How to Use TikTok for Tour Business Marketing

Curious about how to promote and sell your tours on TikTok? You’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about TikTok marketing for the tourism industry, from growing your brand to turning TikTok views into bookings.

You’ll discover:

• Why TikTok marketing is a game-changer for tourism businesses
• How to use TikTok for your tour and activity business effectively
• 10 TikTok video content ideas (with examples)
• TikTok SEO strategies that help your videos sell bookings
• How often to post for more followers and views
• The most effective times of day to post for maximum engagement
• How to convert viewers into customers and boost tour bookings

From creative content ideas to smart posting strategies, this blog post has everything you need to master TikTok marketing for your tour business.

Why is TikTok Good for Marketing Tours?

Did you know that as of May 2024, TikTok boasts approximately 1.04 billion monthly active users worldwide?  

In the US alone, there are about 170 million monthly active users—a significant jump from the 150 million reported earlier in 2023. In the UK, the user count is projected to hit around 16.8 million by the end of 2024. 

What does this mean for you? If you’re not using TikTok to market your tours, you’re overlooking a vast arena where millions of potential customers spend their time.

Here’s the scoop:

• Massive Reach: With over a billion users, each video you post can reach a wide, engaged audience.
• Targeted Demographics: A large portion of TikTok users in the US and UK fall within the 18-34 age range- prime candidates for travel and adventure.
• Engagement: TikTok’s algorithm thrives on user interaction. More engagement with your content means higher visibility among users eager to explore new experiences.

Simply put, TikTok is more than just an entertainment platform; it’s now a bustling marketplace teeming with potential travelers eager for their next great adventure. Isn’t it time to tap into this vibrant audience?

If you’re ready to take the plunge, let’s now discuss how to start using TikTok for your tours.

How Can I Promote My Tours and Activities on TikTok?

Feeling intimidated by thousands or millions of views? Don’t worry. The key is to simply start.

Create your TikTok Account

Here’s how to kick off your TikTok journey:

• Create Your Account: Sign up for a TikTok business account to access insights and promotional tools.
• Optimize Your TikTok Profile: Make sure your profile is complete—add an engaging bio and links to your website or booking page.
• Understand Your Audience: Spend some time exploring what content your target audience engages with the most and try to do the same.

How to Engage with Your Audience

It’s not about going viral right away; it’s about building a consistent presence that resonates with your target market.

And I'm talking about genuine engagement.

Here’s what you can do.

• Interact with Your Viewers: Reply to comments, participate in challenges, and stay active.
• Use Relevant Hashtags: This makes your videos easier to find by those searching for new travel adventures.
• Post Regularly: Keep your content fresh and consistent to stay on your audience’s radar.

Don’t aim for perfection from the start. The more authentic you are, the more your audience will appreciate and trust your brand. TikTok users favor authenticity over slick production—it’s what makes the platform unique.

What Kind of Content Should I Post?

Choosing the right content for TikTok can feel like a guessing game, but remember, there’s no fixed formula for what works.

TikTokers have carved out their niche by being authentic and experimenting with different content styles. 

Try exploring these ideas and see which suits your style best:

Day-in-the-Life Videos

Capture a typical day in your tour operation, from the early morning preparations to the final wrap-up. Transparency builds trust and humanizes your business.

• “Sunrise to Sunset: Running a Beachside Kayak Rental”
• “What It Takes to Prepare a Hot Air Balloon Adventure”
• “A Day in the Life of a Mountain Hiking Guide”

Customer Testimonials and Reviews

Share clips of customers talking about their experiences. Authentic testimonials can be more convincing than sales pitches.

• “What Our Guests Say: Top 5 Memorable Tour Moments”
• “Live Reactions! Tourists Share Their Favorite Part of Our City Tour”
• “Why Families Love Our Educational Zoo Tours: Hear Directly from Them!”

Time-lapse Videos

Create time-lapse videos of different activities or scenic changes throughout the day. These can be visually striking and highly engaging.

• “Setting Up a Tourist Campsite in 30 Seconds”
• “The Transformation of Our Tour Boat from Dawn to Dusk”
• “A Day at the Historical Museum in Fast Forward”

Interactive Q&A Sessions

Host live sessions where you answer questions from potential tourists in real time. This not only engages but also addresses any hesitations or inquiries potential customers might have.

• “Ask Me Anything: Tips from a Seasoned Tour Guide”
• “Live Tour Booking FAQs: All Your Questions Answered”
• “Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Our Adventure Tours”

Tips and Travel Hacks

Offer valuable tips or travel hacks related to your tours, such as what to pack for a day trip or how to get the most stunning photos at popular spots.

• “Top 5 Packing Tips for Our Wilderness Tours”
• “How to Capture Perfect Photos at Scenic Spots”
• “Local Dining Etiquette Tips for Travelers”

Local Legends and Stories

Every place has its legends or lesser-known stories. Share these tales to intrigue and captivate your audience.

• “The Ghost of the Old Town: A Local Legend”
• “Hidden Histories: The Untold Stories of Our City’s Landmarks”
• “Mysteries of the Deep Forest - Local Folk Tales”

Guided Tour Snippets

Provide short, guided snippets of your tours, highlighting major attractions or hidden gems.

• "The Hidden Corners of Venice: A Quick Tour”
• “Explore the Ruins: A Mini Guide to Our Historical Tour”
• “Sneak Peek: What to Expect on Our Night City Lights Tour”

Seasonal or Thematic Content

Align your posts with seasonal events, holidays, or local festivals, showcasing how your tours adapt to or celebrate these occasions.

• “Christmas Markets Tour: A Festive Journey”
• “Summer Adventures: The Best Outdoor Activities in Our Region”
• “Halloween Special: Spooky Sites in Our Town”

Challenges and User-Generated Content

Engage your audience by initiating challenges or inviting them to share their own content related to your tours under a specific hashtag.

• “#MyTourChallenge: Share Your Best Tour Photo!”
• “Join Our Dance Off at Historical Sites Challenge”
• “#EcoTourSnap: Post Your Green Tour Practices”

Before and After Adventure Shots

Show the transformation of your guests from the start to the end of a tour to depict the fun and adventure they experienced.

• “Before and After: A Family's First Whitewater Rafting Experience”
• “Transformation Tuesday: From Tired to Thrilled on Our Nature Trails”
• “See the Change: School Groups Before and After Historical Tours”

Hopefully, these ideas inspire you to get creative and showcase your tours in a way that truly reflects your brand. Always keep in mind that authenticity wins—when you’re genuine, your audience will follow.

This video from @sanantoniozoo racked up 164M views just by showing Timothy the hippo enjoying a good rinse. Who knew "hippo self-care" could be so viral?

How to Market Tours and Activities on TikTok That Sells: TikTok SEO

While it’s true that persistence and creativity are key to TikTok marketing, understanding that TikTok is also a search engine can greatly enhance your strategy. This means the right tools and tips can make your TikTok content more visible.

Use the Right Hashtags

Hashtags are not just about joining trends; they are about being discoverable in a sea of content. Use hashtags that are popular enough to get you noticed but specific enough to attract the right audience.

How to Search for Trending TikTok Hashtags Organically

• Explore Page and Discover Tab: Regularly check the Discover tab on TikTok to see what hashtags are trending. This section often features challenges, events, or themes that are gaining traction.
• Auto-Suggest Feature: Start typing a keyword related to your tour in the TikTok search bar, and pay attention to the hashtags that appear in the auto-suggest dropdown. These are often the most searched for and relevant hashtags.
• Follow Competitors and Influencers: Keep an eye on other successful tour operators and travel influencers. Note which hashtags they use frequently, especially those that lead to high engagement.

Choose Keywords Wisely

Think about what potential customers might type into the search bar when looking for tours like yours. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your video descriptions and captions.

Check out how @viralnationinc reveals free TikTok keyword research hacks using nothing but TikTok’s search bar.

How to do TikTok Keyword Research for Free

• Search Bar Insights: Type relevant terms into TikTok’s search bar and observe the list of suggested searches. These suggestions reflect what users are currently interested in and searching for related to your keywords.
• Watch Popular Videos: Look at videos that perform well in your niche. What keywords do these creators use in their captions or throughout their content? Listening and noting these can guide your keyword strategy.
• User Feedback: Read comments on your own and other videos. Viewers may mention specific terms or ask questions using keywords you haven’t considered yet.
• Keyword Tool for TikTok: Platforms like Keyword Tool offer specific keyword suggestions for TikTok based on preliminary keywords you input. This can help you craft better descriptions and captions. (Has a free version but needs a pro account to get the advanced keyword research features)
• Regularly Update Your Keywords: Trends and search behaviors change. Regularly updating your keywords as per the season, current events, or emerging trends can keep your content relevant.

Track What Works

Keep an eye on your analytics. TikTok offers insights into which videos perform well. Notice the patterns—what time you posted, what hashtags you used, and what type of content got the most engagement. Use this data to refine your strategy over time.

Tools and hacks:

• TikTok Analytics: Utilize TikTok’s built-in analytics tool to track your posts' performance. Pay attention to metrics like views, likes, shares, watch time, and comments to understand what type of content resonates with your audience.
• A/B Testing: Experiment with different types of content, posting times, and hashtags. Track which combinations yield the highest engagement rates and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Engagement Analysis Tools: Tools like Pentos (paid) or TikTok Analytics (free) can provide deeper insights into your video performance, follower growth, and engagement trends.

Implementing these tools and marketing strategies will help you better understand how to position your content within TikTok’s ecosystem.

The more you fine-tune your content according to these insights, the more likely people are to find and engage with you. It’s about mixing the right ingredients: part creativity, part strategy.

Should I Post Every Day on TikTok to Get More Views?

Yes, consistency is key on TikTok, but does that mean you need to post every day? Not necessarily. It’s more about finding a rhythm that keeps your content fresh without overwhelming your schedule. 

Batch creation is one of the best ways to maintain a steady presence on TikTok.

Why Batch Create Your Content

• Save Time: By dedicating specific days to content creation, you streamline your process. This leaves you more time for other aspects of your business (and personal life too).
• Consistent Posting: Having several videos ready allows you to maintain a consistent posting schedule, which is crucial for building and keeping an audience.

How to Batch Create Content

• Plan Your Themes: Decide on themes or topics for a set period, like a week or month.
• Set a Filming Day: Choose a day to film multiple videos. Maybe it’s a tour day when you can capture a variety of activities.
• Edit in Blocks: Set aside time for editing these videos to keep the style and quality consistent.

Batch creation not only saves time but also keeps your content fresh and consistent. Watch how @thesocialnomad masters batch-creating her content.

Fresh content is key, but consistency is just as significant. The question is, how often is enough to keep your audience hooked?

Does Posting Time Matter on TikTok?

Absolutely, timing can significantly impact your TikTok videos' reach and engagement. Knowing when your audience is most active on the platform can help you maximize each post’s potential.

Why Post Timing Is Crucial

• Peak Hours: Posting during peak activity times means more users are online, which increases the likelihood of your videos being seen.
• Algorithm Advantage: TikTok’s algorithm favors content that gains quick engagement. Videos posted at the right time gain momentum faster.

How to Optimize Posting Times

• Check TikTok Insights: Your account’s analytics provide valuable information about when your followers are most active. Use this data to pinpoint the most effective times to post.
• Observe and Adapt: Initially, you may need to experiment by posting at different times throughout the day and week. Track which posts perform well and adjust your schedule accordingly.
• Consider Time Zones: If your audience spans multiple time zones, try to find a time that hits the peak in several regions, especially if your tours are international.

Tools that Can Help You Post on TikTok Regularly

• Hootsuite’s TikTok Scheduler: Hootsuite allows you to plan and schedule posts up to several weeks in advance. This tool is particularly useful for creating a long-term content calendar and ensures consistency, even when you’re not actively online every day. Hootsuite also suggests optimal posting times based on past engagement data.
• TikTok’s Built-in Scheduler: TikTok's scheduling feature allows you to schedule posts directly within the app. This feature is handy for short-term planning, allowing you to schedule content up to 10 days in advance. It’s ideal for keeping your content timely and relevant without external tools.

Tip: For TikTok beginners, start with the built-in scheduler to get comfortable with the platform. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can consider investing in premium tools like Hootsuite to fully maximize your potential.

Think of posting on TikTok like hitting the exact right timing in a conversation—it’s all about catching your audience when they’re most ready to listen and engage. By nailing the timing of your posts, you’re not just throwing content out there; you’re making sure it packs a punch, grabs attention, and really connects. 

Now talking about building connections, let's dive into (the most exciting part) turning TikTok viewers into bookings …

How to Get Tour Customers from TikTok

Now that you’ve got a handle on creating and timing your posts, let’s talk about turning those views into bookings.

Here's how to make it easy-peasy.

Directing Viewers to Your Booking System

Make it easy. The key to converting views into bookings is smoothing out the transition seamlessly. Here’s how to do it:

• Link in Bio: Ensure your TikTok profile includes a direct link to your booking page. This is the first place viewers will look when wanting to learn more or buy.
• Call to Action in Videos: Every video should include a clear call to action. Whether it’s a verbal prompt at the end of the video or a text overlay, tell viewers exactly where to book a tour.
• Use TikTok’s ‘Book Now’ Button: If eligible, utilize TikTok’s integrated booking features which allow businesses to add a ‘Book Now’ button to their profile, directly linked to their booking system.

Why Choose a Booking System vs. Email Bookings?

A robust booking system simplifies reservations management and integrates all sales channels—be it direct bookings from your website, connections with OTAs, walk-in guests, and now, your TikTok customers.

• It’s cost-effective: The cost varies depending on the software you choose. While businesses have different needs, the common goal is to save time, streamline operations, and enhance customer service.
• Have the right system: To decide which booking system suits your needs best, check out comprehensive guides and review platforms like Capterra, G2, and Software Advice. These resources can provide insights from other tour operators about their experiences with different software.

Getting a booking system is about making your life easier so that you can focus more on delivering amazing experiences rather than getting bogged down by admin work.

And by strategically using TikTok not just as a platform for engagement but as a direct channel to your booking system, you can transform your social media efforts into tangible bookings and revenue.

In a Nutshell: Tour and Activity Marketing on TikTok 

So yes! TikTok is a very effective marketing platform for tour operators. With its billion active users, you’re truly missing out if you’re not tapping into this vast market. The key to getting started? Just start. 

Begin posting videos daily (if possible), and improve over time. Watch what your competitors are doing, consume content from your niche, and experiment to find what resonates with your audience.

And to complete the marketing cycle, guide customers toward booking. TicketingHub booking software is your solution. We streamline your booking and checkout process, reducing friction so you can convert more views into customers for your tours. You’d love that, wouldn’t you? So why wait? Book your free TicketingHub demo today and see how we can make your booking process seamless.

FAQ

What makes TikTok so effective for tour and activity marketing?

TikTok has become an effective platform for tourism marketing, and here’s why it can work so well for your tours and activities too:

• Short videos, big impact: TikTok videos are quick and engaging, making it easier for travel brands and tourism companies to showcase their offerings in bite-sized clips.
• Reach a broader audience: The TikTok algorithm helps you reach many (a billion) TikTok users beyond your followers, tapping into a younger audience looking for travel inspiration. Unlike other social media platforms, TikTok can boost your visibility quickly.
• Authenticity matters: Travel and tourism companies can use real, authentic moments—like funny videos or behind-the-scenes clips—to connect with their audience. Many TikTok users appreciate genuine content more than polished ads.

With so many people on TikTok from different age groups, it’s the perfect social media platform to grow your tour and activity offerings, expand your reach, and boost bookings.

How to run effective TikTok ads as tour and activity operators?

Running effective TikTok ads as a travel or tour business is simpler than you might think. Here are a few steps to get started:

• Create a TikTok business account: First, set up a TikTok page for your tour business if you haven’t already. This will be the hub for your social media marketing efforts.
• Choose the right ad format: TikTok offers different ad options like In-Feed Ads, Branded Hashtags, and TopView ads. In-feed ads are great for sharing short-form videos that feel organic. Branded Hashtags let you create your own hashtag and drive engagement through challenges.
• Target your audience: Use TikTok’s detailed targeting options to reach specific demographics, such as younger audiences or those interested in travel and tourism.
• Keep your ads engaging: Use the same approach as regular TikTok content—short, fun, and visually engaging. Show off the most impressive parts of your tours, highlight testimonials, or use scenic shots to keep your audience engaged.

By creating ads that blend with TikTok trends and keeping video content entertaining, you can maximize reach and bring in new customers.

How to advertise tours on TikTok?

Advertising your tours on TikTok doesn’t have to be complicated.

• Post consistently: Keep your audience engaged by regularly posting short videos that highlight different aspects of your tours. It could be a 'day in the life of a tour guide' or a sneak peek at behind-the-scenes action on your tours.
• Follow TikTok trends: Stay on top of TikTok travel trends. Use popular sounds and challenges to keep your content fresh and relevant to what’s trending on the app.
• Use hashtags wisely: Incorporate trending travel and tourism hashtags along with your own hashtags. This helps your videos reach a broader audience and keeps your tour offerings visible.
• Engage with comments: Don’t just post and leave—interact with comments on your videos. This builds trust and keeps your audience coming back.

TikTok is a great platform to advertise your tours, especially when you use its fun and interactive features to show off what makes your tours unique. The more authentic and engaging your content, the more bookings you'll get.

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