Tour Guides and Attractions Operators Shift to Testing Experiences — Online
Skift Take
Operators of tours, activities, and attractions are taking a crash course in online classes, virtual tours, and digital souvenir sales. We doubt these efforts can fully replace the revenue of in-person experiences. Yet there are needs to fill. Many housebound people and remote teams could use the human connection, while many hosts are eager for income.
Since last week, GetYourGuide, WithLocals, and other online booking services for sightseeing and experiences have been tempting people with online-only classes and webinars. The move can sometimes offer some income for tour and experiences operators that have lost revenues during the coronavirus pandemic.
GetYourGuide last week began an effort called The World at Home where it offers free Facebook livestreams run by professionals. Examples include a planned April 3 street art class.
Withlocals, another booking service, also launched last week its Withlocals Live, which presents a few dozen online experiences by 20 locals in 15 cities worldwide. About 200 people watched the full hour of a recent pasta-making class led by Nico Mazzei, a Rome-based tour guide.
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While the live-streamed events are free, the industry hopes that some people will pay to book private online session