of SEO and digital marketing are the fundamentals to crafting your brand’s online presence, but to build brand recognition and stand out in a competitive market, you need to have a firm…

Last Updated: March 8, 2021

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Industry Insights

Open Up the World: Promoting Inclusion & Diversity in Tourism

The tourism industry is built on a desire to see and share the world, experiencing diverse places, people, and cultures. As you read our content on the topic of diversity and inclusion, you’ll see us…

Last Updated: February 22, 2021

All Skill Levels

16 minutes

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights

The End of Tech (As We Know It)

Like you, Arival knows that in-destination experiences are the best part of travel. But why is the tour, activity, and attraction sector one of the most fragmented in the industry? Will recent events potentially accelerate…

Last Updated: January 19, 2021

All Skill Levels

48 minutes

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights

A Journey Into The Future Of Distribution

It’s no secret that OTAs play an influential role in the tour, activity, and attraction industry. Join our discussion to hear from some of the largest OTAs about how they’ve adapted over the past few…

Last Updated: February 2, 2021

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Industry Insights

Trend Alert: 2021’s Most Popular Activities Revealed By Our Booking Data

Our Booking Data Reveals This Year’s Most Popular Activity Types The events of 2020 provided a sharp reminder that nothing is guaranteed. With distant adventures out of the question, travelers turned closer to home and…

Last Updated: March 8, 2021

All Skill Levels

14 minute read

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights

8 Lessons We Learned from COVID-19 in 2020 (And What’s Here To Stay)

As we begin 2021 it’s hard to believe that almost a year has passed since the coronavirus pandemic began. Much has changed, especially in our beloved travel and tourism industry. Without question, there have been…

Last Updated: May 19, 2022

All Skill Levels

60 minutes

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
SEO

9 Trends For Tour & Activity Operators To Know In 2021

Get a jump start on the New Year by taking a closer look at travel and marketing trends that will be impactful for tour and activity operators in 2021. Now is a great time to…

Last Updated: February 27, 2023

All Skill Levels

10 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Creative Marketing Tip: Practical & Playful Travel & Tourism Holidays to Promote Year-Round

Nowadays, it seems like every day is an unexpected national holiday! From Paper Bag Day to Talk Like a Pirate Day (Arr, Matey), there’s always a reason to celebrate – no need to wait until…

Last Updated: January 5, 2021

All Skill Levels

13 minutes

Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Where, When, & How Sustainable Tourism is Changing

Despite what you may think, being sustainable and turning a profit are far from exclusive. In fact, your business can benefit from riding the “local” wave and taking better care of our planet at the…

Last Updated: January 6, 2021

All Skill Levels

5 minutes

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

2020 Rewind: Top Compass Learnings

There’s no way around it – 2020 was a tough year for travel and tourism. But it was also a year where many of you took the opportunity to learn, adapt, and identify new ways…

View Video

All Skill Levels

44 minutes

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

From Conversation to Action: Diversity & Inclusion in the Tourism Industry

Last Updated: November 25, 2020

This year brought some long-standing injustices into glaring clarity alongside the call to action to honestly examine how each of us can play a vital role in making our industry more equitable for all. Let’s…

Last Updated: March 22, 2023

All Skill Levels

7 minute read

Industry Insights
Local Strategies

How DMOs Can Support Local Businesses Throughout COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unexpected challenges to the tourism industry, and the road to recovery is not a straight line. Reopening tour, activity, and attraction businesses safely and continuing to provide exciting experiences for…

Last Updated: November 13, 2020

Beginner, Intermediate

9 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Shared Experiences Strengthen Connections at FareHarbor Spark: Our Top 3 Takeaways

On October 19 and 20, 2020, over 800 tour, activity, and attractions professionals came together at FareHarbor Spark, a fully-virtual event that united diverse perspectives from more than 30 countries around the world. We challenged…

Last Updated: November 19, 2020

All Skill Levels

COVID-19 Resources
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

How to Navigate the New Digital Market

Presented by Sojern Guest Speakers: Aline Hilsabeck – Data Analyst, Travel Insights, Sojern Guy Miller – Senior Sales Director, Sojern In today’s world of travel restrictions and budget cuts, tour and attraction operators need creative options to help drive demand to…

Last Updated: October 9, 2020

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Industry Insights
Social Media

Learning from COVID-19 YouTube Search Trends

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of our daily lives, including the things people search for online. We’ve already explored the ways in which Google search trends have changed during the pandemic. In this…

Last Updated: October 13, 2020

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

How FareHarbor Spark Can Help Revitalize Tourism

For many reasons, 2020 has become a year that no one will forget. We saw the rise of new social conventions and the decline of major industries around the world, all while only leaving home…

Last Updated: September 24, 2021

All Skill Levels

4 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

API Connectivity 201: Expert Advice on Getting Connected with OTAs

The world of travel looks vastly different than it did five years or even one year ago. With the number of ways to promote your tours only growing, it’s worth putting some thought into your…

Last Updated: October 14, 2020

All Skill Levels

6 minute read

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

API Connectivity 101: Breakdown and Benefits of API Connectivity

What is API connectivity? API Connectivity creates a link between your FareHarbor Dashboard and the Online Travel Agency (OTA) that is reselling your tours, allowing you to use FareHarbor as your one-stop-shop for managing bookings…

Last Updated: October 29, 2020

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

How Direct Bookings Help Your Bottom Line

As a tour or activity operator, you are no doubt familiar with online travel agencies (OTAs). Partnering with OTAs can help your business fill more availabilities and expand your audience. However, OTAs are not right…

Last Updated: February 3, 2021

All Skill Levels

5 minute read

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights

Travel Trend: Self-Guided & Private Tours

2020 threw us all more than a few curveballs, and along with changes we’ve made to life and work, new travel and tourism trends are on the rise. While fewer of us are planning to…

Last Updated: March 10, 2023

All Skill Levels

Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Preparing for Your Busy Season: FareHarbor Dashboard Checklist

We know how valuable your time is as a business owner, especially when your busy season is right around the corner. That’s why we’ve created this pre-season checklist to help you prepare, so when your…

Last Updated: April 11, 2023

All Skill Levels

15 minute read

Industry Insights
Local Strategies
SEO

Google Business Profile Troubleshooting: Recovering a Suspended Listing

From address and phone number to reviews and gift card purchases, your Google Business Profile provides the most accurate information about your business, and it can even boost local SEO and drive sales. In fact,…

Last Updated: January 19, 2021

All Skill Levels

16 minute read

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights

Anticipating the Return of Travel: How to Prepare

In the first part of this series, we discussed the waves of travel we expect to see as the industry slowly begins to pick up again. As this happens, there are some steps that tour…

Last Updated: July 16, 2020

All Skill Levels

11 minute read

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights

Anticipating the Return of Travel: Waves of Travel

One thing has become clear to many of us over the past few months: We miss exploring the world, and we will find ways to travel again. While this year has been difficult for our…

Last Updated: January 8, 2021

All Skill Levels

11 minute read

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights

Preparing for Budget-Conscious Travelers in 2020 & Beyond

The economic implications of the pandemic have inevitably had an impact on the travel and tourism industry, but there’s one thing we can be sure of — people still want to travel. However, travelers will…

Last Updated: July 16, 2020

All Skill Levels

10 minute read

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

2020 Travel Trend: The Return of the Road Trip

Travel has changed in some very unexpected ways in 2020, and new trends are sure to emerge and remain even after we’re able to travel the world again. One trend that has resurfaced and is…

Last Updated: July 21, 2020

All Skill Levels

8 minute read

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Understanding Domestic Tourism Before & After the Pandemic

When thinking about tourism and travel, we commonly think of things like boarding planes to exotic destinations, and booking adventurous activities overseas. However, tourism has historically been much more local, with more than 7 out…

Last Updated: August 25, 2020

All Skill Levels

COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights

Providing Safe Experiences: Implementing Cleanliness & Sanitation Standards

From high-adrenaline off-road Jeep tours to cooking classes with a professional chef, all tours, activities, and attractions have to communicate safety guidelines to their guests in one way or another. This might mean featuring a…

Last Updated: May 6, 2020

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Industry Insights
Virtual Experiences

Before Going Live: 5 Steps To Prepare For Your Virtual Experience

Whether your virtual event is hosted live or is pre-recorded, the opportunities that virtual tours and digital experiences offer are seemingly endless. They are a way for you to showcase your creativity, try something new,…

Last Updated: May 6, 2020

Beginner, Intermediate

20 minute read

Industry Insights
Virtual Experiences

Choosing The Right Virtual Platform For Your Tour Or Activity

Hopefully, by now you’ve read our guide on the first steps to creating a virtual tour and have come up with a few ideas on how you can make it work for you. Virtual experiences…

Last Updated: May 6, 2020

Beginner, Intermediate

12 minute read

Industry Insights
Virtual Experiences

Transform Activities Into Virtual Experiences With Google Tour Creator

Virtual tours are a fun and exciting way to engage with your audience when you’re unable to run your traditional, in-person tours. Tour and activity operators around the world have experimented with online cooking classes,…

Last Updated: January 25, 2023

Beginner, Intermediate

5 minutes

Business Management Tips
Digital Marketing
Industry Insights

Steps In the Traveler’s Booking Journey

Booking travel requires a lot of research and planning on the traveler’s end. Throughout their booking journey, there are a handful of common touch points and important micro-moments where you can increase awareness of your…

View Video

Beginner

15 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Virtual Experiences

First Steps to Creating a Virtual Tour

Last Updated: October 7, 2020

While the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has forced many tour operators to temporarily close down, it’s more important than ever to think about new ways to generate business. Whether that means promoting gift cards for…

Last Updated: March 11, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

11 minute read

Business Management Tips
COVID-19 Resources
Industry Insights

A Beginner’s Guide to Small Business Loans

Whether or not to seek a small business loan is a decision that each business must make for themselves by weighing the overall pros and cons. Even if you’re not planning on taking on a…

Last Updated: September 9, 2020

All Skill Levels

COVID-19 Resources
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Actionable Resources For Your COVID-19 Response

The travel and tourism industry is going through an extremely challenging time as the novel coronavirus continues to impact tour operators and the tourism industry at large. While we know we will get through this…

Last Updated: April 9, 2020

All Skill Levels

10 minute read

Industry Insights
Social Media

Social Media Travel Accounts You Should Be Following

Social media is not only a useful tool for digital marketing, but it’s also the best place to learn about trends in your industry and what your customers care about. In addition to using your…

Last Updated: October 12, 2021

All Skill Levels

11 minute read

Industry Insights

2021 Travel Trends: Ecotourism & Voluntourism

One of the best ways to make your tour and activity business stand out from the competition is to show your guests that you stay up to date with the latest industry trends like solo…

Last Updated: January 7, 2020

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights

Get to Know Your FareHarbor Teams

Whether you’re just getting started with FareHarbor or you’ve been with us for years, you know it’s our priority to help you grow your business. We have a variety of teams at your disposal who…

Last Updated: March 18, 2020

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Industry Insights
Local Strategies

What Makes A Great Tour Guide?

It’s no secret that tour guides can make or break a guest’s experience. From the negative TripAdvisor reviews about tour guides who were rude or unprofessional to the social media selfies of happy guests with…

Last Updated: October 12, 2021

Beginner

9 minute read

Digital Marketing
Industry Insights
SEO

How to Market Tours & Activities to Families

One of the most important aspects of marketing is determining who your target audience is and understanding their behaviors. If families make up a significant portion of your bookings and tour groups, then it’s crucial…

Last Updated: September 7, 2022

Beginner, Intermediate

65 minutes

Industry Insights

10 Trends Defining Tours, Activities & Attractions

Guest Webinar Series Presented by Arival and Unexpected Atlanta Arival has become the defining platform for the Tours, Activities & Attractions sector, with three conferences worldwide, a series of definitive research reports and Arival.travel media…

Last Updated: October 22, 2019

All Skill Levels

12 minute read

Industry Insights

5 Travel & Tourism Trends to Watch in 2020

Keeping up with industry trends is essential for finding and retaining happy customers. In today’s fast-paced world of new technology, social media influencers, and Instagrammable vacation destinations, new travel and tourism trends are constantly emerging,…

Last Updated: November 27, 2023

All Skill Levels

9 minute read

Business Management Tips
Industry Insights
Local Strategies

Everything Tour & Activity Operators Need to Know about Google Things to do

One of the most useful tools to get more bookings right from Google Search is Things to do. As a FareHarbor client with online availability, you can give customers the option to book directly from…

Last Updated: February 12, 2021

All Skill Levels

12 minute read

Business Management Tips
Dashboard & FareHarbor
Industry Insights

Increase Online Bookings With Partnerships & Resellers

Marketing your tour or activity company and growing your business can be a challenge in a constantly evolving industry. Between managing employees, responding to customer reviews, and making your tours or activities the best they…