Sage World AutomateHow to Get Approved as a Supplier on Viator and GetYourGuide
Viator and GetYourGuide are two of the biggest marketplaces for tours and activities, and neither lists every operator who applies. Getting approved is mostly about preparation: a complete application, a clear business and a first listing that is ready for review. This guide covers what to do before you apply and why applications often stall. (Viator is part of the Tripadvisor group, so your Tripadvisor presence and reviews can matter here too.)
How OTA vetting works
Marketplaces want products that travellers can book instantly and that will not cause problems. So they review who you are, what you sell, how reliable your availability is and how well your listing is written. Each platform sets its own requirements and updates them from time to time, so treat this guide as a preparation checklist and always follow each platform’s current supplier instructions.
Before you apply
- Decide which tours you will list first. Start with your best-performing, most reliable products.
- Be clear about who your guests are and what makes your tour different.
- Check your pricing leaves room for commission.
- Confirm you can honour bookings at the capacity and times you offer.
- Choose a reservation system if you do not already have one.
Documents to have ready
Platforms commonly ask for proof that you are a real, legal operator. Typically this means business registration or licence details, insurance information, tax and payment details, and reliable contact information. Requirements differ by country and platform, so gather these before you start the form to avoid stopping halfway.
Make the listing review-ready
- Title: destination, activity and key benefit, written clearly.
- Description and itinerary: specific, accurate and easy to scan.
- Inclusions and exclusions: exact and honest.
- Photos: sharp, bright and taken on your real tour.
- Policies: a clear cancellation policy, meeting point and accessibility details.
Our guide to OTA listing optimization explains each of these in more detail.
Availability and pricing
Marketplaces expect real-time bookable availability and sensible cutoff times. Open calendars you can actually run, keep cutoffs as close to the start time as your operations allow, and set prices that stay profitable after commission. Connecting a channel manager such as Bókun or Rezdy keeps availability accurate across platforms. See our channel manager guide.
Why applications stall
- Incomplete or inconsistent business details.
- Generic descriptions copied from your website.
- Low-quality or stock photos.
- Empty or unrealistic availability.
- Vague policies that could cause disputes.
No guarantees: even a perfect application can be declined, and approval does not guarantee bookings. Prepare well, then keep improving.
After approval
Approval is the start. Watch your first bookings closely, collect reviews, and keep availability and prices accurate. If you would rather have the first setup done for you, see our one-time OTA setup guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to list tours on Viator or GetYourGuide?
Marketplaces commonly have no upfront listing fee and earn a commission on each booking, but terms differ and can change. Always check each platform’s current supplier terms, and include commission in your pricing.
Why do supplier applications get delayed or rejected?
Typical reasons are incomplete business details, thin or unclear listing content, poor photos, unrealistic availability and policies that do not meet the platform’s standards. Platforms also decide for themselves which suppliers and products they take.
Can I apply to both platforms at once?
Yes. Many operators list on several marketplaces. A reservation or channel-manager system helps keep availability in sync between them.
How long does approval take?
It varies by platform, product and how complete your application is. Having everything prepared before you apply is the best way to avoid avoidable delays.
Ready to get your tours listed properly?
Tell us which OTAs you want to be on and we will tell you where to start. You can also see our one-time setup service at OTAListing.com.
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