How Sea the City Drives Demand with Influencers, Affiliates, and Analytics

In this episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor, we sit down with Adam, founder of Sea the City, a New York City–based water tourism operator offering jet ski tours and hot tub boat experiences. Adam shares how Sea the City has grown from a three–jet ski operation into a multi-location business, and what it takes to stand out in one of the most competitive tourism markets in the world. The conversation dives into how the team approaches marketing and channel mix, including their use of affiliates like GetYourGuide to increase international exposure and drive weekday demand. We also explore how Sea the City thinks about influencer marketing, tracking performance through campaigns, and why they focus on value-added perks over traditional discounting. Adam breaks down how affiliate sales have grown as a percentage of overall revenue, why patience and iteration matter when working with OTAs, and how data and analytics guide their decisions.

En este episodio especial en español, conversamos con Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park en Puerto Rico, un negocio familiar de tercera generación que ha pasado de ofrecer paseos a caballo locales a convertirse en uno de los destinos de aventura más reconocidos de la isla. El equipo comparte cómo la cultura, la familia y el crecimiento sostenible han guiado su trayectoria y siguen dando forma a las experiencias que crean para visitantes de todo el mundo.   In this special Spanish-language episode, we sit down with Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park in Puerto Rico — a third-generation family business that has transformed from a local horseback riding operation into one of the island's most recognized adventure destinations. The team shares how culture, family, and sustainable growth have guided their journey and continue to shape the experiences they create for visitors from around the world.  

Peter from Sea Maui joins Rebekah and Monique from FareHarbor for Part Two of our special Hawai'i Series on Growth Powered by FareHarbor. Recording from the FareHarbor Meetup, Peter shares what it means to grow a tourism business in Hawai'i with intention, heart, and community at the core. From navigating wildfires and COVID to strengthening brand loyalty, Peter reflects on the lessons that helped Sea Maui evolve. He also dives into how FareHarbor has streamlined operations, expanded revenue through the Distribution Network, and helped the business stay connected to its values as it grows. This episode is a great listen if you're thinking about long-term growth, finding the right partnerships, or building a company culture rooted in care. Part Two of our Hawai'i Series, spotlighting local operators doing meaningful work with FareHarbor.

Kamalani from Nā Pali Coast Tours joins Rebekah on-site in Kaua'i for a special episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor. As a Native Hawaiian and second-generation business owner, Kamalani shares what it means to carry on his family's legacy while honoring the land, history, and community of the Nā Pali Coast. They dive into topics like responsible tourism, what it takes to run a cultural tour business in Hawai'i, and why authenticity is critical for growth. Kamalani also shares how FareHarbor helps manage operations while supporting the business's mission of sustainability and education. Part of our Hawai'i Series featuring operators doing incredible things with FareHarbor.

 This episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor brings you an inside look at GetYourGuide, one of the leading online travel agencies (OTAs) in the tourism industry. Rebekah talks with Allie, Senior Account Executive at GetYourGuide, about how operators can succeed on the platform and how FareHarbor clients can leverage that connection. Topics include: What it takes to get listed (and verified) How to write better listings that actually convert Why reviews and visuals matter more than ever The biggest misunderstandings about OTAs How GetYourGuide's global reach and marketing strategy help small businesses thrive New features: AI tools, review responses, pickup UX This episode is for you if you're: ✔️ A FareHarbor client looking to grow your bookings ✔️ Curious about selling through GetYourGuide ✔️ Want to better understand OTA partnerships and strategies Learn more at getyourguide.com/partners Join the FareHarbor Community at fareharbor.com/community Helpful links: GetYourGuide Supply Partner Help Center: https://supply.getyourguide.support/hc/en-us This includes tons of helpful resources, including best practices for responding to reviews and optimizing your listings. How-To Video Series – Creating Products with GetYourGuide: https://supply.getyourguide.support/hc/en-us/sections/14002453180061-Creating-Products-with-GetYourGuide-How-To-Videos These short videos walk through key parts of the setup process and would be great visual additions. Spring 2025 Travel Experience Trend Tracker: https://www.getyourguide.supply/travel-experience-trend-tracker-spring-2025?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=organic&utm_term=feed

In this Pride Month special, Rebekah speaks with Captain Jen and Captain Janet of Sundog Sailing about their journey as queer women in the sailing and tourism industry. They share how they built a business rooted in inclusion, hospitality, and joy all while creating a safe space on the water for everyone. Together, they reflect on the importance of visibility and representation in tourism, the personal stories that shaped their business, and how being themselves has been the most powerful form of leadership. Captain Jen and Captain Janet encourage donations to the following organizations: PFLAG The Trevor Project We Are Team Jake This episode must-listen for queer entrepreneurs and anyone who's ever built something from the ground up with heart. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the full episode on YouTube!

In this engaging conversation, Rebekah speaks with Captain Jen and Captain Janet of Sundog Sailing about their experiences as queer women in the sailing industry. They discuss the importance of inclusivity, visibility, and mentorship within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the unique experiences they offer through their sailing tours. The captains share their journey of love, friendship, empowerment, and the joy of creating a safe space for all individuals to express themselves while enjoying the beauty of sailing. Looking to create a more welcoming experience for your guests? Let Sundog Sailing show you what it means to lead with authenticity and purpose! Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Charlie from Adventure Cat Sailing joins Rebekah to share how one of San Francisco's most iconic tour businesses creates a smooth, guest-first booking experience on and off the water. They discuss what it takes to build trust through branding, how FareHarbor tools help remove friction from the guest journey, and why thoughtful pricing, team culture, and follow-up reviews all matter. If you're thinking of upgrading your booking flow, scaling your guest experience, or exploring reservation softwares built for tour operators, this episode is for you! Listen in for insights on marketing, operations, and what makes guests come back for more.

What happens when a growing ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand upgrades to a smarter reservation system? In this episode, Rebekah sits down with Vincent, General Manager of Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, to explore how FareHarbor helped them streamline operations, improve guest experience, and scale sustainably. Vincent shares the sanctuary's growth story, including how they survived the pandemic, embraced ethical tourism practices, and now manage up to 300 guests per day—all while protecting their elephants and educating travelers.  We also dive into: - The launch of FareHarbor in Thailand - The benefits of mobile-first booking -Pivoting your business when things go awry - How FareHarbor's tools and support helped Vincent's team scale, automate, and thrive. - What ethical tourism is, especially when it comes to caring for animals Whether you're researching reservation software or already scaling your tourism business, this episode is a great look at how the right tech partner can power thoughtful, impactful growth.

How can tour and activity operators use Google Things to Do (GTTD) to drive more direct bookings and increase visibility? In this episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor, FareHarbor Community Manager Rebekah Costley dives into how operators can leverage Google Things to Do to capture more organic traffic, optimize their listings, and reduce reliance on OTAs. Tune in to learn: ✔ What Google Things to Do is and how it works for tour and activity businesses ✔ How to optimize your listings to appear in Google search results ✔ Strategies for increasing direct bookings using GTTD ✔ Common mistakes operators make with GTTD listings and how to avoid them This is a great episode for anyone looking to improve their Google presence, attract more customers, and stay ahead of industry trends. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! #FareHarborPodcast #GoogleThingsToDo #TourismMarketing #TourOperators #DirectBookings #ScalingYourBusiness #TravelIndustry