“Email automation” sounds like one of those things you should be doing—right after you fix the van, update your pricing, and find one more guide to cover Saturday. But if you’ve been wondering where to start (without making it your new full-time job), this is for you.

These are the first automations that actually make a difference.

1. Smart Reminder Emails (More Than Just One)

The problem: FareHarbor lets you send one reminder. Helpful—but not enough.

The fix: With TourAdvantage, you can send multiple reminders at just the right moments. For example:

  • 3 days before: What to bring, what to wear, what people always forget
  • 1 day before: Parking info, exact meeting spot, weather tip
  • 90 minutes before: “Hey, traffic might be tricky—leave a little early”

Why it matters: You’ll see fewer no-shows, less day-of confusion, and way more prepared guests.

2. Personalized Review Requests (That Only Go to Happy Guests)

The problem: Most operators want more reviews—but FareHarbor’s default request often gets ignored.

The fix: TourAdvantage helps you send review requests that actually convert.

  • Personalize the email to match your branding and tone
  • Filter out unhappy guests before the request goes out
  • Send the minute the tour ends, while the memory is fresh (Yes, we have integration to SMS)
  • Resend if it wasn’t opened or clicked in a certain timeframe

Why it matters: Higher open and click-through rates mean more 5-star reviews. It feels like a personal follow-up—not a mass message.

3. Nurture Emails for People Who Didn’t Book (Yet)

The problem: Someone downloaded your guide, browsed your site, maybe even clicked around… but didn’t book.

The fix: Instead of letting them drift away, send a simple nurture series:

  • Email 1: “Here’s your download / local tips / what to do while you’re here”
  • Email 2: “Still planning your trip? Here’s what people love most.”
  • Email 3: “Have questions? We’ve got answers.”
  • Email 4: “Still interested? Here’s what’s new (or filling up fast).”

Why it matters: Keeps the conversation going—without being pushy. And yes, this is fully automated.

4. Add-On Reminders (Only If They Didn’t Already Buy)

The problem: Guests skip upgrades at checkout. Doesn’t mean they’re not interested.

The fix: With TourAdvantage, you can send perfectly-timed reminders only to guests who didn’t buy the add-on:

  • “Want to add a photo package?”
  • “Our guides recommend water shoes—add a pair before your tour!”

Why it matters: You make more per guest—without annoying anyone who already purchased. No manual sorting required.

5. Smart Browse Abandonment (That Doesn’t Make You Look Clueless)

The problem: People often return to your site after their first visit—sometimes days or weeks later. If you don’t respond to that behavior, you’re missing a huge opportunity.

The fix: TourAdvantage automatically tracks return visits and follows up when the timing is right. It knows who already booked, so you don’t send the wrong message.

  • If they browsed but never booked: follow up with a friendly nudge
  • If they’ve booked recently: don’t show up in their inbox like you forgot
  • If they’ve booked a long time ago: follow up with a reminder that you’ve missed them

Why it matters: This is different from a nurture sequence (which kicks off when someone first opts in). Browse abandonment is your chance to stay in touch every time someone comes back. TourAdvantage makes sure your emails reflect where they are in the journey—not where they were two weeks ago.

You Don’t Need to Do It All. Just Start With One.

These aren’t big, flashy marketing moves. They’re quiet, behind-the-scenes automations that save time, boost revenue, and make your guest experience smoother.

Start with just one. Set it, forget it, and let it work while you sleep.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t Forget the Attendees

With TourAdvantage + waiver integration (FareHarbor, Wherewolf or SmartWaiver), you can send these automations not just to the person who booked—but to every adult guest who fills out a waiver.

That means:

  • Everyone gets the reminder emails (no more “Wait, where are we meeting?”)
  • Everyone gets the upsell offers (even if the booker skipped them)
  • Everyone gets a chance to leave a review (not just the organizer)
  • Everyone can be nudged with a browse abandonment follow-up (if they visit your site later)

And the best part? Once the waivers are integrated, it runs without having to change any of your emails. No extra work. No extra cost.