Abo Service

1-406-579-3866

Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters - Montana Adventures

Grizzly / Wolf Photo Safari

Adventure helicopter trips, come adventure with us., wilderness adventure trips.

We offer authentic adventure trips for all who are looking to see what’s over the next horizon. These trips are for anyone who has a little “outside” in their inside. We strive to preserve the outdoor heritage of Montana by exposing and educating the public to the splendor and beauty of the wilderness. Immeasurable peace and harmony comes from putting the hustle and bustle of life aside and connecting with nature’s wisdom. These trips are designed to provide the space for families, friends, and individuals to reconnect, build new relationships, and make lasting memories. From floating the rivers, to riding horses in the mountains, to exploring the history of the wilderness, these trips are truly adventures of a lifetime. Mother nature has her arms open wide, awaiting your arrival. Don’t make her wait!

Grizzly/Wolf Photo Safari

Imagine yourself tracking a grizzly bear or a pack of wolves armed only with your sense of adventure, your photography skill and your trusty camera. ABO has added grizzly bear/wolf photo safaris to its list of unforgettable Montana wilderness adventures. If you choose, you can leave your camera and just enjoy the thrill of this unique experience. Your guide and tracker will be ABO’s Outfitter, Cameron Mayo. Cameron has spent countless hours riding the Absaroka-Beartooth country. He is an experienced outdoorsman and knowledgeable about the area and its habitat.

Location: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

Accommodations: Comfortable backcountry tent camp and hearty meals provided.

Trip length: 6-days; 1 day at Independence backcountry camp, 4 days in Hellroaring Wilderness camp, 1 day riding out.

Custom trips available upon request.

For those that prefer to “land” in the wilderness without the use of a saddle or ATV, we are working with a partner to bring you the birds-eye entrance to the backcountry. You’ll leave by helicopter from Bozeman and land on private land surrounded by wilderness. Once in camp, you’ll be free to explore, fish, hike, ride horses, take ATV tours, old mining tours, and relax by the campfire.

Day 1: morning helicopter ride into camp, afternoon exploring, fishing, hiking, riding.

Day 2: all day activities of your choice – exploring old mines, semi-guided fishing, ATV tours, wilderness education.

Day 3: morning hiking, fishing, etc., afternoon helicopter ride out of camp.

Please call or email for more information and trip dates:  [email protected]  / 406-579-3866

Adventure helicopter trips

Trips begin June 15th and run through August 31st. 

Location:  Private land in the Absaroka-Beartooth Backcountry.

Accommodations: Backcountry tent camp with meals provided.

Optional accommodations for incoming and outgoing nights: ABO lodge in Big Timber with dinner and breakfast included.

Trip length: 3-days

Price: $1,500 per person for 4 or more people, $1,800 per person for 2-3 people.*

*These prices do not include the helicopter ride. For helicopter price information, please see https://rockymountainrotors.com  or call 406-579-9312.

License needed:  None unless you’d like to fish. Fishing licenses can be purchased over the counter or online at  MFWP .

Custom Trips Available Upon Request

Deposit, Payment and Refund Policy

A deposit of 50% of the trip is required to book your reservation. This deposit is non-refundable. The balance of the trip is due 30 days prior to trip date and is nonrefundable. Trips not fully paid by this date will be considered cancelled. We recommend Trip Cancellation Insurance. Montana Outfitters & Guides Association suggests Global Rescue travel insurance. http://www.montanaoutfitters.org/travelersinsurance/

We accept Credit Cards (Visa/MasterCard only) and Checks. Make Checks Payable to: Absaroka-Beartooth Outfitters, Inc.

Absaroka-Beartooth Outfitters 1263 Hwy 10 West Big Timber, MT 59011

406-579-3866

[email protected]

Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters

Adventures Above the Rest.

These packets include information on logistics, pricing, what to bring and more.

  • ABO Lodging & Activities
  • Float Fly Fishing Trip
  • General Hunting Information
  • Grizzly Bear Wolf Photo Safari
  • Horseback Rides
  • Private Land Hunting Archery
  • Private Land Hunting Rifle
  • Wilderness Fly Fishing Pack Trip
  • Walk Wade Fly Fishing Trip
  • Wilderness Horse Pack Trip
  • Wilderness Hunting
  • Montana Outfitters & Guides Association (MOGA)
  • Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks (MFWP)

Cameron Mayo is licensed by the Montana Board of Outfitters. Outfitter License #10925. Absaroka-Beartooth Outfitters is permitted by the United States Forest Service (USFS) to operate in the Custer  Gallatin National Forest.

We offer the best in Montana adventures. Fly-fishing, big game hunting, horse rides and ranch vacations on wilderness and private land. Fish high mountain streams, lakes, rivers and ranch creeks. Hunt elk, deer, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, bear and moose in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in the Greater Yellowstone area. Private ranch hunts for elk, deer, antelope, bear, turkey, duck and goose.

Proud members of: Montana Outfitters and Guides Association (MOGA) , America Outdoors Association , The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) , Trout Unlimited (TU) , and Safari Club International (SCI) .

  • © 2024 All rights reserved, Absaroka-Beartooth Outfitters
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Skip to global NPS navigation
  • Skip to this park navigation
  • Skip to the main content
  • Skip to this park information section
  • Skip to the footer section

tour abo service

Exiting nps.gov

Alerts in effect, virtual tour of abó.

Last updated: October 16, 2020

Park footer

Contact info, mailing address:.

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument PO Box 517 105 South Ripley Avenue Mountainair, NM 87036-0517

505 847-2585 x220 Headquarters Visitor Center Front Desk

Stay Connected

  • Destinations

How to Visit And What to See at ABU SIMBEL (9 Practical Things to Know)

This site uses affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

One of the must-see sights when visiting Egypt is the Abu Simbel Temple Complex . However, some advance planning is advisable to enjoy this incredible place to its fullest. Here is everything you need to know about how to visit Abu Simbel.

Before we get started with how to visit Abu Simbel, I am pretty sure that Luxor is on your Egypt’s bucket list, and I want you to know that I have compiled a list of 18 Best Things to Do in Luxor that you should check out. If you only have 2 days in Luxor, then take a look at this Perfect 2-Day Itinerary in Luxor (7 Things You. Can’t-Miss) .

Let me guess, the Pyramids of Giza are on your list, right? However, visiting this vast complex can be overwhelming. Make sure to review Tips for Visiting the Pyramids of Giza before going. And, it is good to know what to see once you get there: 10 Things to See at the Pyramids of Giza .

Now, with no further delays, let’s dive into how to visit and what to see at Abu Simbel: everything you need to know to plan your visit.

A couple of Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to Egypt: 

Perfect 7-Day Egypt Itinerary for First Visit (Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, Abu Simbel)

14 Egypt Travel Tips to Save You Time, Money, and Keep You Safe

  • 1. Where Is Abu Simbel Located
  • 2. How to Get to Abu Simbel from Aswan or Luxor
  • 3. Is It Safe to Visit Abu Simbel
  • 4. Do You Need a Guide for Abu Simbel
  • 5. What You Need to Know About Abu Simbel Temple Complex Before You Visit
  • 5.1. How Old Is Abu Simbel Temple Complex
  • 5.2. Why Was Abu Simbel Complex Built
  • 5.3. Why Is the Great Temple of Abu Simbel Important
  • 5.4. What is Abu Simbel Famous For
  • 5.5. Why is the Small Temple of Abu Simbel Important
  • 5.6. Who Discovered Abu Simbel
  • 5.7. Why Was Abu Simbel Moved
  • 5.8. How Was the Abu Simbel Complex Relocated
  • 6. Abu Simbel: Opening Hours and Cost
  • 7. Abu Simbel Light and Sound Show

The facade of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

Where Is Abu Simbel Located

The Abu Simbel Temple Complex is located southwest of Aswan or Luxor at Abu Simbel village in Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt. Specifically, it is situated 287 km (178 mi) from Aswan and 499 km (310 mi) from Luxor.

How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

The Abu Simbel Temple Complex is located southwest of Aswan or Luxor at Abu Simbel village in Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt. Specifically, it is situated 287 km (178 mi) from Aswan and 499 km (310 mi) from Luxor / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

How to Get to Abu Simbel from Aswan or Luxor

  • How to Get to Abu Simbel from Aswan

To be frank, the best way to get to Abu Simbel from Aswan is by driving . It can be done by either hiring a private car (or a minibus) or taking a taxi.

I hired a tour guide and a minibus with two drivers. Yes, two drivers. Apparently, it is required to have one main driver and one backup driver for long(er) trips.

It took me roughly 3 hours to reach Abu Simbel from Aswan.

The condition of the road leading to Abu Simbel is pretty good minus a few occasional potholes and some speed bumps, and a couple of army and police checkpoints. As far as the landscape, it is rather monotonous with the desert all around you.

How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

The condition of the road leading to Abu Simbel is pretty good. As far as the landscape, it is rather monotonous with the desert all around you / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

Another way to reach Abu Simbel is by plane . The only takes 45 minutes to fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel. The flights are operated by either EgyptAir or Air Cairo. However, a little bit of advance planning is necessary because the flights are only available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Unfortunately, there are no scheduled flights on Saturdays and Sundays.

  • How to Get to Abu Simbel from Luxor

The best way to get to Abu Simbel from Luxor is to fly. However, keep in mind, that there are no direct flights from Luxor to Aswan and you will have a stopover in Aswan.

Another way to reach Abu Simbel from Luxor is by driving. It will take you about 6 hours to get to Abu Simbel.

Is It Safe to Visit Abu Simbel

My visit to Abu Simbel was perfect! I had a private minibus, two drivers, and a tour guide. As I said before, I was required to have two drivers. The second one was the backup.

The journey to visit Aswan took me about 3 hours. And, I spent the entire time talking and listening to my tour guide. I did not feel unsafe at any time. We had to stop a couple of times at different checkpoints , which took just a few minutes at each checkpoint. I did not have to show my passport or any documents. The main driver conversed with the guards at each checkpoint and we smoothly moved along.

Do You Need a Guide for Abu Simbel

Tour guides are not allowed inside the Abu Simbel Temple Complex. So, you might be wondering if you really need to hire a tour guide for your visit to Abu Simbel. It is your choice.

However, a 3-hour trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel or a 6-hour trip from Luxor to Abu Simbel is a perfect way to learn all about the history of Egypt and the history of the temples by having a tour guide with you.

My tour guide used the 3-hour time window to talk to me about the history of Abu Simbel, and the history of Egypt, as well as give me many pointers as to what to pay attention to while I visit the Abu Simbel Temple Complex.

I usually read a ton of stuff before I venture out anywhere. However, a knowledgeable guide is priceless!

What You Need to Know About Abu Simbel Temple Complex Before You Visit

How old is abu simbel temple complex.

The Abu Simbel Temple Complex consists of two temples : the Great Temple built to honor Ramses II and the Small Temple constructed to honor Ramesses II’s chief consort, Nefertari. The Abu Simbel Temple Complex was completed in 1244 BC.

Why Was Abu Simbel Complex Built

There are several reasons why Ramses II built Abu Simbel Temple Complex:

  • First of all, he built the Great Temple to recognize and honor himself and to dedicate it to the god Ra-Horakhty. And, he built the Small Temple as a monument to his beloved queen, Nefertari, and dedicated it to the goddess Hathor.
  • Second, Ramses II wanted to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh . The reliefs depicting him conquering his enemies are throughout the Great Temple. If you look closely, you will see that even the base of the temple was carved with figures of his conquered enemies: the Libyans, the Nubians, and the Hittites.
  • And, lastly, Ramses II wanted to impress Egypt’s neighbors, the Nubians .

Why Is the Great Temple of Abu Simbel Important

The temples of Abu Simbel were carved out of solid rock. They impress even now! For me, it was a breathtaking sight!

The Great Temple at Abu Simbel

The temples of Abu Simbel were carved out of solid rock / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

First of all, the facade of this structure is incredible ! It is 35 meters (115 feet) long and 30 meters (98 feet) high.

Next, the entrance to the temple is flanked by four enthroned colossal statues of Ramses II . Each statue is 20 meters (65 feet) high. If you look closely at the statues, you will notice that they are adorned with a double crown, which symbolizes the unity of Upper and Lower Egypt.

How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

The statues are adorned with a double crown, which symbolizes the unity of Upper and Lower Egypt / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

Moreover, each figure has a vertical cartouche on its right arm with Ramses II’s name.

A Quick Read:

What is a cartouche? A cartouche is an oval with a horizontal line under one of the ends. It indicates that the enclosed text is a royal name. By the way, cartouches were formerly only worn by Pharaohs . The oval surrounding their name was meant to protect them from evil spirits in life and after death.

Interestingly enough, the word ‘cartouche’ comes from the French language and means paper powder cartridge. Apparently, French soldiers stationed in Egypt saw a resemblance between the oval shapes and the paper powder cartridges and hence, the name cartouche.

How to Visit Abu Simbel

Cartouches were formerly only worn by Pharaohs. The oval surrounding their name was meant to protect them from evil spirits in life and after death / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

One of the statues lost its head and torso in an earthquake in 27 BC.

Abu Simbel

One of the statues lost its head and torso in an earthquake in 27 BC / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

On the bottom and around the knees of the statues are figures of some of Ramses II’s wives and children / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

Visit to Abu Simbel

On the bottom and around the feet of the statues of Ramses II are figures of his wives and children / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

Visit to Abu Simbel

One of the statues of Rames II lost its head and torso in an earthquake in 27 BC / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

Next, take a look at the statue right above the entrance to the temple . It is the figure of the god Ra-Harakhty, to whom Ramses II dedicated the temple.

How to Visit Abu Simbel

The figure of the god Ra-Harakhty, to whom Ramses II dedicated the temple, is above the entrance to the Great Temple / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

Once you cross the entrance, you will find yourself in Hypostyle Hall . It is an incredible sight!

There are four pillars on each side with colossal statues of Ramses II. Each statue is 10 meters (33 feet) high.

The statues on the left-hand side wear the Upper Egypt crown, while the statues on the right-hand side wear the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Inside the Great Temple of Abu Simbel / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

How to Visit Abu Simbel

Once you cross the entrance, you will find yourself in Hypostyle Hall. It is an incredible sight! / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

Ramses II is represented as the god Osiris holding the crook and flail. The crook represents the kingship and the flail stands for the fertility of the land.

Who was Osiris? Osiris was the god of the dead , and ruler of the underworld. He was portrayed as a mummified man wearing a white cone-like headdress with feathers

Osiris was the brother and husband of Isis and the brother of Nephthys and Seth. He was also the father of Horus.

As well as being a god of the dead, Osiris was a god of resurrection and fertility . In fact, the ancient Egyptians believed that Osiris gave them the gift of barley, one of their most important crops.

Source: Ancient Egypt

How to Visit Abu Simbel

Ramses II is represented as the god Osiris holding the crook and flail. The crook represents the kingship and the flail stands for the fertility of the land / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

The walls of the Hypostyle Hall are decorated with reliefs commemorating Ramses II’s victory at the Battle of Kadesh.

As well as, images of Ramses II making offerings to his gods.

Visit to Abu Simbel

Reliefs of Ramses II making offerings to his gods / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

Abu Simbel

Reliefs commemorating Ramses II’s victory at the Battle of Kadesh / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

On each side of the Hypostyle Hall are storerooms with beautifully decorated walls. Here, the offerings to the gods were kept and ritual items were stored.

Storerooms at Abu Simbel

On each side of the Hypostyle Hall are storerooms with beautifully decorated walls / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

What is Abu Simbel Famous For

The Great Temple of Abu Simbel is famous for being built along the sun’s axis .

As a result, twice a year, on February 22 and October 22, the sunlight reaches 55 meters (180 feet) into the innermost room of the temple and illuminates three of the four sitting statues.

Visit to Abu Simbel

The Great Temple of Abu Simbel is famous for being built along the axis of the sun / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

Visit to Abu Simbel

twice a year, the sunlight reaches the innermost room of the temple and illuminates three of the four sitting statues / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

When the rays of the sun reach the sitting statues, three of the four states are illuminated for about 10 minutes.

First, the statue of Ra is illuminated, then the statue of Amun, and finally the light reaches the statue of Rameses II. However, the fourth statue of the god Ptah remains in the dark.

Ra was the king of the deities and the father of all creation . He was the patron of the sun, heaven, kingship, power, and light. He was not only the deity who governed the actions of the sun, he could also be the physical sun itself, as well as the day.

Amun , a god of the air , was one of the eight primordial Egyptian deities. Amun’s role evolved over the centuries; during the Middle Kingdom he became the King of the deities and in the New Kingdom he became a nationally worshipped god. He eventually merged with Ra, the ancient sun god, to become Amun-Ra.

Ptah , the god whose breath was said to give life to everything at the beginning . As the god who created all the other deities, Ptah is worshipped as the patron of craftspeople and architects. He is credited with inventing masonry. The famed architect Imhotep claimed to be his offspring.

Source: Egyptian Museum

Abu Simbel Temple Complex

When the rays of the sun reach the sitting statues, three of the four states are illuminated for about 10 minutes / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

I did a lot of research as to the significance of the sun entering the inner sanctum on these two specific days: February 22 and October 22. However, all I could find was the speculation, that these two dates were the birthday and coronation of Ramses II .

Why is the Small Temple of Abu Simbel Important

Next to the Great Temple of Abu Simbel, sits the Small Temple . It was built by Ramses II for his wife Nefertari and dedicated to the goddess Hathor.

It is an important temple for several reasons:

  • First of all, if you look at the facade of the Small Temple , you will notice that it is adorned with six colossal statues of Queen Nefertari as goddess Hathor and Ramses II. Specifically, there are four figures of Ramses II and two of Queen Nefertari. And, all the statues are the same size ! Notably, it is the first time, that the statue of a wife was carved the same size as the statue of the Pharaoh himself. Usually, the statues of wives and children are never higher than the Pharaoh’s knees.

The Small Temple at Abu Simbel

If you look at the facade of the Small Temple, you will notice that it is adorned with six colossal statues of Queen Nefertari as goddess Hathor and Ramses II / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

  • Second, the Small Temple was dedicated to a wife . A Pharaoh would have many other wives and concubines. However, this temple Ramses II dedicated to his first wife. Also, interestingly enough, the statues of Ramses II and Nefertari’s daughters are depicted as taller than their sons. It is possible, that the temple was dedicated to all the women within his family.

But, it is not the first time the Pharaoh dedicated a temple to his wife. The first temple was built by Akhenaten for his wife Nefertiti.

Visit to Abu Simbel

All the statues are the same size! Notably, it is the first time ever, that the statue of a wife was carved the same size as the statue of the Pharaoh himself / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

Visit to Abu Simbel

The statues of Ramses II and Nefertari’s daughters are depicted as taller than their sons. It is possible, that the temple was dedicated to all the women within his family / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

As you step inside, you will find yourself inside a large hall supported by six pillars.

The Small Temple at Abu Simbel

The Small Temple has a large hall supported by six pillars / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

Each pillar has the head of the goddess Hathor carved on top of it.

How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel

Each pillar has the head of the goddess Hathor carved on top of it / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

The walls are decorated with scenes showing Ramses II and Queen Nefertari making offerings to various Egyptian gods.

Visit to Abu Simbel

The beautiful wall decorations at the Small Temple at Abu Simbel / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

Visit to Abu Simbel

Who Discovered Abu Simbel

As time went by, the Abu Simbel Temple Complex stopped being used. Gradually, the temples were covered by desert sand. And, stayed buried in the sand for centuries.

The temple’s facade was discovered in 1811 by Swiss orientalist Jean-Louis Burckhardt (also known as John Lewis, Jean Louis). Burckhardt talked about his discovery with Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni.

Belzoni traveled to the site, however, he was unable to dig out an entry to the temple. Belzoni returned in 1817 and this time, he succeeded in entering the temples.

Abu Simbel

The temple’s facade was discovered in 1811 by Swiss orientalist Jean-Louis Burckhardt (also known as John Lewis, Jean Louis). Burckhardt talked about his discovery with Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni. Image Credit: Wikimedia  / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

Why Was Abu Simbel Moved

Abu Simbel Temple Complex was constructed 280 km (174 miles) southwest of Aswan.

In the 1960s, the decision was made to build the Aswan High Dam on the River Nile. After the building of the dam, a massive artificial water reservoir was formed. It is known today as Lake Nasser . The purpose of building the dam was to better control the floods of the River Nile and to generate electricity for Egypt.

However, the creation of Lake Nasser threatened to engulf the temples. The relocation of the Abu Simbel Temple Complex was the only way of saving the structures.

On January 9, 1960, three months after construction began on the dam, UNESCO launched a worldwide call for help.

‘The salvage of the Abu Simbel temples began in 1964 by a multinational team of archeologists, engineers, and skilled heavy equipment operators working together under the UNESCO banner.

Between 1964 and 1968, the entire site was carefully cut into large blocks (up to 30 tons, averaging 20 tons), dismantled, lifted, and reassembled in a new location 65 meters higher and 200 meters back from the river, in one of the greatest challenges of archaeological engineering in history.’

Source: Wikipedia

How Was the Abu Simbel Complex Relocated

The complex was relocated in its entirety under the supervision of a Polish archaeologist, Kazimierz Michałowski.

Following is a picture of a scale model showing the original location of the Abu Simbel Temples submerged under the water.  Moreover, the scale model shows the new location of the temples moved 65 meters higher and 200 meters back from Lake Nasser.

Relocation of Abu Simbel

Image Credit: Wikipedia

A scale model showing the original location of the 13th century BCE Abu Simbel temples , the site submerged under reservoir water since the 1970s, and the rescued and relocated temples’ new higher sites. The photo was taken of a display at the Nubian Museum, Aswan , Egypt. Author: Zureks  / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

First, a cofferdam was built around the Abu Simbel Temple Complex . The purpose of building the cofferdam was to protect the temples from the rising water of Lake Nasser.

The relocation process started with extracting the walls and ceilings of the temples from inside the mountain. The Great Temple was cut into 807 blocks and the Small Temple was cut into 235 blocks. Each and every block was marked with a number.

After having been lifted by the crane, the blocks were lowered to the storage area.

Re-erecting the roofs and the walls of the temple were the next steps in the Abu Simbel temple relocation process.

Two domes were built to cover the structure of the temple to carry the weight of the artificial hill.

Next, the statues of Ramses II were cut and moved to the place of the new temple.

Abu Simbel

Image Credit:  Wikipedia  / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

Abu Simbel

Image Credit:  Wikipedia   / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

Abu Simbel: Opening Hours and Cost

The Abu Simbel Temple Complex is open from 7 am to 4 pm (5 pm in the summer).

The entrance ticket to the Abu Simbel Complex costs 240 EGP.

Abu Simbel Light and Sound Show

The Abu Simbel Light and Sound Show is held at 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm, and 9 pm in winter and 8 pm, 9 pm, and 10 pm in summer. It is the most spectacular show I have ever seen. Don’t miss it!

Needless to say, the temples are absolutely breathtaking when lit up in the evening.

Abu Simbel at night

The Sound and Light Show at Abu Simbel / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel 

Abu Simbel

More Information About Egypt

How to Visit and What to See at KHAN EL-KHALILI BAZAAR in Cairo

What to See at the TEMPLE of HORUS at EDFU (5 Things You Can’t Miss)

10 Epic Things to See and Do at the Pyramids of Giza

What to See at the TEMPLE of KOM OMBO, Egypt (9 Things You Can’t Miss)

How to Visit Abu Simbel: Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Visit

How to Visit and What to See at the TEMPLE of PHILAE in Aswan

Best Day Trip from Cairo – Dahshur, Memphis, and Saqqara (Maps+Photos)

Read All the Posts About Egypt in: 

Egypt Travel Guide

Did You Find How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel Useful?

Why not save it to your pinterest board.

How to Visit Abu Simbel

Now, It Is Your Turn, I Would Like to Hear Back from You!

Are you planning your trip to Egypt?

Please let me know! Drop me a quick comment right below!

Click on any of the images below to get inspired and to help you with the planning process for your trip to Egypt!

  • alert('URL copied to clipboard.')).catch(err => console.error('Unable to copy to clipboard.', err))">

Share via Email

Best Tombs to Visit in Valley of the Kings

7 BEST TOMBS to Visit in VALLEY of the KINGS (Map+Photos+Tips)

2-Day Itinerary in Luxor

Perfect 2-Day Itinerary in Luxor (7 Things You Can't Miss)

Tips for Visiting the Pyramids of Giza

15 Essential Tips for Visiting the Pyramids of Giza (Ace Your Adventure!)

How to Visit and What to See in Memphis

How to Visit and What to See in MEMPHIS, Egypt (Guide to Visiting Memphis)

7-Day Egypt Itinerary

Perfect 7-Day Egypt Itinerary (Cairo, Memphis, Saqqara, Giza, Aswan, Luxor, Abu Simbel)

Egypt Tips for First Timers

14 EGYPT TIPS for FIRST TIMERS (How to Save Time, Money, and Be Safe)

@intrepid.scout

31 thoughts on “ How to Visit And What to See at ABU SIMBEL (9 Practical Things to Know) ”

' src=

That is so interesting that this Great Temple of Abu Simbel was carved out of solid rock. Also, that 2x a year (2/22 and 10/22, sunlight reaches deep into the innermost room of the temple and illuminates 3 of 4 sitting statues. I wonder why not the 4th though?

' src=

Why do you think?

' src=

I’ve been to Egypt twice, but I’ve never visited any monuments! Shame, I know … Next time! 🙂 I will also think of Abu Simbel.

' src=

Such an informative travel guide. I really enjoyed all of your great photos!

' src=

I think I would take your advice and take a tour. You’re right all that time on a bus, you might as well learn something while you are traveling to and from.

I agree. Thank you for your comment.

' src=

I love how this had actual historic information rather than simply “this is the best place to go.” I feel like I learned so much!

' src=

So beautiful! I love the statues and artwork, great photos! Can’t wait until I can visit! Saving for future planning.

Thank you! Sounds great!

' src=

We were planning a trip to Egypt a few years ago and then the 2013 riots hit a few weeks before we were supposed to fly. At that time we cancelled our trip. Now, reading your post, it makes me want to resurrect our plans.

I experienced the same planning challenges. I had to wait as well. I am so glad it worked out.

' src=

Egypt is high on my bucket list! It is so cool that you can go inside here! I also can’t believe two huge stone temples were moved, seems impossible.

My visit to Abu Simbel was the highlight of my trip.

' src=

Squeeee! This would be SUCH an amazing trip! I would love to visit the Abu Simbel Temple Complex and see those amazing sculptures and carvings. I loved reading about the history too. What a fab post.

Josy, Egypt is calling your name! You would love it!

' src=

I’ve never really known about any attractions in Egypt outside of the Cairo metro area, so it was really cool to read about the Abu Simbel Temples! The history of the creation of Lake Nasser as well as the relocation of the temples is truly fascinating. Your pictures are incredible, and as someone who took a random elective in college focusing on the linguistics of Middle Egyptian language, I would LOVE to see some of those hieroglyphs in person. What a treat!

You definitely should plan a trip to Egypt. You will really enjoy learning about the history, culture, inventions, oh, the list just goes on. By the way, I studied linguistics as well (English language), so I appreciated the insight into the hieroglyphs.

' src=

Even though the tour guide wasn’t allowed in, it sounds like having a live person share all that information with you before getting to the site would be worth it. I’ll keep that in mind.

Great! I am glad you found it useful.

' src=

I remember visiting Egypt as a child but I think I need to go back after reading this post!

Great! There has been so many new discoveries, that, I am sure, you will find it engaging.

' src=

Wow. That is indeed a detailed guide. It really helps a lot. It also literally gave a virtual visit to the place. Love it really!!!!!

Hello Jayashree, Thank you so much for your comment! I am so happy you liked it. Thank you again!

' src=

Which guide/travel organiser did you use? I’m trying to arrange this trip from myself and am getting wildly different prices and quality of service. Any tips would be gratefully received!

Hi, I used Your Egypt Tours. I mention them several times in my posts about Egypt. Take a look at 14 Egypt Tips for First Timers (How to Save Time, Money, and Be Safe), it will help with the planning process. https://www.intrepidscout.com/egypt-travel-tips/

' src=

Hi, At what time did you start from Aswan to get to Abu Simbel and how long did it take to see the site and then return? We are planning a trip later this year and all the tours start from Aswan at 4am due to road closings in the area. Was this an issue when you visited?

I started at about noon. It takes about 2 hours to see the site. I got back to Aswan at about 8 pm. There were no road closures, however, we had to stop at a few checkpoints. Things change all the time in Egypt. By the time you are in Egypt, there might be no road closures. Make sure to check with your tour company and ask them to keep you posted.

Leave an answer Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The company processes your data to facilitate the publication and management of comments. You can exercise your rights of access, rectification, deletion and objection, among others, according to our Privacy policy .

Mike d'Abo Tickets, Tour Dates and Concerts

Mike d'Abo

Concerts and tour dates, bandsintown merch.

tour abo service

Fans Also Follow

About mike d'abo.

Comprehensive Guide to Managing a Tour Business

tour abo service

By Rezdy — 14 Sep 2023

1. The importance of managing a tour business efficiently

2. target market, 3. value proposition, 4. marketing plan, 5. customer service, 6. staffing, 7. financial management, 8. risk management, 9. legal compliance, 10. reporting and analytics, 11. summary.

As you embark on the journey of starting a tour business , it’s crucial to understand the importance of managing it efficiently. That’s where the power of our tour business operations ultimate guide comes in.

By following our tips and tricks when managing tour operations, you can ensure that your travel business runs smoothly and successfully.

In our tour business operations definitive guide, we will delve into key areas that will help you make informed decisions and run your business effectively.

1. The importance of managing a tour business efficiently

Regardless of which tour operation type you choose, efficiently managing a tour or activity business is crucial for its success and sustainability. Effective management ensures smooth operations, timely customer service, and streamlined processes, ultimately leading to enhanced customer satisfaction. By optimizing resource utilization and minimizing operational inefficiencies, the business can achieve better profitability and allocate resources towards growth and expansion. Efficient management also allows for quick adaptation during unexpected situations or crises, maintaining the business’s reputation and customer trust.

Let’s take a closer look at the key areas that will be covered in this complete guide to successful tour guide management:

  • Target Market: Identifying and understanding your target audience is the foundation of your business strategy.
  • Value Proposition: What sets your tours apart from the competition? Your unique selling points will attract customers.
  • Marketing Plan: Developing a well-rounded marketing strategy is essential for reaching and enticing potential customers.
  • Customer Service: Exceptional customer service will lead to customer satisfaction and positive reviews.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Analyzing data will provide valuable insights to improve your business.
  • Risk Management: Identifying and addressing potential risks will safeguard your business.
  • Financial Management: Sound financial practices will keep your business on track.
  • Legal Compliance: Understanding and complying with relevant laws and regulations is crucial for smooth operations.
  • Staffing: Building a competent and motivated team is essential for delivering outstanding experiences.

2. Target market

how to handle group reservations

Understanding your target market is the foundational pillar for successful travel agency and tour operations management. The target market represents the specific group of people who are most likely to be interested in and benefit from the tours and experiences your business offers.

Defining your target market

The first step in understanding your target market is to clearly define the characteristics of your ideal customers. This involves considering various aspects of your potential clients, such as:

  • Demographics
  • Interests and Hobbies
  • Preferences and Expectations
  • Pain Points and Needs

Conducting market research

Market research is an essential tool to gain valuable insights into the industry, target market, and your competitors. It helps you make informed decisions and develop effective business strategies. Consider the following steps when conducting market research:

  • Industry Analysis: Study the tour and travel industry, both at the local and global levels. Identify trends, opportunities, and challenges that could impact your business.
  • Target Market Analysis: Use surveys, focus groups, or online research to gather data about your potential customers. Analyze the collected data to gain a deeper understanding of their preferences and behaviors.
  • Competitor Analysis: Identify your main competitors and analyze their strengths, weaknesses, pricing strategies, marketing efforts, and customer reviews. This analysis will help you position your business effectively in the market.
  • Demand Analysis: Assess the demand for tours and experiences in your chosen location(s). Understanding the demand patterns and seasonal variations will help you plan and optimize your offerings throughout the year.

Communicating to your target market

Crafting effective marketing messages is crucial for reaching and engaging your target audience. Consider the following tips when communicating with your potential customers:

  • Tailor your Message: Use the insights from your target market analysis to customize your marketing messages. Address their specific interests and pain points, showcasing how your tours can fulfill their needs and desires.
  • Use the Right Channels: Identify the most effective marketing channels to reach your target market. This might include social media, email newsletters, travel websites, or collaboration with local businesses.
  • Highlight Unique Selling Points: Emphasize what sets your tours apart from others in the market. Whether it’s exclusive experiences, expert guides, or sustainable practices, highlight the unique selling points that will resonate with your target audience.
  • Build Trust: Establish trust with your potential customers through transparent communication and genuine customer reviews. Trust is crucial in the tour business, where people entrust you with their travel experiences and memories.

3. Value proposition

Your value proposition is the essence of your tour business—it is the unique combination of benefits and experiences that sets you apart from competitors and persuades customers to choose your tours over others. Developing a compelling value proposition is crucial for managing tour operations, capturing the attention and interest of potential customers, ultimately driving bookings and building brand loyalty.

What makes your tours unique?

To create an impactful value proposition that aligns with your travel and tour operations management, it’s essential to identify and highlight the key features and experiences that make your tours truly stand out. Consider the following aspects:

  • Exclusive Experiences: Showcase any exclusive or hard-to-access experiences that your tours offer. Whether it’s access to private locations, behind-the-scenes tours, or unique encounters with local cultures and wildlife, emphasize the extraordinary moments your customers can enjoy.
  • Expert Guides: If your tours are led by knowledgeable and passionate guides, highlight their expertise and how they enhance the overall experience. Having guides who can share fascinating insights and create a personalized journey for each customer adds significant value to your tours.
  • Tailored Itineraries: Emphasize the flexibility and customization options available in your tours. Whether you cater to specific interests, age groups, or travel preferences, communicating that your tours are designed to suit individual needs will resonate with potential customers.
  • Sustainable Practices: If your tours prioritize sustainability and eco-friendly practices, make sure to highlight this aspect. Many travelers today seek responsible and environmentally conscious tour options, so showcasing your commitment to sustainability can be a powerful selling point.

Communicating your value proposition

Effectively communicating your value proposition is essential to attract and engage potential customers. Use clear and concise language that highlights the unique aspects of your tours. Consider the following communication strategies:

  • Compelling Website Content: Ensure that your website clearly communicates your value proposition on the homepage and throughout key pages. Use engaging visuals and captivating copy to illustrate what makes your tours special.
  • Engaging Social Media Presence: Leverage social media platforms to showcase the unique experiences your tours offer. Use images, videos, and customer testimonials to create an emotional connection with your audience.
  • Captivating Marketing Collaterals: Design marketing materials, such as brochures and flyers, that effectively convey your value proposition. Include the most compelling features and experiences to entice potential customers.
  • Personalized Email Campaigns: Segment your email lists and send personalized messages to different customer groups, highlighting the aspects of your tours that align with their interests and preferences.

Highlighting the benefits of your tours

Apart from showcasing the unique features, it’s equally important to highlight the benefits that customers will gain from choosing your tours. Benefits appeal to customers’ desires and needs, making them more likely to take action and book with your business. Some benefits to emphasize include:

  • Unforgettable Memories
  • Stress-Free Planning
  • Cultural Immersion
  • Time Optimization
  • Group Bonding

4. Marketing plan

ANZ tourism trends

A well-defined marketing strategy is essential for promoting your tour business effectively and reaching your target market.

Setting marketing goals

Before implementing any marketing initiatives, it’s crucial to set clear and specific marketing goals. These goals will serve as the foundation for your entire marketing strategy and will help you measure the success of your efforts. When setting marketing goals, consider the SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound.

Marketing channels

Selecting the right marketing channels is critical for effectively reaching and engaging your target audience. Different channels cater to different customer segments and offer unique ways to showcase your tours. Consider the following marketing channels:

  • Website and SEO
  • Social Media
  • Email Marketing
  • Content Marketing
  • Paid Advertising
  • Partnerships and Affiliates

Pro tip: Your website is your primary marketing channel. To boost user experience, consider incorporating live booking availability .

Marketing budget and ROI

Allocating a budget for marketing is essential to ensure that your strategies can be executed effectively. Consider your marketing goals, target audience, and the channels you plan to use when setting your marketing budget. It’s essential to regularly monitor and analyze the performance of your marketing efforts to calculate the return on investment (ROI).

Evaluate the success of each marketing campaign and channel by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) like conversion rates, cost per acquisition, and revenue generated. Analyzing ROI allows you to identify which marketing strategies are most effective and make data-driven decisions for future marketing allocations.

5. Customer service

Exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of a successful tour business.

Providing excellent customer service

Delivering excellent customer service starts with understanding and anticipating the needs and expectations of your customers. Train your staff to be friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about your tours and destinations.

You can also use AI in tour management to further enhance your customer experience.

Responding to customers

Prompt and effective responsiveness to customer inquiries, feedback, and concerns is crucial for building trust and loyalty. Establish clear guidelines for responding to customer communications across different channels:

  • Phone Calls
  • Post-Tour Follow-Up

Pro tip: To save time and ensure a consistent customer experience, you may want to start automating communications .

Collecting feedback

Customer feedback is invaluable for improving your tour business and understanding how to better meet the needs of your customers. Implement a feedback collection system that allows customers to share their thoughts and experiences with your tours. This may take the form of online surveys, encouraging customers to leave reviews and testimonials, or monitoring social media channels for mentions of your tour business.

6. Staffing

tour abo service

The success of your tour business heavily relies on the competence, enthusiasm, and professionalism of your staff.

Recruiting staff

Recruiting the right staff members is the first step toward building a dedicated and capable team. When hiring and training tour guides , customer service representatives, drivers, and other roles, consider the following tips:

  • Job Descriptions: Create clear and comprehensive job descriptions that outline the responsibilities and qualifications required for each role. Specify any necessary certifications, language skills, or experience needed for tour guides.
  • Cultural Fit: Look for candidates who align with your company’s values and customer-centric approach. Cultural fit ensures that employees share your passion for providing exceptional service and representing your business positively.
  • Industry Experience: Prioritize candidates with relevant industry experience, especially for tour guides who should possess in-depth knowledge of the destinations and activities you offer.
  • Customer Service Skills: Emphasize the importance of strong customer service skills during the interview process. Your staff should be friendly, approachable, and adept at handling customer inquiries and concerns.

Training staff

Comprehensive training is essential to equip your staff with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their roles. Provide a thorough orientation that introduces new hires to your company’s mission, values, and policies. Familiarize them with your tour offerings and the destinations they will be guiding.

For tour guides, conduct in-depth training on the itineraries, historical facts, safety protocols, and any unique aspects of each tour.

Managing staff

Effective management plays a crucial role in maintaining staff motivation, engagement, and performance. Consider the following management strategies:

  • Maintain open and transparent communication with your staff.
  • Conduct regular performance evaluations to provide constructive feedback, set goals, and identify areas for improvement.
  • Implement a system of incentives and recognition for outstanding performance, such as utilizing Awards.com for custom trophies and awards to acknowledge and celebrate achievements.
  • Organize team-building activities to foster camaraderie and collaboration among your staff.
  • When issues arise, address them promptly and professionally. Provide support and resources to help your staff overcome challenges.
  • Promote a healthy work-life balance.

7. Financial management

Effective financial management is crucial for the long-term sustainability and success of your tour business.

Creating a comprehensive budget is the foundation of sound financial management. A well-structured budget allows you to plan and allocate resources wisely. Consider the following steps when developing your budget:

  • Revenue Projections
  • Fixed and Variable Costs
  • Contingency Funds
  • Marketing Budget
  • Investment and Expansion
  • Regular Reviews

Tracking expenses

Accurate expense tracking is essential to understand where your money is going and identify areas where you can optimize costs. Prioritize record-keeping so you can maintain organized and detailed records of all financial transactions, including receipts, invoices and payroll documentation. Categorize expenses into different groups (e.g., marketing, payroll, maintenance) to easily analyze and identify spending patterns. To further streamline your financial processes, consider implementing the practice of creating a pay stub for efficient payroll management, enhancing overall record-keeping efficiency.

Staying profitable

Maintaining profitability is vital for the sustainability of your tour business. Here are some strategies to enhance profitability:

  • Pricing Strategy: Review your pricing regularly to ensure it covers all costs while remaining competitive in the market.
  • Upselling and Cross-Selling: Offer additional services or upgrades to customers during the booking process or on tour to increase revenue per customer.
  • Cost Optimization: Continuously look for ways to optimize costs without compromising the quality of your tours.
  • Repeat Business and Referrals: Focus on providing exceptional customer experiences to encourage repeat bookings and word-of-mouth referrals, which are more cost-effective than acquiring new customers.
  • Analyze Profit Margins: Regularly review your profit margins for different tours and destinations.
  • Financial Performance Metrics: Track key financial metrics such as gross profit, net profit, and profit margins to assess the overall health of your business.

8. Risk management

tour abo service

Strong risk management is critical for safeguarding your tour business from potential threats and uncertainties.

Identifying and assessing risk

The first step in risk management is to identify potential risks that could affect your tour business. Risks can arise from various sources, including external factors such as weather conditions, natural disasters, political instability, and economic fluctuations. Internal risks may involve operational issues, employee-related challenges, and financial uncertainties.

Risk mitigation

Once risks are identified and assessed, it’s essential to develop strategies to mitigate their potential impact. Risk mitigation involves taking proactive measures to reduce the likelihood of risk occurrence and minimize its consequences.

Contingency plans

Despite meticulous planning and risk mitigation, unforeseen events can still occur. Having contingency plans in place ensures that you are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to unexpected situations.

9. Legal compliance

Adhering to laws and regulations is vital for operating a tour business ethically, responsibly, and without legal complications.

Understanding laws and regulations around tours

The tour and travel industry is subject to various laws and regulations at local, regional, and national levels. As a tour operator, you must be well-informed about these regulations to ensure compliance. Some key areas to consider include:

  • Licensing and Permits
  • Safety Standards and Guidelines
  • Environmental Regulations
  • Employment Laws
  • Data Protection and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Insurance Requirements

Should you consider a legal team?

Navigating the complexities of legal compliance in the tour industry can be challenging, especially for small businesses. Hiring or consulting with a legal team or a qualified attorney specializing in the tour and travel sector can be beneficial.

If budget constraints are a concern, consider seeking legal advice through legal clinics, industry associations, or networking with other tour operators who may share insights and experiences related to legal compliance.

10. Reporting and analytics

tour abo service

Reporting and analytics play a crucial role in the success of your tour business.

Tracking tour performance

Tracking tour performance involves monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics that provide an understanding of how your tours are performing. Some essential KPIs to track include:

  • Booking and Sales Metrics
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Capacity Utilization
  • Customer Demographics
  • Customer Retention

Pro tip: With Rezdy, you can use your tour booking software to analyze the above data with reporting and analytics .

Analyzing marketing data

Effective marketing data analysis helps you assess the performance of your marketing efforts and identify which strategies are driving the most success. Key marketing data to analyze includes:

  • Use tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates
  • Monitor engagement metrics on social media platforms, such as likes, comments, shares, and click-through rates.
  • Analyze email open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates to evaluate the effectiveness of your email marketing campaigns.
  • Calculate the ROI for your marketing campaigns to determine which initiatives are delivering the highest return and adjust your marketing budget accordingly.
  • Conduct A/B testing to compare different marketing strategies or messaging and identify which variations are most effective.

Acting on insights

Collecting and analyzing data is only valuable if you act on the insights gained. Use the information gathered from tour performance and marketing data analysis to make informed business decisions.

11. Summary

Remember, running a tour or activity business is not only about delivering memorable experiences but also about maintaining a strong foundation of effective management and strategies. With the right combination of passion, dedication, and sound business practices, tour operators can thrive in this exciting and rewarding industry.

At Rezdy, we understand the challenges and opportunities that tour operators face in the dynamic and competitive travel industry. Our robust tour management platform is designed to streamline your operations, optimize bookings, and enhance customer experiences. With Rezdy, you can effortlessly manage your inventory, automate bookings, and gain valuable insights from our comprehensive reporting and analytics tools.

Ready to take your tour business to new heights? Sign up for a free 21-day trial today and discover how Rezdy can transform your business.

Start your FREE trial today!

No obligations, no commitment, no credit card required.

Just 21 days of full account access to check we are a good fit for your business.

By continuing to use this website you agree to the use of cookies according to our privacy policy and terms .

How can we help ?

  • Book flights & hotel
  • Book groups
  • Book a stop over in Abu Dhabi
  • Book with Etihad Guest Miles
  • Book Rail & Fly
  • Charter & special flight requests
  • Unaccompanied minors
  • Best fare finder
  • Best price promise

Your transfer

  • To and from the airport
  • Book Etihad Chauffeur
  • Book Etihad Coach

Travel information

  • Travel requirements
  • To and from Dubai and Northern Emirates

Manage your booking

  • Request a refund
  • View or change booking
  • Flight status
  • Special assistance
  • Choose your seat
  • Offset your flight
  • Etihad Credit
  • Check in online
  • Abu Dhabi city check in
  • All extras and upgrades
  • Extra baggage
  • Travelling with pets
  • Meet & Assist
  • Travel insurance
  • Priority Access
  • Meals on board
  • Flying with children
  • Inflight Entertainment
  • Onboard Wi-Fi
  • Pets & trained service animals
  • Seat choices

Before you fly

  • Need a UAE visa?
  • Zayed International Airport
  • Global airport information
  • Baggage allowance
  • Clear US immigration
  • Miles calculator
  • Fare choices

Sustainability

  • For the World
  • What we're doing
  • How to get involved
  • Test Flights
  • Etihad Forest
  • Discover Abu Dhabi
  • Abu Dhabi Stopover
  • Abu Dhabi discounts
  • Abu Dhabi Holidays
  • Zayed International Airport Guide
  • Flights to Abu Dhabi
  • Flight offers
  • Flights to Dubai
  • Find your holiday
  • City breaks
  • Beach holidays
  • Luxury holidays
  • Family holidays
  • Delayed or damaged baggage
  • Baggage guide
  • Lost and found

Get in touch

  • Our mobile apps

Your booking

  • Change or manage my booking
  • Ways to pay
  • Travelling with children

city tours big bus

All about city tours in Abu Dhabi

City tours in Abu Dhabi allow you to experience this glittering city from all angles.

Between the skyscrapers lie immaculate palace lawns, adventure islands and natural refuges, such as Mangrove National Park. A city tour of Abu Dhabi places all the highlights of this diverse city and the great outdoors within reach.

There are several travel and tours agency providers in Abu Dhabi – Big Bus Tours has two routes, which can be enjoyed from a refreshingly breezy open-air bus.

Other excursions combine cultural attractions such as Heritage Village with Yas Island theme parks, while boat tours glide between landmarks on the glittering Arabian Gulf. 

Abu Dhabi tour rides make seeing all the best parts of the city simple, so all you need to worry about is making unforgettable memories. 

people on a bus tour

The best city tours in Abu Dhabi

See many of the most important landmarks on the Abu Dhabi city tour by bus – it’s a hop-on, hop-off experience which transports you between key attractions and neighbourhoods.

There are two routes. The red route focuses on urban attractions such as Corniche Beach, Marina Mall and Qasr al Hosn. The Presidential Palace and Emirates Palace can also be admired on this route.

The green route, meanwhile, begins at Abu Dhabi Mall and takes a wider tour of the Abu Dhabi region, with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque taking star position.

The green route stops on Yas Island, where a range of exciting family attractions lie, including Yas Waterworld, Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World™ Abu Dhabi.

On this route, the Abu Dhabi tour bus also stops at Eastern Mangroves, on the cusp of the luscious natural landscapes of Mangrove National Park.

city tours big bus

This Abu Dhabi tour is a planned excursion lasting for a full day, which can be booked with Etihad.

The first stop is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is a majestic place of worship and magnificently marble clad. Inside, you can expect to see intricate works of Islamic craftmanship.

Next up is Heritage Village, where traditional Bedouin life is revived via a reconstructed desert village complete with craft workshops. From here, it’s on to Saadiyat Island – where you’ll find the Louvre Abu Dhabi, an architectural wonder and home to impressive artefacts from across the globe.

This Abu Dhabi city tour package also comes with entry to one of Yas Island’s most popular attractions – Ferrari World™ Abu Dhabi. 

Here, you’ll get to experience the thrills of the famous Formula Rossa, one of the world's fastest rollercoasters.

sheikh zayed grand mosque

Tour the city from the water with the Yellow Boats tour – to get spectacular views of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic buildings. In a coastal city whose history is entwined with the Arabian Gulf, travelling upon the waves on a guided tour just makes sense.

There are several Abu Dhabi city tour options with the Yellow Boats, which can be experienced in less than half a day in the morning, afternoon or evening.

The Corniche Tour takes just one hour, brushing the iconic coast and sweeping past Heritage Village towards man-made Lulu Island.

The Yas Tour provides plenty of facts about Abu Dhabi’s most action-packed area, and you’ll see Yas Marina and Yas Marina Circuit, home to the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

During your tour, look out for marine life, which is abundant near the mangroves.

yellow boat tours

City tours in Abu Dhabi

An Abu Dhabi city tour is an enriching journey – there are several types, each presenting a unique itinerary and travel style. Here’s how to experience three of the best.

Getting to Abu Dhabi Mall

The red and green routes of Big Bus Tours intersect at Abu Dhabi Mall, so it’s a great place to hop on. You’ll find it just off Al Maiyani Street, a 12-minute drive from Corniche Beach.

Getting to Emirates Palace Marina

The Abu Dhabi Yellow Boats tour takes off from Emirates Palace Marina. This is located near the UAE Presidential Palace and Qasr al Watan. 

Getting to Etihad’s tours

Etihad’s Modern Abu Dhabi City Tour, which comes with access to Ferrari World™ Abu Dhabi, offers pickup from any location in central Abu Dhabi – airport or hotel pick-up can be requested when you book a tour.

Things to know before you go

Allow plenty of time for big attractions.

If you’re using a hop-on city tour to acquaint yourself with big attractions such as the Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi, then be sure to plan enough time for each segment of your day.

Allow two hours each for both the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi, which are both full of things to do. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the UAE’s largest mosque, with a main prayer hall that can accommodate 7,000 worshippers and plenty of smaller rooms to marvel at, too.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi has 23 permanent galleries to discover. Leave yourself with plenty of time to get the most from the Arabian peninsula’s largest art museum. 

tour abo service

Prepare for warm weather

Abu Dhabi city tours are always warm, no matter what time of year you visit so it’s important to be well prepared. Pack plenty of water, sun cream and a hat for shelter from the sun, especially if your tour is via boat or open-top bus.

Long and lightweight clothing can help you to keep you cool – however, since many attractions are air-conditioned, it is also a good idea to carry a warmer layer, too.

City Tours: FAQs

Which languages are abu dhabi city tour guides available in.

Big Bus offers an informative, pre-recorded tour commentary in nine languages: English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian, French, German, Italian and Mandarin. Other providers predominantly use English, such as the Yellow Boats tours.

Abu Dhabi is an international city where English and Arabic are the most-used languages, but it’s also possible to find guided tours in languages such as Japanese.

What are the opening times at Louvre Abu Dhabi?

The typical opening times at Louvre Abu Dhabi are 10am to 6:30pm Tuesday to Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Standard tickets allow you to browse the galleries for up to three hours and last entry is at 5:30pm. It is also worth noting that the museum administers entry with arrival time slots. 

Which Abu Dhabi city tour includes Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Ferrari World™ Abu Dhabi?

Etihad’s modern Abu Dhabi city tour includes a stop at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Ferrari World™ Abu Dhabi, with tickets to the latter included in the price.

Other Etihad excursion tours come with admission to attractions such as Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi, Heritage Village and even Louvre Abu Dhabi. These can be booked with Etihad holidays .

A day of Abu Dhabi tour delights

lourve abu dhabi

Start bright and early

Hop on the Big Bus tour at Abu Dhabi Mall. Watch the morning sun rise above the Corniche, then exit at Heritage Village for an introduction to Emirati culture.

Return to the mall to change onto the green line towards Louvre Abu Dhabi. Get there just before 10am for a great spot in line and explore until around midday.

Artistically enriched, board again to reach Yas Island for lunchtime. In Yas Mall and on the marina, you’ll find restaurants offering different international cuisines for a spot of lunch.

An exciting afternoon

Select one theme park and expect to stay until mid-afternoon – although some attractions, such as Yas Waterworld, could easily be enjoyed all day. It’s possible to purchase Yas Island tickets through Etihad for multiple parks and days.

Return to the bus to head towards the marvellous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Arrive at around 4pm for cooler temperatures and expect to stay for an hour or two. On the final leg of your tour, watch the sun set over Mangrove National Park.

yas waterworld

Where to next?

aerial view of abu dhabi

Sightseeing in Abu Dhabi

All great city tour journeys in Abu Dhabi lead to sightseeing. Find out more about the landmarks you shouldn’t miss, from the Louvre Abu Dhabi to Emirates Palace.

Discover more

ferrari world aerial view

Ferrari World™ Abu Dhabi

High-octane energy finds its place at Ferrari World™ Abu Dhabi. Ride the world’s fastest rollercoaster at the first ever Ferrari-themed park.

woman kayaking in blue lake

Mangrove National Park

Abu Dhabi is a dream for nature lovers. From kayaking to exploring Mangrove Walk, discover the many ways to experience Abu Dhabi's most blissful corner. 

tour abo service

  • Travel Agents
  • Inbound Tour Operators
  • Outbound Tour Operators
  • Airline Vacation Companies
  • Success Stories

en_US

How Tour Operators Can Enhance the Customer Experience

How Tour Operators Can Enhance the Customer Experience

The customer experience is arguably one of the most important parts of customer retention. In fact, 80% of consumers switch brands because of negative customer service experiences. Additionally, Forbes reports that 58% of people are willing to pay more for good customer service. 

The stats speak for themselves. People are willing to spend more money for a positive customer service experience. This highlights the importance of excellent customer service when it comes to both maintaining customer loyalty as well as attracting new customers. 

This is especially true when it comes to the travel industry because of how competitive it has become. Stats show that the worldwide travel market is set to grow by nearly double in the next three years alone. 

Don’t let the competition intimidate you, though. This blog will highlight how to improve customer service in a travel agency. 

Why an Excellent Customer Experience is Vital for Tour Operators

In the travel industry, providing a high-quality customer experience is especially important to the customer journey (no pun intended).

As the travel industry shifts to an online-centric model, customers have more choices than ever before. One of the best ways to get a leg up on the competition and stand out in the crowd is by providing amazing customer experiences. 

Remember, the travel customer’s journey with a tour operator begins long before they depart on their trip, and continues long after they return home. This is why tour operators must provide clear and timely communication from the get-go. This extends to responding promptly to any issues or concerns that may arise throughout the entire customer journey. 

Communication is an important piece of the puzzle, but tour operators must also ensure that the trip itself meets or exceeds customer expectations. 

Overall, providing an enhanced customer experience is vital for tour operators as it helps to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, which in turn leads to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth recommendations. In fact, 60% of customers who feel loyal to a brand will tell family and friends about it.

Not sure how to improve your customer experience? We’ve got you covered.

4 Ways to Enhance Customer Experience

1. understand your customers.

Implementing a positive tour operator dynamic with customers starts with understanding your target audiences’ needs and preferences. Using research and customer data is a great way to identify what a tour operator customer is looking for in a customer experience and in a trip so that you can cater to those needs. 

Some ways to do this can include conducting customer surveys , analyzing customer feedback and reviews, and studying customer behavior data. By understanding your customers and what they want, you can tailor your services and offerings to better meet their expectations and needs.

You can also use customer data to personalize interactions and shape experiences to fit each individual customer. This can include things like sending personalized emails or offering customized trip itineraries based on collected data.

Another way to provide excellent customer service is by making sure that your travel agent customer service team is well-trained and equipped to handle any issues that may arise. This includes providing clear communication, as well as being responsive to tour operator customer concerns.

Continuously improve your tour operator’s customer service by consistently gathering customer feedback and using it to better the customer experience. This can include making changes to your website, booking process, or trip offerings. Additionally, seek out new ways to enhance the customer experience, such as offering additional services or incorporating new technologies.

2. Empower your agents

Empowering your agents is a crucial aspect of providing an enhanced customer experience. After all, your agents are the front line of customer service, and if they are not equipped with the right tools and resources, it can negatively impact the customer experience. 

Let’s review some of the ways to empower your agents:

  • Provide them with the right tools: Equip your agents with the necessary tools and technology to automate their day-to-day manual work, so they can focus on providing excellent customer service. This can include things like customer relationship management (CRM) software, chatbots, and holistic travel ERP solutions that automate most of their manual work.
  • Give them access to training and development opportunities: Continuously provide your agents with training and development opportunities to help them improve their skills and knowledge. This can include training on new technologies, communication techniques, and customer service best practices.
  • Encourage creativity: Encourage your agents to bring creativity to their work by giving them the freedom to come up with new ideas and solutions. Have fun with it! Giving agents creative freedom can lead to better customer service and more efficient processes, not to mention more exciting travel products.
  • Provide a positive work environment: Create a positive work environment that promotes employee satisfaction, work-life balance, and stress management. This can lead to happier and more motivated agents who are better equipped to provide excellent customer service.

By empowering your agents, they will be able to provide better customer service, improve customer loyalty and reduce customer complaints. It also helps to reduce employee turnover and increase employee morale, resulting in a better overall customer experience.

3. Invest in excellent technology

Investing in excellent technology is essential for enhanced customer experience in the travel industry. The right travel tech can automate day-to-day tasks, empower your agents, and provide critical touchpoints with customers throughout their entire journey. 

Here are some ways that the right technology can enhance customer experience:

  • Automation: Automation tools can help to streamline processes and free up your agents’ time, allowing them to focus on providing excellent customer service. This can include things like automated email and message reminders, both for online and mobile.
  • Personalization: Personalization technology can enable you to tailor your interactions with customers and accommodate the experience to fit their individual needs and preferences. This can include things like sending dynamic proposals so the customer can customize their trip before booking, personalized trip itineraries, and customized marketing campaigns .
  • Communication: Communication technology can help to improve the customer experience by providing straightforward, prompt, and efficient communication throughout the customer journey. This can include things like chatbots, messaging apps, and automated email systems.
  • Analytics: Analytics tools can help you to track and analyze customer behavior and feedback, allowing you to make data-driven decisions about how to improve the customer experience. This can include things like customer surveys, social media monitoring, and web analytics.

Investing in the right technology can help tour operators improve travel agency customer service and provide customer satisfaction, increase customer loyalty, and stand apart from competitors. It also makes the customer journey more seamless, efficient, and enjoyable for all parties involved.

4. Nurture your relationships

Every relationship needs nurturing, and customer relationships are no different. You want your customers to know that you care.  

Nurturing customer relationships is an important aspect of an enhanced customer experience in the travel industry. Building a positive and lasting relationship with customers can lead to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and repeat business. 

Some of the best ways to nurture customer relationships are:

  • Follow-up: Follow up with customers after their trip to ask for feedback to learn about their experience and find potential areas for improvement. Use this feedback to work on the customer experience and make any necessary changes.
  • Reward loyalty: Reward loyal customers with special offers, discounts, or exclusive experiences. This can help to build trust and strengthen the relationship. Who doesn’t love some good old positive feedback?
  • Stay in touch: Stay in touch with customers even when they are not actively booking a trip. This can be done through regular newsletters, email campaigns, or social media updates.
  • Use technology: Use technology to help you nurture customer relationships. For example, you can use customer relationship management (CRM) software to keep track of customer interactions and preferences or use automated email campaigns to stay in touch with customers.

By nurturing customer relationships, tour operators can improve customer loyalty and build a positive reputation. It also helps to create a sense of trust and reliability, which is crucial in the travel industry where customers rely on tour operators to plan and execute their trips.

Tour operators, prepare for take-off

It is more important than ever for tour operators to ensure an excellent customer experience because of how competitive the industry has become. With the rise of online travel booking platforms, customers have more options than ever before, and they are less likely to tolerate poor service or subpar experiences. 

Additionally, social media has made it easier for customers to share their experiences with others, which means that a negative experience can quickly spread and harm a tour operator’s reputation. 

At the end of the day, to stay competitive, tour operators must focus on providing exceptional customer service and creating memorable experiences that will keep customers coming back time after time.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Let's go for a journey

Schedule a meeting

More Resources

Reshaping travel as we know it: ai’s evolutionary impact on the industry, unveiling the future: 6 fintech trends revolutionizing the travel industry, enhancing travel industry success through advanced reporting and bi solution.

  • Search Please fill out this field.
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Sweepstakes

Who Is the U.S. Soldier Detained in North Korea? All About Alleged Runaway Travis King

King, who was stationed in South Korea, was allegedly seen "running" across the North Korea border shortly before he was set to face discipline by the U.S. military

tour abo service

Facebook/Travis King

New details are emerging about the American soldier who was detained in North Korea after crossing into the country from South Korea “without authorization" earlier this week.

Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King is now in North Korean custody after running across the border this week, but many lingering questions remain.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters Tuesday that officials are "very early" in the process of determining what, exactly, happened, and that "there's a lot that we're still trying to learn."

"What we do know is that one of our service members who was on a tour, willfully and without authorization crossed the military demarcation line. We believe that he is in DPRK custody," Austin added.

Here's what we know about King so far.

He Was Recently Released from a Detention Center in South Korea

King had reportedly been released recently from a South Korean prison, where he was held for two months on assault charges.

Various South Korean media outlets and the Associated Press report that King's imprisonment was the result of allegedly punching a South Korean national in a club last September. The outlets report that in addition to prison time, he was fined nearly $4,000 for allegedly causing public damage by kicking a police car and being uncooperative during his arrest while shouting profanities about Koreans.

The AP reports that King was released from the South Korean prison on July 10 and was set to head to the U.S. to face further military disciplinary action (and, potentially, discharge from the Army).

He Fled the Airport and Joined a Tour Group at the Border Before Deliberately Crossing into North Korea

King was reportedly at the airport on Tuesday afternoon, where he was due to board a flight to a military base in Fort Bliss, ABC News reports. But at some point, it appears he left the building and joined a group of civilians who were on a tour of the nearby Joint Security Area, which separates North and South Korea and is known to be heavily guarded by soldiers from both sides.

At one point, King left the tour group and ran across the border into North Korea, according to reports.

"A U.S. National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident," the United Nations Command  said in a statement Tuesday .

Others who were in the same tour group as King told reporters that he allegedly laughed before running full-speed toward the North Korean border.

Speaking to the AP, Sarah Leslie, a tourist from New Zealand who was part of the tour group, claimed the tour was nearly over when she saw a man “running what looked like full gas towards the North Korean side."

The group of civilians was ushered inside while, according to Leslie, South Korean and American military members chased after King, who they were unable to catch up to.

“Everybody was stunned and shocked,” Leslie said. “There were some people who hadn’t even realized what was going on.” 

Officials Believe King Is Now in North Korean Custody

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that U.S. officials "believe the soldier is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our North Korean counterparts to resolve this incident."

The U.S. does not have official relations with North Korea, which the U.S. State Department warns Americans against entering "due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and long term detention of U.S. nationals." But U.S. officials are now “engaging” South Korean and Swedish officials (who represent U.S. interests in North Korea) on the apparent defection, Jean-Pierre said.

"The White House, the Department of Defense, the State Department, and also the UN are all working together to ascertain more information and resolve this situation," she added. "I don’t have more to share beyond that. We are looking into this. We’re trying to get more information."

She continued: "“Our primary concern at this time is ascertaining his well-being and getting to the bottom of exactly what happened."

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.

In his own remarks to reporters, Defense Secretary Austin said that the U.S. is "closely monitoring and investigating the situation" and "working to notify the soldier's next of kin" before officially identifying him.

"I'm absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troop," Austin said, "and so we will remain focused on this ... and this will develop in the next several days."

Calls to King's family members were not immediately returned.

His detainment marks the first American detainment in North Korea in nearly five years, the AP reports — the last being University of Virginia student Otto Warmbier , who returned to the U.S. in a coma and died soon afterward.

The detainment also comes at a time of heightened tension between the U.S. and North Korea, which has been testing ballistic missiles in a move that's  alarmed Western officials .

Deals of the Week   Bucket List   Up to 50% OFF

USA Tour Companies

Looking for an unforgettable USA tour? Book a fully-organized trip with the best tour companies in USA and let the tour operator take care of everything for you. Check out the tour details and read 111068 reviews from our customers to help you choose the perfect tour for you.

List of USA travel companies & tour operators with 111068 reviews

G Adventures

G Adventures

tour abo service

  • Excellent - 19,034 reviews for USA tours
the tour itself was amazing. The national parks do not disappoint. The travel accomodations were very cramped and uncomfortable. I am only 5 foot tall and I was cramped in this 14 passenger van. Food opportunities were limited.
Fantastic experience - efficient use of time, great itinerary. Well-informed and interesting guide who is also just a great person.

Bindlestiff Tours

Bindlestiff Tours

  • Excellent - 1,417 reviews for USA tours
Well organised and informative
I like the HYOH (Hike Your Own Hike) part of this guided tour. I like the freedom to do as strenuous or as little as I want at the National Park stops. I like that yes, you can do things as a group but you aren't stuck going as fast or as slow as anyone else. Just mind what time to be back to the meeting spot & go for it!

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel

  • Excellent - 11,667 reviews for USA tours
Judd was excellent, and very knowledgable, he was very prepared and i would recommend Intrepid to my friends and family
Our trip was great! Judd from Intrepid travel made the entire trip so easy and was so patient and quick to adapt to all of our requests. We had no issues the entire week. Accomondations were usually a LaQuinta and every day we had something cool planned to see.

Southwest Adventure Tours

Southwest Adventure Tours

  • Excellent - 91 reviews for USA tours
Excellent tour. Our guide Robin, was very informative and had an entertaining flair. We went to a series of awe-inspiring viewpoints and did some wonderful hikes in what were referred to as “the mighty five” of Utah. An unforgettable trip with a terrific group of people and a very knowledgeable, gregarious guide.
Tour Radar made the booking process easy. Great variety of tours available. I would use this service again.

Amadeo

  • Excellent - 130 reviews for USA tours
The tour was great, especially our guide Pasquale, who brought more flavour to all places we visited and did his best to show and teach us everything, meet everyone’s expectations and create a great atmosphere. Our driver Jacob also was very kind and supportive. Hotels had a good standard and necessary itinerary adaptions were on spot. In my point of view, the only shortfall was tour start and end (meeting/drop-off) points; which would work quite better starting and ending in a hotel, also offering pre and post tour accommodation for the ones arriving early or leaving late. Meeting points in public spaces when you have luggage is not comfortable and might cause problems to travellers. All the rest was great!
Thanks a lot. I had a very good 8 days from 22nd of Jan till 29th 2024 with your team and literally suggest your company to all. Your tour leaders were responsible, respectful, helpful, and supportive. Goodness bless you guys.

Trafalgar

  • Excellent - 1,871 reviews for USA tours
Excellent. Great guide, driver, weather, hotels, food. Great itenirary. Love love this trip.
Optional excursions were reasonably priced. Suggest you put together other places in each city as a walking guide or short taxi or uber ride. Example access to close by museums open late and could walk to from hotel. Free time activities and what they are and where located is helpful.tour guide can offer to accompany a group interested to explore more during free leisure tome.Provide more detail info about the logistics of site visits. Niagara falls..suggest more water proof gear clothing and shoe types etc. Terrain to expect when visiting certain sites and possible alternatives.climbing and how difficult-easy or more strenuous or advanced climbing activity. Overall, small groups so much better than filling up bus. Thank you for giving single travelers their own bus space. Would love to watch more travel videos on longer driving distances.

BrushBuck Wildlife Tours

BrushBuck Wildlife Tours

tour abo service

  • Excellent - 23 reviews for USA tours
Although the tour was very expensive- over $2000 for 3 days is over the top- it wss a great experience, saw lots of wildlife and the guide was outstanding
What an amazing experience this was; from the greeting and pick up by our guide/driver, to the phenomenal sights and the historical references that accompanied them! I am so pleased. This was an exceptionally planned tour that successfully met all of my needs. I would not change a thing and look forward to future adventures with them.

Globus

  • Excellent - 10,885 reviews for USA tours
Excellent driver and director. Would have liked more time in Yellowstone as there was a lot we didn’t get to see eg Grand Prismatic Spring which was disappointing. Good hotels
Randy did a wonderful job. i only wish there was more room between seats as i am 6'4" 175. the scenery was breathtaking.

Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations

  • Excellent - 624 reviews for USA tours
My first experience with an organized tour like this. Expense alone will limit future trips. Much more walking than my wife was prepared for. This alone reduced her enjoyment. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and thorough with his planning and execution. Andrew has a fun personality and very personable. One item that disappointed me was the shuttle from airport to resort at both ends of the
Insights Tours are always amazing and this one was no exception. Nice balance of free time to relax and experience Hawaii on your own with visits to places on the islands to experience the culture. Learned a lot of Hawaii’s history throughout our visit. Overall a lovely experience and would highly recommend if you want to visit Hawaii and learn more about the islands.

Infinite Adventures

Infinite Adventures

  • Excellent - 116 reviews for USA tours
It was my first group trip and also my first camping trip. I have to say it was one of the best trips I've been on. It was an adventure! We were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights at Remote Camp. Tory and Dave took care of everything and made sure everyone had a great time. No matter what problem you had, they always helped each other! Dave cooked delicious food, we had marshmallows by the fire in the evening and it felt like family. It's a great tour and I can only recommend it to anyone! It certainly wasn't my last tour with Infinite Adventure! Many thanks to Tory, Dave and Natalie (who you could ask any question you wanted to know beforehand) for this unforgettable time! :)
Jump on the bus with Infinite Adventures for a magnificent Alaskan expedition! Dave and Tory are excellent guides and will keep you informed about the areas you visit and give expert advice. I found this to be a truly joyful experience!

National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures

National Geographic Journey…

  • Excellent - 252 reviews for USA tours
Good time with lots of riding in the van going to interesting places
We had a wonderful time. The tour was well planned and well managed. The CEO was excellent ..good driver, good communicator, had good knowledge of the local attractions and made great recommendations for restaurants. The group we were with was also a very pleasant group which made the experience that much more enjoyable. That said, would have loved to see the accommodations updated.. most except the Denali cabins were old and "weathered".

The Coyote Trip

The Coyote Trip

  • Excellent - 10 reviews for USA tours
From a speedboat to the Statue of Liberty to fireworks on 4th July in Washington to hiking to Yosemite Falls, this trip showcased the very best the USA has to offer. I went on the 21 day Full Cyote trip from New York to San Francisco with my brother. With such a packed itinerary of included activities, it offered great value for money. The guides in every region we visited were excellent. A particular shout out to Ryan, who added in extra stops and experiences based on the group's interests. Other highlights included the Grand Canyon, Washington's museums, whale watching in Boston, cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge and sunset in Griffeths Park. I met a great group of people on the trip, and I wouldn't hesitate to book with the Cyote Trip again.
Great tour. We were a group of 7 and had lots of fun. Tour guides were really nice and friendly and itnwas a great combination of nature and the big cities.

Cosmos

  • Excellent - 4,906 reviews for USA tours
It was a real pleasure from start to finish! Everything was so well organized! Brenda was a great guide
Most aspects of the tour was enjoyable but feel that some improvements could be made. For instance when dropped off for dinner we were only allowed two hours which was not long enough to find a restaurant, sometimes queue for a table and get back to the bus and therefore seeing little of the town we were visiting. Another instance after a long day of travelling we stopped at a Wallmart to buy food for both evening meal and breakfast as out tour operator could not guarantee the hotel restaurant would be open for business for an evening meal, this was at the Sunday river resort. There were no microwaves in our rooms but we did have fridges,which greatly limited our choice of what to buy. We along with other guests felt like this was not ideal for two meals together and felt abandoned and isolated. Whilst on the coach it was apparent that the seats at the front had more leg room but at the rear half of the bus the leg room was very restricted, some very tight, and not very suitable for sitting for long periods. The overhead bag storage was very limited as some seats had none and others had limited space. This was not helped by some guests having large hand luggage wth them as i understood hand luggage size was restricted. i do understand some guests do have to carry medical supplies. Overall we had a lovely trip and we both enjoyed the experiemnce.

Bamba Travel

Bamba Travel

  • Good - 1,682 reviews for USA tours
A hectic and fast paced trip, starting with early mornings. Loved Niagara Falls and being able to go to the Canadian side for one night (remember to apply for a Canadian Esta and bring your passport). Pennsylvania and Amish country side was a treat. Wish we had more time there. Love hearing about American history. Then Washington DC- amazing city. We disembarked after touring DC monuments and aeronautical museum and spent two more days in DC. Wharf, eateries, sights and monuments within reach.
Bamba Travel was the only tour operator which responded and agreed to help me plan my tour in Hawaii. Although I would have liked a more thoroughly organised tour like pick up from the cruise terminal and transport to the Kualoa ranch organised, I had to take the public bus by myself. It was a bit daunting but Bamba gave me some instructions. At Hawaii it quite easy and safe to take public transport during the day. Bamba was helpful at every step. A bit slow with regards to correspondence bec of time differences as they are in the USA but they would respond daily. Thank you Bamba for helping me organise a tailored plan to meet most of my needs. I had a great time in Hawaii.

Bucket List Group Travel LLC

Bucket List Group Travel LL…

  • Good - 14 reviews for USA tours
Had a wonderful time - a lot of hiking, seeing the sites in Alaska and viewing the Northern Lights.
The tour was amazing, great and tour guides:).

List your company on TourRadar

Popular tour operators in:.

  • North America (85)

International Versions

  • Deutsch: Reiseveranstalter für USA Reisen
  • Français: Voyagistes proposant des séjours en États-Unis
  • Español: Estados Unidos (EUA) Compañías de Circuitos
  • Nederlands: Reisorganisaties en Touroperators in USA

Bandturo Logo - Gig Booking and Music Promotion for Independent Musicians

Independent Music Industry Hub

How To Book A Tour

Here is our process, and why you are paying over $100 for a service that you've probably never heard of.

Tour Booking Process - Bandturo

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP ONE

Spend three to six months scraping the internet for venue emails, Facebook pages, and phone numbers to build a list of contacts. ( Or just join DIYT. )

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP TWO

Research graphic design layout for music industry effectiveness including content linking and presentation, and build a professional artist one sheet to represent your act.

For $100/month we will cover all your booking AND manage your social media . You can sign up for our Artist Development Package at this price now. ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP THREE

Upload the one sheet in most easily accessible format to a hosting service under a filename and directory that cleary exhibits its contents. This is important for booker access since email attachments are outdated, and often blocked for potential virus content.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP FOUR

Pull out the map, and foolishly plot out the cities you want to perform in. This step is crucial to the success of steps  twelve  &  thirteen .

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP FIVE

Map out the entire route and calculate an estimate of fuel costs according to average loaded vehicle mpg, length of route, and average cost per gallon of gasoline.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP SIX

Research how to use smart subject lines, format email content to maximize responses. Then craft an engagement-focused email template to send to potential bookers.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP SEVEN

Research how to best avoid email spam folders so your emails don't automatically go into booker spam folders and never be seen. Send a First email to every contact in your list from separate messages to ensure contact privacy. Be sure to change the content that is specific to that booker (geographical area, date, etc.) of each email before you send it.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP EIGHT

Wait patiently for responses. When responding, know your worth and communicate effectively with booking to get the best chance of landing a gig.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP NINE

Book the best deals possible. Be sure not to overestimate how much you can drive between gigs. Do not ever book a dangerously long drive. Please be safe.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP TEN

Send follow-up emails as reminders with at least one week apart from each. Be sure to keep track of who has responded and who has not.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP ELEVEN

Keep careful notes of requests from bookers. Be sure to call when you say you will call and send materials when you say you will send them.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP TWELVE

After a month, check on all your confirmed gigs. Look back and laugh at how naive you were when you thought your original route was going to happen.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP THIRTEEN

Reroute your tour according to confirmed gigs. Pull out your hair when you realize you have essentially lost control of your route and the original booking process. It is an important step in booking a successful tour.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP FOURTEEN

Take the time, stick to a schedule, and repeat the last few steps until either you have all gigs on tour confirmed, or you get back from tour. Use open mics or busk to fill open dates when you're on the road.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP FIFTEEN

Either a month or two from departure date, start Facebook messaging and calling the contacts on your list. If you haven't heard back from interested bookers in a while call them too. Most won't answer or be available. Schedule a time to call back. Call back until you get ahold of them. When you get ahold of them they will probably ask you to send information. Even if you've already sent information, send it again. And yes: begin the entire emailing and strict follow-up/note-taking process all over again with that contact.

If you have someone to reliably handle all this then you will have the best tour possible as a new/amateur act. If you don't then we will. And manage your social media. Just click here to get started and purchase the Artist Development Package .

GET STARTED

Interested in booking a tour yourself?  Check out this article  on one artist's approach from the ASCAP website.

Get the Hottest Deals First!

Now Open! Join Us in the South Pacific

Experience America

.collette-hero .card-title { font-size: 400%; margin-top: 70px; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.4), 0 0 70px rgba(0,0,0,0.5), 0 0 180px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); font-weight:bold } .py-5.mt-5.d-none.d-md-block h3 { margin-bottom: 15px important; } .collette-hero-overlay { margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 0rem; } .hero-image { background-position-x: 55%; } @media only screen and (max-width: 766px) { .collette-hero .card-title { margin-top: 160px; line-height: 5.3rem; max-width: 330px; } .hide-on-mobile { display: none; } .hero-image { background-position-x: 65%; } .collette-hero-overlay { margin-bottom: -3rem important; } .py-5.mt-5.d-none.d-md-block { display: block important; } .py-5.mt-5.d-none.d-md-block h3 { font-size: 1.6rem important; margin: 12px 20px 0 20px important; } } learn more, special offers, the collette difference.

Collette Difference 400x400 expertlydesigned

Expertly Designed

We get it. You’re not the homebody type. We aren’t either. Your passion, needs, and desires have shaped our business. Destination experts hand-craft transformative experiences designed specifically with you – our fellow traveler – at heart. We wouldn't trust your experience with anyone else.

Collette Difference guided touring reimagined

Guided Touring Reimagined

We know you want to explore and also dive in. We’re curious travelers, just like you, so rest assured, you’ll experience must-sees and connect with the people and culture that define the destination. You’ll eat in locals’ homes, take cooking classes, travel by trains and tuk tuks, explore cities with food tours, and stay in igloos, castles, and chateaus.

Collette Difference value

Value Beyond Price

Your time is one of your most precious commodities, so you should spend more of it in the destination, not driving between places. We design tours that spend the fewest hours on the coach. One-night stays are a rarity. This is your trip, and you shouldn’t feel rushed. With choice, flexibility, and free time, take it all in – this is your tour.

Confidently Collette

Travel with trust. Because this is your trip - something you've planned for and dreamed about. You should feel confident in your journey every step of the way.

Industry-Leading Travel Protection

Cancel for any reason (bad hair day applies) up to 24 hours before your tour leaves and get a full money-back refund. Collette issued a record-breaking $185 million cash back to travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Experience & Expertise

We've been doing this for a long time. Since 1918, in fact. Collette is the most experienced and longest-running tour operator in North America. You choose...

Traveling Well

Our team is on the pulse of world events and protocols, so you are kept fully aware and feel well-prepared for your trip.

tour abo service

Service Rating

Independent

Why Guided Travel

You're a traveler with places to go. We'll take care of the details. You embrace the journey.

why guided deskt v2

Social Connections

Meet a group of people who share your love of travel. Learn from locals. Forge friendships in the coolest places.

Independence

There's plenty of time built into our itineraries, plus optional tours, Choice on Tour excursions, and more. It's your trip, your way.

Expertly Planned

You know what you want to see and do - let a team of experts handle all the details from the must-sees to centrally-located accommodations and local lessons.

The Best Pacing

Don’t rush – this is your time to see the world. Get more time in the destination, and enjoy an ideal balance of included excursions and free time.

Our Best Moments

When you go, capture all those incredible moments, and use the hashtag #GoCollette so that we can share your joy!

2023 travel weekly readers choice

Featured Tours

Collette travelers choose from 160 tours across all 7 continents, as well as 5 travel styles including small group touring and destination spotlights. Check out some trending tours for inspiration on your next adventure.

$3,399 pp* $3,499 pp

tour abo service

Painted Canyons of the West featuring Utah’s Five National Parks

Explorations

tour abo service

A Taste of the Balkans featuring Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina & Slovenia

$3,649 pp* $3,999 pp.

tour abo service

Majestic Cities of Central & Eastern Europe featuring Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest & Krakow

tour abo service

Flavors of Portugal & Spain: featuring Barcelona

tour abo service

Essence of France Paris, Provence & the French Riviera

tour abo service

Colors of Morocco

tour abo service

Discover Croatia, Slovenia and the Adriatic Coast

tour abo service

Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water

$3,299 pp* $3,399 pp.

tour abo service

America's Music Cities featuring New Orleans, Memphis & Nashville

$3,349 pp* $3,699 pp, historical greenbrier featuring washington d.c. & williamsburg, old world sicily & malta.

tour abo service

Spain's Costa del Sol & Madrid

Find a travel agency.

Once you've found the perfect Collette tour, your local travel agent can assist you in making reservations. To find a preferred travel agent in your area, please enter your 5-digit zip code, then click Search.

Enter a Whole or Partial Zip Code

Please tell us everything, we want it all.

We really value your feedback, please be open an honest. Tell us where we can improve, how we can get better. This feedback is anonymous, but if you would like us to get in touch with you regarding an issue provide your email address as part of your feedback and we will get right back to you.

Talk to an Expert

Please fill out the form below, and a Collette Expert will contact you shortly.

  • Yes, I'm a Travel Professional
  • Yes, I am working with a Travel Professional
  • I am traveling with 8 or more travelers

View or Download

tour abo service

clock This article was published more than  35 years ago

OLIVIA D'ABO A CHILD OF THE '80S STUDIES UP ON THE '60S

"Not a lot of stuff in my household fazes Karen, my character,"

explained Olivia d'Abo.

Would she be impressed that after only six episodes, ABC's "The

Wonder Years," a mid-season entry, came away with the Emmy last August

as outstanding comedy series?

"I think it's going to be an important show," acknowledged d'Abo

If d'Abo has her way, Karen Arnold, who is more a child of the '60s

than her brothers Kevin and Wayne, will get a bigger role this season

"When she comes in, all she has to say is: 'Don't you understand?'

But I'm going to make her more of a leader than a follower. She's a very

interesting character to write. She could have a different political

statement every week or have something to say each week -- I think

that's up to the actor."

There is also the possibility that Karen, who had a hippie boyfriend

last spring, may become involved in drugs this season.

Certainly Olivia d'Abo is boning up for any eventuality. She has to:

She doesn't remember the '60s. For her, "The Wonder Years" is a period

piece, and she's had to do her homework. She's watched films about the

decade, both theatrical and documentary, and viewed year-on-film reels

to familiarize herself with events that occurred then.

"We're just going through every consecutive year from '60 to '69, it

seems. I really need something to understand the whole Kennedy syndrome

and all that stuff that came before. Kids really have not a clue. To me,

landing on the moon is no big thing. We are the generation who are the

kids of parents who lived through that.

"I think the more I know about the era the more I'll be able to

bring across to the character. A lot of kids who would get the part

would probably just play it as an '80s kid in the '60s. I think that

comes from research. I think I know it now. I rented 'Easy Rider' and

'Hair' and all of these cult films. They took it all very seriously."

Olivia d'Abo is the child of '60s children, albeit English subjects.

Her father is Michael d'Abo, lead singer of the British rock group

Manfred Mann ("Doo-Wa-Diddy," "The Mighty Quinn") who went on to do a

musical version of "Gulliver's Travels" and "A Hard Day's Night" with

The Beatles. Her mother, Maggie London, was an international model and

actress. They moved to Los Angeles when she was 8 and were divorced four

years later.

"He's got a new family now," said d'Abo. "You can't blame your

parents because they're not perfect. They probably should have got

divorced earlier.

"But I'm glad I am the way I am because I'm very strong. I realized

that you have to be independent at a young age. When you're out dealing

with people, you have to have street smarts, and for an actress it's

better to have street smarts than an academic career. I haven't pursued

college, and I'm doing it {acting} successfully. A good actress loves

acting because they love to get out of who they are, and perhaps

psychologically it's a way of not dealing with your problems."

Olivia d'Abo was born in England in 1969, went to the Royal Ballet

School and Lycee Francaise in London and planned to become a ballerina

(as well, at times, as an archaeologist and veterinarian). She still

dances, plays piano and writes songs, but admits that she doesn't read

Instead, she has done fashion modeling, appeared in guest spots on

series such as "Growing Pains," "The Bronx Zoo," "Tour of Duty" and

"Simon and Simon"; made two television movies ("Not My Kid" and "Crash

Course"), an HBO special ("Tales of the Weird and Unknown") and eight

theatrical movies including "Conan The Destroyer," "Bullies" and

During the summer, she played the confidante of an astronaut (Martin

Sheen) in the upcoming theatrical film "Personal Choices," with

Christian Slater. "It is a very tender movie about an astronaut who

helps a young boy come into its own. There's no sex and violence in it."

Her appearance on "Growing Pains" led to an invitation to audition

from "Wonder Years" writer/producers Neal Marlens and Carol Black.

Wearing her long blond hair straight, she turned up in a tie-dyed "Make

Love, Not War" T-shirt and hip-hugger bell-bottoms (from her mother's

closet), traded her British accent for a very American one, and got the

"It's great to play a part that's a little younger than you," she

said. "Through the research I've been doing, I realize what these

characters would be feeling. She's also just as insecure as anyone else.

"I would like to bring something to this series because it's done a

lot for me. You can do a half-assed job or you can do it properly. Other

people -- I'm not putting them down, but they do the same thing every

While Olivia d'Abo is making "The Wonder Years," her cousin Maryam

d'Abo, 27, is playing Ta'ra on NBC's "Something Is Out There." Maryam,

whose Dutch/English father is Michael d'Abo's cousin, was educated at an

English school in Paris and in Geneva (French is her first language) and

trained at the Drama Centre in London, where she still maintains a

residence. She has done most of her work in European theater and film,

although she appeared with Timothy Dalton in the latest James Bond

movie, "The Living Daylights."

The two didn't know each other well but met last year when Maryam

arrived to film "Something Is Out There," the television movie that was

the series' pilot.

In September, the d'Abo cousins completed paperwork for buying a

house together in the Hollywood hills. Because "Something Is Out There"

had already begun its shooting schedule and "The Wonder Years" wasn't

beginning work until Nov. 1, Olivia d'Abo said she was handling most of

the arrangements. At 19, d'Abo was was becoming a homeowner.

"It's exciting. It's getting my head in a very good place. Actually I

hate it when there's nothing going on," she said.

Acting in television was never high on d'Abo's list of preferences,

she said, then changed her mind. "I was never really interested in doing

television, in taking something for the part. But there are different

phases in an actor's life. Now I would take a much smaller part if it

were special."

D'Abo believes that "The Wonder Years" is part of a new breed of

intelligent television shows that don't hesitate to tackle serious

subjects. "'Wonder Year's' comedy comes out of the drama, because

sometimes something that is very hard to take comes out of comedy.

'Wonder Years' is very funny, but it also brings everybody down to earth

at the end of the show. Or it might end on a light note. There's a lot

of ups and downs in the series." But, she added, "The way she {Karen}

would work the best is to be serious about it. You can't mock her."

D'Abo also believes that society, at least in Los Angeles, is

"turning around. There's a lot of new young people -- writers,

producers, other people -- out there. I think there's a lot more

communication. It's a lot more like the '60s. People are starting to

take it seriously, more spiritually, and I hope that they would get a

better perspective of what it's all about.

"I remember a year ago everybody was in health kicks and gym kicks.

Now people are having meetings. There's a group of young actors having

meetings. I would like to get involved in maybe doing what Martin Sheen

is doing {as an activist for the homeless and other causes}. I just

think it's great."

tour abo service

tour abo service

3 Things Tour Operators Need to Know About Payment Processing

August 30, 2017

By 2020, the travel industry will have the highest percentage of online payment of any industry worldwide . 1

Clearly, more and more customers prefer to pay tour operators and DMCs online.  However, finding a good payment partner is not an easy task for tour operators.

Here are the three main points to consider:

1. Your margins - provide an alternative to credit cards

Credit card and computer

The most common form of travel payment is credit card (42%) . However, credit card payments come with hefty fees. Any payment with a Merchant Category Code connected to “Travel” has a much higher Interchange fee, which means higher fees for tour operators. It’s how credit card companies pay for all the miles and other goodies they give to users paying with a credit card for travel.

It is thus important that you can offer your customers a payment alternative with much lower fees to you. However, asking users to wire money or to send you a check does not match the professional brand you have built.

Multiple currencies

It could also hurt your conversion and make you lose customers. Therefore, make sure that your payment provider offers you an easy way to collect bank transfers online (also called ACH payments in the US) online.

WeTravel gives you the flexibility to offer both ACH and card payments easily online, with ACH rates of only 1%. This way, you can keep your costs in check, all while still offering your users maximum flexibility.

2. Getting accepted - find a payment provider that accepts tour companies

iphone and credit card

Many payment providers do not offer service to tour operators. This is because traditionally, there are a lot of bad apples out there and tour operators collect payments long before the service is provided. Therefore, it’s easier for payment providers to just exclude the whole category of “tour operators”. Some large players like PayPal compensate for that risk by charging rates as high as 4-5% .

Therefore, make sure to choose a payment provider that knows travel well and accepts tour operators. Specialized companies like ours have deep industry expertise and are more likely to provide you service at reasonable rates.

3. Your brand - payment collection & excellent customer support

You should make sure that the way you accept payments represents the amazing brand you have built. Don’t send customers to a PayPal site, which makes your company look small and unprofessional. Make sure that you can send invoices and booking pages that look great and carry your logo. Below, you see an example of Experience Morocco using WeTravel’s payment pages:

We Travel screenshot

Your payment provider is a direct extension of your business. You need to make sure that the payment provider’s customer support is top notch. Not only do you want your customers to have a flawless experience, you also want the payment provider to answer your questions.

Because we all know the feeling of waiting for a large payment and no-one giving any clear answer when it will finally be made available to you.

Make sure that the payment provider you are working with has excellent customer support, including at least a phone helpline that is responsive and accurately staffed.

If you would like to know more about WeTravel’s payment services for tour operators, please get in touch at wetravel.com .

How well do you know the world?

Gifts Card

Connect & Share

" 3 Things Tour Operators Need to Know About Payment Processing "

Popular posts

tour abo service

15 Top Bucket List Destinations

tour abo service

Best Tours & Trips to Ecuador & Galapagos Islands 2023

tour abo service

10 Reasons Estonia Should Be on Your Travel Bucket List

tour abo service

Top Tips for Planning a Trip to Machu Picchu

tour abo service

Italy vs France: Which Travel Destination is Right For You?

Recent posts

tour abo service

Top Travel Trends for 2024

tour abo service

The BIG January Sales Are Here!

tour abo service

10 Top Travel Destinations For 2024 - Where To Go Next!

tour abo service

Steps to Become a Sustainable Superhero

A blue and gray logo with the words,'advertising hub '

Tour Management: Efficient Ways to Get Things Done

Are you looking for a complete guide on how to manage a tour? Look no further! In this article, we will provide you with all the information a tour manager needs to know in order to make your tour a success.

It doesn't matter if you are running a concert tour or a hop-on-hop-off city tour , taking care of day-to-day operations can quickly consume too much time without efficient management.

From planning and organizing to training tour guides and marketing and promoting, we will cover it all! So read on and get ready to take your tour business to the next level!

A Guide for Tour Operators

Running a successful tour requires effective management. Your tour needs to kick off without a hitch if you want it to be successful.

Aspects such as planning, organizing, marketing, and promoting the tour, as well as handling any issues that may arise, are all included in what a tour operator handles.

By managing your tour business effectively, you can ensure that your customers have a pleasant experience and that your business is profitable.

In this post, we will cover tour management:

What are the basics of tour business management?

  • How can a tour manager effectively plan and organize a tour?
  • What is the most effective way to market and promote a tour?

Let's begin with the basics.

Tours run smoothly when they are managed efficiently. Managing a tour involves a lot more than just herding people from one place to another.

Tour managers are responsible for both the administrative side, such as booking hotels and transportation, as well as the operational side, like keeping the tour on schedule.

But a tour manager also needs to be a people person, able to manage both tour guides and anyone working for your tour company. After all, it's the tour manager's job to make sure everyone has a great time.

Here are the areas of management that every tour manager and all touring professionals need to know:

Resource Management

To achieve a truly outstanding customer experience, you need to ensure that your tours and activities do not get overbooked so that you can deliver a fantastic guest experience.

A packed tour can make you feel like you are part of a cattle call, and you don't want your guests to feel that way!

What can you do to prevent overbooking?

Use a booking system with resource manager functionality. This way, you can limit your trips to available resources if one or more of your tours or activities rely on the same resources - like bikes, guides, or boats. You can also block off a resource for routine maintenance for a few days.

No overbooking means happy customers...and that's good for your tour company business!

Distribution Channel Management

A channel management tool can simplify your management if you're using online travel agencies and marketplaces, like Viator and Expedia.

Using channel management tools, you can connect all of your booking channels to one central system, making it easy to update your listings, availability, and pricing.

Not only will this save you time, but you'll also avoid double bookings and overbookings. Plus, you can make sure your customers see the most up-to-date info with real-time updates.

Managing Tour Guides and Staff

As a tour operator, you have a variety of responsibilities every day. The job description can be long, which includes juggling day-to-day operations, helping guests, hiring local guides and managing them. Your tour guides are one of the most helpful resources you'll have. You can tell a good tour guide by the quality of their service.

As your business grows, you'll need more staff or tour guides to handle the growth. More staff means more onboarding and tour guide training .

But don't just copy your current operations and management processes.

Consider simplifying and streamlining your systems instead.

Consider switching to a booking system that gives your tour guides rough idea to clear details about upcoming trips. By doing this, tour guides will always know how many guests to expect, the age group to host, and what special requirements they need to be aware of.

How do I plan and organize a tour?

Everything from managing your calendar to tracking bookings to connecting with guests to invoicing and payments requires management.

What can you do to make sure you're doing it right?

To begin with, know what each area of administration needs.

Booking Management

Is your tour and activity booking process efficient? You could be losing out on potential bookings if you use a contact form or email address for booking inquiries.

Consider using an online booking system instead.

Need help managing refunds and cancellations?: 5 Tips On How To Manage Tour Cancellation Policy In 2022

Booking systems make it easy for customers to see available times and dates, choose the one that fits their needs, and make a booking right away. You can automate key tasks like sending confirmation emails and reminders, so you can focus on providing a great experience.

We've got a magic link feature to help activity operators deal with guest booking changes. Guests can manage their bookings, change dates, or convert them into vouchers.

Find out more about the magic link here . 

Receiving and managing payments.

When it comes to payments, you want to give your customers as many options as possible. That's why you need a payment gateway for your online bookings on your website, like Stripe, SumUp, Adyen, and PayPal- so you can accept online payments.

But you don't want to stop there.

You also want a Point-of-Sale solution for your business, so you can accept payments in person, too.

multiple payment gateways

With a payment gateway and Point-of-Sale solution, you'll be able to take down payments and deposits, so you can make sure that your business is always running smoothly. And the cool part is that your customers will have more options to pay , which means convenience for them. 

Calendar Management

It's easy to overbook or make mistakes when you're keeping track and managing your calendar manually. Additionally, you might not utilize your capacity because you are concerned about overbooking guides or resources.

tour abo service

Live inventory booking systems ensure that your bookings are updated across all channels.

Additionally, you can sync your Google Calendar. This allows you to easily see upcoming tours and activities and avoid overbooking . Moreover, its a key part to maximize your business capacity.

Keeping in touch with customers

customer relationship management

Pre- and post-trip notifications are an excellent way to streamline your business and improve customer satisfaction.

Your customers will receive email and SMS reminders to bring the things they need to complete a great tour experience. In addition, you can inform them of any changes to an upcoming trip.

By sending them an email after the trip, guests can also provide more feedback about their recent tour. With this system, you can save time and money while providing customers with a better experience. 

How do you price a tour?

Tour operators' business plans depend heavily on pricing. Choosing the right price for your tour will influence the tone of your entire business and help you stand out from your competitors.

When planning a fee structure for tours, factor in your target market and the types of tours your business will offer.

Consider these questions when pricing your tour:

  • How are competitors targeting their tours?
  • Organizing a tour can be expensive, so how do you balance customer interest with costs?

You can price your tour business using two main strategies: raising the price and lowering it . As with any strategy, there are advantages and disadvantages.

The most common strategy for tour businesses is to mark up their prices. By setting your prices higher, you are able to generate a larger profit.

One drawback of this strategy is that it can sometimes make it difficult to attract customers as it prices your tours out of the market.

Marking-down

Instead of raising your prices, you'll lower them to generate a smaller profit by marking them down.

You can use this strategy if you're trying to attract a large customer base since lower prices are usually more attractive.

The downside is that you won't make as much profit per tour.

What is the best way to market and promote a tour?

Marketing and promoting a tour can be a tricky task. With a dash of creativity and effort, it can be a great way to boost sales . The most effective way to market a tour is through a combination of traditional methods and digital media.

Reaching Local Audiences with Traditional Marketing

Traditional marketing techniques, such as flyers and brochures, can be effective at reaching local audiences. Displaying marketing materials in high-traffic areas, such as airports or hotels, is a cost-effective way to reach potential customers.

Attracting International Guests with Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is also essential for reaching a wider audience, including international guests. Utilizing social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter is a great way to promote a tour.

"83% of US adults want to book their trips online" - Over 60 Online Travel Booking Statistics (2022) by StratosJets

Tour Reviews Matter

Additionally, leveraging customer reviews is an excellent way to generate word-of-mouth marketing. After every great tour, be sure to ask guests to leave reviews on your own website or on popular travel review sites , such as TripAdvisor , TrustPilot , or Google Reviews .

Start thinking by figuring out which platform people prefer. When you ask for reviews, add a little personal touch. It'll get you far in the long run. Popular tour operators can prove this tested method of marketing. You'll get more bookings with more positive reviews.

By using a combination of traditional and digital marketing techniques, you can effectively promote your tour and attract more guests. Spend time keeping tracking of your marketing strategy's growth, then tweak it if necessary.

Get started with digital growth hacking with our free guide: SEO For Tour Operators: 4 Tactics To Generate More Leads

Use the Right Online Booking System for Your Tours

Ultimately, it all comes down to how effectively you manage your tours and activities.

Choose the right online booking solution!

An effective booking system will streamline all your administrative tasks, and improve regular communication between you and your guests and with your team. It also helps you plan and organize your tours more efficiently.

Whether you are running a grand cruise tour or smaller tours , tour managers of all sizes and touring professionals in the tourism industry all need the right tools to maximize time management.

An online booking system is definitely worth considering if you wish to improve tour management. 

Getting Started Finding the Right Booking System for your Tours:

  • Distillery Tour Booking Software: 10 Must-Have Features
  • Zoo Software: 8 Must-Have Features For Tour Operators
  • How To Find The Best Online Booking Software For Tour Operators

Get the latest news and stay in touch with the industry secrets.

By clicking "Subscribe", you agree to our Privacy Policy and the data we do collect.

Unleash the Power of Google Things to Do: A Tour Operator's Guide

Unleash the Power of Google Things to Do: A Tour Operator's Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip Using Google Maps

The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip Using Google Maps

How to Choose a Tour Operator Software for Your Local Tour Business (Part 1)

How to Choose a Tour Operator Software for Your Local Tour Business (Part 1)

How to Manage my Tours and Activity Inventory?

How to Manage my Tours and Activity Inventory?

Keep Reading

tour abo service

Save time by simplifying daily operations & grow revenue by marketing smart. All of these require effective management. Here's what works!

tour abo service

3 Steps: How to Select Your Tour Booking Software Right

Here are 3 steps to help you select the right tour booking software for your business.

tour abo service

Top 10 Key Functionalities: Tour Operator Software

Learn the top 10 must-have features of a tour booking software. 1. Calendar, 2. Email Automation, 3. Multiple Languages and Currency...

THE 10 BEST Abu Dhabi City Tours

City tours in abu dhabi.

  • Sightseeing Tours
  • Ports of Call Tours
  • Up to 1 hour
  • 1 to 4 hours
  • 4 hours to 1 day
  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • Chinese (Simplified)
  • Likely to Sell Out
  • Special Offers
  • The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

tour abo service

1. Dubai to Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan Palace

tour abo service

2. Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick up from Dubai or Abu Dhabi

tour abo service

3. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour

tour abo service

4. Abu Dhabi City Tour in 4x4 Private Vehicle, Dubai Pickup Option

tour abo service

5. Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai with Mosque Visit

tour abo service

6. Abu Dhabi City Tour Full Day, Optional Pick Up from Dubai Port

tour abo service

7. From Abu Dhabi: City Tour with Royal Palace & Sheikh Zayed Mosque

tour abo service

8. Private Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour for 2 person

tour abo service

9. From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Guided Tour

tour abo service

10. Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque and Qasr al Watan Tour From Dubai

tour abo service

11. Abu Dhabi Premium Full-Day Sightseeing Tour From Dubai

tour abo service

12. Private Full Day Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick Up

tour abo service

13. Abu Dhabi City Tour, Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace & The Louvre

tour abo service

14. Dubai: Abu Dhabi Trip with Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

tour abo service

15. Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi

tour abo service

16. Abu Dhabi Trip and Sheikh Zayed Mosque By SUV From Dubai

tour abo service

17. Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour

tour abo service

18. Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour From Dubai

tour abo service

19. Dubai Sightseeing Day Trip from Abu Dhabi

tour abo service

20. 8 Hours Al Ain City Tour without lunch

tour abo service

21. Abu Dhabi City Tour From Dubai

tour abo service

22. Private Abu Dhabi City Tour From Dubai

tour abo service

23. Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour

tour abo service

24. Full Day Tour of Dubai with Lunch from Abu Dhabi

tour abo service

25. Abu Dhabi Private City Tour From Dubai

tour abo service

26. Private Dubai City Tour From Abu Dhabi

tour abo service

27. Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour

tour abo service

28. Abu Dhabi: Half-Day Guided City Tour

tour abo service

29. Private Tour : Abu Dhabi Full Day City Tour

tour abo service

30. Abu Dhabi City Tour with Ferrari world Combo

What travelers are saying.

Stay35105446910

  • Dubai to Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan Palace
  • Abu Dhabi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Dubai with Mosque Visit
  • Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick up from Dubai or Abu Dhabi
  • Abu Dhabi Private City Tour
  • Abu Dhabi Premium Full-Day Sightseeing Tour From Dubai
  • Visitors Destination Tours & Safari
  • Emirates Tours & Safari LLC
  • Liwa Adventure Tours & Safari
  • Emirates Adventure Tours
  • Arabian Desert Tours & Safaris
  • Oceanair Travels
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari
  • Hiara Tours

Unfortunately, your browser does not meet our new security requirements. Before March 17, 2018, upgrade your browser to the newest version to avoid any interruption in accessing PearsonVUE.com.

To schedule, reschedule or cancel an exam:

  • Create account
  • Forgot my username
  • Forgot my password
  • COVID-19 FAQs
  • Find a test center
  • Need help? Contact customer service
  • Test accommodations

Related links

  • ABO website
  • Take an online tour of a Pearson Professional Center
  • What to expect in a Pearson VUE test center
  • Professional & Regulatory Candidate Rules Agreement

Customer service

We encourage you to schedule/purchase your exam online. Get started by signing in to your Pearson VUE account . If you have any trouble, contact us or see our frequently asked questions .

Contact us:

America region, office hours.

Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.  CT ; closed on local holidays.

Telephone numbers

  • 877-435-1414

Ask a question

Asia-Pacific region

Monday-Friday,  9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.  local time for each country; closed on local holidays

  • +852 3077 4923 (9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.  AEST )

Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) region

9:00–18:00 CET (8:00–17:00 GMT) Monday–Friday; closed on local holidays

  • +44-161-855-7455

At Your Service Tours

3 Hour: Highlights of Acadia with Cadillac Summit

Private van tour including Cadillac Mountain, Park Loop Road, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond and more. Option to walk Ocean Trail and Summit Loop on the tour.

Quick Details

Tour Length:  3 hours

Tour Start Times:  8 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m.

Vehicle Options: minivan or 14 passenger van.

Tour Attractions & Sites: Bar Harbor, Cadillac Mountain, Bubble Pond, views of Sand Beach, Otter Cliffs, Thunder Hole, and Sieur du Monts Gardens and Nature Center

Get a great overview Acadia!

This is a great way to start your vacation! Get an overview of what there is to see and do in Acadia National Park.

We’ll drive along the stunning 27-mile long Park Loop Road up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the eastern seaboard. From Cadillac you can see spectacular views of Bar Harbor and the surrounding islands.

See all of the famous sites on the Park Loop Road, including Cadillac Mountain, Rockefeller’s stone bridges & Carriage House, Otter Cliffs, Thunder Hole, and Sieur du Monts Gardens and Nature Center. See overviews of Sand Beach surrounded by the famous pink granite coastline.

As you wind through the park you will see hand-cut stone bridges, rocky coves and pink granite coastline, glacier cut lakes and dense forests. We will point out trailheads and carriage roads to explore on your own.

3-Hour Tour

3-Hour Tour

Related Tours

  • Hour Glass 4 Hours

4 Hour: Acadia, Cadillac Summit & Somes Sound

See all of the highlights of our 3 hour tour with the addition of a drive along the only fjord on the eastern seaboard, Somes Sound. Let our local guides show you the summer colonies of the rich and infamous.

  • Hour Glass 6 Hours

6 Hour: Ultimate Acadia & Mount Desert Island Tour

This tour includes all of the stops on the 3 and 4 hour tour with the addition of a lunch stop at a working Lobster Pound Restaurant and having more time and flexibility to explore trails and historic sites, adding a visit to Acadia’s Sea Wall.

tour abo service

Call us to book a private tour - perfect for social distancing - 512.659.9478

AO Tours Austin

We love providing the best tours in Texas.

Our team is here to serve, and we are passionate about providing a great experience for everyone of our customers. Whether you know what you are looking for in a tour or have questions about how you can organize an event, we have you covered. Call us at 512-659-9478 or fill out the form below to get started. We will get back to you as soon as possible!

  • Name * First Last
  • Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

IMAGES

  1. Tour Abo

    tour abo service

  2. Tour Abo

    tour abo service

  3. TOUR Abo beim LESERSERVICE

    tour abo service

  4. Tour Abo Vergleich bis 40€ Prämie zum Abo: Jetzt sparen

    tour abo service

  5. Tour Abo

    tour abo service

  6. Abo Service 77649 Offenburg

    tour abo service

VIDEO

  1. ADBL-5 || 5 Moct Test || 125 Important Question || @manoharjhaofficial1

  2. $ENPH Enphase Energy Q4 2023 Earnings Conference Call

  3. Gatwick train station, London, United Kingdom. #gatwick #london #uk #europe #traveltheworld #travel

  4. MVAMA C.C.A.P NKHOMA SYNOD

COMMENTS

  1. Abo Service

    Abo Service . TOUR - Rennrad News, Test und mehr ist Teil der Delius Klasing Verlag GmbH. Allgemeiner Service . Unternehmen Impressum AGB Datenschutz Newsletter Kontakt RSS-Feed Cookie-Einstellungen. Abo Service . Abo Urlaubs-Service Adressänderung Kontakt.

  2. Authentic Montana Adventure Trips

    Trips begin June 15th and run through August 31st. Location: Private land in the Absaroka-Beartooth Backcountry. Accommodations: Backcountry tent camp with meals provided. Optional accommodations for incoming and outgoing nights: ABO lodge in Big Timber with dinner and breakfast included. Trip length: 3-days.

  3. Virtual Tour of Abó

    Mailing Address: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. PO Box 517. 105 South Ripley Avenue. Mountainair, NM 87036-0517.

  4. How to Visit And What to See at ABU SIMBEL (9 Practical Things to Know)

    The temples of Abu Simbel were carved out of solid rock / How to Visit and What to See at Abu Simbel. First of all, the facade of this structure is incredible! It is 35 meters (115 feet) long and 30 meters (98 feet) high. Next, the entrance to the temple is flanked by four enthroned colossal statues of Ramses II.

  5. Abu Simbel: Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Visit

    This is the fastest way to travel between Aswan and Abu Simbel. Flight times average 45 minutes one-way. The flights are timed such that you have roughly an hour and a half to visit the two temples before you catch the flight back to Aswan. Egypt Air is the only airline that offers flights to Abu Simbel.

  6. Mike d'Abo Concerts & Live Tour Dates: 2024-2025 Tickets

    Get notified whenever Mike d'Abo announces a live stream or a concert in your area Find tickets for Mike d'Abo concerts near you. Browse 2024 tour dates, venue details, concert reviews, photos, and more at Bandsintown.

  7. tour abo service

    tour abo service. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter. 461. IMAGES. Tour Abo. Tour Abo. Tour Abo für 73,92 € mit 20 € Prämie abonnieren. Tour Abo 35% Rabatt auf Mini- und Geschenkabo Presseshop.ch. Tour Abo Tour Probe-Abo Tour Geschenkabo bei Presseplus. Tickets, Abo & Service 2019/20. VIDEO.

  8. The Complete Guide To Managing A Tour Business

    10. Reporting and analytics. 11. Summary. As you embark on the journey of starting a tour business, it's crucial to understand the importance of managing it efficiently. That's where the power of our tour business operations ultimate guide comes in. By following our tips and tricks when managing tour operations, you can ensure that your ...

  9. City Tours Abu Dhabi

    The best city tours in Abu Dhabi. Hop-on, hop-off Big Bus tours. Etihad's modern city tour. The Yellow Boats tours. See many of the most important landmarks on the Abu Dhabi city tour by bus - it's a hop-on, hop-off experience which transports you between key attractions and neighbourhoods. There are two routes.

  10. How Tour Operators Can Enhance the Customer Experience

    Investing in the right technology can help tour operators improve travel agency customer service and provide customer satisfaction, increase customer loyalty, and stand apart from competitors. It also makes the customer journey more seamless, efficient, and enjoyable for all parties involved. 4. Nurture your relationships.

  11. Who Is Travis King, the Detained U.S. Soldier Who Entered North Korea

    Travis King. Photo: New details are emerging about the American soldier who was detained in North Korea after crossing into the country from South Korea "without authorization" earlier this week ...

  12. 10 Best USA Tour Companies & Operators 2024/2025

    Choose from the best tour companies in USA. Find the right tour operator for your trip to USA, and read 111066 reviews from our customers. ... Great variety of tours available. I would use this service again. Excellent - by Erika Ederveen . 12 Tours in USA. Tour length Price per day; From 5-12 days : From $339 : View All Tours. Amadeo. View All ...

  13. How To Book A Tour

    Here is our process, and why you are paying over $100 for a service that you've probably never heard of. HOW TO BOOK A TOUR: STEP ONE Spend three to six months scraping the internet for venue emails, Facebook pages, and phone numbers to build a list of contacts. (Or just join DIYT.)

  14. Vacations, US Tour Companies, and Guided Travel

    Painted Canyons of the West featuring Utah's Five National Parks. 9 Days. View Tour. Collette is more than just a travel company. Collette vacation tours are one-of-a-kind. Visit us and discover our collection of amazing travel destinations.

  15. Olivia D'Abo a Child of The '80s Studies Up on The '60s

    Olivia d'Abo is the child of '60s children, albeit English subjects. Her father is Michael d'Abo, lead singer of the British rock group Manfred Mann ("Doo-Wa-Diddy," "The Mighty Quinn") who went ...

  16. 3 Things Tour Operators Need to Know About Payment...

    Here are the three main points to consider: 1. Your margins - provide an alternative to credit cards. The most common form of travel payment is credit card (42%). However, credit card payments come with hefty fees. Any payment with a Merchant Category Code connected to "Travel" has a much higher Interchange fee, which means higher fees for ...

  17. THE TOP 10 Abu Dhabi City Tours (UPDATED 2024)

    A: The best City Tours in Abu Dhabi according to Viator travelers are: Big Bus Abu Dhabi Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour. From Abu Dhabi: City Tour with Royal Palace & Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Half day City Tour of Abu Dhabi with Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque.

  18. Here's Your Complete Guide to How to Manage a Tour

    A Guide for Tour Operators. Running a successful tour requires effective management. Your tour needs to kick off without a hitch if you want it to be successful. Aspects such as planning, organizing, marketing, and promoting the tour, as well as handling any issues that may arise, are all included in what a tour operator handles.

  19. THE 10 BEST Abu Dhabi City Tours (Updated 2024)

    This tour is a great way to get a taste of Abu Dhabi without staying overnight. Read more. Review of: Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Pick up from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Written March 13, 2024. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

  20. Customer service :: American Board of Orthodontics (ABO)

    Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) region. Find customer service contact information for the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO).

  21. 3 Things Tour Operators Can Learn From Airbnb's Service Fees

    Airbnb's service fees are actually pretty pricey compared to reservation technology platforms. At a whopping 14.2% of the booking subtotal (nightly rate + cleaning fee + additional guest fee, if applicable—excluding Airbnb fees and taxes), guests can expect to pay that for every Airbnb reservation they make. Airbnb also charges hosts a 3% fee.

  22. 3hr Private Acadia National Park Bus Tour

    Tour Start Times: 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m. Vehicle Options: minivan or 14 passenger van. ... At Your Service Tours. Driving tours of Mount Desert Island & Shuttle Services (207) 288-9222 [email protected] 55 West Street Bar Harbor, ME 04609 #1 Tours on the Island! 5 stars for over 8 years! ...

  23. Contact Us

    Whether you know what you are looking for in a tour or have questions about how you can organize an event, we have you covered. Call us at 512-659-9478 or fill out the form below to get started. We will get back to you as soon as possible! Contact our team to book a tour in Austin or in another top city in Central Texas.