When people travel to new places, they want to experience the best that a town or city has to offer. Yet when they land in a new place, it can be intimidating to fully immerse themselves in the history, culture, and cuisine around them. This is where tour operators can sweep in to save the day.
Tour operators can bridge the gap between language barriers. They can provide knowledge and little titbits that tourists won’t find in guides or on the internet. Most importantly, their passion can help to ensure visitors form an everlasting bond with the city they’re in. The question that we are looking at today is, can you successfully operate a city tour? With advice and tips, you could do just that.
1. Pick your niche
If you plan to operate in a major city, it’s almost guaranteed there are many tours already in operation. Because of this, it is essential that you find a niche with your own tour, something that will allow you to stand out from the competition. When you develop a unique tour, one that allows tourists to experience your city in a fun, exciting way like a local, this is going to appeal over some run-of-the-mill walk around the area.
2. Arrange the right transport
If your tour is traveling distances that go beyond walking, you will need to use transport to get around. If you were to purchase transport, however, this could blow a serious hole through your budget. This is especially the case if you wanted to acquire a large vehicle like a coach.
This is where hiring can come in handy. As City Circle UK helps demonstrate, you can find operators that provide modern coaches on a for-hire basis. If you were then to have City Circle Coach hire on your side, you wouldn’t have to worry about purchasing – or storing – your own vehicle/s for tours.
3. Conduct research
Researching your target market is an important step in ensuring your tour hits all the right notes. For instance, if you decide to go for a tour that visits the trendiest bars in the area, this is unlikely to appeal to an older demographic.
When you have a full understanding of your audience persona – including their age, interests and motivations, and background – you can create a tour that is more tailored to them. This also helps when it comes to your marketing efforts.
4. Build an online presence
Even if you have devised the ultimate tour that is sure to bring in a bunch of five-star reviews, this matters for little if nobody is aware of its existence. This is why you need to place a particular emphasis on building a strong online presence.
According to research, over 60% of leisure travelers begin their customer journey via Google or another search engine. As a result, your search engine optimization (SEO) needs to be on point with your tour company’s website. Social media and tour listing can also play a big role in boosting your online visibility.
