Viator Partner Blog

We really treasure the environment at Viator so we offer a number of Eco and Nature Tours worldwide. These  tours are some of our best sellers in top outdoor destinations.

Here are just some of our best selling Eco and Nature Tours:

(Be sure to replace 6885 with your three or four digit Partner ID so you are credited with sales from these links)

HAWAII

Diamond Head Crater Sunrise Small Group Adventure

At the summit, incredible 360-degree views of Waikiki and the turquoise blue Pacific Ocean await you. On this adventure you will learn about the crater’s fascinating geology, history, archeology, flora and fauna. Knowledgeable and expert guides are very friendly and informative, and can identify the numerous bird and plant species found in the crater.

Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Oahu/Diamond-Head-Crater-Sunrise-Small-Group-Adventure/d672-33581

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In addition to now offering Viator Partner sites in French, German and Spanish we also made some enhancements to the booking process to increase sales — and commissions to you!

New Pricing Grid

We now have a much improved pricing grid (linked on the Product page), which shows prices of the tour in true calendar format. Plus the calendar better highlights the options available and their availability.

Options Page

We have added an options page for products that have multiple options. Previously, this was just a drop down on the Product Page. The new page now shows the customer a clearer picture of tour and activity options available.

Note - not all Viator products have options, this screen will only show if options are available.

For those using CSS, you can update the CSS for both of these screens in the Viator Partner Admin site. For more information about the CSS update, click here

Have questions? Send us an email at partnersupport@viator.com

We are happy to announce some new functionality on our partner sites. If you have changed the standard theme on your partner site, you may want to personalize this new functionality as well.

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Viator Partner News

Here is some recent news about Viator and our Partner program in recent travel website and blog articles…

Bedandbreakfast.Com Offers a Host Of New Products And Features For Innkeepers Using Rezovation And Webervations Services - Pr-Inside.com
Date: 29 June 2009

“Travel add-ons will be sold through an agreement between BedandBreakfast.com and Viator, a leading online resource for travel experiences, providing access to 5,500 tours, attractions, and activities in 450 destinations in 75 countries. This feature will be limited to U.S. properties in areas where Viator has coverage. Consumers who book via a RezOvation or Webervations booking engine will see a link to Viator on the reservation confirmation page; they can click through to a Viator web page with add-on activities relevant to their destination, and can purchase any of interest. As with trip insurance, properties will earn revenue on every sale, and the billing and revenue sharing will be done automatically.”

Full Article:
http://www.pr-inside.com/bedandbreakfast-com-offers-new-products-for-r1351710.htm

Travel Affiliates Should ‘Think Global, Book Local - TravelDividends.com
Date: 19 June 2009

Viator is by far the largest - and oldest - player in this space.  Headquartered in San Francisco, this 11 year old company claims to be the “world’s leading online resource for travel experiences, providing access to more than 5,500 tours, attractions and activities in 450-plus destinations in 75 countries.”

Viator, which appropriately in Latin means ‘to travel’, sells both consumer-direct via its own sites, as well and through a network of more than 1,000 affiliates that include airlines (for example, that’s Viator’s destination activities that comprises much of the 3,000 sightseeing tours available on British Airways’ and BAHolidays’ websites), hotel companies, OTAs, city-specific sites as well as travel affiliates.

Viator pays travel affiliates 4% of the sale, and has a 30 day EPC of $49.86.  The company offers a white-label solution for any online travel company looking to add tours and activities to their business model.  This turnkey affiliate solution features “enhanced CSS, iframe widgets and XML feed options” that optimize integration of Viator’s tech platform with that of the affiliate.  Viator manages that program on its own; for their ‘generic’ travel affiliate program, go to ShareASale.

Another reason we like Viator: it has two of the largest and most prestigious private equity firms backing it up - Carlyle Venture Partners and Technology Venture Partners.  We think it’s a safe bet that Viator will be around for quite a while, no matter what happens to the global economy or travel industry.

Full Article:
http://www.traveldividends.com/2009/06/18/travel-affiliates-should-think-global-book-local/

Innovation & Ancillary Revenue for Airline Direct Sales Channels - Shearwater Blog
Date: 11 March 2009

Viator announced a “completely redesigned and revitalized affiliate distribution platform.” I’ve worked with competitors to Viator (Isango and Unaira), plus I’ve got airline customers who use Viator, and I am big believer in this type of product. But the way it has been implemented to date by airlines is not doing the product justice and conversion rates are nowhere near where they should be. I’m working with one small carrier at the moment to remedy this, and hope to be in a position in coming months to be able to fully disclose the data on this. Ancillary revenue is not just for the big airlines, and any airline not giving this topic full attention is letting money slip through their fingers.

Full Article:
http://shearwaterblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/11/random-thoughts/

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Our Top Europe Deals!

There are so many tours and activities on sale in our top cities in and around Europe, that we had to share the bargains.

(Be sure to replace 6885 with your three or four digit Partner ID so you are credited with sales from these links)

1.  (TOP RATED!) Rome Private Sistine Chapel Tour save 20% on an exclusive viewing.
Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Rome/Private-Viewing-of-the-Sistine-Chapel-and-Vatican-Museums/d511-3207VATPRIV

2.  London Eye: Skip the Line and save 10%.
Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/London/London-Eye-Skip-the-Line-Tickets/d737-2988LONDON_EYE

3.  Paris Paradis Cabaret save 25% off regular price.
Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Paris/Paradis-Latin-Paris-Dinner-and-Show/d479-5054PARADIS

4.  Amsterdam Half Day Naarden Tour save 50% off the retail price
Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Amsterdam/Naarden-and-17th-Century-Estates-Half-Day-Trip-from-Amsterdam/d525-2550LIN11

5.  Florence Accademia and Uffizi Gallery: Skip the Link save over 10% now.
Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Florence/Skip-the-Line-Florence-Accademia-and-Uffizi-Gallery-Tour/d519-2428M1M2

6.  London Madam Tussaud’s 10% off the retail price.
Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/London/Skip-the-Line-Madame-Tussauds-London/d737-2798TUSSAUDS

7.  Venice in One Day Tour 13% off this skip the line tour.
Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Venice/Skip-the-Line-Venice-in-One-Day/d522-2635V1DAY

8.  Stonehenge, Windsor Castle & Oxford day trip save 10%.
Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/London/Stonehenge-Windsor-Castle-and-Oxford-Custom-Day-Trip/d737-3858EE065

9.  Best of Zurich Tour 10% off for a limited time.
Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Zurich/Best-of-Zurich-City-Tour-with-Optional-Zoo-Visit/d577-3885ZRHCITY

10. Skip the Line Guinness Storehouse Dublin save 10% off admission.
Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Dublin/Skip-the-Line-Guinness-Storehouse-Entrance-Ticket/d503-2776GUINNESS

(Be sure to replace 6885 with your three or four digit Partner ID so you are credited with sales from these links)

Even more Europe products and tours on sale:

10% off Florence Bike Tour
13% off Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow
17% off Salzburg Sound of Music Tour
10% off Venice Grand Canal Tour
20% off East Madeira Island Birdwatching
38% off Blue Lagoon Spa from Reykjavik
10% off Barcelona Hop On Hop Off
20% off Amsterdam Red Light Tour
15% off Afternoon Tea at Harrods London
Free 1st Class Upgrade 3-day Greece Tour

Need help with placing these products on your own website? For information on linking to Viator products, click here

Prices and discounts offered for a limited time, check Product pages for details.

UPDATED: 24June2009

This is a popular post for many partners, so I wanted to update it with some very good basic SEO videos done by USA Today and Google. You can find more Google-produced presentation videos on SEO and how Google ranks your website here.

Also Google has a Webmaster Central YouTube channel with even more videos.

Of course - don’t forget Google offers a ton of text-based information on their Webmaster Tools site.

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Our Las Vegas team has been busy adding the newest Las Vegas shows and tours. Currently, it’s a great time to promote Las Vegas — room rates are LOW, it’s not too hot (yet) and there are some great new shows to see.

Here are some of the new shows now available on YOUR Viator site…While Donny and Marie may not be your cup-of-tea — they are very popular and can make for a great eye-catching placement on your home page.

Donny and Marie at Flamingo Hotel and Casino Las Vegas- Product code: 5084LASDON
This will mark the first time in 29 years that the dynamic pair has performed an extended residency engagement in Las Vegas. This 90-minute extravaganza will showcase Donny and Marie’s greatest hits in a multimedia spectacular presented on a custom-designed stage with multiple video screens and a large cast of electrifying dancers.

Smokey Robinson Presents Australia’s Human Nature - The Ultimate Celebration of Motown - Product Code: 3232LASHUM
Human Nature has been one of Australia’s biggest acts since its 1995 quadruple-platinum debut, Telling Everybody. The band’s last four multi-platinum albums have all debuted at No. 1, and they’ve charted 17 Top 40 hits and five Top 10 singles.
Our Product Manager says “Honestly, one of the best shows I have seen in a while - I can’t wait to go back and see it again…”

The Vinnie Favorito Comedy Show at Flamingo Las Vegas - Product code: 5084LASVIN
There are no pre-planned skits or canned jokes as he takes his cue from the audience, making each show one-of-a-kind. This quick-witted Bostonian comic has diverse appeal that has earned him the title throughout Hollywood as one of the country’s top “roasters” for celebrities including Tom Arnold, Jerry Springer, Magic Johnson, Pat O’Brien and Larry King, proving that no one person is a challenge for Favorito’s comedic genius.

To find or link to these products, enter the Product Code in the search box on your Viator Partner site. These products are also now located in our XML and CSV datafeeds — as well as iframe marketing modules.

If you need any assistance with linking or product content, please email us at partnersupport@viator.com

Viator offers a number of great TV and Movie Location tours. These tours are VERY popular with customers, since they are put right into the action of their favorite movies and television shows.

Below are some of our top Movie and TV Location tours.

(Be sure to replace 6885 with your three or four digit Partner ID so you are credited with sales from these links)

NEW YORK CITY

Sex and the City Hotspots Tour
Follow in the fancy footsteps of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda on a ‘Sex and the City’ tour!
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/New-York-City/Sex-and-the-City-Hotspots-Tour/d687-2218SEXCITY

Gossip Girl Sites Tour
Follow the path of Serena, Blair, Chuck, Dan, Vanessa and Nate on this three hour guided bus tour that goes to locations that were used in filming the hit TV series.
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/New-York-City/Gossip-Girl-Sites-Tour/d687-2218GOSSIP

The Sopranos Sites Tour
If you can’t get enough of the hit HBO series The Sopranos, you won’t want to leave New York without joining this fun tour through New Jersey.
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/New-York-City/The-Sopranos-Sites-Tour/d687-2218SOPRANOS

ALL NYC TV and Movie Tours
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/New-York-City-Tours/Movie-and-TV-Tours/d687-g4-c13

LOS ANGELES

VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood
You’ll enjoy Skip the Line entry to all attractions and shows, and take an in-depth tour of the famous backlots.
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Los-Angeles/VIP-Experience-at-Universal-Studios-Hollywood/d645-2030VIP

Hollywood Movie Stars Experience
On the only bus tour to take you inside a real working Hollywood studio, you’ll see where legendary films like Spider-Man, Men in Black and The Wizard of Oz were made.
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Los-Angeles/Hollywood-Movie-Stars-Experience/d645-3638_9

WASHINGTON DC

Washington DC TV and Movie Sites Tour
See where they filmed classic movies like “The Godfather II”, “Forest Gump”, “Wedding Crashers” and ‘Mission Impossible III”. Be part of the show!
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Washington-DC/Washington-DC-TV-and-Movie-Sites-Tour/d657-2218WASTV

LONDON

Private Tour: Harry Potter Black Taxi Tour of London

From Diagon Alley to the Leaky Cauldron, take a private black taxi tour of Harry Potter sites by black taxi.

LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/London/Private-Tour-Harry-Potter-Black-Taxi-Tour-of-London/d737-2496HARRY

3-Day Small Group Harry Potter and English Authors Tour
You’ll see familiar locations from the Harry Potter movies, and introduce your youngsters to children’s writers who paved the way for J. K. Rowling, including J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll.
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/England/3-Day-Small-Group-Harry-Potter-and-English-Authors-Tour/d731-2714LONSHP

HAWAII

Hawaii TV and Movie Locations Small Group Hummer Tour
Venture off-road on a Hawaii TV and Movie Locations Hummer Tour and visit exotic movie locations including Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates and Godzilla, as well as the popular TV show Lost.
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Oahu/Hawaii-TV-and-Movie-Locations-Small-Group-Hummer-Tour/d672-3366HUMMER1

PARIS

Paris Walking Tour - Da Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Code Walking Tour of Paris will takes you through the pages of Dan Brown’s sweeping novel that has engulfed the world with intrigue.
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Paris/Paris-Walking-Tour-Da-Vinci-Code/d479-3588DAVINCI

ROME

Rome Angels and Demons Half-Day Tour
Unravel Rome’s secrets on the ‘Angels and Demons’ morning tour, inspired by the novel by Dan Brown.
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Rome/Rome-Angels-and-Demons-Half-Day-Tour/d511-3731ANGELS

NEW ZEALAND

Wellington’s Lord of the Rings Locations Tour including Lunch
Welcome to Middle Earth. Your full day tour visits 9 different locations (including 20+ scenes) explores Mount Victoria Greenbelt, Wellywood suburbs, Hobbits surfing coastline and the gorgeous native forest park of Rivendell.
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Wellington/Wellingtons-Lord-of-the-Rings-Locations-Tour-including-Lunch/d399-2964001RRT

Wellington’s Lord of the Rings Half Day Tour
This is the best way to see Wellington’s Lord of the Rings locations in half a day with the experience of knowledgeable guides.
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Wellington/Wellingtons-Lord-of-the-Rings-Half-Day-Tour/d399-2964RRTHALF

AUSTRIA

Original Sound of Music Private Tour (TOP RATED!)
Tour the film locations in style while listening or singing along to the original Sound of Music soundtrack!

LINK:http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Salzburg/Original-Sound-of-Music-Private-Tour/d451-3595SOMP001

AUSTRALIA

Sports Lovers Tour of Melbourne plus Official ‘Neighbours’ Tour
After lunch at the huge Etihad Stadium sporting arena, indulge your passion for Melbourne’s other cultural export, the television program Neighbours.
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Melbourne/Sports-Lovers-Tour-of-Melbourne-plus-Official-Neighbours-Tour/d384-3527SLN

MEXICO

Hidden Worlds of Mexico Cavern Dive

As featured in the critically acclaimed 2001 IMAX movie, Journey Into Amazing Caves, the 2005 Hollywood movie, The Cave and the award winning 2007 BBC Planet Earth television series, the Yucan Peninsula is home to some of the most extensive systems of under-water caverns and caves in the world!
LINK: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/6885/tours/Riviera-Maya-and-the-Yucatan/Hidden-Worlds-of-Mexico-Cavern-Dive/d770-3664HWCDIVE

(Be sure to replace 6885 with your three or four digit Partner ID so you are credited with sales from these links)

Need help with placing these products on your own website? For information on linking to Viator products, click here

(originally posted 11 April 2009 — updated  19 May 2009)

As we have mentioned in the past, we have moved all active partners to the new Viator Partner Platform. The old affiliate platform has been retired as of early April 2009.

For active partners there are THREE very important steps to take:

1- REPLACE LINKS - Please replace OLD affiliate.viator.com product and destination links with new partner.viator.com URLs. You can obtain the new URLs on your partner site or via the new XML and CSV datafeeds available in the Partner Admin site.

URL Example:

OLD Link: http://www.affiliate.viator.com/brochure/product_show.jsp?CODE=2625AL&ID=1010&PRODUCTID=1016&AUID=4468

NEW Link: http://www.partner.viator.com/en/4468/tours/New-York-City/New-York-City-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d687-2625AL

We will redirect the most popular links for a limited time, but please replace all affiliate.viator.com links on your website so you don’t risk losing any future sales.

2- REPLACE WIDGETS - If applicable, replace all OLD iframe search and product widgets with new Partner versions. For more information on widgets, click here.

3- CHECK YOUR SITE - Ensure your new Viator Partner site’s header and look/feel is correct. You can view your Viator home page via this URL:

http://www.partner.viator.com/en/9999     (Be sure to replace 9999 with your three or four digit Viator AUID number)

In case your Partner site is not active, please log-in to the Partner Admin site using your AUID as the Partner ID and your existing Password. Logging into the Partner Admin site will automatically re-activate your site.

The new platform is performing very well and it will allow us to grow and expand our offerings to Partners. It also allows us to offer Partners additional features including: custom CSS, smart widgets, additional XML feeds, a much improved User Interface and much more!

For more information about the platform change, click here.

Questions? Email Partner Support at this address: partnersupport [at] viator.com

Viator has partnered with a number of Travel Agent distribution partners. These Partners offer Viator products and will pay applicable commission -directly- to Travel Agents. We urge you to book via one of these Partners to earn commissions for your client bookings.

Note: Commission are paid by the Partner — not Viator.

ARCMarketplace.com

Book Viator products and earn commissions on ARCMarketplace.com

This is an easy solution for most travel agents in the US. Simply book on the site — No Registration Required !

During the check out process when prompted to enter an ARC Number. For non-ARC agents enter your MarketPlace ID to ensure you get paid commission for the sale.

ARC MarketPlace is designed to be the go-to site to provide your clients the total travel experience. With 5,000+ top-selling destination activities, sightseeing tours, and much more, there is always something on ARC MarketPlace your clients will need you to book to enhance their trips and travel. Plus, travel professionals get commissions for every sale. Learn more about what commission rates are available.

ARC also offers a Travel Agent Website solution for selling activities on your Agency’s website!

BOOK NOW on ARCMarketPlace

Questions about ARC Marketplace? Click here for contact information

AAA/CAA

All AAA and CAA travel professionals have access to Viator products via a special AAA/CAA website.

Please contact your local manager or contact us for more information.

Note: We urge all travel agents to book via one of our Travel Agent Partners to earn full commission on each booking. Bookings made on our consumer website (viator.com) are non-commissionable.