Online reservation software is key to the outdoor tourism industry rebounding after the pandemic. It’s a bold statement, but guess what? Do you know who’s going to fuel the outdoor tourism rebound? Youth. Travelers between 18-35 years old. People who use and prefer digital technology. We can nearly do everything without having to talk to someone on the phone. So, which tour provider do you think this group prefers? The one they have to call to book or the one where they can reserve and pay for a hiking trip with a few taps on the screen? It’s no secret...
Strategic partnerships will be key in a post-COVID era in order to rebuild your outdoor guiding business. No industry has gone untouched from the pandemic, and it hit global travel the hardest. Four of ten hotel workers are unemployed. Because international travelers are stuck in their own countries, it’s estimated that the U.S. economy will lose $425 million per day. The travel industry is returning slowly. Airbnb just went public. More people are driving to their destinations, and travelers are eagerly expecting a return to normal travel. As we wrote in an earlier article, focusing on local tourism will be...
Having the ability and willingness to diversify revenue and adapt during the COVID-19 area will set your outdoor guiding business apart and ahead from the competition. McKinsey states you need to identify and prioritize revenue opportunities. Then make the choice to do what needs to be done now or move on. It’s imperative to implement these opportunities before the recovery starts so your tour guiding company can execute them quickly. SHAPE Model Use their SHAPE model to rethink your revenue streams, stand out from the competition, and position yourself for the long run: “Start-up mindset”: Start-ups act more than they...
Online booking software is better for adventure providers. First, it makes it easier for customers to book trips. It also benefits tour operators because it automatically collects, organizes, and centralizes important information needed to run a business. What is Online Booking Software? Online booking software is used for managing reservations. It is a self-service portal that allows for a customer to book and pay for an activity or service through a website. Customers can book trips that have open time/date slots suggested to them by the system. Origin’s simple online booking software easily integrates into your website. It doesn’t need...
IFrames and SEO don't go together like you'd hope they would. See, Iframes impact your site's SEO negatively. We noticed tour operator websites with bookings embedded in an iFrame weren’t showing in Google results. In other words, booking pop-ups installed on sites hindered their SEO. We copied text inside the popup window and pasted that in Google. Nothing came up. We researched further and we're convinced you should not use iframes on your site. We want our clients to succeed. With that, we want their websites to be discoverable through Google search results. Because of this, in this article, we...
While responsible tourism typically seems to be applied on an international scale, there are ways to incorporate responsibility and sustainability into your outdoor tour operations that not only protect the environment but support the local economy. Whether you do an entire overhaul and follow The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Criteria or incorporate bits and pieces that are applicable to your tour guiding business, you will inevitably provide a better experience for customers. We know of the seven Leave No Trace Principles: 1) Plan Ahead & Prepare, 2) Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces, 3) Dispose of Waste Properly, 4)...
As we all know, tour operators are a resilient bunch. The travel industry has gone through crises before COVID-19. Everything from terrorist attacks to disease to depressions to wars and we’ll do it again. What this crisis has shown us is how innovative tour guiding companies are. To regain confidence in returning (and new) customers, tour operators must be willing to change and adapt. We found four ways companies are improvising to persevere and even make the travel industry better than before: collaborating with other businesses, personalizing tours, practicing sustainability, and staying flexible. Tour Operators Collaborating With Other Businesses When...
Across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, “Travel” is one of the most shared topics. As adventure-seekers, we’re inspired by the epic tours our friends, family, and peers post about on social media platforms. Some of the most adventurous or “Instagrammable” photos pique our interests and for the majority of us, leads to an inevitable booking.
If your tour booking platform is too confusing, customers may leave to find a site that has a simple user interface (UI) instead. Users visiting your website must have a good — if not great, experience.
Origin is the latest online marketplace for booking authentic outdoor adventures with expert guides. From helping tour guides and outfitting businesses thrive through online booking and modern technology, to empowering travelers to find and reserve the perfect adventure, we’re passionate about making the outdoors more accessible to those who want to explore the wild.
Streamlined booking will be essential in a post-COVID-19 era because the travel industry will never be the same. While travel has dropped significantly, it will bounce back. When it does, tour guides and operators need to take advantage of the available modern technology.
What is Origin? Origin is the online activity booking software empowering adventure-seekers and streamlining the outdoor adventure process. From helping tour outfitters thrive through online booking and modern technology, to empowering travelers to find and reserve the perfect adventure, we’re passionate about making the outdoors more accessible to those who want to explore the wild. Origin’s online activity booking software: Uses modern technology to streamline the tour booking process for outfitters and customers. Reduces the administrative work for operators. Improves the accuracy of tracking tour availability both for guides and customers. Creates a better user experience by providing a one-stop...