Every region in the world is defining the stages of reopening in their own way. As a result, travelers looking to go even just a few hours from home have questions. We need to let them know if, when, and how your experiences are operating. After all, before guests will return to your tours, they […]
Updated June 18, 2020
Read ArticleEvery region in the world is defining the stages of reopening in their own way. As a result, travelers looking to go even just a few hours from home have questions. We need to let them know if, when, and how your experiences are operating. After all, before guests will return to your tours, they […]
Read MoreAfter a thorough vetting process, EzTix has been certified as an LGBT+ owned business and a Diverse Supplier by the CGLCC, Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce. CGLCC is Canada’s certifying body for LGBT+ companies and a recognized leader in supplier diversity. We couldn’t think of a better way to begin Pride month. Kyle Gibson, Director […]
Read MoreMore businesses are opening their doors, but managers are worried about whether their customers will return and how to keep them comfortable. These are significant challenges that call for bold solutions, like retail reservations. A shopping reservation program can help you upgrade your recovery strategy. Reservations are the foundation of personalized service, predictability, and more […]
Read MoreThe new normal brought on by the COVID pandemic is forcing tour operators to creatively engage their communities and connect with guests. Ideally, those efforts also generate revenue. After all, guests and followers are looking for ways to support local businesses and stay entertained while social distancing. Virtual birthday parties, showers, and bachelorette parties are […]
Read MoreFood tour operators play a unique role in their communities. They’re the local experts tourists and residents rely on to find the best eats in a city. They’re ambassadors to restaurants and markets, bringing through new guests and sharing the remarkable stories behind the small businesses. So what happens during a pandemic that halts tourism […]
Read MoreChris Torres at the Tourism Marketing Agency joined us for a fantastic workshop. Using Facebook Ads and Email Marketing to Increase Bookings was a live webinar, filled with great info and excellent questions from some of our Partners. The key to the strategy is building a sales funnel with your Facebook ads. Chris showed us […]
Read MoreThe global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has forced a halt to tourism, events, and activities worldwide. As such, we know you’re feeling anxious about the future. To help ensure all of our Partners have accurate information, we will update this page with resources and service alerts as needed. We are optimistic that together, we can all […]
Read MoreThe COVID-19 crisis had hit the travel, tourism, and events industries in unimaginable ways. The viability of your business depends on making difficult decisions and finding some way to generate revenue. A robust E-Certificate strategy is the best immediate way to mitigate losses and generate some revenue. To help better serve you and your guests, […]
Read MoreSign up for our Webinar: Selling More Experiences with EzBook 3. More and more event producers and tour operators are using Facebook ads. But, even if you aren’t planning to buy space on the popular social network just yet, it’s not too early to get started with Facebook Pixel. It’s easy to set up and […]
Read MoreFor a decade, we’ve celebrated our love of culinary tourism alongside Partners around the world. You’ve introduced many of us at EzTix to authentic experiences and flavours that are second to none. As we settle into this new decade, we can’t wait for the new adventures on the horizon with you and the rest of […]
Read MoreSuccessful tour or activity businesses work hand in hand with local vendors. For example, food tours need to update each stop with guest counts and dietary needs. Because of this, operators are doing manual vendor notifications by phone or in person. Automate this process and save time and money! Vendor Management is now live for […]
Read MoreHurricane Dorian is expected to hit Florida with the strength of a Category 4 storm sometime around Tuesday. All of us at EzTix are standing by to help our Friends, Partners, and guests in any way we can. For our Partners in affected areas, your guests will be eager for updates on which experiences are […]
Read MoreOur LGBTQ Partners, guests, and staff all #MakeItEz to #MakeItLove every single day, so we’re thrilled to help celebrate them throughout June. Here’s an interview with a new Partner, but an old friend to EzTix, Thomas Alderson. He’s producing a big variety show called “Drag Up Your Pride” during Toronto’s Pride Festival. Taking to the stage […]
Read MoreFinding new potential revenue streams is vital for tourism and event businesses. Market leaders are finding ways to get further ahead while up and comers are looking to gain a bit of ground. The fact you’re not alone may actually be the key to increasing revenues. The Great Pizza Tour Collusion of 2019 At the […]
Read MoreAs walking tours continue to surge in popularity around the world, we’re beginning to see a little frustration here and there. While the vast majority of tours are incredibly conscious of their neighbors, new rules are starting to spring up. In Amsterdam, they’re even doing outright bans. One of the first food tours I ever took […]
Read MoreVisitors to Juneau, Alaska, need to remember two very important tips to make the most of their time. First, try not to blink because the scenery and wildlife are absolutely spectacular. Second, go find Midgi Moore. The owner and operator of Juneau Food Tours moved to the Alaskan capital in 2009, but today she’s the […]
Read MoreEight times a week at New York’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre, Chilina Kennedy belts out the Carole King hit, “Natural Woman”. Kennedy is, after all, playing the iconic hitmaker in the Broadway musical Beautiful. As we arranged this interview, however, Chilina’s packing her bags for a few days off, at least from her Broadway gig. About a […]
Read MoreAs a tour operator, you may feel sometimes a bit left out in the cold when it comes to international travel conferences. Your needs are very different than those of hotels, airlines, or large scale event producers. Thankfully, we have Arival. Only a few years old, Arival is all about creating brilliant in-destination experiences. We […]
Read MoreTours and events are very attractive to groups and, therefore, an important market. Corporate events, private excursions, and bachelorette parties are important revenue opportunities with specific needs. Your website’s homepage, however, should be focused on answering the questions of your ideal guest. If group shoppers can’t easily find the information they need, they’re most likely […]
Read MoreThe first year of a new business offers a roller coaster of emotions. Events and activities are incredibly competitive sectors, with brands big and small competing for eyeballs. There may be no silver bullet to having a successful debut year, tackling your new venture with a great attitude can certainly go a long way. That […]
Read MoreWe’ve talked in the past about the benefits to selling E-Certificates, and most of our Partners do. As many as 30% of purchased gift certificates are never redeemed, which makes it a very valuable tool for small businesses. Today, we’re happy to announce the addition of exit intent pop up promotions to all EzSites. This […]
Read MoreGift cards, E-certificates, whatever you want to call them the rules are all the same. They’re more popular than ever, and you’re missing out on revenue if you don’t have a solid plan in place to sell them on your website. At EzTix, we call them E-Certificates, so we’ll run with that for the purposes […]
Read MoreYou’re probably still getting used to our new look and playing with Calendar Filters, but there’s more! For busy tour and activity operators, new automation tools can help you save time opening up busy tour schedules, managing guide conflicts, and closing out empty tours. Let’s break it down a bit. Open More Busy Experiences You’ve […]
Read MoreThe EzTix calendar for tour and activity operators has always been a great way to see everything happening in your business over a month. For larger companies, that can be a bit more information than you need to process all at once. Today, we’re releasing the new Calendar View options. When you need to take […]
Read MoreWe’re excited to announce a small update today that will make a big difference for EzTix users. Your favorite booking platform has been given a fresh facelift while maintaining the workflows your team relies on every day. We didn’t reinvent the wheel, but definitely gave it some new shine! Our designers ensured all of the […]
Read MoreThe Global Food Tourism Conference is almost here and the EzTix team is all packed up and ready to go. We’re excited to see so many leaders and innovators in the culinary tourism industry. Now, as much as we love basking in the glow of our pals, we are also looking forward to a great […]
Read MoreMeet Christine, an activity operator with a couple problems. She’s working hard to keep guests happy while growing a tour business on her own, and it’s pretty tough. Visitors love her experiences, but she has a few big picture problems to tackle if she really wants to meet her goals. Connect with some guy […]
Read MoreFintan Kerr was leading a wine tasting in Barcelona, pouring glasses and teaching a group how to truly discover the Spanish wines he’s so passionate about. He didn’t know one of the guests he was speaking to that night was James Blick, the founder of Devour Tours. At some point during the sips and swirls, […]
Read MoreYou’ve built your event or activity, marketing materials are out in the world, and it’s all set to target your ideal guest. New operators know they’ll be meeting a lot of new folks, no brainer. Established experiences, however, need a game plan to ensure you’re seeing the repeat customers time and time again. Loyal customers […]
Read MoreGuest Post from The Global Food Tourism Association As the world’s leading Food & Culinary Tourism Association, the Global Food Tourism Association’s works to ensure Food Tours and Food Tourism professionals thrive globally. GFTA is firmly committed to our four pillars that represent our focus and philosophy: network, learn, share and succeed. We facilitate networking […]
Read MoreAny millennial will tell you it’s easy to get lost down an Instagram story hole, taken away on fun mini-adventures in 15 seconds or less. Sometimes, 36-year-old communication directors will also tell you the same information, but that’s neither here nor there. The point is, with a little creativity, you and your team can use […]
Read MoreUnless you’ve been hiding away from the news (that’s understandable), you’ve heard about the damage irresponsible posting can do. Everyone from front-line workers to celebrities are losing their jobs and alienating people who once respected them. In the business world, pretty much everybody is using social platforms in one way or another, but 73% of […]
Read MoreBen Montgomery is the Director of Partnerships for EzTix, which you may already know. If you’re working with us, odds are you’ve had a chat or two with him. Today, Ben is leading our efforts to better connect with our Partners and really get to know their stories. That, he says, is the key to […]
Read MoreCalling off an activity or event last minute is never something an experience operator predicts and often falls into the “Worst Nightmare” category. Aside from the immediate revenue you’ve lost, disappointed guests may, unfortunately, think twice before joining you again in the future. Make sure you’ve got a customer care plan in place before you’re […]
Read MoreChanging up your logo can really make a splash in the marketplace. Best Buy recently redesigned their famous price tag icon, and it was the talk of the town (for better or worse). Having recently just updated our ticket logo, we know it’s a great way to help meet your marketing goals. Here are the […]
Read MoreYou’ve built an event with an engaged following who love what you do. After much research, you have a great understanding of your target audience, what they’re looking for from your experience and beyond. The “beyond” part is what will lead you to a new set of opportunities with brands who may want to sponsor […]
Read MoreGDPR, or the General Data Protection Regulation, is an EU data protection and privacy law passed in 2016. It protects the personal data of all EU citizens online and regulates the export of that data by international companies. All businesses working with the data of EU citizens must be compliant with the laws by May […]
Read MoreGeoffrey Tyler is a Support Agent here at EzTix, but also a passionate traveller and foodie. He just returned from what looks like a spectacular vacation which took him and his girlfriend to Puerto Rico. While there, Geoffrey sent me a note, saying, “Just took the Flavors of San Juan food tour yesterday. It was […]
Read MoreSure, the weather may still be suggesting winter, but we’ve been reading it’s actually spring! In the spirit of positive thinking, welcome to our first gear guide, a list of must haves for the season ahead. From shoes to keep you comfortable for a long shift on your feet to the phone with the best […]
Read MoreFood tours can be found on every continent, aside from maybe Antarctica, perhaps! In the United Arab Emirates, the City of Dubai is drawing people from near and far to do business and enjoy incredible luxury. You won’t need to look far, however, to discover the real Dubai, thanks to our partner Arva Saleem Ahmed at […]
Read MoreTaste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours is the next stop on our tour of kick-ass women creating amazing experiences. Behind this growing company offering tours in nine different cities is Lesley Stracks-Mullem, leading 20 employees year round. You might think there couldn’t possibly be time for anything else in her schedule, but she’s also leading a young […]
Read MoreShe may be new to culinary tourism, but that doesn’t mean Elsje Erasmus isn’t already one to watch. She juggles a lot of hats at Cape Town Culinary Tours, but with a growing team and guests raving about her experiences, we couldn’t wait to share her story. March is Women’s History Month, making it a perfect […]
Read MoreGrowing your experience business is no easy feat, but thankfully there is no shortage of resources and learning opportunities to help you along the way. Just as your guests travel from near and far to drink in your local culture, there is so much to gain by getting out into the world with a desire […]
Read MoreGoogle uses over 200 different factors in deciding how to rank a website. The factors they use are kept secret and continually updated to make sure people can’t cheat their system. To improve your SEO through content, we’ll look at a different approach to the content you’ve been creating. Blogs are a great way to […]
Read MoreEzAgent arrives today for Tour and Activity accounts in EzTix! We hope you’re out recruiting new partners and getting ready to set up your experiences and new agency accounts. To help you along, we’ve built an incredibly comprehensive list of the Help Centre articles you’ll want to dive into. Grab a coffee, and let’s get […]
Read MoreOur partners around the world have been asking for a new way to work with third party sales agents. Your experiences are world class and deserve to stand out in your markets. We agree. We challenged ourselves to create a user friendly way to expand your sales force, incentivize agents, and keep track of it […]
Read MoreNorth America’s east coast started the new year off on a very cold note. I won’t lie, if it wasn’t for my dog and the need for groceries, I wouldn’t have left the apartment (and the three blankets I was under). When I turned on the TV on New Year’s Eve, it was a wonder […]
Read MoreWith the rapid advancement of technology, it’s important that business owners think like todays buyers. Adapting to the shortening of attention spans of purchasers and the need for things to be quick and easy is vital. Here are a few ways you can make ensure that guests visiting your website book your experiences and limit […]
Read MoreOut with the old, in with the new! Our E-certificates have undergone a facelift and learned some new tricks just in time for holiday giving. These additional features, combined with a polished new look are certain to enhance the online guest experience. So, whats new? New look We’ve given the E-Cert purchasing process a facelift. It will […]
Read MoreOne of the most popular go-to gift ideas during the holiday season is a gift card. As a business owner, prioritizing gift cards are a great way to increase revenue and to enhance customer experience. Here are four reasons why your business can benefit from gift cards this holiday season. Company Recognition When guests purchase a […]
Read MoreUsually I’m not a fan of acronyms, but PYOC makes me think of BYOB! In all seriousness, Pay in Your Own Currency helps improve the online experience for your international guests. Expenses when you’re travelling are always a bit of a mystery when you pull out the credit card. Varying exchange rates and added fees […]
Read MoreThe hustle and bustle of the holiday season is made worthwhile by the beautiful dinners, festive parties, and other traditions we can look forward to. For families and friends who prefer to avoid giant piles of dishes and weeks of stressful planning, culinary and cultural experiences offer new opportunities for annual traditions. Theresa Nemetz is […]
Read MoreFood tour operators already know they’ll have at least one guest on every experience with a dietary restriction or allergy. Dietary needs can range anywhere from a nut allergy to an intolerance to gluten. Here are three easy steps to making your tour an experience that everyone can enjoy. 1. Educate Yourself Research not only the […]
Read MoreLet’s face it, when it comes to spending money, most people are very indecisive. Even a simple detour, like constantly clicking back and forth between tours, can cause a lost sale. With the Compare Page feature, you take away that extra step. Guests have the ability to view your tours side by side and compare […]
Read MoreThe new booking process is one of the key ways we’re improving the online guest experience. With new tools like packages, charity donations, and dietary alerts, we’ve made the system more robust while reducing the time it takes to complete a booking! Let’s go behind the scenes with designer Joe Martin, who also leads our […]
Read MoreYup, you read that right. Reconsidering your no-refund policy will result in more sales. Whether purchasing a ticket online or buying an item from the store, everyone has that moment of anxiety when it comes to spending money. Between selecting your purchase and completing the check out process, we all find ourselves looking for reasons […]
Read MoreEver find it exhausting to manually track the demographics of your purchasers with surveys and questionnaires? Don’t stress, we understand. You need accurate results, not anecdotes to track your conversion rates and understand how your site is helping you achieve your marketing goals. Google Analytics is a platform that allows event operators and business owners to […]
Read MoreEzTix is excited to be sponsoring the 2018 Global Food Tourism Conference in Montreal, Canada, on October 16 & 17. The conference is an incredible opportunity for culinary tourism businesses to grow by leveraging new relationships and actionable takeaways for the year ahead. In Montreal, you’ll meet Frédérik Nissen, pictured above with his business partner, Ismael […]
Read MoreIt’s no surprise that word of mouth is the most effective advertising you can do to increase ticket sales, and social media is like a giant megaphone adding power to that voice. The million dollar question, however, is how do you get guests to use that megaphone?? We found a great article at Mashable, “11 ways to […]
Read MoreSo you’d like to donate a few tickets to a great cause, but what are the best ways to do it without breaking out the credit card or trying to track it manually? E-Certificates or discount codes offer great ways to help out local charities with raffle prizes or other incentives, and each offers their own benefits. […]
Read MoreThe tourism meccas that offer the greatest opportunity also pose the greatest challenges. As a small business, it can feel daunting to make your brand stand out among the major players who can afford massive marketing budgets and drown you out. Vickie Wilson, the CEO of Vegas Valley Tours definitely knows what it’s like to […]
Read MoreChannels like social networks or chat offer great options for both your experience company and your guests. Sure, we all love the convenience of being able to just fire off a Facebook message to have some questions answered, but could that app also help you sell more tickets? We think so! Sharing a direct link […]
Read MoreIn the wake of Hurricane Irma, many local businesses throughout St. Martin and St. Thomas suffered severe damages, threatening their livelihoods. One of our partners, Flavors Food Tours, is raising money to provide disaster relief for their partnering restaurants who were hit most by the hurricane. Flavors Food Tours says: “By giving as little as […]
Read MoreShow the world the most memorable moments of your culinary experiences and you could win a 2018 GFTC Conference Registration and a $200 Visa Gift card for a participating guide. Here’s how it works: How To Enter Post a photo or video from a culinary experience (event, festival, tour etc.), showing off or describing a […]
Read MoreA wise man once said, “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” Although Vincent Van Gogh may have been referring to strokes on a canvas, this concept can be implemented in almost every facet of life. For business owners, we understand how overwhelming it can be to […]
Read MoreSo you just hired a tour guide and are slowly regretting that decision. Or perhaps you’re staring at a pile of resumes and have no idea how to separate the great from the not-so-great, nor do you have the time. As your partner we understand the struggle. Finding a tour guide with all of the […]
Read More“Part of the captain’s pre-flight ritual was for the entire crew to run through potential emergencies, and to visualize what they would do, and to where they would turn their attention. When disaster struck, he and his crew had a picture in their minds of how they would react.” – The power of mental models […]
Read MoreCanada is a huge country with a very diverse culture, which means there is an untold amount of experiences to enjoy from coast to coast to coast. What better way to celebrate that opportunity than to get out to the mountains, prairies and shores of the true north, strong and free? We started packing our […]
Read MoreMailing lists can help build a community around your tour by demonstrating consistency and value to the guest. People despise current email marketing tactics because organizations send…well, mostly crap. As companies like MailChimp, Constant Contact, and iContact made it easier to send emails, companies took advantage of this to overwhelm people’s inboxes. Instead of sending […]
Read MoreWord of mouth is the best marketing any business could ask for. The power of social networks like Facebook or Instagram is their ability to pair things like photos and videos alongside the anecdotes your guests are sharing with their friends and followers. Last week we shared a few tips you and your team can […]
Read MoreThe amount of money someone is willing pay for your experience is known as your perceived value. As consumers, we rarely understand the true cost of production for many items we purchase. For example, we have no idea how much it actually costs to create a bottle of ketchup. Instead, we go off of an […]
Read MoreStaff is ready to go, you’ve sold more tickets than ever when you ask Siri a simple question that could cost you thousands of dollars: “What’s the forecast today?” Spring storm season can truly be a nightmare. This month, our Director of Partnerships, Ben Montgomery, connected with Mikol Hoffman, Director of Operations at Global Flavors. […]
Read MoreArriving at your site for the first time a guest should know immediately understand who you are, what you do, and why they want to pay for your experience. Known as your unique value proposition, this single sentence can affect up to 30% of conversions on your site. Today, we’re going to look at how […]
Read MoreEveryone knows the old saying about not fixing what isn’t broken, but taking a risk and embracing change could pay off for you and your business. A longtime partner of EzTix, Chicago Food Planet (CFP) has moved to a year round strategy instead of closing for the winter, as well as rebranding their massively successful […]
Read MoreManaging your time can help you get more done, have less stress, and actually gain more freedom. It all starts with understanding where your time is being spent. For example, if you want to spend less time going through email per week — you need to begin by figuring out how much time you actually spend going […]
Read MoreGrowing your tour or event company can be a challenging step, but if done well, full of great opportunities. Our friends at Devour Tours have grown from a single tour in Madrid to tours across Spain country in 6 cities! James Blick and Lauren Aloise took the time to share with us their amazing story. First of all, […]
Read MoreThis month we have updated all sites that are on EzSites 4.0 or higher with a set of design and functionality updates in EzSites 4.3. You do not need to request these updates, they will be added to your site this week. Image Editing and Cropping: One of the most popular questions we received from […]
Read MoreLove inspires many incredible things in our world: music, poetry, movies, and even food tours! Reid and Jessica Surface are partners in life and business, running the popular Chow Down Charleston Food Tours in South Carolina. To find out more about their unique story and challenges, our Director of Partnerships, Ben Montgomery asks the couple […]
Read MoreThis month at EzTix it’s about finding that special someone — your ideal guest. To run your marketing effectively it’s important to know WHO you’re marketing to. The first rule, is that you need to understand that YOU are not your ideal guest. The things you find great about your business may not be the […]
Read MoreLooking ahead to the 2017 tourism season, we wanted to take a moment to highlight one of the most useful tools in EzTix to help you effectively plan your tour schedule, identify marketing opportunities, and optimize your calendar for growth. With the EzTix Occupancy Report, you can gain valuable insight into last year’s tour schedule […]
Read MoreMatthew Guidice and Anthony Guzman are the duo behind Craft Food Tours in Del Ray Beach, FL. This January, they’ll be officially launching their tour and beginning their tourism industry careers. EzTix Creative Director, Joseph Martin, had the opportunity to talk with the guys about some of the hurdles they’ve encountered in building their tour […]
Read MoreA seasonal tidy might be more closely associated with spring, but why not start 2017 off right with a little housecleaning in your account and on your website. We know that your website is the biggest influencer in your ticket sales, so make sure what your guests are finding online in your FAQs matches up […]
Read MoreEvangelia Kambites is the Director of Support at EzTix, leading our amazing team of support agents. We had a fireside chat with Evangelia (we sent her an email while watching the yule log channel) to help you get to know her a little better, and to dive into her wonderful wisdom of all things EzSupport. […]
Read MoreEzTix Monthly Exercise – Newsletter Planning from EzTix on Vimeo. When I say “email newsletters”, you probably have a sour taste in your mouth because you receive — sorry, “delete” — so many email newsletters that you wonder why anyone would possibly want to read yours. It’s because there’s an effective way to market through […]
Read MoreWe’re thrilled to begin offering a webinar series for our partners around the world looking to make the most out of EzTix. We’re kicking off with Mastering Google Analytics with EzTix! Join us on November 10th for the premiere session and learn how to use the world’s leading analytics system with your EzTix account. Jeremy Mitchell and […]
Read MoreToday at a special EzTix Intensive at the Global Food Tourism Conference, we announce a huge update to our software. Centred around our growing roster of tour operators around the globe, these upgrades go even further in helping our passionate partners focus less on numbers and data so they can get back to creating breathtaking experiences. […]
Read MoreJust because the leaves are falling doesn’t mean your tour sales need to follow. Chilly weather isn’t stopping tourists and locals from enjoying spooky tours to get them in the mood for Halloween. Chew Philly Food Tours offers a Haunted Food Tour, driven by demand in their local market. “The development group in our Philadelphia neighbourhood […]
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