experiencesupselllocal services

Local Experiences to Upsell: From Canal Tours in Venice to Dog Training Walks in the Cotswolds

UUnknown

2026-02-16

9 min read

Practical ideas and step-by-step templates for hosts to create and sell local upsell experiences—canal tours, dog-training walks, transport bundles—to boost ancillary revenue.

Start earning more from every booking: turn your cottage into a local-experience hub

Hosts tell us the same frustrations: guests want more than a bed, fees and availability are confusing, and owners don’t have time or know-how to create safe, sellable experiences. If that sounds familiar, this guide gives you practical, step-by-step ways to design, price and promote upsell experiences—from private canal tours and celebrity-spotting walks to expert dog walks and training sessions—that reliably grow your ancillary revenue while improving guest satisfaction in 2026.

The bottom line first (inverted pyramid)

Short version: package one or two local offerings with each stay, partner with vetted local guides and transport partners, automate promotion in pre-arrival messages, and price to earn an extra 5–20% per booking. If you want a quick win: add a dog-friendly welcome kit plus a guided 90-minute dog-training walk with a local trainer—bookable at checkout or by message.

Why experiences matter in 2026 (and why hosts win)

Travelers in 2026 expect curated, local access, not generic listings. After the high-profile travel spikes tied to celebrity events in late 2025—such as the surge of visitors seeking canal tours and photo spots around celebrity arrivals in Venice—demand for unique, locally-led excursions has accelerated. Guests now view experiences as part of the stay, not an optional add-on.

For hosts, experiences:

Increase average booking value via upsells and packaged deals.
Differentiate your property in OTAs and search results with unique offerings.
Create recurring revenue streams through partner commissions and repeat guest bookings.

“Guests are buying memories, not just accommodation.”—A practical credo for hosts in 2026.

Experience ideas that sell (real-world, high-margin)

Below are tested, host-friendly experiences that map to common guest segments. Use them as templates you can customize to your location and audience.

1. Canal tours & water-taxi VIP routes (city, coastal and island properties)

Why they sell: Instant local authenticity + photo ops. After the late-2025 celebrity-driven interest in Venice's waterways, visitors actively search for curated boat routes that hit iconic spots and “celebrity jetty” views.
What to offer: 60–90 minute private water taxi or small-boat tours highlighting local landmarks, quiet canals, and photo stops; add sunset options and prosecco/charcuterie upgrades.
How to partner: Contract licensed captains or local boat firms; create a referral agreement (flat fee or % commission).
Checklist: confirm passenger liability coverage, boat safety certification, seasonal route permits, and max capacity rules.

2. Celebrity-spotting & pop-culture walks

Why they sell: High engagement on social media—good for free promotion.
What to offer: A 90-minute guided walk mapping recent celebrity-related sites, film locations, and the local stories behind them. Include an optional photography guide for influencers and families.
How to promote: Leverage local press interest and Instagram micro-influencers; add a “map pdf” or AR-enabled route for self-guided guests.
Regulatory note: Avoid implying endorsement by celebrities; stick to factual, public-source stories.

3. Dog-training walks & guided dog adventures (perfect for pet-friendly cottages)

Why they sell: Pet travel is booming—owners want safe, fun options for canine companions.
What to offer: 60–90 minute small-group or private sessions led by a certified trainer: basic recall, trail etiquette, and enrichment exercises; combine with guided countryside routes in places like the Cotswolds.
Add-ons: Grooming vouchers, dog-sitting, local dog-friendly café stops, or special welcome packs.
Partnering tip: Work with local vets and trainers, cross-promote in listings and social groups for dog owners.

4. Transport + logistics bundles

Why they sell: Time-poor guests value door-to-door solutions—airport transfer plus luggage help plus early check-in is a premium.
What to offer: Airport or station transfers, luggage assistance, and water-taxi pickup options. For rural properties, add EV-charging info and partner with bike rental shops.
How to price: Flat fee for transfers; small surcharge for off-hours. Consider commission splits with drivers or a fixed fee per ride.

5. Food, farm and wellbeing experiences

What to offer: Farm-to-table dinners, private cooking lessons with local chefs, foraging walks, or guided stargazing and mindfulness sessions—easy upsells for countryside cottages.
Why they sell: Local cuisine and nature-based experiences are consistent high-converters post-2024 sustainability trends.

How to create an experience step-by-step

Follow this practical blueprint to design an experience and take it from idea to paid booking.

Step 1 — Validate demand quickly

Scan guest messages and reviews for recurring requests (e.g., “Is there a local dog trainer?”).
List 3 experiences you can offer with local partners within 4 weeks.
Survey recent guests via a short email or add an experience poll to your pre-arrival automation.

Step 2 — Build a partner playbook

Identify vetted partners: licensed boat operators, certified dog trainers, transport companies, local guides.
Agree terms: booking window, cancellation, pricing split (e.g., 70/30 host/partner or fixed commission), and dispute resolution.
Create a short partner checklist: insurance certificates, ID checks, DBS checks if working with children, and first-aid certifications where relevant.

Step 3 — Design the guest journey

Decide where the experience sells: booking checkout, pre-arrival upsell, or in-person at the property.
Make bookings seamless: use your PMS or a simple third-party experience-booking tool; require deposits for high-cost excursions.
Write clear pre-trip emails with logistics, what to bring, safety notes and cancellation policy.

Step 4 — Price for perception and profit

Use a three-layer pricing rule:

Base cost: partner fee + your marginal cost (welcome kit, staff time).
Host margin: add 25–50% for curation, booking overhead and convenience.
Premium upsell: offer a higher-tier version (private vs group, champagne, luxury transport) at 2–3x base cost.

Example: a 60-minute dog-training walk might cost the trainer £35. Charge guests £55 for group sessions and £95 for private bookings. You and your partner split according to your agreement.

Step 5 — Cover legal, safety and insurance

Require partners to hold public liability insurance and share certificates.
Draft a short waiver for guests; include emergency contact procedures.
Check local licensing for tours (many cities require permits for guided groups or boats).

Marketing & promotion: convert lookers into bookers

Hosting a great experience is only half the work. Here’s how to make it sell.

Listing & OTA optimization

Include experiences in your headline and description—use keywords: guest packages, upsell experiences, partner excursions.
Add a dedicated “experiences” photo gallery and short video clips; OTAs prioritize listings with unique amenities.

Pre-arrival automation

Send an automated email 7–10 days before arrival highlighting curated options and limited slots.
Use urgency: “Only two private water-taxi slots left this week.”

In-property conversion

Use a printed welcome book and QR codes linking to bookable experiences.
Train your check-in host or cleaner to mention top experiences—word of mouth still converts well.

Work with cafés, pubs and shops to display flyers and offer guest discounts.
Join local tourism boards or experience platforms to get promoted to broader audiences.

Request short video clips from guests and build a 30–60 second highlights reel for Instagram and reels—celebrity-spotting and dog-walk clips perform strongly. See ideas for short-form engagement in fan engagement guides.
Offer a small voucher to guests who post and tag you (terms in writing).

Measuring success: KPIs and realistic targets

Track the right metrics to know what to scale.

Ancillary revenue per booking (target +5–20% within three months).
Conversion rate on pre-arrival offers (aim 5–15% depending on offer complexity).
Partner satisfaction and repeat bookings.
Net Promoter Score or experience-specific review snippet rates.

Case studies & 2026 trend tie-ins

Concrete examples help show what works right now.

Case study A — Venice-style canal route for a boutique apartment

A small Venice apartment owner partnered with a licensed water-taxi operator in late 2025 to sell 90-minute curated routes centered on recent high-profile events and quieter historical canals. By adding a small surcharge and promoting the tours in pre-arrival messages, they increased ancillary revenue by 12% within two months and saw higher Instagram engagement from guests using the tour hashtag.

Case study B — Cotswolds dog-training walk

A Cotswolds cottage owner teamed up with a certified trainer to provide a 75-minute countryside dog-training session and guided walk. The package included a small welcome kit (poop bags, toy, treat). They sold the session as a £60 add-on at booking and as a £75 on-arrival option. Repeat guests requested it on subsequent stays and the owner added a loyalty bundle—three sessions for returning guests—boosting repeat bookings.

Risk management & common pitfalls

Overpromise: Don’t offer experiences you can’t guarantee. Keep capacity small until systems are tested.
Underprice: Low prices attract volume but can burn out partners and reduce perceived value.
Ignore compliance: Fines for unlicensed tours or uninsured activities can wipe out profits.

Advanced strategies for 2026 and beyond

To future-proof your offerings, build systems that leverage tech and sustainable practices—both are top search and booking drivers in 2026.

AI personalization: Use guest data (past trips, pets, ages) to auto-suggest relevant experiences in pre-arrival sequences. For how to approach AI pilots and when to scale, see AI in Intake: When to Sprint.
Dynamic bundling: Offer last-minute bundles at checkout based on availability and weather (e.g., move a sunset canal tour to a morning option). See creative bundling ideas in the hybrid pop‑up playbook.
Sustainability: Create eco-friendly excursions and promote carbon-offset transport partners—guests increasingly search for low-impact experiences. Food-focused microcations are a natural complement; see Culinary Microcations for inspiration.
Accessibility-first design: Offer versions of walks/tours with mobility-friendly routes and baby equipment to reach more guests. Community-driven event design is covered in neighborhood micro-events playbooks.

Quick templates you can copy

Pre-arrival message (60–80 words)

“Welcome! We’ve partnered with trusted local guides to offer curated experiences—private canal tours, a Cotswolds dog-training walk, and door-to-door transfers. Book now (limited slots) and we’ll reserve your preferred time. Reply with dates or tap the QR in your welcome email.”

Partner agreement checklist (bulleted)

Services provided and schedule
Pricing and payment split
Insurance & certification proof
Cancellation policy and force majeure
Guest conduct expectations and COVID/health safety clause if relevant

Final actionable takeaways

Start small—pilot one experience for a month and measure uplift.
Prioritize safety, insurance and clear cancellation terms.
Automate pre-arrival upsells and include experiences in your listing copy and photos.
Partner locally and build a simple partner playbook to scale.
Use social proof and limited-time urgency to convert lookers into buyers.

Experiences are the low-friction way to earn more from each stay while making guests happier and more likely to return. With thoughtful partners and a simple booking flow, you can turn local knowledge into reliable ancillary revenue in 2026.

Ready to start?

If you want a quick starter plan for your property—complete with three experience ideas tailored to your location, a partner outreach email template, and pricing scenarios—get our free checklist and template pack. Implement one experience this month and track your first ancillary revenue within 30 days.

Take action now: pick one experience from this guide, contact one local partner, and add it to your pre-arrival email. Small steps create visible revenue—start today.

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.