Tips for Promoting an Outdoor Tour Guide Business

Throughout North America, outdoor recreation providers offer services such as scenic cruises, river rafting, birdwatching expeditions, wildlife watching trips, guided fishing trips, whale watching, nature tours, and other adventures.

For business owners that offer these services, finding clients is a vital and never ending task. For outfitters and nature themed tour guide operators, an array of techniques are usually necessary in order to maintain a steady flow of business.

A basic website is essential for tour operators. Websites should be easy to navigate, provide essential information and showcase each service that a business offers.

Once a website has been established, it should be submitted to online travel directories or other resources.

Blogging is an excellent way to attract new clients. Most tour operators publish a blog to promote their business. Whenever possible, tour blogs should include pictures of recent adventures, local landscapes or other attractions. Blogs can be a component of a business website, or simply  created using a free blogging account.

Guest blogging is another way to promote an outdoor tour or outfitting business. Tour operators often share their passion for nature by contributing short articles to a wildlife blog, or other specialty website. These articles can attract online audiences for many years.

Press releases and media releases are excellent tools for promoting a tour guide or outfitter service. These can be posted online as well as sent to traditional media contacts.

Customized t-shirts or other merchandise can be very effective for attracting clients. These items become permanent ads for a business. In addition to displaying a business name to the public, these products help instill customer loyalty and often lead to word of mouth recommendations by existing clients.

Brochures are an important tool for reaching new clients. Brochures can be purchased or made during the off season with a home computer and graphics software. Placement of brochures is usually very important in order to reach the largest number of visitors.

Trade associations can be sources of new clients. Membership in these organizations often includes promotional services.

Local chambers of commerce may also offer online listings, brochure packages and other promotional tools.

Speaking at a seminar can be extremely beneficial in terms of generating business. Public speaking opportunities are available at outdoor shows, festivals and other public events.

Networking within the community is an excellent way to obtain clients. Local inns, bed and breakfasts and motels often get requests by their guests for local recommendations. These relationships often benefit everyone as guests, inns and tour guides can all share information and provide referrals.

Each of these practices can be combined to help generate a steady flow of clients throughout the season.