Many tour and activity companies haven’t jumped on the online booking software bandwagon yet. More than half of these businesses still don’t use any booking systems. This creates a big gap that smart companies can use to get ahead of their competition.
Tour booking software helps businesses handle their online bookings smoothly. Tour operators can track everything in one place – from products and pricing to inventory and confirmed bookings. The system updates live and cuts down the risk of double bookings. Teams can work faster and better. On top of that, it makes customers happier, which helps the business grow.
Bookeo leads the pack as the best tour booking software. But companies need different things and have different budgets. This piece looks at 15 tested solutions to help tour operators pick what works best for them.
1. Bookeo
Bookeo leads the pack as the best booking software for tours and activities. The platform offers a simple way to handle bookings while solving common business problems. Tour operators can take bookings around the clock through their websites and social media pages. The system sends automatic confirmations and reminders to customers.
Bookeo Key Features
Bookeo packs all the features a tour business needs:
- Real-time scheduling management that updates your calendar automatically and stops double bookings
- Mobile-friendly interface that fits any screen size without downloading extra apps
- Multi-language support with over 30 languages to help international customers
- Smooth website integration with widgets you can customize to match your brand
- Flexible payment options that work with major payment gateways worldwide
- Tour manifest printing showing participant details, payments, and pickup spots
- Guide and vehicle management to make the best use of your team and fleet
Bookeo Best For
Tour companies and outdoor activity providers running private and group experiences will find Bookeo Tours & Activities especially useful. The software works great for escape rooms, guided tours, charters, axe throwing venues, fishing tours, and helicopter tour operators. A happy customer shared, “The system is perfect for tour companies. They keep implementing more and more features as well as widgets for integration with other social media and platforms.” Another business saw their bookings grow by 20% after switching to Bookeo.
2. Bókun
Bókun, a member of the Tripadvisor family, provides tour operator booking software with some of the lowest booking fees in the industry. This makes it a budget-friendly option for businesses of all sizes. The company started in Iceland in 2012 and now helps tour operators in over 80 countries. Its success comes from combining simple Icelandic design principles with worldwide accessibility.
Bókun Key Features
- One-click website builder with drag-and-drop templates that create branded booking sites
- Channel management connecting to 50+ global OTAs including exclusive deals with Viator and GetYourGuide
- Bókun Marketplace connects you to 27,000+ suppliers and resellers for partnership options
- Real-time availability management on all booking channels
- Automated customer communications with customizable email templates
- Digital tickets featuring custom branding and quick check-in options
- Complete reporting that tracks sales and booking data
Bókun Best For
Tour operators looking for affordable booking software with worldwide distribution will find Bókun valuable. The platform excels for businesses selling through Viator thanks to smooth integration and zero booking fees. Small and medium companies love its easy setup and low starting costs. Larger businesses appreciate how it grows with them and its full feature set. Success stories range from Iceland to Venice, where one tour operator saw their revenue grow 400% using the Bókun Marketplace.
3. FareHarbor
FareHarbor started its journey in 2013 and later became part of Booking. The company has grown into a leading cloud-based booking solution for tour and activity businesses worldwide. Tour operators can manage their daily operations through this all-in-one platform that expands their reach through strategic collaborations.
FareHarbor Key Features
- Detailed booking management with a user-friendly dashboard and calendar view
- Mobile-optimized booking flow that works naturally on all devices
- Website integration options, including website-building services
- Distribution network with connections to 200+ global OTAs
- Resource management to track inventory, staff, and equipment
- Private events management to streamline charters and custom experiences
- Partner integrations with trusted third-party software for marketing, waivers, and more
- QR code check-in and fast processing for walk-up bookings
FareHarbor Best For
Tour operators with 10+ years of experience will find value in FareHarbor’s detailed functionality without monthly subscription costs. Businesses focused on distribution through major OTAs see exceptional results with this platform. The platform delivers value through extensive features and reliable support, despite its steep customer-facing fees.
4. Rezdy
Rezdy helps tour operators create a smooth booking experience. The cloud-based platform automates admin work and opens up new distribution channels. This modern online booking system lets businesses get more direct bookings and create better customer experiences.
Rezdy Key Features
- Real-time availability management stops overbooking and double-booking
- Automated customer notifications cut down no-shows and manual messages
- Channel Manager links to 12,000+ resellers and travel agencies
- Multi-payment gateway integration handles international currencies
- Mobile app manages bookings and sessions anywhere
- Resource management tracks staff, equipment, and inventory
- Gift card and voucher management generates advance revenue
Rezdy Best For
Rezdy shines for tour operators who want to expand their distribution network. The platform works great for tourism and leisure businesses, from winery tours to photography workshops and sailing operators. Companies that need more direct online bookings and automated customer communications will love Rezdy’s automation features. Case studies show that businesses using Rezdy have seen exceptional growth in online bookings and better operations.
5. Checkfront
Checkfront has grown into a cloud-based booking management system since 2010. The platform helps tour operators, rental companies, and activity providers manage their scheduling options. Businesses can handle bookings through multiple channels and automate their repetitive tasks.
Checkfront Key Features
- Flexible booking widgets with four embed options: catalogue widget, product widget, booking widget, or ‘Book Now’ button
- Resource management that stops overbooking by setting capacity limits and managing shared resources
- Multiple booking types supporting daily, multi-day, timeslots, or flextime scheduling
- Digital waivers built into the booking flow that eliminate the need for third-party applications
- Automated notifications including booking confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups
- Multiple payment options supporting credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, iDEAL, and AliPay
- Channel management connecting with OTAs like GetYourGuide and MyAllocator
Checkfront Best For
Checkfront excels at managing complex booking scenarios that need resource allocation. Tour operators, rental services, and activity providers who need flexible scheduling beyond basic timeslots will find the platform valuable. Growing companies see the best results, customers report a 32% revenue increase year-over-year and 24% more business through channel partners.
Conclusion
The right booking software can make or break a tour and activity business that wants to streamline operations and boost revenue. Our detailed review of 15 expert-tested platforms shows Bookeo as the best tour booking software to use. This platform combines versatility and user-friendliness with powerful features, all without charging commissions on payments.
Your business’s unique needs should guide your choice of a booking system. The size of your operation, types of tours, distribution requirements, and budget limits all shape the final decision. To name just one example, operators looking for the lowest booking fees in the industry might prefer Bókun. Those who need advanced automation could find Peek Pro or TripWorks more suitable.
Digital booking management brings huge benefits to tour operators. The system handles scheduling, updates availability in real-time, and processes payments smoothly. This cuts out manual errors and lets the core team focus on creating great customer experiences instead of paperwork. Many platforms are a great way to get marketing insights too – you can recover abandoned bookings and boost sales through upselling.
Smart operators take their time to review several options. They weigh features against costs and think about future growth needs. Setting up new software needs some investment and adjustment at first. The improved efficiency and potential revenue growth make it worth the effort. Companies that choose the right booking technology now will lead the pack in an increasingly competitive digital world, where customers expect nothing less than smooth online experiences.
