7 tools and softwares to help power your tourism business
1. Bookinglayer – All-in-one booking system for activity businesses
Bookinglayer is a favourite among surf camps, yoga retreats, and adventure tour operators. It combines booking management, scheduling, CRM, and online payments in one platform. If you run multi-day experiences with fixed start dates or packages, Bookinglayer is purpose-built to support you.
2. Cloudbeds – Hotel management system
Cloudbeds offers property management, channel management, and booking engine tools for hotels, hostels, and B&Bs. It connects to dozens of OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia, making it easier to manage your listings from one place.
3. Tab – Payment solutions for travel businesses
Tab helps travel businesses accept guest payments through payment links, or online bookings via your website. There’s no need for expensive card machines or foreign bank accounts - guests pay in their own currency, and you receive local payouts. Tab also handles FX, allows you to accept AMEX, and has low fees for international payments.
If you're using Bookinglayer or Cloudbeds, Tab connects directly to those platforms, making payments part of your existing workflow.
4. Tripadvisor – Build trust with reviews and ranking
Tripadvisor remains a key discovery channel for many travellers. Listings with strong reviews can drive organic traffic and bookings - especially for local tours, hotels, and restaurants. Be sure to claim your business, upload photos, and encourage guests to leave reviews.
Pro tip: respond to every review (positive or negative) to show prospective guests you care.
5. Booking.com – Get seen by international guests
Booking.com is one of the most trusted OTAs globally. Listing your property here gives you instant exposure to millions of travellers - especially helpful for accommodations in remote or lesser-known destinations. The platform offers localised support and tools to help manage reservations, pricing, and guest communication.
Just remember to sync it with your PMS or use tools like Cloudbeds to avoid overbookings.
6. Viator – List your tours and experiences
Owned by Tripadvisor, Viator is one of the top platforms for booking tours and activities online. From food walks to boat trips, listing on Viator can increase your reach to travelers who book in advance or on the go.
It’s especially effective for businesses in popular tourist areas looking to tap into last-minute bookings.
7. GetYourGuide – Reach travellers before they arrive
GetYourGuide helps activity providers showcase their offerings to travellers planning their trips. The platform focuses on high-quality listings, reviews, and customer experience. For tourism entrepreneurs in Asia, Africa, and South America, it’s a great way to reach European and North American guests before they land.
Make sure your listing includes clear pricing, cancellation policies, and photos to convert more browsers into bookers.
