Stronger together: How collaboration drives sales with Cross-Sell Combos

With U.S. flight bookings down 10% year over year (Reuters) and travelers staying closer to home, tour and activity operators need to make the most of every local opportunity. That’s where Cross-Sell Combos comes in.

This feature expands the reach of your experiences, drives more revenue, and connects you with new customers through partnerships with other operators. And in today’s market, collaboration can make all the difference.

Local partnerships that grow your business

Tourism is built on connection — between people, experiences, and communities. When travelers are booking fewer long-haul trips, operators have a chance to think local: not just in who they serve, but in how they work together.

Cross-Sell Combos makes this easier than ever by letting you sell experiences from another business in the same seamless booking flow. That means you can:

• Partner with a nearby operator to offer fuller itineraries
• Link multiple Dashboards if you own more than one business or branch
• Curate experiences that feel like a local insider’s guide

Ultimately, this feature helps your community grow together, reach new audiences, rather than spending more on advertising costs and competing for the same customers.

Choosing the right tool for collaboration: Cross-Sell Combos or FareHarbor Distribution Network (FHDN)

While Cross-Sell Combos is built for operators who already have a direct, trusted relationship with another business, the FareHarbor Distribution Network (FHDN) is designed for broader collaboration, even with operators you don’t personally know. Here’s how they differ:

 

1. Type of relationship 

Cross-Sell Combos is for operators with an existing relationship. You choose who you work with and both sides agree to partner directly. 

 

With the FHDN, you can find and sell offerings from operators you don’t know or haven’t partnered with personally, making it ideal if you don’t have existing connections but want to expand your offerings.

 

2. Where the sale happens

With Cross-Sell Combos, partner offerings appear within the same booking flow, allowing customers to book multiple experiences in one seamless checkout.

 

In contrast, items from the FHDN are typically shown as separate offerings, either on your website, after checkout, or in the confirmation email. These are sold independently and require a separate checkout.

 

3. How your offerings are discovered

Cross-Sell Combos requires you to directly establish partnerships. You choose who to work with, there’s no built-in network or matchmaking. 

 

On the other hand, the FHDN makes your offerings discoverable to a broader network of partners and affiliates. No outreach or prior relationship is required so partners can find and start selling your items right away.

 

Whether you want to use Cross-Sell Combos, the FHDN, or both — you decide how you want to partner with other operators and choose the type of partnership that best suits your business!

Real-world use cases

While partnerships may look different depending at your location, here are some examples of local connections you can create with Cross-Sell Combos:

• Stand-up paddleboard session + seaside yoga class: Blend adventure and relaxation for a full beach day experience.
• Guided hike + stargazing campfire experience: Take guests from daytime exploration to a memorable night under the stars.
• Architecture bike tour + rooftop cocktail tasting: Show off the city’s design and culture, then end with unique local flavor.
• Farm visit + farm-to-table cooking class: Connect visitors to the land with a hands-on rural experience.
• Main street history tour + local craft workshop: Celebrate small-town charm by pairing stories of the past with modern creativity.
• Sailing lesson + beach bonfire with live music: Turn a coastal outing into an unforgettable evening.

These pairings not only drive higher basket values but also give travelers a richer, more memorable experience.

Don’t forget your other tools

Cross-Sell Combos is the latest way to collaborate, but it’s not the only upselling tool at your disposal:

• Combos: Offer your customers seamless upsells from your own Dashboard all in one seamless checkout. Your Combo deal can include items like an additional tour or gift cards.
• Packages: Create curated bundles where two items are always booked together, making them ideal for full-day offers or seasonal promotions. Packages encourage customers to make a faster booking decision while bringing in more earnings to your business.
• Retail through Combos: Effortlessly sell retail items like merchandise or high-margin extras like photo packages right in your booking flow.

Together, these tools help you boost revenue per booking while giving your customers more options.

Boost booking targeting locals

The reality is that fewer travelers are flying in — but your next customer could be right down the road. By working with trusted local operators, you can create experiences that appeal to residents who might not book a single tour on its own but would love a thoughtfully crafted day out.

These partnerships not only fill more spots but also strengthen your community. When operators join forces, everyone benefits — businesses grow, customers get more value, and destinations become more attractive to future visitors.

Ready to start a partnership?

Cross-Sell Combos makes collaboration simple while keeping you in control of your products, pricing, and policies. Whether you’re linking your own Dashboards or building new partnerships, now is the time to think local, team up, and turn every booking into more revenue.

Follow along our three-step guide to start expanding your offerings with Cross-Sell Combos.