We could name a dozen booking platforms out there, but when it comes to zipline tours, the best one for your business depends on how you operate. Maybe you’re running back-to-back tours with different group sizes each hour. Maybe you’re trying to manage weather delays, signed waivers and gear availability all at once.
Whatever your setup, zipline tours come with a unique set of moving parts that standard scheduling tools just aren’t built to handle. So what’s the best booking software for zipline tours? It’s the one that streamlines your operations, increases your revenue, and frees you up to focus on what matters, which is delivering an unforgettable experience to your guests.
In this guide, we’ll cover what to look for, how real operators use booking software every day, and the top tools to consider in 2025.
Why zipline tours need specialized booking software
Running a zipline operation is more than just strapping on a harness and guiding guests through the treetops. It’s a logistical dance of safety checks, waiver collection, group coordination, and weather implications. And, of course, making sure every guest has a great experience.
In other words, generic scheduling tools just can’t keep up with the pace and complexity of zipline tours. Zipline tour operators need a booking software that can tackle operational challenges on a daily basis, including:
- Weather disruptions: Tours often depend on clear skies and safe wind conditions, which means last-minute reschedules and real-time updates are nonnegotiables.
- Walk-ins and group bookings: Manage both pre-booked guests and last-minute arrivals while making sure guides, gear, and safety protocols are in check.
- Digital waivers: Every guest needs to sign a waiver, and with a digital solution, that can be done before they arrive.
- Upsells and tour customizations: Guests often want to add a photo package, a post-zip lunch or a private group upgrade. The right software will support those upsells in real time.
- Syncing with other channels: Automatically updating availability across OTAs (like Tripadvisor) and registering those bookings in real-time helps ward off double bookings.
- Managing guides and gear: Assigning the right guide, ensuring the right gear is available and keeping everyone on schedule requires a system that updates in real-time.
Key features Zipline operators should look for
When you’re running a zipline business, your booking software should do more than just schedule guests. The ideal booking tool helps you land more reservations. It comes with special features like waitlists and abandoned booking recovery emails that help fill your tours faster—and more efficiently.
Now, we know you’ll come across a lot of different options during your search for the right booking partner. Here are the must-have capabilities to look for:
- Recover lost bookings automatically. Use abandoned cart recovery tools (like Xola’s abandoned booking reminder emails) to bring back customers who left before finalizing their booking. A simple reminder helps capture revenue you would otherwise miss.
- Let guests book fast, from any device. A mobile-friendly checkout allows guests to make a booking directly from their mobile phones, even when they’re on the go. And your checkout system should be quick and easy to use, no matter the device guests are using. Think: getting guests signed up and booked in under 30 seconds—it should be that quick.
- Collect signed waivers before the zipline tour. A guest booked? Great. An email asking them to sign a digital waiver should promptly arrive in their inbox. Getting waivers out of the way makes the check-in process smoother, keeping lines short and guests happy.
- Boost revenue with targeted upsells. Who doesn’t love a photo zipping through a treeline? Offering valuable extras that guests love, like photo packages and group upgrades, helps boost your revenue per booking. Xola even has a special feature called Lightning Deals, which offers discounted tickets aimed at filling last-minute availability. These are the quiet features that can make a big difference in your bottom line.
- Avoid overbookings and gear mixups. Manage guide and harness availability in real time across all sales channels—from a single platform. This is crucial to keep your zipline tours organized and fully staffed.
- Sync with major OTAs to reach more guests. Connect with Viator, GetYourGuide, Google Things To Do and more to introduce your tour to a wider range of customers. Although your booking software should help you boost direct bookings through your site, syncing with OTAs is still a plus, considering many of your guests are using them not just to book, but to do research on what to do and where to go next.
- Automate your review requests. Guest left your attraction? Now, it’s time to ask them about their experience. Automate the review collection process with follow-up emails that direct guests to your preferred review platform, helping you understand what customers loved and what they feel could be improved.
How zipline businesses use booking software in the real world
Booking software plays a key role in how zipline tours operate day to day. Let’s say a family finds your zipline tour on Google. Here’s the catch: It’s the morning of their visit, and they want to make that booking from the comfort of their home.
So, they land on your website, book instantly from their phone, sign digital waivers on the spot and show up 15 minutes later ready to go. No calls, no forms, no lines. That’s the ideal situation, and one only made possible with the right booking tool.
Zipline operators also rely on their booking software for managing busy weekends. On a packed Saturday, your system automatically syncs guide availability and gear inventory. This removes the possibility of having too many guests for too few guides.
Instead, staff get real-time customer rosters, knowing exactly how many people to expect for each tour. Since it’s a busy day, guests check in via kiosk, without needing to bother your team, who might be assisting with another, more critical issue.
Operators are also leveraging these tools to boost their bottom line. For instance, a couple books a canopy tour for their two-year anniversary. As they’re checking out, they’re prompted to add a GoPro helmet rental that will record the whole experience. Plus, this comes with a sunset photo package during checkout. The couple instantly adds this to their cart, excited to capture this special moment and take it home as a memory.
What’s in it for the operator? That one upsell adds 25% to the booking value, with no extra work required. These are the minor workflow improvements that add up to a big difference. Your booking software should result in fewer manual tasks, better guest experience and more revenue per tour.
Top picks: Best booking tools for zipline tours in 2025
The best booking software for your zipline business depends on your size and operational complexity. Here are the top tools to consider in 2025.
Xola — Best overall for zipline and aerial adventure operators
- Combines online checkout, waiver signing and payment processing in one smooth flow
- Syncs resource availability in real time to prevent overbooking of guides, gear or platforms
- Converts more website visitors into paying guests with one of the highest-performing checkout experiences in the industry
Xola was built for tour and activity businesses, making it a perfect fit for zipline parks that need to manage group logistics, collect waivers and automate marketing. With powerful upsell tools and OTA integrations baked in, it’s designed to help operators maximize capacity and revenue, while simplifying the entire guest journey from first click to final zip. See how Xola works
DIY: WordPress + Google Forms + Email — Best for testing the waters
- Fully customizable using free or low-cost tools
- Gives you total control over guest communication and scheduling
- No subscription costs
If you’re just launching your zipline business or testing a new location, a DIY system using Google Forms, Google Calendar and email follow-ups can work in the short term. Just be prepared to do everything manually, from tracking payments to collecting waivers. Once your bookings start picking up, you’ll likely need to upgrade to a dedicated online booking platform like Xola.
How to choose the right zipline booking platform
When evaluating booking software for your zipline business, keep these key factors in mind:
- Mobile-first, high-converting checkout. Make it easy for guests to book directly from your site on any device.
- Built-in digital waivers. Streamline check-in and reduce wait times by collecting signatures before guests arrive.
- Support for personalized tours. Easily manage different offerings, group sizes, and pricing tiers.
- Real-time resource and guide management. Avoid overbookings by syncing guide and gear availability automatically.
- OTA and marketplace integrations. Reach more guests by listing your tours on Online Traven Agencies like Viator, GetYourGuide, and Google—yet manage it all under one platform.
- Upsells and dynamic pricing tools. Boost revenue with packages, add-ons, and last-minute promos.
- Abandoned booking recovery. Win back lost customers with automated cart recovery emails and on-site reminders.
Look for a platform that helps you save time, grow bookings, and stay focused on what matters most: getting guests in the air safely.
Want a booking system built for zipline tours?
Zipline tours aren’t like other experiences and your booking system shouldn’t be either. Xola is built specifically for tour and activity operators, with tools designed to simplify operations and keep your team moving smoothly on the ground. Book a demo to see how it works.
FAQs
In a hurry? Here’s a quick look at a few frequently asked questions about zipline booking software.
What is zipline booking software?
Zipline booking software is a specialized tool designed to help zipline and aerial adventure businesses manage reservations, process payments, collect waivers, and keep operations running smoothly. Unlike generic scheduling tools, it’s built to handle the unique challenges of running high-adrenaline, high-volume experiences.
What are the benefits of using zipline booking software?
Zipline booking software helps operators streamline everything from online reservations to on-site check-ins. Instead of juggling multiple tools or handling bookings manually, you can automate payments, confirmations, and guest communication in one place.
Tools like abandoned booking recovery and upsells help boost revenue, while built-in waivers and real-time resource tracking simplify operations and reduce errors. Ultimately, the right platform doesn’t just save you time—it helps you deliver smoother, safer, and more profitable zipline experiences.
Can I block bookings based on weather?
Yes. With a flexible scheduling system like Xola’s, you can easily block off tour times due to weather conditions, seasonal closures, or maintenance days. You stay in control without having to manually adjust every reservation.
What’s the easiest way to collect waivers?
Xola Waivers is built right into the booking flow. Guests receive and sign digital waivers immediately after booking, and automatic reminders ensure they’re completed before arrival, so check-in is faster and smoother on-site.
Can I set different pricing for weekdays and weekends?
Absolutely. Xola lets you create pricing variations based on time, date, group size, or custom conditions—ideal for weekend demand, off-season specials, or private group rates.
Is there a way to limit bookings by group size or age?
Yes. You can set age requirements, participant limits, and group size restrictions directly in the booking software to ensure guest safety and keep your operations running smoothly.
