The best online tour booking sites for tour operators in 2026 are Viator, GetYourGuide, Klook, Airbnb Experiences, TUI Musement, Civitatis, Headout, Tiqets, Withlocals, and Veltra.
Each one puts your tours, activities, or experiences in front of travelers who are already shopping, and each takes a commission only when someone books.
The right pick depends on what you sell, where you operate, and which travelers you want.
This guide compares all ten from a supplier's point of view. You'll see what each platform does well, what it costs, how you join, and which kind of business fits it best.
It also covers the mistakes that eat into margins, such as ignoring cancellation rules or listing at different prices across channels.
Figures come from provider pages and industry sources checked in October 2026. Commission rates are negotiated and change, so confirm them with each platform before you sign.
Why List on Online Booking Sites in the First Place?
Most tours still get booked offline. PhocusWright research reported by PhocusWire (August 5, 2026) says the experience market reached $253 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $342 billion by 2029.
Only 33% of experiences were booked online in 2025, compared with 64% of travel bookings overall. Over 70% of operators are small or micro-businesses.
That gap is your opening. Marketplaces already pay for traffic, handle payments, and display reviews.
You trade a share of each booking for customers you'd struggle to reach alone. Think of it as paying rent for a shop on the busiest street in town.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Best for | Typical commission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viator | Broad reach across most tour types | 20% to 30%, often around 25% | One-time $29 listing fee |
| GetYourGuide | Europe and global day tours, attraction tickets | 20% to 30%, set by country | Free to list, rate shared after signup |
| Klook | Asia-Pacific and independent travelers | 15% to 25% | Negotiated, no upfront fees |
| Airbnb Experiences | Small group, local-host experiences | 20% flat | Listing review, may need license or insurance |
| TUI Musement | European travel and multi-day tours | 20% to 35% | Also a main intermediary for Booking.com tours |
| Civitatis | Spanish-speaking travelers, guided tours | 20% to 30% | No enrollment fee, rate is negotiated |
| Headout | Last-minute urban activities | 25% to 30% plus optional billing fee | About 400 cities |
| Tiqets | Museums and attraction tickets | 20% to 30% | Not built for tours |
| With locals | Private, local-led experiences | About 40% effective | Mainly Europe |
| Veltra | Japan-focused activities | 15% to 30% (estimated) | Regional specialist |
Commission ranges come from Samba's OTA supplier guide (published April 16, 2026, updated October 15, 2026) and its guide to other OTAs (published April 13, 2026, updated October 6, 2026), except where noted.
Samba sells booking software, so treat its numbers as a starting point and verify them on each platform.
1. Viator
Viator is the largest dedicated tours and activities marketplace and part of the Tripadvisor family. For many operators, it is the first listing they create.
Why operators use it: Viator's operator resource center says travelers browse its listings across Viator, Tripadvisor, and more than 4,000 partner platforms such as Booking.com and Expedia.
It also cites 200,000 or more travel agents and over 10,000 content creators and affiliates who promote operator products (Viator Operator Resource Center, page published June 3, 2025).
Viator reports these figures itself and doesn't give an exact traveler count.
How it works: You create an account on the supplier site, build a product, pay a one-time $29 listing fee, and go live after a Launch Assist review that includes a manual check of your first submission.
Operators pay only for completed bookings. Viator holds the traveler's payment until the experience runs, then pays operators by direct deposit, usually every two weeks.
The default policy gives travelers a full refund for cancellations made 24 hours or more before the experience, according to a Peek Pro guide (undated), so check the current policy in your supplier account.
Cost: Samba lists 20% to 30%, typically 25%, varying by product and location.
Best for: Almost any tour operator, from food walks to multi-activity day trips. If you want an outside opinion before you commit, read this Viators review and compare its points with your own numbers.
Watch out for: Competition is heavy in popular cities, so strong photos, clear titles, and early reviews matter a great deal.
2. GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide is a Berlin-based marketplace for tours, attraction tickets, and day trips. It is strong in Europe and has grown worldwide.
How it works: Adding and maintaining an activity is free. GetYourGuide charges a commission only on successful bookings, and says the rate varies by country and is shared after you sign up.
You choose monthly payouts at no extra cost or bi-monthly payouts with a small surcharge.
Before payments go out, you must provide your company registration number, tax ID, and bank details (GetYourGuide supply partner page, no date shown).
Cost: Samba lists 20% to 30%, set by country.
Best for: Operators in European cities, attraction-ticket sellers, and tour companies that want strong visibility with international visitors.
Watch out for: An industry article from Arrival (originally published February 2021, modified April 2025) points out that GetYourGuide's own "Originals" tours can compete directly with yours.
3. Klook
Klook focuses on Asia-Pacific and on independent travelers who book activities by phone. It has expanded to Europe and the United States, but Asia is its home turf.
How it works: You can join through the Klook partner portal or through connected booking software such as Bokun, Rezdy, or FareHarbor.
Samba says Klook lists about 500,000 activities in more than 400 destinations, negotiates commissions with each supplier, and charges no upfront fees.
Cost: 15% to 25%, according to Samba. Arival's older article agrees on that range but notes that pricing on the platform tends to run low.
Best for: Operators in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, and other destinations with heavy Asian outbound travel.
Watch out for: Price-sensitive shoppers. Plan your packages so a lower price doesn't squeeze your margin.
4. Airbnb Experiences
Airbnb Experiences suit small, personal, locally led activities such as cooking classes, art workshops, nature walks, and tastings.
How it works: You share details about yourself and your activity, add photos and an itinerary, set a price, and submit it for review.
Airbnb may ask for licenses or proof of insurance. Creating a listing is free, and Airbnb deducts a 20% service fee from the payout of each booked experience (Airbnb host page, no date shown).
Hosts manage calendars, messages, and payments in the Airbnb app.
Cost: 20% flat.
Best for: Hosts who run intimate, story-driven experiences with small groups.
Watch out for: The review process can be selective. Airbnb says it aims for a marketplace of high-quality experiences led by locals, so a polished listing with a strong host profile helps.
5. TUI Musement
TUI Musement is the tours and activities division of TUI Group. Samba says it lists roughly 88,000 experiences in more than 100 countries and added over 750 multi-day tours in 2025.
It also describes TUI Musement as the main intermediary for Booking.com's tours.
How it works: Operators apply through the TUI Musement partner portal or connect through software such as bookingkit.
Cost: 20% to 35%, negotiated, with monthly payouts, per Samba.
Best for: European operators, multi-day tour companies, and anyone who wants exposure through a large travel group and indirectly through Booking.com.
Watch out for: The wide commission range means you should negotiate and compare terms before you agree.
6. Civitatis
Civitatis is a leading platform for Spanish-speaking travelers, with a large catalog of guided tours and day trips.
Samba reports about 90,000 activities across 3,800 destinations in 160 countries, plus a partnership with Rappi to reach Latin American customers.
How it works: You register through the provider's area, submit activities with prices, availability, and languages offered, and wait for Civitatis to validate them before they go live.
There are no enrollment fees. Tourbiz, a booking software vendor, notes that Civitatis doesn't publish a single commission rate and negotiates with each partner (article published July 24, 2026).
Cost: 20% to 30% per Samba, though the rate is negotiated.
Best for: Operators in Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and any destination that draws Spanish-speaking visitors, especially if you offer Spanish-language guides.
Watch out for: The rate and onboarding details come from vendor sources, so ask Civitatis for its current terms in writing.
7. Headout
Headout targets last-minute, mobile-first bookings in big cities. Samba says it lists about 10,000 activities in more than 400 cities and isn't built for multi-day trips.
How it works: Operators join through the Headout supplier hub or through connected software such as Rezdy, Bokun, or FareHarbor.
Cost: 25% to 30% plus an optional accelerated-billing fee of 1.75% to 2.25%, per Samba.
Best for: Shows, skip-the-line tickets, city sightseeing, and other urban activities that travelers book on the day.
Watch out for: The accelerated billing fee adds to your cost if you want faster payment. Decide whether quick cash is worth it.
8. Tiqets
Tiqets sells admission tickets to museums and attractions, so it is a better fit for venues than for guided tour companies.
Samba reports that Expedia completed its acquisition of Tiqets on February 18, 2026, and that the platform operates in more than 60 countries.
How it works: Venues sign up through a free venue portal or through connected booking software such as Rezdy.
Cost: 20% to 30%, per Samba.
Best for: Museums, galleries, landmarks, and attractions that sell timed-entry tickets.
Watch out for: If you run a walking tour or day trip, another platform on this list will likely serve you better.
9. With locals
Withlocals is a Netherlands-based platform for private, locally hosted experiences. Samba lists about 2,500 experiences, mainly in Europe.
How it works: Hosts list private tours and experiences that travelers book one group at a time.
Cost: Samba estimates an effective rate of about 40%, made up of a 32% host commission plus a 10% traveler fee. That is a high cut, so run the math before you list.
Best for: Local guides who sell premium, private experiences at higher prices.
Watch out for: The effective commission is the highest on this list, and Samba doesn't state how hosts join, so contact Withlocals for details.
10. Veltra
Veltra specializes in Japan, with about 13,000 activities according to Samba.
How it works: Samba doesn't describe the application steps, so ask Veltra directly.
Cost: Samba estimates 15% to 30%.
Best for: Operators in Japan who want a regional specialist alongside a global marketplace.
Watch out for: Samba labels the commission as an estimate. Confirm it before you build your pricing around it.
Bonus Channels Worth Knowing
- Google Things to Do: Samba describes it as a search and maps feature, not a booking platform.
- It charges 0% commission on organic listings, and listings come through approved connectivity partners such as FareHarbor, Rezdy, and Bokun, not self-serve signup.
- Expedia and Booking.com: Samba says neither offers broad direct sign-up for tours.
- Expedia routes tours through Viator or GetYourGuide, and Booking.com routes them through intermediaries such as TUI Musement, which charge about 20% to 30%.
How to Choose the Right Platform
Match the platform to your product
A museum ticket, a private food tour, and a 7-day trek need different marketplaces. Tiqets fits venues, Airbnb Experiences fits small classes, and TUI Musement fits multi-day trips. Viator and GetYourGuide cover the widest mix.
Match the platform to your visitors
Look at where your guests come from. Spanish-speaking travelers lean toward Civitatis, travelers in Asia lean toward Klook, and last-minute city visitors lean toward Headout.
Your booking data tells you more than any directory.
Do the margin math
Subtract the commission, payment fees, and any listing fee from your price. Then ask whether you can still pay guides, insurance, and equipment.
A 25% commission on a $100 tour leaves $75 before your own costs. Ask yourself whether a lower-priced add-on or a bundled package improves the math.
Start with two or three platforms
Spreading yourself across ten channels invites overbookings and tired staff. Pick a core marketplace plus one or two specialists, then add more as your system proves it can keep up.
Tips to Get More Bookings From Any Platform
- Use real photos. Bright, recent images of your actual guides and groups beat stock pictures.
- Write for the traveler's question. Say what's included, how long it lasts, where you meet, and what happens in bad weather.
- Collect reviews early. Ask every happy guest for a review before they leave.
- Keep your calendar accurate. Cancellations caused by double bookings hurt your ranking and your reputation.
- Check price parity rules. Xola's guide (published July 24, 2025) says many OTAs require your listed price to match or beat your own website price.
- Read the cancellation and refund rules. Know exactly who covers the cost when a traveler cancels.
- Use a channel manager. Booking software that connects to several marketplaces reduces double bookings.
- Several vendors in this space publish OTA guides, so compare more than one before you pay.
Study Your Competition Like a Traveler
Book a few tours in your category on the platforms you're considering. Notice how they write titles, how fast the confirmation arrives, and what the booking page asks of the customer. Students and young travelers can often save on these test bookings.
For instance, you can check whether a 10% off Viator student promo code applies to your search before you pay, and confirm the current terms on the offer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which online tour booking site is best for beginners?
Viator and GetYourGuide are common first picks because they have large audiences and straightforward onboarding. Airbnb Experiences also work well for small, personal activities.
How much do tour booking sites charge?
Most charge a commission on each completed booking, typically in the 15% to 30% range, per Samba's 2026 data. Viator adds a one-time $29 listing fee, according to its operator resource center. Airbnb Experiences charges a flat 20%.
Can I list on more than one platform?
Yes, and most operators do. Keep prices consistent, sync your availability with a channel manager, and read each platform's rules on price parity.
Do I need a company or business license to list?
Often yes. GetYourGuide asks for a company registration number, tax ID, and bank details before payouts, and Airbnb may ask for licenses or proof of insurance. Requirements vary by country and platform.
Is it better to sell direct or through marketplaces?
A mix works best. Marketplaces bring new customers, and your own website and repeat guests keep margins higher. Since only 33% of experiences were booked online in 2025, offline and direct channels still matter too.
The Bottom Line
Start with a broad marketplace such as Viator or GetYourGuide, then add a specialist that matches your product and your guests:
Klook for Asia-Pacific, Civitatis for Spanish-speaking travelers, Headout for last-minute city activities, Tiqets for attraction tickets, or Airbnb Experiences for small local classes.
Compare the real cost after commission and fees, confirm each platform's current terms, and keep your calendar in sync.
A smaller set of well-run listings will earn more than ten neglected ones.
Sources
- PhocusWire, Tours, activities and attractions distribution research. Published August 5, 2026.
- Viator Operator Resource Center, About us. Published June 3, 2025, last modified June 18, 2025. Self-reported figures.
- GetYourGuide Supply Partners, How much does GetYourGuide charge? No date shown.
- Airbnb, Host an experience. No date shown.