Selling Experiences to Boost Guest Satisfaction & Revenue

Boost Bookings & Guest Satisfaction Through Experiences and Cross-Selling

When making travel bookings, guests aren't just looking for a place to stay...they’re seeking memories, moments, and meaningful connections. For small accommodation providers, this presents a golden opportunity to add value for guests and generate additional revenue by cross-selling local experiences and even creating unique offerings on-site. 

Recent research and industry developments help highlight the significance of the experiences sector for tourism:

• Skift shared in "The Evolving Role of Experiences in Travel" that the global marketplace for experiences is a $1 trillion opportunity.
• The opportunity for hosts to sell experiences has been relaunched by Airbnb, who have reinvigorated it on their platform - this time with a focus on promoting more "unique" experiences provides by hosts.
• According to a recent Arival survey, 65% of travellers say that experiences play a significant role in deciding where to go.

More than just a trend, the demand for curated, local activities is an integral part of tourism. Let’s explore how selling experiences as supplemental revenue for your accommodation business, can boost guest satisfaction, and improve your bottom line.

Cross-Selling = Smart Revenue Growth

Cross-selling local tours and experiences doesn’t just add value to your guest experience, it can increase your revenue significantly. Hotels have always played a role in concierge services with selling and booking tours for their guest and those with a high focus on experiences (where approximately 30% of guests book these services) can anticipate a 55% increase revenue per room. Small accommodation hosts however often wait for guests to ask them for advice rather than providing a booking service via their website or at checkin.

The funny things is, this doesn’t require a major investment. You don’t need to become a tour operator, you simply need to connect guests with trusted local partners or offer unique, small-scale experiences that tie into your location.

Easy Ideas to Get Started

Here are a few ways to start offering experiences, even if you're a small operator:

1. Partner with local providers:
Work with nearby tour operators, activity providers, or artisans. From guided nature walks to e-bike rentals, cruises, and scenic flights, you can earn commission or create package deals that enhance both your offerings. 

Include a page of Experiences on your website available to book that you highly recommend and can provide personal experience (your local partners will give you famils to promote their tours!). Hand pick experiences that you believe would be popular with the types of guests your accommodation attracts.

2. Offer your own hosted experiences:
Do you have a passion or skill to share? Guests love authentic moments. Think:

• Morning yoga on the lawn
• Sunset drinks with local wine and cheese
• Garden-to-table breakfasts
• A lesson in Māori weaving or storytelling (with the right cultural partner)

3. Build it into your booking flow:
Whether through your booking engine as an added extra, or in a follow-up email, make it easy for guests to discover and book experiences in advance or upon arrival. The easier you make it, the more likely they are to say “yes”. Travellers will typically book their transport and accommodation first before anything else, so use this early touch point advantage to get them booked for activities.

It’s About the Journey (and the Destination)

As one PhocusWire article puts it, it’s time to think of your accommodation not just as a place to sleep, but as a launching pad for unforgettable experiences. By positioning your business as a local expert and experience curator, you become part of your guest’s story, and that’s where true loyalty and excellent reviews are born!

Ready to grow your bookings, delight your guests, and stand out from the crowd?
Start small, stay local, and build partnerships that celebrate what makes your region special.

Your guests will thank you, and so will your revenue reports.

Posted by ResBook Team on May 26, 2025