Tour Operator Growth Podcast
The Tour Operator Growth Podcast is for tour and activity business owners who feel like they’re constantly juggling everything and still wondering why growth feels harder than it should.
Most tour businesses don’t fail because the experience isn’t good. They struggle because the business outgrows the systems holding it together. Bookings come from all directions. Marketing feels scattered. The website, the phones, email, reviews, and follow-ups all live in different places. And somehow you’re supposed to manage it all while still running trips.
This podcast was built from that exact reality.
The system behind it was created by a successful tour operator who hit those same walls and had to build a better way to grow without everything breaking. Today, Greg and Nikki from Resmark share the lessons, frameworks, and hard-earned insights from helping hundreds of tour operators simplify their business, get more consistent bookings, and regain control.
We talk about the real problems operators face: feeling stuck, feeling overwhelmed, hitting growth ceilings, relying too much on OTAs, or not knowing what to fix first. Whether you’re just getting started, trying to break through your next plateau, or already growing fast and trying to keep it all together, this show is built for you.
The goal is simple: help you build a tour business that grows in a way that’s sustainable, predictable, and actually enjoyable to run.
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Tour Operator Growth Podcast
How to Use OTAs Without Letting Them Run Your Business with Expedition Kanab
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Are OTAs helping your tour business grow or taking control of your bookings?
In this episode of the Tour Operator Growth Podcast, we talk with Rhees Jackson, owner of Expedition Kanab in Southern Utah, about how he uses OTAs without relying on them.
Today, less than 5% of his bookings come from OTAs. Most come from SEO, Google Ads, social media, and direct marketing.
We break down how he made that shift, why he still keeps OTA listings active, and what tour operators should understand before building a direct booking strategy.
See the awesome things Expedition Kanab is doing:
https://www.expeditionkanab.com
🚀 Take the Growth Engine Assessment to find out where you might need to improve:
https://www.resmarksystems.com/growth-engine-survey
📲 Follow Us on Social Media
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResmarkSystems
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resmarkllc
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RESMARKSystems
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/resmark-systems
📈 Want Help Growing Your Tour Business?
Visit https://www.resmarkweb.com
Book a call: https://www.resmarkweb.com/request-quote
Call or text us directly: 385-449-4079
Email Nikki: nikki@resmarksystems.com
00:00 Why OTAs Still Matter for Tour Operators
03:05 Starting a Tour Business During COVID
06:10 Which OTAs Actually Bring Bookings
09:20 Why Only 5 Percent of Bookings Come from OTAs
12:40 Why Many Travelers Still Trust TripAdvisor
16:10 The Real Goal: Building More Direct Bookings
20:00 Why Social Media Is Driving New Customers
24:30 The Lead Magnet Strategy That Captures Travelers
29:10 Turning Website Visitors into Future Bookings
33:30 Why Tour Operators Need to Learn Marketing