In the fast-paced world of tours and activities, there’s a familiar feeling for many operators: after a tour ends, the thought strikes, “Could I have priced that differently—perhaps higher or lower?” Yet, reacting to such insights during the busiest seasons can feel nearly impossible.
While many systems offer the ability to change prices daily, the sheer operational demands often leave this function underutilized. Our experience shows that most tour operators simply don’t have the time to manually tweak pricing, especially during peak periods.
Additionally, OTA platforms frequently pressure operators to lower minimum notice periods. While this may increase bookings, it often creates operational headaches. Certain tours simply cannot be executed on short notice without incurring additional costs, making last-minute bookings less than ideal for providers.
Enter the Yield Manager: Automating Revenue Optimization
Using advanced tools like the Yield Manager, tour operators can automate price adjustments based on predefined rules. This enables the system to dynamically calibrate prices, ensuring the right amount is charged—or even encouraging potential customers to book.
For instance, one of the most popular rules our clients employ is raising prices for last-minute bookings. Those who have implemented this approach reduce the minimum notice period on sales channels, but set a rule to increase prices by, say, 10% for bookings made within that timeframe.
The results? Customers rarely object. The booking engine clearly displays that this is a special condition, often labeled something like “Last Spots.” While a small surcharge (5%, 10%, or even 2%) may seem negligible to individual customers, it makes a significant impact across a high volume of reservations.
Practical Scenarios for Dynamic Pricing
Beyond securing fair compensation for last-minute bookings, EZ Booker’s Yield Manager allows operators to adapt prices in various scenarios, such as:
- First 10 Tickets Discount
Offer a 10% discount on the first 10 tickets to incentivize early bookings. This creates a compelling call-to-action on your website, driving more direct bookings. - Date-Based Pricing Adjustments
Adapt prices based on specific booking or tour dates to reflect demand variations or special events. - Inventory-Based Adjustments
Dynamically increase prices for the last few spots or offer discounts on the first few to balance demand. - Guest Configuration Pricing
Modify prices based on guest combinations, e.g., 2 adults and 1 child, or minimum 1 child bookings.
These flexible pricing options have been game-changers for early adopters. Across approximately 2,500 bookings managed through the Yield Manager, operators have reported significant revenue increases without a single customer questioning the pricing.
Proven Success in Hospitality, Now for Tours
Yield management has long been a cornerstone of revenue optimization in the hospitality industry, helping hotels maximize room rates. For the tours and activities sector, tools like EZ Booker’s Yield Manager bring this same capability to your fingertips, enabling you to stay competitive and profitable.
Seamless Integration with OTAs
If you’re connected to platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator through EZ Booker, the Yield Manager becomes even more powerful. EZ Booker is one of only three systems globally capable of syncing dynamic pricing directly to Viator, ensuring your pricing logic extends seamlessly to external sales channels.
Why It Matters
Modern tools like the Yield Manager empower tour operators to take control of their pricing strategy, eliminating guesswork and capturing maximum revenue. Whether it’s adjusting for last-minute bookings, incentivizing early purchases, or reflecting demand surges, these capabilities translate into measurable results.
Don’t just hope for better outcomes—plan for them with tools designed for today’s competitive market.
