Podcast: Driving traffic with content: How Lia Garcia scales tours with blogs and influencers

Listen to the episode: GA4 for Tour Operators: Unlock Your Potential with Simplified Actions and Insights

Host: Rebekah Costley, Community Manager at FareHarbor

Guest: Lia Garcia, Co-Founder of Louisville Food Tours

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What’s covered in this episode

Rebekah chats with Lia Garcia, the co-founder of Louisville Food Tours and a seasoned travel blogger. Lia shares her journey from blogging to running a successful food tour business, highlighting the tools and strategies she used to grow her audience and increase bookings.

Discover how SEO, influencer marketing, and affiliate programs have played a vital role in scaling her tours, and learn how authentic storytelling and partnerships with local businesses have driven success. Whether you’re a tour operator looking to enhance your digital marketing or leverage FareHarbor’s tools, this episode offers actionable insights for growing your business.

Key takeaways

1. SEO is a game-changer for tour operators

• Lia explained how she used SEO to ensure her food tour website ranked high in search engine results, making it easy for potential customers to find her tours.
• Blogging helped her answer common customer questions and create a treasure trove of evergreen content that continues to drive organic traffic.

“SEO is not just about keywords; it’s about understanding what your customers are searching for and providing real value.”

2. Influencer marketing amplifies visibility

• Partnering with influencers allowed Lia to reach a broader audience while maintaining authenticity.
• Collaborations with food bloggers and social media influencers have led to a steady flow of bookings and a stronger online presence.

“Find influencers who align with your brand values—they’ll become genuine advocates for your business.”

3. Build trust with authentic storytelling

• Lia emphasized that storytelling isn’t just a marketing tool — it’s how you connect with your audience and local partners.
• Sharing the history and culture of her tours has resonated deeply with customers and local businesses alike.

“When you tell a story, you’re not just selling a product—you’re creating an experience.”

4. Create win-win relationships with local business partnerships

• Building relationships with local businesses has been instrumental for Lia in growing her tours and creating a sense of community.
• Partnerships also enable cross-promotion, further extending her reach.

“When local businesses succeed, you succeed. Collaboration is key.”

5. Drive efficiency and creativity with top-tier software (FareHarbor!)

• By adopting user-friendly tools like FareHarbor, Lia has streamlined operations, giving her more time to focus on scaling and marketing her business.
• Tools like FareHarbor’s analytics and booking platform make it easier to track performance and improve customer experiences.

“The right tools free up your time to do what you do best—create amazing experiences.”

While season 2 is wrapped up — season 3 is just around the corner! Subscribe to Growth: Powered by FareHarbor on your favorite platform to stay updated with expert insights and actionable strategies for tour operators.

Ready to take your tour business to the next level? Schedule a free demo with FareHarbor today!