Increase Bookings: Why You Need to Build Out Next Season’s Calendar, Now!

It might feel like the height of summer, but for savvy tour operators, sugar plums are dancing and sleigh bells are ringing in their heads.  While others are soaking up the sun, you’ve got your sights set on your next busy season — and that’s exactly how you stay ahead.

Advance tour planning isn’t just smart — it’s essential for staying competitive.

Opening your calendar now ensures your tours show up when early planners are searching — and helps you capture bookings while your competitors are still playing catch-up.

What travelers do before they book

Today’s travelers are more intentional than ever. They’re searching for experiences before they’ve even booked a flight.

That means travelers are planning their activities before anything else. This trend in early booking behavior means your tour availability needs to be visible during those critical early search phases.

Pro tip: You can’t be booked if you’re not findable. Having next season’s — or even next year’s — tour availability ensures you show up in those early searches.

Early planners are big spenders

Planning ahead isn’t just a habit — it’s also a strong indicator of spending behavior.

According to GetYourGuide’s Fall 2024 Travel Experience Trend Tracker, travelers focused on experiences—especially early planners—make up 60% of leisure travel spending.  In other words, those who plan ahead tend to book more experiences and account for a significant share of overall spend.

Why does that matter to you?

Customers willing to spend more on hotels and travel are also more likely to splurge on your experiences. These travelers aren’t just looking — they’re ready to book and pay for high-quality adventures. They’re also more likely to commit when your booking calendar setup feels seamless.

Your calendar can help you plan staffing and growth

Setting your availability in advance doesn’t just benefit travelers — it gives you key insights into your own operations.

Once your calendar is live, you can start tracking:

• Booking patterns by day or time of month
• Popular tours and time slots
• High-demand weeks or holidays

By reviewing this data in your FareHarbor reports, you can make smarter operational decisions, like whether to add another tour to your Saturday lineup or adjust capacity for holidays.

And when it’s time to take action? You can easily add or remove crew members to match demand, directly in the FareHarbor Dashboard. Whether you need to expand your team for the upcoming rush or scale back after peak dates, you’re in full control.

Pro tip: Use custom reports in FareHarbor to spot booking patterns and make proactive choices about staffing, scheduling, and even marketing strategy.

Don’t miss bookings — be visible when travelers are ready to book

Travelers expect to book experiences online — and they’re doing it earlier than ever. If your calendar isn’t live, you’re simply not in the running.

By making your upcoming availability visible now, you:

• Capture bookings from early planners
• Stay competitive against operators who are already visible
• Make it easy for travelers to book the moment they’re ready

Pro tip: Even if your tour season feels far away, travelers are already searching. Make sure your tours show up when they do.

Don’t wait — open your calendar now

If your calendar is empty, you’re not just missing bookings — you’re missing opportunities. Early planners are searching, comparing, and bookmarking their options now. If they can’t find you, they’ll find someone else.

If you need help updating your calendar, reach out to FareHarbor Support or an Account Manager today, and get ready to capture more bookings, earlier.

Want to see more ways FareHarbor helps you plan smarter?

Check out our latest product tips and tools to streamline operations, manage your crew, and optimize for growth.