How to Market Your Tours to International Visitors

Every year, millions of international travelers visit the United States looking for more than just famous landmarks. They want authentic experiences, local stories, hidden gems, and knowledgeable guides who can help them understand the places they're visiting.

The good news?

You don't need a massive marketing budget to attract international guests.

You simply need to make your tours easy to discover, easy to understand, and easy to book—regardless of where your visitors call home.

Why International Visitors Matter

International travelers often:

• Stay longer than domestic travelers.
• Visit multiple attractions during their trip.
• Budget specifically for experiences.
• Travel in families or groups.
• Share their experiences widely on social media.

A single international guest can introduce your tour to dozens of future visitors through reviews, photos, and recommendations.

Speak Their Language

You don't have to be multilingual—but your tour should be.

One of the easiest ways to expand your audience is by offering translated audio.

With BYOPA, guests can listen in their preferred language while following the same tour as everyone else.

That means:

• Families speaking different languages can stay together.
• International visitors enjoy a richer experience.
• You can serve more guests without hiring additional guides.

Even offering just a few major languages can dramatically broaden your appeal.

Consider starting with:

• Spanish
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Mandarin

Add additional languages as demand grows.

Think Like a Visitor

Locals often assume everyone knows the area.

International travelers don't.

Avoid phrases like:

"Meet us by the old courthouse."

Instead write:

"Meet outside the Jackson County Courthouse at 415 E. 12th Street, directly across from Ilus Davis Park."

Include:

• Exact meeting locations
• Landmark photos
• Walking distances
• Parking information
• Public transportation options

The easier you make navigation, the more confident guests will feel booking your tour.

Make Your Website Easy to Understand

Many visitors speak English as a second language.

Write clearly.

Use:

• Short sentences
• Simple vocabulary
• Clear headings
• Plenty of photos

Avoid local slang, abbreviations, and inside jokes unless you explain them.

A clear website builds confidence.

Be Visible Where Travelers Search

International visitors often plan their trips weeks—or even months—in advance.

Make sure your business appears on:

• Google Business Profile
• TripAdvisor
• Visit your city's tourism website
• Local visitor bureau listings
• Hotel concierge recommendations

These are often the first places travelers look for activities.

Partner with the Tourism Community

Hotels, visitor centers, museums, breweries, and attractions all want their guests to have a great experience.

Reach out and introduce yourself.

Provide:

• Business cards
• Brochures
• QR codes
• Discount offers
• Referral incentives (where appropriate)

A concierge who recommends your tour can become one of your best marketing partners.

Use Social Media to Inspire Travel

People don't book tours.

They book experiences.

Show visitors what they'll experience by sharing:

• Beautiful scenery
• Historic buildings
• Local food
• Guest reactions
• Hidden places
• Unexpected stories

Videos perform especially well because they help travelers imagine themselves there.

Remember, someone planning a trip today may not visit for six months.

Your content is often the first impression they'll have of your city.

Timing Matters

International travelers frequently research attractions before they leave home.

Maintain a consistent online presence throughout the year—not just during your busy season.

The more useful content you publish, the more likely travelers are to discover your tours while planning their itineraries.

Accept Digital Bookings

Travelers don't want to email back and forth across time zones.

They want to:

• See available dates
• Book instantly
• Receive confirmation
• Add the event to their calendar

BYOPA makes registration simple from anywhere in the world.

Guests can reserve their spot before they even board their flight.

Remove Language Barriers on Tour Day

Even if guests speak conversational English, they may miss details in a noisy environment.

BYOPA delivers crystal-clear audio directly to each guest's smartphone.

Combined with translated narration and live transcripts, everyone can follow along comfortably—even in busy streets or crowded attractions.

That creates a better experience and better reviews.

Encourage International Reviews

Reviews matter even more when travelers are far from home.

After each tour, politely encourage guests to leave reviews on:

• Google
• TripAdvisor
• Facebook

Future visitors often rely heavily on these reviews when deciding which experiences to book.

Photos from real travelers are especially persuasive.

Think Beyond Tourists

International guests also include:

• Business travelers
• Conference attendees
• Exchange students
• Visiting families
• Cruise passengers
• Study abroad groups

Many are looking for meaningful ways to explore a city during limited free time.

Make sure your tours appeal to these audiences as well.

Your Biggest Competitive Advantage

Large tour companies often deliver the same experience in every city.

Independent guides offer something far more valuable:

Authenticity.

Your personal stories.

Your local knowledge.

Your favorite neighborhood café.

The mural most visitors miss.

The restaurant you'd recommend to a friend.

That's what international visitors remember—and what they'll tell others about long after they've returned home.

Welcome the World

Every great tour has the power to change how someone sees your city.

With thoughtful marketing, clear communication, and technology that makes your tours accessible to everyone, you can welcome guests from around the globe without making your business more complicated.

Your next guest may be from the next neighborhood...

Or the other side of the world.

Either way, they're looking for someone to show them a place they'll never forget.

Make sure they can find you.