How to become a Viator supplier

Updated July 2024 – Viator.com, a TripAdvisor company, is the leading global tours and activities provider for travellers. They reach 350 million travel planners every month through Viator, TripAdvisor, 3,000 affiliate partners and over 175,000 travel agents. With their global advertising programs on Google, Bing, and Facebook, they reach customers who speak 10 different languages and 13 currencies. Online travel agency partnerships offer valuable opportunities for tour and activities providers looking to increase their online visibility and showcase their services on platforms that secure millions of monthly users globally.

There are a few things you need to do before you get listed on Viator, and following the steps in this article will increase your chances of being listed.

Reasons to join Viator as a supplier

OTAs such as Viator are one of the most popular tourism distribution channels for tour and activity providers as they boost marketing opportunities, increase online visibility and offer extensive integration capacities.

Here are some of the most compelling reasons why tour and activity providers decide to join Viator as a supplier.

Reach a larger audience

Become a Viator supplier to increase sales by distributing your travel experiences to 350 million monthly travel planners on Viator and TripAdvisor and over 175,000 travel agents. Be part of curated trip activities, including tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides, in more than 1,500 destinations worldwide. Reach international customers through Viator’s websites and through its global advertising programs on Google, Bing, Yahoo, and even social media platforms like Facebook.

TripAdvisor integration

Viator automatically shares your availability and sell tours with TripAdvisor. When you become a Viator supplier, you automatically receive a “Book a Tour” or “Check Availability” button on your TripAdvisor page.

The best example we can think of is the situation in Las Vegas:

Travellers who visit Las Vegas know about the casinos, shows, and nightlife. But thinking about Las Vegas, you wouldn’t necessarily think about the indoor skydiving you can do during the day.

There is a huge audience visiting Las Vegas who are unaware of this activity. Becoming a Viator supplier would put your product in front of this audience (travellers who don’t know of your existence).  When someone is looking for “things to do in Las Vegas,”  you want to make it on this list to attract people you would never be able to attract yourself.

Because you only pay Viator per booking, not per appearance in the list, you can reach the undecided traveller while keeping a good return on investment.

No sign-up fees

Viator suppliers don’t have to pay sign-up fees or cancellation fees should they decide to discontinue.

Viator does have a standard commission rate of 20% of the advertised price, which is on par with other OTAs.

How to become a Viator supplier

1. Open a Viator/ Tripadvisor account

The first step to becoming a Viator supplier is to create an account. As Tripadvisor acquired Viator in 2014, you can also sign up to Tripadvisor to start the process of becoming a Viator supplier.

When opening an account on Viator, you’ll have to provide certain details about your company, including company information, additional information, and contact data.

Once you’ve submitted your agreement to the terms and conditions, you’ll have to wait for Viator to contact you via email after they confirm your details. This can take approximately 24-48 hours. Viator will then request further information including an agreement to their commission terms as well as clarifications surrounding your company’s liability insurance.

2. Add your travel products on Viator and your booking software

Once you’ve finalized your Viator account signup process, you can start adding your travel products onto the platform. You can do this by accessing the Management Center, clicking on the Products tab, and selecting ‘Manage.’

The Viator Management Center allows you to create your products and add photos, pricing, availability, and other relevant information. After you’ve detailed all of your travel products on Viator and updated the products/experiences within your booking software, you can then select the option to publish.

3. Add your negotiated rates on Viator

In Viator’s Marketplace profile, you can set up your Negotiated Rate by clicking on ‘add agent’.

Within this tab, you will be provided with the relevant T&Cs – if you approve, click ‘Send Your Rates,’ scroll down to ‘Rate’ and then select ‘’Negotiated Rate’’. After you’ve clicked on ‘’Add Agent,’ – your rates will be sent to Viator.

You’ll need to update your booking software’s negotiated rates in line with Viator’s policy. There are numerous ways to complete this process that will depend on your current booking software. If you are supplying your products on multiple OTAs that require different fee percentages, you’ll want to make certain that your software is differentiating the commission you pay for each one.

Here’s how you can add or edit your negotiated rates on Rezdy’s booking platform.

4. Set your booking software on Viator

Time to connect your booking software to Viator.

You’ll need to log in to your Tripadvisor Experiences Management Center to grant Viator access to your booking software system. If Rezdy is your software provider, you will need to select ‘Rezdy as your system’ within the ‘Connect Now’ page, which is located within the Management Center’s ‘Connectivity’ section.

5. Map your products on Viator to your booking software

Within your Viator Profile, you will be able to locate your Rezdy product codes. You can then map your Viator products to Rezdy.

6 tips on how to get listed on Viator

There are several things you have to account for to become a Viator supplier. Not every tour operator will be listed by default, but if you can offer the following, we think you’ll improve your chances of becoming a Viator supplier.

1. Offer real-time availability

Viator/TripAdvisor offers its customers real-time booking confirmation. This means you need to be able to provide bookable spots for your tours or activities in real time. Viator provides a calendar for tour and activity operators where they can update and manage their availability. Alternatively, most booking software providers (including Rezdy) have integration with Viator, so you can link your availability from your software with Viator.

2. Allow last-minute bookings

Allow last-minute bookings and specify how many hours before the tour starts customers can book with you. Of course, you need enough time to prepare for your tour before people come but keep your minimum notice close to the start time of your experience. Viator attracts a lot of last-minute bookers who are looking for something to do on the day. You want to make sure your products are available to book, so push the minimum notice close to the starting time.

3. Use API integration with Viator

Not only in technical but also in the customer experience. For starters, your booking software should have a solid API integration with Viator. You’d want to avoid manual work as much as possible. When sharing your availability with Viator, you want the booking information pushed into your booking software so it automatically populates your CRM, sales reports, and manifest. This will avoid lost customers, making it easier to keep control over your bookings, even when it’s a large volume.

4. Accept bookings 

Schedule your availability for two years. Make sure your potential customers can book tours up to two years in advance. It’s good practice to make sure all your availability is published across as many channels as possible, but make sure it’s also available for a long time. The earlier you fill out your tours, the better the chances of higher conversions.

Viator attracts a lot of people who are exploring your destination. Travellers want to know what they’ll get to see and do in your destination before they book their hotels and tours. Some travellers take up to 2 years to prepare for their trips, so make sure you always have the availability to attract them to your destination.

5. Add high-quality images to your listings

No matter the type of activity you offer, a picture says more than a thousand words, making your product stand out. Be aware that your product is listed next to those of your competitors. The best picture is likely to receive the booking. Showcasing high-quality photos and videos will help you stand out and make your listing look professional, no matter where it’s being promoted.

6. Write detailed product descriptions

Spend some time writing a unique description for your tour specifically for Viator’s listing. OTAs such as Viator, Expedia and GetYourGuide want unique suppliers to provide a unique tour description because they are easier to get to the top of the list of search engine responses.  Look at the product listing of similar experiences that are already live on Viator. Use this format. Don’t include inconsistent symbols, special offers, or your email address when you submit it.

Become a Viator supplier with Rezdy

Being a Rezdy customer doesn’t guarantee becoming a Viator supplier, but Viator prefers tour operators who use a real-time booking software provider integrated with them. Mentioning Rezdy in your application can be advantageous. Here’s why using Rezdy can benefit you:

1. Automation of bookings:

When you receive a booking from Viator, Rezdy automatically pushes customer information and booking details into your manifest, reports, and CRM. This automation saves time and ensures you never miss a customer or payment.

2. Simplified network management:

Managing a large distribution network can be overwhelming. Rezdy’s Channel Manager simplifies this by allowing you to update availability for multiple agents in one app. Whether you have 10 or 400 agents, you can connect with most agents in the tour and activity industry, ensuring maximum capacity fill-up and efficient management.

3. Seamless payment management:

Rezdy streamlines payouts, ensuring that funds are automatically processed and transferred to your bank account without delays. By handling transactions effortlessly, Rezdy reduces administrative burdens and minimizes errors. You can track all payments and manage financials easily, providing a smooth and efficient payment experience for both you and your customers.

Have any more questions about how to get listed on Viator? Get in touch with the team at Rezdy to find out more about how your tour or activity company can use Viator to attract customers and grow your business.