5 Ways to Create Memorable Tourism Experiences

Successful tourism activity businesses will know that their key focus is always on creating memorable experiences for travellers. The flow on effects from happy customers will benefit your reputation and your bottom line.

So what is the formula for ensuring your customers not only have a fantastic encounter with your business but will also share their adventures positively to generate more bookings? The following describes 5 practical ways you can build your business to be a leading experience that will get travellers singing your praises and help you stand out in a competitive tourism market.

1. Entertainment comes first. 

No matter the type of experience, what travellers want above all is to have a good time and be entertained.

This means that every component of the activity is designed to surprise and delight them. What will they gain from doing your experiences compared to with a competitor? How can you enhance the entertainment value to make it extra memorable and enjoyable? Think about the content of the activity, the stories you share, the hidden gems uncovered, those home-baked muffins that only you provide!  

2. Well-trained guides & staff set the tone. 

Because creating a magical, guided experience depends so much on the guide, experience operators focus on molding high-quality frontline employees. Travel is all about people, so the connection your team can make with your customers is a vital component of the experience. It's not good enough to just have a pilot that can fly your helicopter or a boat skipper that can competently cruise the islands, they also need to enjoy sharing a yarn and having fun with people onboard to create a friendly and memorable tone. Training for your team shouldn't just be for the technical requirements to deliver the activity operationally but also for the customer service aspects.

3. Authenticity and local engagement matter. 

Visitors appreciate thoughtfully crafted itineraries that bring a specific location to life. People normally travel to destinations to experience key activities available in that area so if your tour or activity shines through as being authentic and embraces it's local culture and personality then you will leave a lasting impression. This has as much to do with the people involved as well as the finer details of the activity you design and deliver.

4. Expectations should be managed - and then exceeded. 

Over communicating and over delivering are crucial. The perceived success of many visitor experiences may include factors beyond your control - being weather dependent, or the presence of wildlife attractions like whales and dolphins. Being upfront about the nature of these factors and the impact on your experience is vital - spell out in advance what happens if the activity can't go ahead or isn't quite what was planned. People understand if they know what to expect - present key information in your FAQs and policies, and don't just rely on them reading the fine print, communicate important details at all points of contact! 

Image credit: Kaikoura Kayaks

5. Guests need to feel they’re in safe hands. 

Travellers like to feel that a tour guide is in control every step of the way. Share your company and team qualifications, certifications and experience to build trust in your ability to deliver a quality and safe experience. Reiterate this in your safety briefings and commentary. If your team is well-trained and confident this will go a long way to building that trust and ensuring customers feel at ease. 

Deliver your experiences and spread the word.

Creating your tourism experience with these 5 factors in mind will provide meaningful moments for travellers and lead your business to greater success. Digital marketing strategies to attract and share your offerings along with those glowing customer reviews will provide ongoing opportunities to grow the awareness of your tourism experience and drive new bookings. Get in touch with our team if you need assistance with your marketing!

This content was inspired by and adapted from 'The Evolving Role of Experiences in Travel'.