Growth Powered by FareHarbor

In this episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor, Rebekah sits down with Arden of Lake Louisa State Park to talk about what it really takes to build a destination, not just operate within one. Arden shares how she grew her business from one park in 2016 to six parks across Central Florida, why persistence matters more than having a perfect plan, and how she thinks about creating experiences that help visitors connect with the outdoors. This episode covers growth, leadership, websites, guest experience, and the long game of building something meaningful. 

Recorded live at Spark 2025, this episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor features Haig from Danger Charters in Key West, Florida, alongside FareHarbor Account Manager Devin. Together, they unpack what it takes to grow a charter business in a competitive tourism market: building a loyal, repeat customer base and creating a strong team culture while also testing new revenue drivers like combos and trip protection. This is the episode to listen to as a tour or activity operator thinking about repeat business, affiliate strategy, hiring, or when to say yes to a new feature. This conversation will bring you practical takeaways from a business that has continued to grow over time. Learn more about FareHarbor: fareharbor.com/demo Learn more about Danger Charters: https://www.dangercharters.com/

Recorded live at Spark, this special episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor features a dynamic conversation with CEO Andrea Carini. Andrea shares his perspective on how operators can evolve alongside AI innovation, how automation is reshaping free time and demand for experiences, and what it truly means to build for long-term growth in today's tourism landscape. He also pulls back the curtain on how FareHarbor researches, prioritizes, and develops product enhancements that offer insight into the thinking behind the platform. If you're navigating rapid technological change or looking to sharpen your growth strategy, this episode offers practical takeaways and a forward-looking vision for the industry. Listen now and be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow operators.  Get a demo with FareHarbor at FareHarbor.com/demo and register for Spark at spark.fareharbor.com!

In this episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor, we sit down with Adam, founder of Sea the City, a New York City–based water tourism operator offering jet ski tours and hot tub boat experiences. Adam shares how Sea the City has grown from a three–jet ski operation into a multi-location business, and what it takes to stand out in one of the most competitive tourism markets in the world. The conversation dives into how the team approaches marketing and channel mix, including their use of affiliates like GetYourGuide to increase international exposure and drive weekday demand. We also explore how Sea the City thinks about influencer marketing, tracking performance through campaigns, and why they focus on value-added perks over traditional discounting. Adam breaks down how affiliate sales have grown as a percentage of overall revenue, why patience and iteration matter when working with OTAs, and how data and analytics guide their decisions.

En este episodio especial en español, conversamos con Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park en Puerto Rico, un negocio familiar de tercera generación que ha pasado de ofrecer paseos a caballo locales a convertirse en uno de los destinos de aventura más reconocidos de la isla. El equipo comparte cómo la cultura, la familia y el crecimiento sostenible han guiado su trayectoria y siguen dando forma a las experiencias que crean para visitantes de todo el mundo.   In this special Spanish-language episode, we sit down with Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park in Puerto Rico — a third-generation family business that has transformed from a local horseback riding operation into one of the island's most recognized adventure destinations. The team shares how culture, family, and sustainable growth have guided their journey and continue to shape the experiences they create for visitors from around the world.  

 This episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor brings you an inside look at GetYourGuide, one of the leading online travel agencies (OTAs) in the tourism industry. Rebekah talks with Allie, Senior Account Executive at GetYourGuide, about how operators can succeed on the platform and how FareHarbor clients can leverage that connection. Topics include: What it takes to get listed (and verified) How to write better listings that actually convert Why reviews and visuals matter more than ever The biggest misunderstandings about OTAs How GetYourGuide's global reach and marketing strategy help small businesses thrive New features: AI tools, review responses, pickup UX This episode is for you if you're: ✔️ A FareHarbor client looking to grow your bookings ✔️ Curious about selling through GetYourGuide ✔️ Want to better understand OTA partnerships and strategies Learn more at getyourguide.com/partners Join the FareHarbor Community at fareharbor.com/community Helpful links: GetYourGuide Supply Partner Help Center: https://supply.getyourguide.support/hc/en-us This includes tons of helpful resources, including best practices for responding to reviews and optimizing your listings. How-To Video Series – Creating Products with GetYourGuide: https://supply.getyourguide.support/hc/en-us/sections/14002453180061-Creating-Products-with-GetYourGuide-How-To-Videos These short videos walk through key parts of the setup process and would be great visual additions. Spring 2025 Travel Experience Trend Tracker: https://www.getyourguide.supply/travel-experience-trend-tracker-spring-2025?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=organic&utm_term=feed

Charlie from Adventure Cat Sailing joins Rebekah to share how one of San Francisco's most iconic tour businesses creates a smooth, guest-first booking experience on and off the water. They discuss what it takes to build trust through branding, how FareHarbor tools help remove friction from the guest journey, and why thoughtful pricing, team culture, and follow-up reviews all matter. If you're thinking of upgrading your booking flow, scaling your guest experience, or exploring reservation softwares built for tour operators, this episode is for you! Listen in for insights on marketing, operations, and what makes guests come back for more.

What happens when a growing ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand upgrades to a smarter reservation system? In this episode, Rebekah sits down with Vincent, General Manager of Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, to explore how FareHarbor helped them streamline operations, improve guest experience, and scale sustainably. Vincent shares the sanctuary's growth story, including how they survived the pandemic, embraced ethical tourism practices, and now manage up to 300 guests per day—all while protecting their elephants and educating travelers.  We also dive into: - The launch of FareHarbor in Thailand - The benefits of mobile-first booking -Pivoting your business when things go awry - How FareHarbor's tools and support helped Vincent's team scale, automate, and thrive. - What ethical tourism is, especially when it comes to caring for animals Whether you're researching reservation software or already scaling your tourism business, this episode is a great look at how the right tech partner can power thoughtful, impactful growth.

How can tour and activity operators use Google Things to Do (GTTD) to drive more direct bookings and increase visibility? In this episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor, FareHarbor Community Manager Rebekah Costley dives into how operators can leverage Google Things to Do to capture more organic traffic, optimize their listings, and reduce reliance on OTAs. Tune in to learn: ✔ What Google Things to Do is and how it works for tour and activity businesses ✔ How to optimize your listings to appear in Google search results ✔ Strategies for increasing direct bookings using GTTD ✔ Common mistakes operators make with GTTD listings and how to avoid them This is a great episode for anyone looking to improve their Google presence, attract more customers, and stay ahead of industry trends. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! #FareHarborPodcast #GoogleThingsToDo #TourismMarketing #TourOperators #DirectBookings #ScalingYourBusiness #TravelIndustry

Join host Rebekah Costley for a special International Women's Day edition of Growth Powered by FareHarbor, where we celebrate the resilience, innovation, and success of women entrepreneurs in the tourism industry. In this episode, five inspiring women share their entrepreneurial journeys, challenges they've overcome, and strategies for success—from running food tours in Puerto Rico to leading adventure tourism businesses in Australia and Canada. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How these women built thriving tourism businesses The biggest challenges they've faced—and how they overcame them Strategies for scaling, adapting, and staying competitive in tourism What it means to balance business, family, and personal growth The future of women-led tourism and leadership Featured Guests: Paulina Salach (Spoon Experience, Puerto Rico) – Culinary tourism & food-focused experiences Kaija Pack (Break Life, Houston) – Innovating with alternative therapy businesses Margit & Amy (Walk and Eat Spain, Madrid) – Expanding food tourism globally Tanya McCready (Winterdance Dogsled Tours, Canada) – Growing a seasonal adventure business Kate Forrester (Gold Coast Watersports, Australia) – Transitioning into adventure tourism Watch the extended version of this episode on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@FareHarborOfficial Connect with FareHarbor: https://fareharbor.com/blog/category/podcast/ | Join the Conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fareharbor |  [Follow FareHarbor on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/fareharbor/posts/] 👉 Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow tourism entrepreneurs!

This episode is #incredible. Rebekah chats with co-founder Lia Garcia of Louisville Food Tours, about her journey from travel blogging to running a successful food tour business. Leah shares how she used SEO, influencer marketing, and affiliate programs to increase visibility and drive sales. Leah also discusses in detail the power of authentic storytelling and using it to build meaningful partnerships with local businesses to grow her revenue. If you're a tour operator looking to enhance your marketing strategy and boost bookings via social media marketing and blogging, this episode has some valuable insights on how to leverage creativity as well as FareHarbor's tools to achieve success!

We're bringing you authentic stories from Spark 2024 in New Orleans in this episode! Join clients from diverse industries like Best Cabo Yachts, Cajun Food Tours, Navajo Tours Direct (and more!) as they share how FareHarbor has helped streamline their operations and boost bookings. From enhancing the customer experience to utilizing powerful features like FareHarbor Dock and our affiliate tools, these tour operators reveal how they're using our platform to grow their businesses. Listen now for key insights on how FareHarbor empowers operators to succeed in an ever-competitive industry!

Rebekah sits down with FareHarbor's CEO, Andrea, to discuss the future of the company and the recent changes that have sparked conversation across the industry. Andrea shares his vision for FareHarbor, insights into new product releases, and the "why" behind recent updates like the API and direct booking fees. Tune in for a transparent conversation on how FareHarbor aims to support clients' growth and keep pace with the evolving tourism landscape.

In this episode of Growth: Powered by FareHarbor, Rebekah sits down with FareHarbor's GA4 experts, Elle and Adam, to give a high-level understanding of everything you need to know about Google Analytics 4. They discuss the key differences between UA and GA4, how tour operators can leverage GA4's event tracking features, and what you are (probably) missing in your tracking. This episode will give you the tools to make data-driven decisions and elevate your online booking strategy. Let us know what you think!

In this episode of Growth: Powered by FareHarbor, Rebekah talks with marketing company Clear Sky Tourism to discuss how they help tour operators boost bookings and grow their businesses with smart marketing strategies. Listen in to learn the basics of leveraging SEO, paid ads, and find out if AI can actually help drive more traffic and increase conversions. This episode offers valuable strategies you can implement right away to drive results and gives you an idea of what to look for when hunting for a quality marketing company. Tune in now and start taking your marketing to the next level! Access $250 off SEO services with Clear Sky Tourism here: https://clearskytourism.com/fareharbor-podcast/ Learn about GA4 and FareHarbor Reporting here: https://help.fareharbor.com/website/integrations/getting-started-with-integrations/ga4/ https://help.fareharbor.com/reporting/getting-started/types-overview/  

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Cyrus Aldeman, owner of Anchorage Trolley Tours, about his top strategies for driving bookings year-round in a highly seasonal destination. Cyrus shares his methods for managing inventory and leveraging local partnerships, along with a look at his fine-tuned FareHarbor setup that streamlines operations and captures both online and walk-up sales. If you're looking to keep your business thriving through seasonal shifts, this episode is a must-listen! For more tips on managing seasonality, visit our help pages: https://compass.fareharbor.com/guides/articles/extend-your-seasonal-operation-into-a-lucrative-business-all-year-long/ https://help.fareharbor.com/dashboard/availabilities/updating/availability-updater/  

Join Rebekah and FareHarbor's Channel Specialist Cameron Heth as they chat with Danny Pegg, owner of Vagabond Cruises and founder of the successful reseller Let's Book It. In this episode, Danny shares his secrets to successfully reselling other operators' tours through multiple websites across the U.S.. He offers real-world strategies for operators looking to grow their business and revenue through affiliate marketing. Plus! Discover how he optimized partnerships on the FareHarbor Distribution Network to boost sales and expand into new cities — and learn how you can do the same. Learn more about reselling in our help pages: https://compass.fareharbor.com/partners/fareharbor-distribution-network/

This season's opening episode highlights how operators can grow their business leveraging FareHarbor's diverse product lineup. Rebekah sits down with Zack Feld, FareHarbor's Product Enablement Manager, to discuss how these  tools can boost online bookings and streamline day-to-day operations. Zack shares insights into new product developments, upcoming features, and how FareHarbor continuously enhances its software to meet client needs. Tune in for practical tips and expert guidance on maximizing your booking platform's potential!  

Get a quick look at Season 2 of Growth Powered by FareHarbor! Tune in for more expert tips and real-world insights that will help take your business to the next level. Follow us on your favorite podcast platform and don't miss the three-episode premiere on October 13th!

In this episode of Growth powered by FareHarbor, we had the pleasure of diving into the delicious world of chocolate tours with Will Lydgate, owner of Lydgate Farms on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii. Will shared his journey of growing a top-rated chocolate farm tour and the unique challenges and rewards of agri-tourism.   Join us again for the next episode of Growth powered by FareHarbor, where we continue to uncover the secrets to thriving in the tour and activity industry.