Author's note: This article is written for tour and activity operators, event organizers, and travel agents looking for ways to save time, build their brand, and grow sales.
If you want to stand out in the crowded tourism industry market, you need more than just a strategy. You need the right partnerships and tools. And that is exactly what this article is about.
You will uncover:
- The must-have online booking system integrations that will seriously improve your customer service and impact your marketing efforts.
- A real-life case study of a city tour operator who grew sales 400x with the right booking software integration.
- How to assess what integrations you need for your tour business.
At the end of this article, you will find new ways to offer better services and save time with the right digital tools.
Let's begin.
Key Integrations for Providing Professional Services
CRM Integration
What better way to attract more customers than by enticing them with personalized communication?
A reliable CRM system is your friend, more than just a tool; it's a growth engine for your business.
Here's a simple and clear explanation about CRMs in business:
- Make your interactions more personal.
- Easily access customer history (recurring appointments and bookings) and preferences.
- Get detailed insights to keep customers coming back.
- Streamline customer data and interactions.
- Segment your audience for more effective, personalized marketing efforts.
It's easy to manage your customers along with your tours when you integrate a CRM tool with your booking system. In this way, you'll have access to both your CRM and tours in one place. Streamline your backend processes and manage your tours in one software, so your business runs smoothly.
Payment Gateway Integration
Make sure your customers feel safe and secure when booking tickets with online payments. That is why you need trusted payment gateway integrations.
By connecting your booking system with reputable payment gateways like SumUp, Stripe, Spreedly, and PayPal, you ensure your customers have a smooth and safe way to pay.
This move not only wins their trust but also shows off how professional your brand is by giving them multiple payment options.
See how cashless payment systems in travel help the Immersive Gamebox and Vikings Splash Tours.
Google Analytics and SEO Tools
Next, level up your marketing game.
To do so, make sure you know your target customers well. Know their behavior, interests, challenges, and active times. Using these data, customize how you market and connect with them.
This approach can significantly boost your online presence and marketing efforts.
Consider booking software integrations with Facebook Pixel, Google Tag Manager, and Google Analytics.
Integrating these with your online booking software can help you:
- Understand your customer journey
- Get insights into how much revenue you generated from each campaign
- Track social media marketing success
Saving you time on management and getting all you need in one centralized booking software dashboard!
Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) Integration
How about increasing visibility? One smart way is tapping into OTA's million-audience client base.
Although selling your tours with OTAs is something you should think about. Because there are commission fees and cancellation policies to know.
But expanding your reach through OTAs and third party apps like GetYourGuide, TripAdvisor, Klook, and TripXOXO can help you increase bookings.
Integration with OTAs and your booking system saves time.
For example, you can easily track the online bookings that you receive from GetYourGuide, your website, your resellers, and in-person - all in one software solution. So you don't have to switch between applications.
This can also help you manage assets more effectively. So you avoid overbookings or missing bookings from different sales channels.
Turnstile Access Control System Integration
If you run zoos, aquariums, water parks, concerts, conferences, and the like, turnstiles are your key to admission control efficiency.
Turnstiles can help you manage crowds and maintain security. It also greatly improves customer experience with shorter wait times.
Booking software providers like TicketingHub offer a self-scanning program for turnstiles. Guests can enter through QR codes. No need for ticket takers! Easy work load for your staff and smooth admission for your guests.
The best part is, TicketingHub partners with any turnstile type. So you don't need to replace your current setup. All you need to do is plug in the simple Raspberry Pi scanner extension and start admitting guests on-site.
Here's more information about Turnstiles Integration with TicketingHub.
Facebook Pixel Integration
Getting noticed? Don’t forget about social media. With over 53% of Gen Z using social media for travel inspiration, it's a goldmine.
And you can connect social media ads to your booking system. For instance, TicketingHub works with Facebook Pixel. This cool tool checks if your ads bring people in.
So when you link them together, you can manage your tour bookings and improve your marketing efforts - all from one place. You save time. And get more done.
Here's how Facebook Pixel works and how to set it up:
Bonus Tool: Saving Time from Automated Customer Interactions
Staying in touch with guests needn't be a hassle. Why not use automation?
For example, TicketingHub has this message broadcast tool. You can set it up to automate reminders for guests before tours. And you can also set it up to ask for their feedback later. It keeps your guests in the loop without you doing extra work.
And by the way, the message broadcast tool works in SMS and emails. So you can also use it in sending booking confirmations and special deals.
Does your booking system support the integrations you need?
If so, that is a good sign. Next, see how their integrations work.
- Is it easy to use?
- Will your team easily adapt to its interface and features?
You can't afford to waste time on complicated software!
Be sure to check how much the booking software charges for integrations. Most SaaS charge integration fees separately from the subscription or monthly fee.
What Booking System Integrations Do You Need?
So what integrations does your tour business need? Here are some factors to consider.
Improve Customer Experience
Pick tools that make booking tours easier and nicer for your customers, like easy payments, reminders about their tours, and simple ways to change bookings.
Boost Your Marketing
Use tools that help you market better, like email marketing, social media connections, or ways to see how well your ads work. These should help you get more customers and keep them interested.
Setting Up Your Integrations
Start small
Begin with a few key tools to solve your biggest needs. This way, you can manage changes better and make sure everything works well.
Teach your team
Make sure everyone knows how to use the new tools. Everyone needs to be on board to ensure customers have a smooth experience.
Check everything works
Test your new tools before your customers use them. You want to catch any problems first, so your customers don’t have to.
That's why your booking system should also be good at providing customer service. In some worst cases, you need the team behind the software during software adaptation.
Keep Your Integrations Working Well
Check-in regularly
Check if the tools are still doing what you need. As your business changes, you might need different tools.
Listen to feedback
Learn from customer reviews. And listen to your team about tools. They might have insightful ideas.
Stay informed
Keep up with updates from your tool providers. New features might come out that can make things even better for you.
Look at the Results
Use reports to see how the tools help your business. This can help you decide which tools are worth keeping and which ones need changing.
Setting up the right integrations is a step-by-step process. It's about making your business run smoothly and keeping your customers happy.
Now it's time to see a real tour operator story who grew by 400% with the right integrations. Here's one to inspire you.
City Tours Belfast Reached 400% Growth with the Right Software and Integrations
Let's dive into how the right booking system can dramatically change the game for tour companies. Take City Tours Belfast, for instance, which thrived and grew during challenging times.
Tour Operator: City Tours Belfast
What They Offer: City tours in Belfast
The Challenge
When the pandemic struck, City Tours Belfast faced the tough task of attracting more tourists. On top of that, their dissatisfaction with their existing booking system was a major obstacle they needed to overcome.
The Solution
The team at City Tours Belfast decided to chat with Carl, the CEO of TicketingHub, to discuss what they wanted in a booking system.
Carl and his team recommended the ElfSight Reviews widget, a tool designed to showcase customer reviews directly on the company's website, as well as on TripAdvisor, Google, and Facebook.
They offered to integrate this widget into Chris' TicketingHub account, streamlining feedback collection.
This was a game-changer. With TicketingHub, they sold tickets online directly from their website. The addition of the ElfSight Reviews widget meant customer reviews were automatically collected and displayed, offering social proof and building trust with potential customers.
Moreover, TicketingHub's Message Broadcast tool enables automatic feedback requests via SMS and email right after the tour, simplifying guests' experiences.
The Results
This strategic shift not only improved the company's operations but also significantly enhanced its reputation.
Chris says this combination of an effective online booking system and strategic online marketing has spurred remarkable growth. They've attracted a higher number of visitors than ever before, even surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Breaking it down
- Professional Image: Adopting TicketingHub and integrating the ElfSight Reviews widget made City Tours Belfast appear more professional and reliable, thanks to a simpler booking process and easy feedback sharing.
- Increased Customer Satisfaction: The ability for customers to easily leave and view reviews boosted their trust in City Tours Belfast.
- Revenue Growth: With an improved booking system and better online visibility, City Tours Belfast experienced a significant increase in bookings and visitor numbers.
You can see how City Tours Belfast's story shows how integrations save time and grow. Through it, they got better feedback and served customers better. This made them more trustworthy and got more bookings, proving that the right online booking system and integration tools and help can make a big difference.
Conclusion
We've seen the power of must-have online booking system integrations. Everything from CRM integration, payment gateways, SEO tools, OTAs, and turnstile systems for on-site admission management. Why not explore these tools and have simpler workflows and happier customers?
We proved the impact firsthand through City Tours Belfast. With the right booking software integration, Chris had a 400x growth in sales. Success stories like theirs highlight the benefits of carefully chosen technology.
For tour operators looking to get the same results, start by evaluating your current technology setup. And identify key areas where integrations can help.
Before you leave,
Make sure you do something. Why not get a demo? Just like Chris from City Belfast Tours did, you can schedule a demo with TicketingHub.
We're here to guide you through the process, offering the support and advice you need to find and use the right tech solutions for your company. Let's make your booking process better together.
See you soon!
FAQ: Relevant Questions
What are booking system integrations, and why are they important for my business?
Booking system integrations connect your booking platform with other online services. Examples are Google Calendar, payment processors, and customer management systems.
They're helpful for you because they can streamline your business processes. For example, it can simplify booking management, centralize customer details and booking data, and offer online payments all in one place.
This seamless integration ensures a smoother booking flow, enhances the online booking experience for your customers, and reduces the chances of double bookings or scheduling conflicts.
How can integrating a booking system save me time in daily operations?
Integrating a booking system can significantly save you time by automating many tasks you would otherwise do manually.
For example, with automated notifications, reminders, and SMS, you don't have to contact each customer individually.
Real-time booking updates prevent overbooking and manage provider availability efficiently.
Plus, customizable booking forms and a user-friendly interface make it easy to book appointments at multiple locations and services online.
With less work, you get more done. As a result, things go smoother.
How do booking system integrations contribute to brand strength?
Booking system integrations contribute to a stronger brand by providing a professional, efficient, and consistent customer experience.
Offering online booking options with a user-friendly interface and real-time booking capabilities reflects well on your brand, showing that you value your customers' time and convenience.
Moreover, integrations like Google Calendar for scheduling appointments and digital payments for secure transactions enhance your services' trust and reliability.
A good booking software lets you manage bookings across services and locations, and marketing tools keep your brand top of mind.
