How to get the “book a tour” button on TripAdvisor: a comprehensive guide

Not long ago, travelers would jump between multiple websites on their laptops to plan their trips. They’d read reviews on TripAdvisor, check out a company’s Facebook page, and then go to its website to book directly. But in today’s fast-paced world, you need a “Book a Tour” button on TripAdvisor to succeed in the global marketplace.

Why? Because time-strapped travelers now rely heavily on their mobile devices. They may scroll through TikTok for inspiration, then visit your TripAdvisor profile to read feedback from your past guests and decide that your tour company is the one they want. But they’re not likely to navigate to your website to complete the booking. Instead, they’ll want to click a convenient booking button right on your TA page.

This shift in consumer behavior has profound implications for tour operators, travel agents, and business owners in the tourism industry. Whether you’re offering guided tours in London, vacation rentals in Australia, or unique experiences anywhere in between, adapting to this new reality is critical to the success of your business.

So how do you get that coveted “Book a Tour” button on TripAdvisor? Let’s dive into a comprehensive guide that will walk you through the process, help you optimize your online presence, and ultimately increase your bookings.

Understanding TripAdvisor’s impact on the travel industry

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to understand just how influential TripAdvisor is in the travel industry. As one of the largest travel platforms in the world, TripAdvisor has become a go-to resource for travelers planning trips to destinations from Italy to New Zealand.

TripAdvisor by the numbers

• TripAdvisor averages more than 175 million unique monthly visitors.
• The platform features over 1 billion reviews written by travelers from around the world.
• It covers approximately 11.1 million accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines and cruises.

The power of TripAdvisor reviews

TripAdvisor’s review system is at the heart of its influence: in fact, travelers rely heavily on these reviews to make informed decisions about their travel. According to a recent study, 83% of travelers say reviews help them choose the right hotel, and 70% say reviews help them find better things to do.

For tour operators, this means that every review can have a significant impact on your business. Positive reviews can increase your visibility and credibility, while negative ones can turn off potential customers. This is why actively managing your TripAdvisor presence is so important.

Optimizing your TripAdvisor listing

Before you add that mighty “Book a Tour” button to your TripAdvisor page, you need to make sure your listing is well optimized, which will also increase your overall visibility on the platform. Here are a few things you should do to get the best results:

1. Write a compelling business description

Your business description is your chance to make a great first impression. Here are some tips:

• Keep it concise but informative (300-500 words is ideal).
• Highlight what makes your company unique.
• Include key information such as types of tours offered, duration, and what’s included.
• Use keywords naturally to improve searchability.

2. Upload high quality images

Visual content is key in the tourism industry. Let’s get the most out of your images:

• Upload at least 10 high-resolution photos that showcase your tours.
• Include a mix of pictures of the scenery and photos of happy customers enjoying the experience.
• Add captions to your photos to provide context and include keywords.
• Update your photo gallery regularly to keep it fresh.

Pro tip: remember, TripAdvisor allows you to remove guest photos if necessary, giving you control over your visual narrative.

3. Ensure accurate contact information

Make it easy for potential customers to contact you:

• Double-check that your phone number, email, and website are correct.
• If applicable, include your physical address.
• If you have multiple locations, make sure each is listed separately.

4. Interact with reviews

Responding to reviews shows that you value customer feedback:

• Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative, professionally and promptly.
• Thank reviewers for positive feedback and address any concerns raised in negative reviews.
• Use review responses as an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.

5. Take advantage of TripAdvisor’s free tools and features

TripAdvisor offers several free tools to help you improve your listing:

• Use the Management Center to track your performance and respond to reviews.
• Add special offers or announcements to attract attention.
• Use the Q&A feature to provide quick answers to potential customers.

The TripAdvisor ‘Book a Tour’ button: everything you need to know

The Book a Tour button on TripAdvisor is a powerful tool that can dramatically increase your bookings. When a traveler clicks this button, they’re taken directly to a booking page where they can reserve their spot on your tour using a credit card or other digital payment methods.

Benefits of the “Book a Tour” button

• Improved conversion rates: by reducing the steps between interest and purchase, you’re likely to see higher conversion rates.
• Mobile-friendly booking: travelers, especially those using mobile devices, appreciate the convenience of booking directly from your TripAdvisor page without having to navigate to your own website.
• Increased visibility: listings with the Book a Tour button often receive priority placement in TripAdvisor search results.
• Trust factor: the button signifies that you’re a verified and trusted operator on the platform.

Eligibility requirements for the “Book a Tour” button

To be eligible to include the “Book a Tour” button on your TripAdvisor listing, you must partner with Viator, an online travel agency (OTA) acquired by TripAdvisor itself in 2014.

If you’re wondering how to become a Viator supplier, we have a dedicated article on the subject. However, these are some good first steps:

• Have an active, well-maintained TripAdvisor listing.
• Consistently receive positive reviews and maintain a good overall rating.
• Offer real-time booking capabilities.

Using Rezdy for a seamless Viator integration

While Rezdy does not have an exclusive relationship with Viator, it’s worth noting that the popular OTA is known to favor tour and activity operators that use real-time booking software to run their business. Mentioning Rezdy in your Viator onboarding application doesn’t guarantee selection, but it can significantly improve your chances.

Why choose Rezdy?

Rezdy is the online booking software that stays on top of industry developments and trends. Here’s why it’s an excellent choice for tour operators looking to integrate with Viator:

• Real-time availability: Rezdy’s system updates your availability in real-time across all connected channels, reducing the risk of overbooking.
• Channel manager: easily manage your listings across multiple online travel agencies (OTAs) from a single dashboard.
• Automated bookings: bookings made through Viator are automatically added to your Rezdy system, streamlining your operations.
• Advanced reporting: gain insight into your sales performance across channels to inform your marketing and pricing strategies.
• Mobile web app: manage your bookings on the go with Rezdy’s mobile-friendly admin platform.

By leveraging Rezdy’s capabilities, you’ll not only increase your chances of becoming a Viator supplier, but also set up your business for efficient multi-channel distribution. This allows you to sell your tours in as many places as possible, ultimately increasing your exposure and your bottom line. Interested in learning more about our world-class booking system? Then don’t hesitate to schedule a free demo with one of our consultants.

Common challenges and how to overcome them

While integrating with TripAdvisor and Viator can greatly benefit your business, it’s not without its challenges. Here are some common issues tour operators face and strategies for overcoming them:

1. Managing Multiple Booking Channels

Challenge: keeping track of bookings across TripAdvisor, Viator, your own website and other channels can be overwhelming.

Solution:

• Use a centralized system like Rezdy to keep all your bookings organized.
• Set up automatic notifications for new bookings.
• Regularly reconcile bookings across all channels to ensure accuracy.

2. Handling cancellations and modifications

Challenge: managing cancellations or changes to bookings can be complex when dealing with multiple platforms.

Solution:

• Have a clear, consistent cancellation policy across all platforms.
• Use Rezdy’s system to automatically update availability when cancellations occur.
• Train your staff on how to efficiently handle cancellations and changes.

3. Handle Customer Inquiries Across Platforms

Challenge: customers may submit questions through TripAdvisor, Viator, your own website, or other channels, making it difficult to efficiently manage all inquiries.

Solution:

• Create a centralized customer service email that receives inquiries from all platforms.
• Use a customer relationship management (CRM) system to track all customer interactions.
• Establish response time standards (e.g., within 24 hours) and adhere to them across all platforms.
• Create a FAQ section on your TripAdvisor and Viator listings to address common questions.

Conclusion

As we’ve explored in this comprehensive guide, getting the “Book a Tour” button on TripAdvisor is critical for tour operators looking to stand out in a competitive market.

Key takeaways:

• Optimize your TripAdvisor listing: write a compelling business description, upload high-quality images, and make sure all your contact information is accurate.
• Partner with Viator: becoming a Viator Supplier is essential to unlocking the “Book a Tour” button on TripAdvisor. Meet their eligibility requirements and maintain a positive review profile to improve your chances.
• Integrate with a robust booking system: use a system like Rezdy to streamline booking management across multiple channels, provide real-time availability updates, and automate bookings from multiple platforms.

Ready to take your tour business to the next level? Book a free demo with Rezdy today and discover how our booking system can help you seamlessly integrate with TripAdvisor, Viator and other major platforms.