Add-Ons That Boost Revenue for Outdoor Adventure Tours

Tour add-ons can be a hassle if you don’t set them up right. You don’t want to nickel-and-dime your guests, and you definitely don’t want to bog down the booking process with a bunch of confusing extras. But when executed correctly, a well-chosen add-on can boost your per-guest revenue and make your guests’ experience way better.

The trick is to offer things that actually matter to them—stuff that makes their trip easier, more memorable, or just a little more fun. And ideally, these should be things they want to grab while they’re already excited and planning their outing.

Here’s an overview of some high-performing, low-effort tour add-ons that can move the needle for outdoor adventure tour operators. If you want to zoom out and see how this fits into a complete upselling and cross-selling strategy, check out this guide to boosting revenue for outdoor adventure tour businesses.

1. Gear Rentals That Fill a Need (Or a Gap in Their Luggage)

Most guests don’t want to fly or drive in with a duffel bag full of outdoor gear. If you can provide solid equipment on-site, that’s a win for everyone. These are easy to prep, don’t require a hard sell, and often feel like a relief to the guest.

Examples by tour type:

• Kayaking or paddle tours: Dry bags, water shoes, dry-fit shirts, small waterproof phone cases
• Hiking tours: Trekking poles, daypacks, hiking boots (optional but appreciated), trail maps
• Fishing charters: Rod and reel rentals, bait kits, gloves, polarized sunglasses
• Wildlife tours: Binoculars, bug spray, field guides

Pro Tip: Offer gear packages at checkout, but make sure guests can add them later too. Some people don’t know what they need until the night before the trip.

If you’re offering these extras, make sure your outdoor booking and scheduling system supports quick, visible upsells. With an all-in-one tour management platform, like Digital Sportsman, you can build these into checkout or even make them available by QR code on-site.

2. Photo & Video Packages

This is one of the most underutilized revenue streams in the outdoor tour business—especially if your activity includes movement, scenery, or wildlife. And thanks to GoPros, drones, and good smartphone photography, it’s easier than ever to offer something polished without needing a dedicated photographer on staff.

Types of packages:

• Digital downloads of action shots or scenic moments
• Edited highlight reels (for longer or group tours)
• On-the-spot souvenir photos printed at check-in or checkout

What makes it sell: People want to show off what they did. If your tour delivers a visual payoff, let them buy the bragging rights in a few clicks.

3. Comfort/Convenience Upgrades

Sometimes the best-selling add-ons are the most practical ones. Especially for guests that are brand new to outdoor tours, comfort sells. These are the items people wish they’d packed... until they realize you’ve got them covered.

Smart options to offer:

• Refillable water bottles
• Cooling towels or sunshades
• Waterproof seat covers or dry seats on boats
• Lightweight ponchos or rain jackets
• High-SPF sunscreen (this one sells better than you’d expect)

These items also tend to have great margins—especially if you brand them or buy in bulk.

4. Snack, Meal, or Beverage Packages

Nobody likes being hungry or thirsty on an all-day trip. Offering food as an add-on not only increases your revenue, it keeps guests energized and happy. If your tour spans mealtimes or is family-oriented, this one’s a no-brainer.

You don’t need a 5-star chef to pull this off, either. Adventure tour operators can do great business with cooler-packed bag lunches—turkey sandwich, chips, and a can of soda. Trail mix in resealable bags or granola bars for hiking, or even champagne splits for the last leg of a romantic paddle tour—it all adds up.

Ideas to consider:

• Pre-packed lunches (especially for remote trails or full-day tours)
• Local snack boxes or trail mix packs
• Reusable custom souvenir cups with unlimited refills
• Sunset tours with local wine, beer, or non-alcoholic mocktail service

Tip: This also opens the door to local partnerships. Teaming up with a nearby café, food truck, or caterer means you can offer regional specialties without having to prep a thing. It can build local goodwill while adding value to your clients' experience.

 

5. Souvenirs That Feel Authentic, Not Tacky

Tour shirts and mugs are great—but only if they’re things your guests actually want to take home. The keys are relevance and restraint. Choose a few strong options and make them easy to grab while checking in, waiting for a ride, or browsing your site.

Top-performing options:

• Branded shirts, hats, and insulated water bottles (functional + keepsake)
• Stickers and patches (especially for hiking and adventure brands)
• Locally-made artisan goods or trail snacks
• Fridge magnets with scenic photography or your tour branding
• Field journals or logbooks (great for nature/wildlife trips)

If it tells a story or makes people feel like part of the experience, it’s probably a good bet.

6. Experience Add-Ons: Give Them More to Do

Upsells don’t always have to be "stuff"—they can be extra experiences. These are great for adventure and multi-activity operators, and when you incorporate them directly into your reservation process with tour booking/management software, they can help nudge one-time guests into multi-bookers.

Examples:

• Add-on night hikes, stargazing, or sunset rides
• Extra fishing time, bonus off-road miles, or guided detours
• Wildlife tracking or birdwatching extensions
• Combo deals (kayak + snorkel, hike + wine tasting, etc.)

These add-ons feel like insider upgrades—something they wouldn’t have thought to ask for but are happy you offered.

 

7. Last-Minute Essentials

Some of your best-selling add-ons won’t be flashy, but they’re reliable earners. Guests forget things—and they’re relieved when you have them on-site.

Set these up near check-in, on mobile menus, or via QR:

• Sunglasses
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Ponchos
• Phone charging bricks
• Maps or paper guides (when cell service is weak)

Best practice: Don’t make a big pitch. Just have them accessible and visible, with pricing clearly marked. Think “friendly convenience store,” not “souvenir trap.”

Bottom Line

What turns a good add-on into a great one? Timing, visibility, and how easy it is for your guests to say yes.

• Add-ons should be visible during the reservation process, at check-in, and optionally during the tour.
• They should be quick to understand—with clear value and no surprises.
• And they should feel like they’re helping, not interrupting the experience.

Digital Sportsman’s all-in-one booking and management software for outdoor businesses makes the add-on process simple—so your extras feel seamless to your guests, and manageable for your team.

If your extras feel like an extension of the service—rather than a pop-up ad—guests will be more likely to grab them, and they’ll feel good about the purchase. That means more revenue per booking, a better guest experience, and smoother business operations overall.