How to Attract Backpackers for Your Tours and Activities

Backpackers have been traveling the globe for decades now, and these visitors are a worthwhile demographic to target for tour and activity providers. Generally, backpackers are interested in immersing themselves in the local culture, supporting small businesses and enjoying authentic experiences along their journey. If you are looking to diversify your customer base, you may want to make some changes in order to attract these lively visitors.

Make Local Hostels Your Most Prominent Agents

Backpackers tend to stay at local hostels, where they will run into other solo travelers are on similar adventures. Known for their affordability, hostels have long been a haven for these worldly people. By making hostels a prominent agent on your Channel Manager, you give them the opportunity to resell your tours and activities for a quick and easy commission. They will be motivated to promote your products to their guests, who will rely on them for expert advice about the local area.

Include an Age Range for Your Tours and Activities

Most backpackers are young and in their late teens and early 20s. Create age ranges for your various tours so that backpackers know which ones will be most interesting to them. As many backpackers are traveling solo, they often want to participate in tours and activities that allow them to meet other people traveling in the area in the same stage of life.

Update Your Website Photos

Swap out your photos of retired couples enjoying a quiet sail around the cove, and include photographs of young people drinking champagne and laughing on the sailing excursion. Backpackers will know that you cater your products to young people, and they will be more inclined to book with you. These photographs are powerful marketing tools, so it’s important to use colorful, high-resolution pictures for your website. Display your photographs in a prominent place on your website, as this will captivate the visitor.

Allow a Party Atmosphere on Your Tours

Backpackers like to have a good time, and they are known for their partying tendencies. Accept this and invite it on tours designed specifically for them! When you earn a reputation of being young and hip like the backpackers, they will recommend you to other friends who might be traveling in the area. Perhaps you can serve alcohol on one of your tours (if it is safe to do so) or create an after-hours event for backpackers to enjoy after they have completed their activity.