So your tour and activity business is thriving. You have multiple locations up and running, a recognizable brand in various markets, and a competent team set up to keep things ticking along at a steady pace. But as executives, there's never a time to rest on your well-earned laurels. There's always something—whether it's smoothing over divots in operations, tinkering your marketing strategy, or brushing up on new demands and trends in your industry—to help both attract more customers to grow your revenues and to improve your reputation.Whether you oversee kayaking tours at multiple locations, offer sailing tours to the luxury market, or coordinate several themed adventure tours at popular vacation destinations, here are 10 ways travel executives can grow their tour and activity business in any season.

1. Position yourself as an authority in your industry.

Sharing your business knowledge and setting yourself apart from the competition as a leader in the industry can help you increase visibility to potential customers. This might take the form of speaking about the state of travel marketing at a conference or by crafting and sharing blog posts on LinkedIn.Anybody who searches for the CEO's name or does some basic online research about your company will find a variety of blog posts or media, such as video clips, podcasts, or even self-published books, that demonstrate credibility and trustworthiness. This can be a valuable asset to any CEO looking to expand their reach and build a strong online presence. Customers conducting an online search for the CEO's name are likely to form an opinion based on what they see on the first page of Google search results, and that first page gets 79 percent of all clicks. (We shared several tips on how to develop a stronger online presence in this blog post: How Tour and Activity CEOs Can Be a Trusted Expert in the Industry.)

2. Stay relevant by offering tours aligned with travel trends.

Catering to the needs of today's travelers involve staying abreast of the latest travel trends and travel booking behavior. For example, recent research from Bing reveals how millennial and Baby Boomers are prime markets for experiential and adventure travel. The latest statistics reveal 62 percent of millennials plan shorter trips (five days or fewer), which means many will be interested in single-day or weekend experiences. According to AARP's Travel Research: 2015 Boomer Travel Trends, Boomers and mature travelers are expected to spend $120 billion on leisure travel and 57 percent are doing so to “get away from normal, everyday life."You can cater to both of these markets by focusing on the experiences you offer and promoting the value of adventurous getaways. To do this effectively, consider modifying your offerings and marketing strategies to communicate the concept of unique—even customizable—experiences. Whether this takes the form of creating and promoting seasonal getaway packages or customized itineraries for single-day visits, the idea is to make your tour or activity an attractive "bucket list" activity for guests with a strong focus on the experience.

3. Expand your marketing reach.

Don't limit your marketing efforts to target customers that are interested in booking a summer vacation or planning an itinerary for the holidays. Some travelers who are already near your property for other reasons—a family reunion, a wedding that demands an extended stay, or even a sightseeing tour of the area—may be seeking out local deals and activities to enhance their trip.According to a report from Expedia Media Solutions and comScore, mobile bookings account for more than 70 percent of all travel booked, and more than 40 percent of family and luxury travelers turn to their smartphones when searching for last-minute activities during their trip. This means that you can not only market to a traveler during the trip-planning stage, but also tailor your marketing efforts to those who are already at your location.Have your marketing team come up with creative ideas to position yourself in front of these travelers. This could take the form of local marketing campaigns, connecting with local travel companies that may be able to cross-promote your offerings, or even Facebook advertising and pay-per-click advertising campaigns.

4. Use booking software data and statistics to your advantage.

Statistic Brain reveals more than 57 percent of all travel reservations,including those for tours and activities, are made using the Internet. Another 54 percent of travelers surveyed by Carlson Wagonlit Travel reported that booking online is faster than contacting a travel counselor directly, and 46 percent say booking online is simpler. If you're accommodating for these tech-savvy travelers by offering online booking options through your website, mobile site, and even on your Facebook page, use their data for future marketing campaigns.For example, if you find that you get an influx of Facebook activity or mobile bookings right around Christmas and New Year's when people are looking for last-minute gift ideas, you may want to promote gift cards and winter getaway packages leading up to prime shopping season. You can also monitor booking trends using the backend of your software program to determine when your peak and slow booking seasons are—and engineer your marketing campaigns around those times to maximize bookings.

5. Create or maintain a customer retention strategy.

In this blog post about ways to grow your business quickly, Siimon Reynolds, a mentor to business leaders around the world, explains that one of the three main areas of business a CEO should focus on is how to get customers to purchase again. If you want to keep your reservations calendars full every season, don't overlook the value of marketing to past customers to encourage them to come back for another experience.Tap into the database to determine whether the visitor is a return customer, a new customer, and if they have noted that they are celebrating a special occasion or are interested in learning something new by signing up for an introductory class or similar. Encourage staff members to pay attention to these details so they can greet these customers using this knowledge—a birthday greeting upon arrival, asking about the customer's last visit and what they are looking forward to this time, or a complimentary souvenir for those signing up for a class are a few personal touches that can set your company apart from the rest.You could also use customer data for your email marketing campaigns. Segment your email list by number of visits, age group, or special interests so you can send custom campaigns that encourage the customer to come back. You could reach out to these customers at least once a month to stay in touch, extend a return customer discount, or announce a special offer or last-minute booking special to generate repeat business.

6. Set yourself apart by offering personalized experiences with a personal touch.

An interview with American Express Travel for Travel Market Report reveals more than two-thirds of travel agents surveyed spend the majority of their time creating customized itineraries for travelers that are more than willing to splurge on travel enhancements, such as on-trip activities. Consumers are looking for more personalized tours where they can enjoy a unique experience and are willing to pay for "bragging rights"— experiences that nobody else or very few fellow travelers have had.Your company can capitalize on these trends by offering special, themed experiences or customization options where the traveler can create their own multi-activity itinerary, take advantage of add-ons such as workshops or classes, and enjoy a more intimate experience with tour guides and fellow travelers.

7. Run website checks regularly to cater to a cross-device world.

If the booking process is compromised because of slow load web page load times or you have a site that is difficult to navigate, you may lose customers without having the chance to introduce yourself.Consider that your typical traveler isn't only jumping on the web via their desktop computer to research options anymore—many travelers now use their mobile devices, such as a smartphone or iPad, to plan and research their trips. eMarketer reveals six in 10 leisure travelers turn to search engines and book travel across multiple devices these days. Making sure your guests can access a mobile-ready version of your site and even book their reservation using their smartphone or mobile device can keep you one step ahead of your competition.Testing your site across multiple devices and making sure both your desktop version and mobile version are easy to navigate on all browsers is an important step—especially if you have recently updated your site with new content images, video, or other media. Make sure your web development team and other team members are running tests regularly and reporting any site issues that may be compromising the booking process.

8. Take advantage of paid search advertising opportunities.

Showing up on the top search results is more important than ever since most customers now turn to the web to research options. Search Engine Watch reports on recent studies that indicate 67 percent of the buyer's journey is now done over the web. Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising means your ads will run on major search engine results pages and you can fine-tune your efforts to target a certain demographic.Your online marketing team and online advertising manager should be able to provide reports on keyword data that is bringing traffic to your site and information on PPC advertising options that will perform best based on your goals. Take the time to schedule meetings with this department to determine which ads need to run at any given time, how much of your budget to allocate to paid search, and monitor performance regularly to ensure your ads are getting the clicks you need.

9. Maintain a positive brand reputation online.

What does your company look like to someone who has never visited your website before or knows nothing about you? More than two-thirds of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, which means any indications of unhappy customers can damage your reputation.Make sure you have a team or a manager in charge of monitoring your online brand reputation so that appropriate parties can take action immediately. The goal is to quell any negative comments and address low ratings at the earliest opportunity. You can also make sure your company stands apart from the rest by promoting any positive feedback your receive and taking steps to rectify the situation when a customer is unhappy. (We shared some tips on how to handle negative reviews online here.)

10. Boost marketing and advertising efforts in the right seasons.

You probably already have a clear understanding of your travel market's peak and off-peak travel seasons. Consider that many travelers are more likely to book travel a few months before peak season since they are in "buying" or "research" mode. WordStream reports that December through January are the prime months for winter travel and June through August are prime months for summer travel. This means your marketing strategies to target winter and summer travelers may need to be developed and executed at least two to three months before prime travel season. You could create seasonal specials or promote your company and offerings more aggressively during these months to capture the market right around seasonal peaks.From reaching out to certain travelers with targeted marketing campaigns to maintaining a positive brand reputation online, there are several ways CEOs of tour and activity companies can generate more revenue and improve business operations overall. Use these tips and strategies to boost revenue and build your business steadily throughout the year.

Just last year, there were 53.6 million snowsport visits across the country, according to the National Ski Areas Association. Those visits occurred at the approximately 470 ski resorts in operation in the United States, which accounted for more than $3 billion in revenue between 2008 and 2013, according to The Statistics Portal. So if you're part of this industry, it's important to develop and implement a solid marketing strategy using multiple channels of engagement to help your business thrive in any season. Here are 10 impactful marketing strategies for ski and snowboard resorts.

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1. Send personalized promotions via email.

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Staying in touch with current and prospective customers, whether it's through a newsletter or sending a thank you email after a customer's visit, can help drive more bookings. In fact, nurturing your leads—walking them through the booking process with email marketing or even phone calls—can increase sales by an average of 20 percent, according to a DemandGen Report. And personalizing your emails with a special offer could increase those numbers ever more. Issue special promo codes via email or snail mail to customers in your database around a particular theme, such as a new guest invitation or a holiday special, so that the customer is more inclined to make a reservation. Use an online booking system, such as Peek Pro, that allows for easy redemption of promo codes so customers can enjoy a streamlined booking process.

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2. Send snow updates via text message.

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Retailers are already taking full advantage of text message marketing (SMS marketing) to drive sales. Cellit reviewed more than 1,100 campaigns by national retailers and found that SMS has eight times the response rate of email. As a ski and snowboard activity operator, you can encourage past and prospective customers to stay in touch by signing up for text alerts from your company. Keep them engaged by sending relevant updates, such as snow conditions, events on the ski grounds, and promo codes or other special offers.

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3. Connect with travel bloggers.

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Share insider information about some of your most popular trails or details about ski and snowboard experiences you offer throughout the year on a company blog. Sharing this type of content will not only engage some of you site visitors but may also encourage travel bloggers and visitors in the area to blog about your offerings—or try them out and write about them for their audience. Other ways to connect with bloggers: send a company representative to events to network and promote your company, or invite travel bloggers to an event you're hosting or for a complimentary day at your venue.

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4. Host seasonal events.

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Whether you manage a full-service ski resort or a smaller snowboarding operation, host special events around major holidays to catch the wave of visitors in town over the holiday season. For instance, run Christmas specials and promote these holiday packages and add-ons through your website and marketing materials. Make use of an online booking system that allows you to include add-ons at checkout for packages that might include upgrades and specialty services, such as one-on-one instruction with a ski instructor or a discount on gear you sell at your ski and snowboard store.

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5. Take advantage of Facebook.

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Maintain an active Facebook presence to share information about your ski rentals, weather conditions, and any special events or activities you're hosting. Facebook can be a valuable communication tool for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts since it serves as the perfect platform for sharing photos and videos about your destination in real-time. You could also make use of a Facebook tab that allows for online bookings.Ethan Austin, director of marketing at Sugarloaf Ski & Golf Resort, explains how Facebook has been such a valuable part of the company's marketing strategy. In a podcast, Austin explained that the resort's Facebook following is now one of the largest among all New England ski resorts. The company posts captivating content every single day, has a full-time videographer on staff to capture high-quality videos to share, and even has a snow reporter to come in and share current weather conditions with photos and videos of the area.

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6. Share video demos and tutorials for beginners.

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First-time skiers and snowboarding enthusiasts may appreciate a quick introduction from the pros. Share short videos of what to expect at your venue and an introduction on how to use basic gear and equipment. How-to videos are viral by nature—the latest Google Data reveals searches related to "how to" on YouTube are growing 70 percent year over year, indicative of consumer trends to seek out ways to learn new skills. Post your videos on YouTube and share them on your website, blog posts, and across social media to attract more prospective customers.

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7. Stay in touch with a seasonal newsletter.

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Email newsletters can be a very effective way to promote your message. The experts at Convince and Convert reveal that people who buy products marketed through email spend 138 percent more than those who did not receive email offers. In addition, 44 percent of email recipients made at least one purchase based on a promotional email. This means that many of your email recipients may be willing to book a reservation just by clicking through an email offer they received. Send a newsletter to your email list every month informing them about the latest developments at your destination, to share skiing and snowboarding tips from the pros, and to promote any specials and packages you are running at the time.

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8. Run "bring a friend" offers to build your customer base.

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Increase your customer base by letting your existing customers do some of the marketing for you. Tim Warren of Travel Business Success references a study from Nielsen that reveals 92 percent of consumers trust word-of-mouth marketing the most. He also emphasizes the importance of having "social proof"—a measure of your company's impact on others.As a ski and snowboard activity operator, you need to generate social proof in the form of word-of-mouth referrals, positive reviews posted online, and any positive content surrounding your business to acquire new customers. Running a "bring a friend" offer by extending a deep discount on a second booking or running a 2-for-1 booking deal for a short period of time can help with this strategy.

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9. Get on the social media bandwagon.

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Facebook isn't the only platform to engage past and prospective customers. Generate buzz about you company by sharing videos, photos, and updates on Twitter, Instagram, or sharing brief updates on micro-video sites like Periscope. Social media sites can complement your marketing strategy by giving you another outlet to share content about your business. Whether this is in the form of behind-the-scenes footage of your team preparing for a ski event or a step-by-step guide on how to choose the right snowboard, start creating and sharing content to engage fans and followers in new ways. Ski and snowboard activity operators can share images of current snow conditions, beautiful photos or short videos of the landscape, or short video captures of customers enjoying an activity.

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10. Become an authority on skiing and snowboarding in the community.

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Develop a strong presence in the community by hosting educational workshops about skiing and snowboarding techniques, gear, and other details for area residents that may enjoy these adventure activities as a hobby. Become an authority by positioning your owners or lead tour guides as educators about the sport and the industry, answering questions about the sport on your blog, posting video tutorials, and sharing insights via social media for the audience at large. All of these activities can help to set your company apart from the competition and attract more guests. From sending snow updates via text message to running exclusive promotions and offers, there are several ways to reach out to your target customer and book more reservations each season. Use these marketing tips and strategies to generate more bookings for your ski and snowboard activities business.

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Read about King's Landing and their experience moving onto the Peek Pro booking system

A huge corner of the world you should be focusing on: China. As we recently detailed, Chinese travel to the Unites States continues to rise. A report by Oxford Economics for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) reveals income growth and expansion of China's middle class in recent years is making long-haul travel a common occurrence. And leisure tourism companies are expected to make up most of the market share—59 percent of Chinese travel and tourism spending is dedicated to leisure travel and is expected to reach 62 percent by 2023, according to the report.Here is a closer look at the top Chinese travel trends that may impact your tour and activity business.

Demand for Niche Travel

Skift reports on how the fragmentation of Chinese outbound tourism and increasing demand for new experiences is encouraging tourism boards—and, perhaps, tour and activity operators—to promote more niche offerings such as experiential travel and uniquely packaged experiences. Everything from culinary tours to nature trail trekking and kayaking adventures will cater to the needs of the Chinese travelers' intent on enjoying a new adventure.Make sure to include engaging and descriptive copy about your tours, activities, and services on your website to pique your customers' interest. Include photos and videos to enhance your descriptions and give the traveler a taste of the experience from afar as a teaser.

Rise in Independent Travelers

Approximately two-thirds of Chinese travelers prefer to travel solo, according to the 2014 hotels.com Chinese International Travel Monitor (CITM). This means that the majority of Chinese visitors may be looking for excursions or activities where they can experience and enjoy something new on their own.Consider packaging tours and activities for singles or promoting ideas that would appeal to a solo traveler, such as private tours and workshops as add-ons to an activity. Use an online booking program that allows you to set up add-ons at checkout so the customer can customize their experience.

Demand for Local Experiences

The newest visa policy allows Chinese tourists to visit the U.S. multiple times over the course of a decade, which means there is no longer a need to pack in as many activities as possible in a single itinerary. Whether they will be in town for a long weekend or an entire week, these Chinese travelers are making the time to seek out authentic experiences and activities that will give them a taste of local culture.Tour and activity operators can expand their offerings to provide more educational experiences or specialty tours that give international travelers a taste of the U.S. Whether this is in the form of a hands-on cooking class by a food-tour operator, seminars or workshops about nature and geology from a rainforest tour company, or a short movie introduction to the world of watersports and competitions from a surf-lesson company, consider some different ways to enhance the experience with an educational element.

Heavy Internet Usage

Updating your website regularly and maintaining a website with eye-catching photos, video clips, and other media may help you grab a visitor's attention.China's Internet population hit 618 million people by the end of 2013 alone so many are already comfortable with navigating the web for information—and possibly making travel plans along the way.

Rise of Mobile Bookings

According to TNW News, mobile Internet users increased by 80 million people year-on-year in 2012. The China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) describes how mobile usage is the highest mode of Internet access for new users in China.Tour and activity operators can cater to those tech-savvy travelers by maintaining a mobile site and offering mobile booking options using an online booking system, such as Peek Pro. You need to make sure each user can go through the checkout process seamlessly and prioritize the components of your mobile website to make sure it appeals to your user.Chinese travel trends in the next decade or two will have an impact on tour and activity operators around the country. Tour and activity businesses can cater to Chinese travelers with niche experiences and by streamlining the booking process for the tech-savvy international visitor.

The mindset of what it means to travel is ever-evolving. In recent years, the term has morphed to include more local experiences—area residents looking for a break from their usual routine and environments interested in booking a tour or activity with your company, giving them an opportunity to enjoy some much-needed time off without having to pay a premium for a vacation. In fact, searches for "staycation" have been up 10 percent year after year from 2011 to 2014, according to recent Google Trends data.A staycation—a word derived from "stay" and "vacation"—is a getaway that doesn't really involve getting away too far physically, but still affords the option to break away for the day to enjoy something new. A day's itinerary for a family or individual on a staycation might include eating at a new restaurant, heading to a museum or art gallery, spending the day at a local festival, or trying a new outdoor adventure.Here is a closer look about why the future of travel includes these local experiences.

An Emerging Travel Trend

Going on vacation without paying a high price for the trip may be one of the biggest drivers of local travel. Forbes shared some tips on saving on summer travel airfare in 2013, pointing out how the high cost of travel can put a dent in any family's budget. A survey conducted by American Express revealed that the average cost of a vacation is $1,180 per person. This includes the cost of airfare, transportation, meals, and vacation-based spending.Budget-conscious travelers could easily pare down those travel bills by eliminating a flight and transportation costs, and limiting vacation-based spending the bare minimum. And many are doing just that by planning a staycation instead of an exotic getaway or out-of-state trip.White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group dug deep into the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to review the trend of local spending based on results of the Consumer Expenditure Survey. This survey provides a breakdown of the average U.S. household's spending, including trips and entertainment. The company found that the staycation trend does exist—community-based spending, or spending that might qualify as spending for a staycation, represented 56 percent of all out-of-home entertainment spending in 2000 and jumped to 66 percent in 2009. The recession may have spurred this trend, according to the experts at White Hutchinson.

How and Why Travelers Benefit from Staying Local

Staying local affords many benefits to the typical traveler. Here are some key benefits of staying local.

Saves Money

Many travelers opt for a staycation to save money. Fluctuating flight prices and the extra costs associated with traveling with young children or pets can put a strain on the typical traveler's budget. Staying local means there is no need to book a flight, hotel stay, or even a car rental. The traveler can use their preferred method of transportation and even pack their own meals if they want to save on the cost of food for the day.

Less Time Off Work

Staying local means there won't be a need to take time off work. The traveler can save their paid-time-off days for another occasion, and instead make the most of a long weekend to enjoy a refreshing break. Eliminating long travel times to and from a destination and the stress of getting situated in a new city means the traveler can make the most of the core experience—their kayaking adventure, a hiking trip, a fishing excursion, or a boating tour.

More Customization Options

Customers who decide to take the lead on booking their own travel may turn to companies that allow them to book online. This allows for plenty of customization, especially if the tour or activity operator is using an online booking program like Peek Pro, which allows the customer to see available travel dates on a real-time calendar and take advantage of add-on services during the checkout process.

Less Stressful and Family-Friendly Trips

Parents traveling with young children or teens may find traveling more stressful than enjoyable—especially if it's the kids' first time on the road or the family is heading to a destination that doesn't appeal to everybody. Planning something local means everyone in the travel party will already be familiar with the area and parents don't need to worry about long hours keeping kids entertained at the airport, on a long road trip, or anywhere from else along the journey. This can make for a more relaxing retreat for all members of the traveling party and eliminate much of the stress and hassle of planning a family vacation.

Marketing to Local Travelers

Tour and activity operators can tap into the local market and demand for staycations in a number of ways.Promote staycation packages. Run specials specifically for local residents requiring a proof of residency in the form of a driver's license or a document with their current address to validate the promotion.Connect with local merchants and organizations. Be more visible in your local community by making yourself known to complementary businesses via social media and making sure they now you offer packages and experiences specifically for locals. This can help you promote your business indirectly while helping you stay connected to your community.Get featured in local media. Invite members of the local media to experience your tour or activity in case they want to talk about it for a feature story or spotlight your business in a directory or other publication.As demand for staycations steady increases and more travelers seek out experiences in their own backyard, tour and activity travelers may need to modify their approach when promoting their offerings online and offline. Travelers on tight budgets may be keen on seeking out local experiences to create their own itineraries. The future of travel is local, so you'll need to position your company as the ideal destination for those planning a staycation.

Many businesses see negative reviews as something to be feared or combated—but smart businesses see them as an opportunity.More travelers than ever are making use of online reviews, both to inform their booking decisions and to document their experiences. According to a YouGov study, almost four in five Americans consult online reviews before making a purchase, and more than half of that group are active reviewers themselves. Separate research by Harvard Business School found a direct correlation between online reviews and revenue growth—a one-star increase in online ratings equated to a 5- to 9-percent increase in revenue.This makes racking up positive reviews a must for tour and activity businesses. But online reviews are a double-edged sword. YouGov's research found that while most reviewers left positive feedback, 32 percent of consumers visited review sites to express neutral sentiment, and 12 percent to report negative experiences.

A mix of ratings is a good thing

A study published in the Journal of Marketing analyzed around 600 books on Amazon, and found that one of the biggest influences on purchasing was not the positivity of the reviews, but their variability. In other words, if your business has 5-stars across the board, travelers will think something fishy is going on.Review site Reevoo found similar results, reporting that 30 percent of consumers who saw only positive reviews assumed there was fakery afoot.Reevoo's study went one step further and found that consumers who seek out negative reviews to inform their purchasing decisions are two-thirds more likely to purchase. CEO Richard Anson said: “Counter-intuitive as it may seem, negative user-generated content is actually one of the most effective conversion tools."None of this is to say you should seek out negative feedback, but a smattering of 3- or 4-star reviews can actually boost your customer base significantly.

Consumers trust a business more when it has a variety of reviews, not just all 5 stars

Show off your customer service

Customer service exists to solve problems—so the measure of your customer service isn't whether problems occur, it's how they're handled.Not only will you be increasing your chances of winning that guest back, you'll be increasing the odds that people reading the negative review will book with you. Market research firm Wakefield found that a customer is twice as likely to purchase if they see a good response from a company underneath a negative review, and seeing direct responses to negative reviews makes a third of consumers think a company has “great" customer service, with two-fifths saying it shows the company “really cares" about its customers. Fix a guest's problem in public and it wont go unnoticed.If that's not enough incentive, consider this: a study of online reviewers showed that after receiving a meaningful response to a negative review, one third of reviewers removed their review or updated it to be positive.

How to turn negative reviews into a positive

Monitor review sites and respond quickly

The Internet is real time, and a third of consumers expect responses from brands in less than 30 minutes.

Respond personally

A canned response isn't much better than no response at all. An overwhelming 94 percent of eCommerce and digital marketers say personalization is “critical" to success online.

Follow up elsewhere

Travel businesses are in the fortunate situation of having additional contact information for guests. More meaningful conversations can be had over the phone or via email.While it isn't the greatest feeling to receive critical feedback, you can always turn negative reviews into a positive.

Want to add a burst of energy to your bike rental business? Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, might be just what you need.E-bikes bring a new sense of adventure to your bike rental business. While this form of transportation has been popular with millions of riders in Europe and China for years, they've now gained traction in the United States too. And e-bikes help you attract new customers who might not be able to enjoy traditional bikes due to their fitness level or your area's terrain.Whether you're starting a new company from scratch or adding e-bikes to your current rental offerings, the opportunity is prime for promotion. Here are seven ways to launch and build an electric bicycle rental business:

1. Start with keywords. People who want to rent an electric bike will probably already know about this mode of transportation, and go to the Internet to search for a rental company. Take advantage of the organic traffic by optimizing your website for search engines, using keywords, such as “[city name] electric bike rentals" and “[city name] electric bike tours," throughout your site. A search for "electric bike rentals San Diego," for example, turns up 23 results on Google Maps. Make sure you add your business to Google Maps, and add keywords to your Category and Introduction section.
2. Spread the word to current customers. If you have an existing rental business, let your current customers know you're now offering e-bikes by spreading the word on social media and through an email-marketing campaign. E-bikes are trendy and new, and current customers may not know they exist or that they're available for rent. You can send a promotion or discount code that is exclusive to your followers, or ask customers if they'd like to try an electric bicycle when they call or stop in to book a rental.
4. Organize tours. If your rental business is located in an area with great attractions or history, consider adding tours to your business strategy. Tours bring a higher profit margin as customers will be willing to pay more for an organized trip. You'll also attract a broader demographic of participants as e-bikes help everyone keep the pace–especially if your area has challenging hills. Before you add tours, however, do some homework to determine if your ROI is worth your time and money. For example, you'll need to research which locations visitors to your area might like to see, find out if your city or state has additional licensing or insurance requirements, hire personable guides, and advertise or promote your offerings.
6. Partner with hotels. Since e-bikes are an untapped source of transportation, introduce your business to hotel concierges and sales staff. Explain what you offer and give staff members a test drive. Set up a commission plan, and check back often. You can also work with hotels to set up special tours for their guests during different seasons.

If your rental business is located in an area with great history consider adding tours to your strategy

1. Work with area restaurants. If the scenery in your area is breathtaking, partner with a local lunch spot to offer guided picnic tours. The restaurant can promote the offering to its current customers, and you'll spread the word of your rental business.
2. Reach out to retirement communities. E-bikes are a great form of transportation because people of virtually any fitness level can enjoy riding them. This makes them especially popular with Baby Boomers. Approach retirement community associations in your area, and offer to organize special outings and activities.
3. Contact local tourism boards. Reach out to your local tourism office and provide information about your tours and rentals. Tourism offices are eager to build their portfolio with interesting activities, which helps them attract new visitors to the area. Help them do their job by offering special rates and excursions.