Growth Powered by FareHarbor

Are you thinking of buying a business or selling one? Or maybe you are just curious what that process looks like? Then this episode of Growth is just for you. Since 2015, Trish Higgins and the Chenmark team have acquired 30 to 40 different businesses including many in our experiences sector. In this episode, Trish reveals some of the lessons learned that will help you buy or sell your experience business. Trish also) provides insight into the deal process as well as the important questions to ask yourself before making the decision to buy or sell. This session was a recent webinar so Trish also answered questions from the audience. Webinars live in compass which Shane describes as a 'treasure trove' for Fareharbor clients. Do check it out at compass.fareharbor.com

Listen in to a Q and A with Tourpreneur's Peter Syme recorded at our Edinburgh MeetUp hosted by Shane Whaley. Travel Industry veteran Peter Syme shares his no holds barred insights on how AI is disrupting the customer experience and he shares a traffic light system for each. sector of the tours and activity industry. Is yours red, amber or green? Peter also shares his views on how best to work with OTAs! Shane also asks Peter who from history he would most like to take on a tour and where! We hope you enjoy this one and hopefully we will see you at an upcoming FareHarbor MeetUp. For more details visit FareHarbor

Shane Whaley talks with Byron Kay, owner of Kona Honu Divers and Snorkel Tours, and Sarah Ellis, Senior Account Manager at FareHarbor They discuss the unique challenges of marketing a dive and snorkel tour business in Hawaii, strategies for business growth, and the importance of SEO. Byron shares his experiences with using SEO tools like SEMrush and CausalFunnel an AI platform for boosting conversion. They also discuss the benefits of dynamic pricing and the use of nudges to increase online conversions. Byron also reveals why he thinks its crucial for businesses to hire SEO experts. Got a queston for Byron - he is a regular poster in our FareHarbor Community and is happyto answer your questions

FareHarbor's Digital Marketing Strategist, Tristen, and TikTok guru, Rebekah, spill the beans on harnessing TikTok and Instagram Reels for business growth. No dancing required!

On this episode we discuss the effectiveness of short-form videos for tour and activity operators.

Rebecca, an Enterprise Account Manager at FareHarbor, kicked off the discussion by highlighting the immense reach of platforms like TikTok. She argued that TikTok's short-form video format is a powerful tool for reaching a wider audience compared to Instagram.

Shane, the Head of Community at FareHarbor raised an interesting question asking: Are short-form videos only suitable for big companies with large budgets and production crews? Rebecca's response was a resounding no. She emphasized that even with just a phone camera, operators can create engaging content. The casual nature of short-form videos, she argued, is appealing to audiences who are used to seeing polished corporate videos.

Rebecca, dubbed the "TikTok queen" at FareHarbor shares her insights on the platform. She learned from successful clients and observed what other businesses, like Duolingo, were doing on TikTok. She emphasized the importance of short attention spans in today's age and how TikTok's format of delivering information in short intervals has contributed to its success.

She also pointed out that short-form videos require less time and effort compared to longer videos, as they can be edited within the TikTok app itself. Shane related to the frustration of long introductions in podcasts and YouTube videos and highlighted the benefit of short-form videos in capturing attention quickly.

The power of short-form videos is undeniable, and with the right strategies, tour and activity operators can harness this power to reach a wider audience and boost their business. What is your experience with TikTok and Reels? Let us know in our FareHarbor Client Online Community. Tristen and Rebekah hang out there too and can answer your questions.

Join Adam Doolittle of Jamie's Whaling Station in Tofino, BC as he shares insights on a wide range of topics, from the tour business's digital marketing success to hiring/retaining key talent.

#####Join our FareHarbor Client Online Community Today#####

In this episode, we chat with Adam Doolittle, General Manager of Jamie's Whaling Station in Tofino, BC, about growing and sustaining a tour and activity business over decades.

Key Takeaways:

• Making major changes during slow periods - Jamie's overhauled systems and processes during 2020 COVID shutdowns to operate more efficiently.
• Driving growth through tech stack upgrades - Switching to integrated FareHarbor platform with new website and booking engine boosted online bookings.
• Leveraging digital marketing and tracking ROI - Optimized Google/Bing ads to scale up traffic. Measuring returns gave confidence to increase ad spending.
• Hiring for passion over prior experience - Personality and company culture fit are top priorities. Relevant skills are preferred but can be taught.
• Maintaining innovation and momentum - Avoid complacency even after achieving success. Always be learning and evolving operations.
• Using AI as a marketing and ops booster - Experiment with AI to enhance productivity but don't rely on it solely. Refine AI outputs.

Ask Adam a question in our online FareHarbor Client Community.

Our guest Torin Kexel reveals how, with no previous travel industry experience, he built a tour business on Craigslist! Plus he reveals the three key strategies responsible for the Flying Bike's rapid growth.

The Skinny - We highly recommend giving this episode a listen if you are interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of a successful bike tour company. Torin's journey is filled with valuable lessons and strategies that can be applied to various tour and activity businesses.

Torin dives deep into the challenges they faced, the strategies they implemented, and the important role that their booking software, FareHarbor played in their growth. From their initial struggles with bike damages to the introduction of rental insurance and partnerships with Pedigo, Torin shares valuable insights about ensuring a seamless customer experience.

We also explore their unique approach to guide recruitment, diversity, and employee satisfaction. Discover how Torin and their team built a strong sense of community within their organization, leading to low turnover and happy, dedicated guides.

Furthermore, Torin discusses their experience with FareHarbor, their go-to booking software. They highlight the exceptional customer service they receive, the helpful features that streamline their operations, and the upcoming improvements in their online rebooking and cancellation processes.

The episode also delves into the importance of data analysis, questioning assumptions, and refining social media marketing strategies. Torin shares surprising insights about their customer demographics, challenges they faced during COVID, and the exciting plans they have for expanding their offerings to include multi-day tours.

Additionally, Torin addresses the pricing dilemma and the considerations they face in a competitive market. He shares their goals of maintaining quality and value, even as they navigate local market challenges, economic headwinds and the increased costs of running their business.

We highly recommend giving this episode a listen if you are interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of a successful bike tour company. Torin's journey is filled with valuable lessons and strategies that can be applied to various businesses.

In this brief episode of Growth powered by FareHarbor, Head of Community Shane Whaley and AM Trainer Sam McCabe reveal what we hope to achieve with our new podcast and share more about what's coming up.