4 proven ways tour operators increased bookings and streamlined operations

Tour and activity operators across the industry face challenges like confusing booking flows, underutilized tools, or hidden revenue opportunities. The good news? There are proven strategies that work, and real businesses are already seeing the results.

At FareHarbor, our Account Managers partner directly with operators to streamline operations, boost bookings, and grow smarter, not harder. Whether you’re a solo operator juggling everything or a larger team ready to scale, these stories show what’s possible with the right support.

Below, you’ll find four real-world examples of how operators solved major pain points and unlocked growth, from reducing friction in the checkout process to bringing in revenue from affiliate partnerships. Which one feels most like your business?

Simplifying the booking flow to increase conversions

Operator: Buckingham Branch Railroad

Account Manager: Rebekah C.

The challenge
Buckingham Branch Railroad was fielding too many customer phone calls, all stemming from a confusing booking form. They had six items for six different train cars, but most customers didn’t know which car offered the experience they wanted. Instead of booking online, they were calling in with questions, slowing down operations and hurting conversions.

The solution
Rebekah recommended consolidating their six items into two broader experiences. Then, she and the operator overhauled the booking flow with new headlines, descriptions, and a “search by date” feature. They also disabled customer-selected seating, which wasn’t adding value for their demographic, and moved seat assignments to the back end.

The result
The simplified experience made it easier for customers to book, reducing friction, decreasing phone calls, and increasing overall sales.

Increasing affiliate revenue with better visibility

Operator: Paddles Outdoor Rentals

Account Manager: Stephanie S.

The opportunity
Paddles Outdoor Rentals didn’t have a major problem, but Stephanie saw untapped potential. As a partner in the FareHarbor Distribution Network (FHDN), they had access to affiliate links that could generate commission. But they weren’t promoting them in a meaningful way.

The solution
Stephanie suggested creating a new page on their website called “Our Local Partners” that featured FHDN activities. This created a highly visible, customer-friendly way to encourage bookings and brought in revenue every time a customer clicked and purchased.

The result
More affiliate visibility led to more bookings through the network and more commission in Paddles Outdoor Rentals’ pocket.

Pro tip: If you’re part of the FareHarbor Distribution Network, add a “Local Partners” page to your website to promote your affiliate offerings in a way that feels natural and builds community trust.

Making high-ticket tours easier to book

Operator: Dixie Divers
Account Manager: Karla B.

The challenge
Dixie Divers runs multi-day excursions — exciting, high-value experiences with a matching price tag. But because of the cost, they were hesitant to list them online, thinking customers wouldn’t complete the booking process.

The solution
Karla helped them add these tours to their Dashboard with two powerful tools: deposits and payment links. With this setup, customers could reserve a spot with a down payment and pay the balance later. Karla also worked with Dixie Divers to add upsells like equipment rentals and accommodation upgrades.

The result
Putting these tours online made them more accessible, leading to increased bookings, higher total cart values, and easier payment tracking.

Pro tip: Use FareHarbor payment links and deposits to build flexibility into your higher-cost experiences without sacrificing commitment.

Reducing fraud and restoring a key revenue stream

Operator: Scenic Helicopter Tours

Account Manager: James F.

The challenge
After dealing with multiple fraud attempts involving gift cards, Scenic Helicopter Tours removed them as a product altogether, eliminating a common purchase option and cutting off a valuable revenue stream.

The solution
James helped them bring gift cards back, but with safeguards. By enabling booking notifications and maintaining a clear paper trail, any fraud attempts could be tracked and disputed easily.

The result
With added fraud protection in place, Scenic Helicopter Tours was able to reintroduce gift cards with confidence, unlocking new sales and peace of mind.

Want to grow your bookings like these operators?

Whether you’re looking to streamline your booking flow, unlock new revenue streams, or improve customer experience, these operators show what’s possible with the right support and strategy.

Read more success stories from tour and activity operators like you.