For marine tourism businesses, visibility can make or break the season. Being featured in popular “Top Things To Do in [City]” lists across travel blogs, tourism websites, and Google results can lead to a significant increase in traffic, trust, and bookings. These lists are often the first touchpoint for visitors planning their trips. The good news is, you do not need to rely on luck to appear in them. With the right strategy, you can position your business to be more discoverable, more appealing, and more likely to be featured.
This guide will show you how to approach local content creators, tourism sites, and blogs to get your marine business listed. We will also cover outreach techniques, backlinking opportunities, and listing strategies tailored to the Australian tourism landscape.
Quick Guide:
- Why Being Featured Matters
- Know Where These Lists Are Published
- Get Your Business Ready for Features
- How to Get Featured: Proven Outreach Tactics
- Leverage Listing Platforms for SEO and Backlinks
- Encourage Reviews and Local Mentions
- Conclusion: Make It Easy for Others to Feature You
Why Being Featured Matters
In today’s digital-first travel environment, many tourists and locals rely on curated “Top Things To Do” articles when planning activities. These listicles are often published by travel bloggers, lifestyle magazines, tourism boards, and experience platforms. For example, a family visiting Noosa might search “things to do in Noosa with kids” and end up booking a dolphin-watching tour simply because it appeared in a trusted roundup.
For marine businesses offering snorkelling tours, reef cruises, whale watching, or island hopping adventures, being featured in these lists increases exposure to ready-to-book audiences and lends credibility to your offering.
Know Where These Lists Are Published
Before you can get featured, you need to know who creates these lists and where they are published. Here are some of the most common platforms:
- Local Travel Blogs: These include independent bloggers who frequently create destination-based content such as “Top 10 Things To Do in Airlie Beach”.
- Tourism Boards: Official bodies like Destination NSW or Tourism Western Australia publish curated activity lists on their websites.
- Local Lifestyle Outlets: Publications such as Urban List, Concrete Playground, and Broadsheet regularly create city-specific experience lists.
- Aggregator Blogs: Websites like MustDoBrisbane or Get Lost Magazine aggregate experience-based content, often with guest submissions.
- Google Local Guides & Maps Lists: Personalised maps and reviews created by Google users often appear in mobile searches.
To begin, search your business location on Google (e.g. “Things to do in Port Stephens”) and analyse the first two pages of results. These are your top outreach targets.
Get Your Business Ready for Features
Before you start pitching to blogs or media outlets, make sure your online presence is solid. Content creators are more likely to feature a business that looks professional and trustworthy. Here is a quick checklist:
- A clean, mobile-friendly website with high-quality images and clear tour information
- A Google Business Profile that is fully updated with recent photos, reviews, and correct contact details
- A TripAdvisor or GetYourGuide listing with recent feedback and responses
- A strong social media presence with consistent branding and recent posts
Use keywords on your website that match how people search for things to do. For instance, instead of just writing “We offer fishing tours,” include “guided fishing trips in Darwin for families” or “best local reef tours near Exmouth”.
How to Get Featured: Proven Outreach Tactics
Once your business is ready, the next step is reaching out to the people behind the content. This is where many marine operators hesitate, but outreach can be straightforward when done right.
Step 1: Identify Potential Publishers
Build a list of local bloggers, journalists, and travel sites that have published relevant content. Use search engines, Instagram hashtags, Google Maps contributors, and tourism directories.
Step 2: Personalise Your Pitch
Writers receive a lot of generic messages. Stand out by referencing a specific article they wrote or a recent feature they published.
Step 3: Provide Value
Explain what makes your experience unique. Do you offer a rare whale-watching route? Is your tour kid-friendly or wheelchair-accessible? Offer downloadable media kits or high-resolution images to make inclusion easier.
Sample Email Template:
Subject: Suggesting a Local Favourite for Your Next [City] Feature
Hi [Name],
I recently read your article on [Article Title] and loved your coverage of local spots in [City]. I run [Business Name], a locally owned marine tour company offering [brief value proposition, e.g. “eco-certified dolphin cruises in Shoalwater Bay”].
We’d love to be considered for future roundups or travel guides. I’ve attached a short press kit with photos and info. We’d also be happy to host you for a firsthand experience.
Thanks for supporting local operators.
Best,
[Your Name]
[Business Website]
[Phone Number]
[Social Media Links]
Leverage Listing Platforms for SEO and Backlinks
Aside from blogs, there are several authoritative platforms that allow marine businesses to submit listings and generate strong backlinks that help with SEO.
- ATDW (Australian Tourism Data Warehouse): Free listings that sync with state tourism sites like Queensland.com or SouthAustralia.com
- Australia.com: The national tourism site that pulls from ATDW data
- Broadsheet, Urban List, and Concrete Playground: Accept pitches for experience-based features
- BookMe, RedBalloon, and Viator: Third-party tour platforms that rank highly in Google results
These listings do not only bring direct traffic but also improve your website’s credibility through high-quality backlinks, which influence search engine rankings.
Encourage Reviews and Local Mentions
User-generated content (UGC) plays a major role in local discovery. Many “Top Things To Do” lists source ideas from platforms like TripAdvisor or Google Maps. Encourage your customers to leave detailed reviews, especially those that include keywords like “best tour in Broome” or “fun things to do on the Gold Coast”.
Also consider collaborating with local micro-influencers or travel content creators who post their experiences and often get picked up by larger media outlets. Offer discounted or hosted tours in exchange for authentic content.
Conclusion: Make It Easy for Others to Feature You
Appearing in “Top Things To Do” lists is not about being the biggest operator or spending the most on ads. It is about positioning your marine business as a high-value, easy-to-feature experience. By maintaining strong branding, actively pitching your story, and leveraging strategic platforms, you can increase visibility, gain backlinks, and fill your booking calendar with customers who discovered you at just the right moment.
Start with one list, one email, and one outreach at a time. With consistency, your business can become a must-do experience in your region.
Would you like help creating a tailored outreach plan for your charter or tour business? Let us know, and we’d be happy to help you take the first step.
