How to create a holiday tour or activity experience that sells

The holiday season, from Halloween through New Year’s, can be one of the most profitable times of the year for tour and activity operators. Customers are looking for festive ways to celebrate, spend time with loved ones, and give memorable gifts. This is your chance to create themed offers that stand out, capture attention, and drive bookings.

From Fall-themed rebrands to giftable packages and add-ons, there are countless ways to tailor your experiences for the gift-giving season. And with Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, now is the time to get your holiday plans ready. Read on for fun ways to boost your seasonal impact. 

Give your tours a seasonal rebrand

One of the simplest ways to create a fresh offering is to give an existing tour or activity a festive twist. This can include small changes that transform the atmosphere without overhauling your operations, such as:

• Add decorations to boats, vehicles, or tour stops (think spooky in October, cozy in December).
• Incorporate seasonal music, snacks, and scents — like mulled cider or gingerbread.
• Highlight local holiday markets, fall foliage, or light displays in your route.
• Dress up your guides in Halloween costumes or holiday-themed attire.
  Rename your tour — e.g., “Haunted Harbor Tour,” “Holiday Lights & Landmarks,” or “Grateful for the Views: Thanksgiving Sunset Sail.”

Pro Tip: Update your visuals and descriptions across your website, booking flow, and social channels to reinforce the theme.

Seasonal rebrands keep your operations largely the same while making the experience feel new for repeat guests and irresistible to holiday shoppers. Don’t forget to share your refreshed offering on social media for extra exposure!

Offer limited-time holiday Packages or Combos

Bundling your most popular experiences or add-ons into curated Packages is one of the most effective ways to boost your average booking value during the holidays.

Packages allow you to sell two items together — such as two tours, or a tour plus a retail item — as a single product customers must purchase together. Operators using the Combos feature (which Packages are built on) see a 26% increase in multi-item orders year over year, making them a powerful seasonal tool. Learn more about the difference between Combos and Packages here. 

Holiday Package ideas

Thankful for the outdoors excursion

• Includes: Nature hike or kayak tour + fall photo package 
• Great for: Outdoor tour operators in mild climates
• Positioning: “Ditch the shopping crowds and reconnect with nature.”

Holiday adventure package

• Includes: Morning ATV tour + post-ride hot cocoa
• Great for: Off-road or motorsport operators in cold climates
• Positioning: “Everything you need for a thrilling winter escape in one booking!”

Winter wildlife experience

• Includes: Guided wildlife spotting tour + warm cider 
• Great for: Nature preserves, wildlife safaris, or eco-tour boats
• Positioning: “Get close to nature, then cozy up after your adventure.”

Elf-for-a-Day family experience

• Includes: Kid’s themed scavenger hunt + cookie decorating
• Great for: Children’s museums, farms, or holiday pop-up attractions
• Positioning: “The ultimate holiday experience for kids who believe in magic.”

New Year’s Eve sunset & sparkle

• Includes: Sunset boat cruise + champagne toast 
• Great for: Boat charters or waterfront venues
• Positioning: “Cheers to the new year with the best view in town.”

To make your Packages stand out, give them festive names, use strong visuals, and promote them across your website, email, and social channels. Consider adding a small seasonal discount (5–10%) to increase perceived value and drive urgency.

Holiday Combo ideas

Combos are great when you want to give flexibility — customers can pick and choose optional add-ons or upgrades during checkout. These examples make it easy to upsell without bundling:

Add-on a holiday keepsake

• Combo: City walking tour + optional collectible ornament or mug
• Use case: Encourage small impulse purchases at checkout
• Bonus: Easy to offer to both locals and tourists

Photo upgrade

• Combo: Zipline or snowmobile adventure + optional GoPro helmet mount rental or photo package
• Use case: Activities where capturing the moment matters
• Tip: Promote this as a limited-time holiday deal — e.g., “Get 20% off photo packages this December!”

Winter warm-up add-on

• Combo: Sunset sail or carriage ride + optional blanket from local vendor or hot beverage package
• Use case: Cold-weather outdoor operators
• Marketing hook: “Stay warm while you explore!”

Gift card Combo deal

• Combo: Any booking + optional gift card at 10% off to give to a friend
• Use case: Turn one booking into two with a “give one, keep one” approach
• Perfect for: Black Friday / Cyber Monday weekend

More holiday add-on ideas

Another easy way to increase your per-booking revenue without changing your main experience is to offer seasonal add-ons through Custom Fields. These could be holiday-themed food or drink upgrades, special merchandise, or festive activity enhancements.

• Offering a mulled cider or hot chocolate toast at the end of a winter hike
• Providing branded or local goodies like scarves, beanies, or gloves for boat or walking tour guests
• Creating a holiday photo package with themed props and backdrops
• Including a seasonal treat, such as cookies or gingerbread, with every booking
• Adding a keepsake ornament or locally made gift to the experience
• Offering a “VIP holiday upgrade” that includes priority seating, a festive drink, and a souvenir

Promote these extras during checkout in your FareHarbor booking flow to encourage impulse purchases.

Launch a holiday gift card promotion

Gift cards are a holiday classic — and for good reason. They’re flexible, easy to purchase, and perfect for last-minute shoppers. Offer a seasonal twist by adding a bonus value, like “Buy a $100 gift card, get $20 free,” or including a festive digital design. Promote them heavily on your homepage, social media, and in your emails to make them a go-to holiday gift.

Use Black Friday and Cyber Monday to launch your offers

The biggest shopping weekend of the year is the perfect time to introduce your holiday experiences. Consider offering a limited-time discount, bundling a gift card with a seasonal tour, or giving early access to your holiday packages for customers who book that weekend. 

Starting your holiday promotions during Black Friday and Cyber Monday builds momentum before December’s peak booking period.

Cater to your local market

If you want to fill seats quickly, focus on customers in your own community. 

Locals often book last-minute, making them perfect for filling open spots or boosting weekday attendance. Offer resident-only discounts, create holiday packages with seasonal perks, or partner with nearby businesses to add a meal, drink, or retail item to the experience.

A few ways to get the word out to your local area:

• Make sure your Google Business Profile (GBP) is up to date with accurate hours, high-quality photos, and recent reviews.
• Connect your GBP to Google Things to do to increase visibility and allow for faster direct bookings. 
• Run zip code–targeted ads on platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram to reach the people most likely to book. 

Explore more strategies to market to your local community. 

Start now for maximum impact

The earlier you plan and launch your seasonal experiences, the more time you’ll have to promote them and capture bookings. Whether you rebrand your tours, create limited-time packages, or add festive extras, starting early ensures you’re ready for the busiest shopping season of the year.

Ready to start building your holiday experience? Visit the Help Center for any setup guidance.