Guide to growing a charter boat business: 12 tips for operators

Updated April 2023 – Running your own charter boat, fishing, or yacht business? You’re living the dream of many as you spend your days by the water. But growing sustainably within the charter industry can be a unique challenge. How should you invest in marketing – and how do you identify promising areas for growth?

Whether you offer charter fishing trips or private yacht cruises, here’s the guide on how to run a charter boat business while focusing your efforts and scaling up with smooth sailing.

So, you’ve launched your charter boat business. What now?

When it comes to increasing sales in the travel industry, most charter businesses will set aside an ongoing budget to cover various areas that are key to growth. This includes:

• A professional website with 24/7 online reservation service capabilities
• An effective guest management solution
• Reseller relationships with local travel agents and popular online travel agencies (OTAs) such as TripAdvisor, RedBalloon, and Adrenaline
• Social media and website updates to grow organic engagement with followers 
• Marketing across channels such as social media, paid search, radio, and print
• Capital outlays in new guest experiences or infrastructure where relevant
• Follow-up marketing after the guest experience, and more.

While every business is different, many operators allocate anywhere from 5-10% and upwards of revenue towards their growth and marketing strategies. As time goes on, it becomes easier to gauge and grow the best returns on investment.

Marketing tips for charter boat operators

1. Find your niche

Who would be most interested in your charter or boat services? Understanding where your business sits within the market is essential to successful growth. Make the most of your booking system analytics, particularly when integrated with Google Analytics, to identify your charter business referral sources and potential new markets. For example, if you’re noticing: 

• More family bookings, you might create and market family-friendly packages around key holidays and events.
• A growing local market, you might set up a loyalty program for repeat bookings.
• Google Analytics tells you your customers’ interests include gourmet food, you might offer treats from local providers on your charters.

2. Create a strong online presence

Charter companies use a raft of marketing measures, including:

• Search engine optimization (SEO) to encourage organic website traffic
• Connecting with the OTAs that are widely popular, such as TripAdvisor and RedBalloon
• Paid search or social media advertising, and more.

It’s wise to start small, set a marketing budget, and continually refine your campaigns based on results. Be sure to build a marketing calendar of seasonal dates when charters might be important to your customers, so you can promote around high-demand dates such as Boxing Day, Easter, long weekends, public holidays and New Year’s Eve.

3. Leverage social media

Social media has become an essential tool for increasing sales in the travel industry, and owning a charter boat business is no exception. With the majority of people using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, it is imperative for charter boat operators to establish a strong online presence to attract potential customers.

Using social media platforms, charter boat operators can showcase their boats, services, and the beautiful destinations they operate in. By doing so, they can reach a wider audience and attract customers who may not have been aware of their business otherwise. Additionally, social media provides a platform for operators to engage with their customers, respond to inquiries, share valuable information about their services, and can even be used as another channel for bookings.

4. Develop a referral program

Networks can be essential for growth, and few charter businesses go it alone these days. Outside of other charter or boat operators, some of the most valuable partnerships you can forge are with resellers: whether this be local travel agents, online travel agencies (OTAs), or both. If you want to connect with key resellers and offer live availability for 24/7 bookings, Rezdy Marketplace is ideal. 

Other partnerships might include working with restaurants, dive clubs, photographers, and other local businesses, to drive cross-referrals and enhance your customer experiences.

Customer service tips for charter boat operators

5. Respond to inquiries promptly

As a growing charter boat business, responding to inquiries promptly is crucial to building a positive reputation and establishing trust with potential customers. In the travel industry, customers are often looking to book experiences quickly and efficiently, and delayed responses can lead to frustration and missed opportunities.

By responding to inquiries promptly, charter boat operators demonstrate their commitment to customer service and create a positive first impression. Quick responses also provide an opportunity to engage with potential customers and answer any questions they may have about the business or services offered.

6. Offer personalized experiences

As a growing charter business, offering personalized experiences can be a key factor in attracting and retaining customers. While the beauty of a charter boat experience lies in the stunning scenery and activities offered, it is the personal touch that sets one business apart from another.

Personalization allows charter boat operators to tailor their services to the individual needs and preferences of their customers. This may involve customizing itineraries, offering unique experiences, or catering to specific dietary requirements. By doing so, charter boat operators can create a more memorable and enjoyable experience for their customers, which can result in positive reviews, repeat business, and referrals.

7. Ensure safety and comfort

As a growing charter boat business, ensuring comfort and safety for passengers should be a top priority. A comfortable and safe experience is essential to creating positive word-of-mouth recommendations, building a loyal customer base, and ultimately, growing the business.

Comfortable accommodations are a key component of a charter boat experience. Passengers should feel relaxed and at ease during their time on the boat. This may involve providing comfortable seating, clean restrooms, and amenities such as food and drink. In addition to providing comfortable accommodations, ensuring the safety of passengers is equally important. Charter boat operators should take measures to prevent accidents and emergencies, such as conducting regular safety checks, implementing emergency procedures, and creating liability waivers.

8. Encourage customer feedback

Customer reviews are another invaluable source of insights, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. Understanding your customer journey can help you optimize the entire customer experience: from initial awareness to online booking, to follow-up messaging.

Managing operations for charter boat operators

9. Maintain equipment regularly

Boats and equipment are essential assets that enable operators to provide a safe and comfortable experience for passengers. Regular maintenance ensures that boats and equipment are in good condition, reducing the risk of breakdowns, accidents, and delays.

To maintain boats and equipment, operators should establish a regular maintenance schedule that includes routine inspections, cleaning, and repairs. This may involve tasks such as checking the engine, changing the oil, replacing worn-out parts, and cleaning the interior and exterior of the boat.

10. Understand safety regulations

Safety regulations are put in place to protect passengers and crew members, and failure to comply with them can result in fines, legal action, and reputational damage.

Operators should take the time to understand and comply with all relevant safety regulations, which may include local, state, and federal regulations. These regulations may cover a wide range of areas, including crew training, emergency preparedness, passenger capacity, and equipment safety.

For example, the U.S. Coast Guard sets regulations for commercial vessels, including charter boats. These regulations cover everything from required safety equipment to crew training and qualifications. Operators must also comply with environmental regulations, such as those governing fuel spills and waste disposal.

11. Streamline your operations

As the business grows and expands, operators need to ensure that their operations are efficient and effective, allowing them to meet customer demand and maximize profits.

Streamlining operations can involve a variety of strategies, including automating processes, optimizing schedules, and utilizing technology. For example, operators may invest in a booking system such as Rezdy that allows customers to easily book and pay for trips online, reducing the need for manual booking processes.

Apart from your bookings, you also need to streamline your internal operations. Rezdy offers automatic manifest updates to ensure a smooth internal operation so that the entire time is informed of the latest booking updates. Furthermore, some operators may choose to use additional services for effective team communication such as Trello and Asana, along with Asana alternatives like Monday.com.

12. Develop a pricing strategy

A well-designed pricing strategy can help operators maximize revenue while also ensuring that customers are satisfied with the value they receive.

When developing a pricing strategy, operators should consider a variety of factors, including the costs of running a charter boat business, competitive pricing, and customer demand. They should also consider the value proposition of their services, taking into account factors such as the quality of the boat and equipment, the expertise of the crew, and the level of customer service provided.

Expansion ideas for charter boat operators

Party & private boat charters

• Offer new or exclusive destinations
• Add interest with local dining options, guides, or DJs
• Bring in extra revenue with drinks packages

Looking to dine and celebrate your next event on a cruise by the Sydney Harbour? Check out Sydney Tall Ships.

Yacht charters

• Offer premium packages for private yacht cruises or extended trips 
• Add luxurious touches for a dream yacht charter, such as a hot tub on deck, inflatable water slide or snorkeling gear
• Offer transfers from customer accommodation if viable.

Fishing charters

• Create local fishing guides online, to establish yourself as a fishing authority
• Offer discounts and offers for repeat bookings 
• Add a barbecue experience so guests can eat fresh fish aboard charter fishing trips
• Add historical or cultural aspects to your charter boat fishing experiences. 

Key takeaways

Growing a charter boat business requires careful planning and execution. By following the tips outlined in this guide, operators can increase their chances of success and create a business that provides a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for customers. 

If you’re currently on the lookout for the best online booking and guest management system to support your growth, start a FREE 21-day trial with Rezdy or book a free demo today.