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How to Build a Walking Tour That Boosts Local Business


A couple using a walking tour to explore a local downtown area

Want more visitors exploring your main street—not just Googling it from the hotel? Whether you're part of a BIA, a local museum, or a tourism office, a well-crafted walking tour can do more than guide people around. It can turn passive wanderers into active customers. Here's how to create one that doesn't just show people around but leads them right to your community's heartbeat: its businesses.

Why Walking Tours Still Work

Walking tours are simple, cost-effective, and incredibly effective. And for small tourism teams, they're a scalable, accessible way to connect stories to streets.

They're eco-friendly, mobile-friendly, and the perfect antidote to short attention spans. Plus, when paired with a digital tourism platform or walking tour app, they become even more powerful. You can add audio, visuals, interactive elements—and yes, even local discounts.

No time or budget?

You’re not alone. The good news is, a walking tour doesn’t have to be a big lift. With tools like Driftscape, you can set up a digital tour in an afternoon—then share it using printable QR code posters placed in shop windows, visitor centres, or cafés. Ask your participating businesses to get on board and help spread the word. 

Pro-tip: Film a quick walkthrough and share it on social—it’s fast content and a great promo boost. They offer visitors a more intimate, immersive way to get to know your town or district. 

Step-by-Step: Designing a Business-Boosting Walking Tour

Picture this: the crunch of gravel underfoot, the aroma of fresh-baked pastries drifting out from a corner bakery, and the soft chime of a storefront bell as someone steps in to explore. A walking tour should awaken the senses—not just check off landmarks.

1. Choose Your Theme or Storyline

What makes your area special? Whether it's "Hidden Histories of the East End," "Local Legends & Landmarks," or "Sips & Shops Tour," your theme sets the tone and helps you choose relevant stops. Let the story shape the route, not just the geography.

2. Involve Local Businesses from the Start

This is where the magic happens. Invite shop owners, cafés, and galleries to be part of the tour. They can:

  • Offer tour-only discounts or freebies

  • Share a quick story or fun fact about their space

  • Host a stop for 2-3 minutes of history or flavour

When businesses feel included, they help promote the tour too—creating instant co-marketing momentum.

3. Map It Out Digitally (and Accessibly)

Use a walking tour app like Driftscape to bring it all together. Digitally mapping your tour:

  • Helps people navigate with ease

  • Lets you add rich content (photos, audio clips, short stories)

  • Allows real-time updates

  • Makes it more accessible to all ages and abilities

4. Promote It as an Experience, Not Just a Path

You're not just connecting dots on a map—you're creating an experience. Use in-store signage, local posters, email newsletters, and social media to invite people to "Walk the Story" of your community.

Bonus tip: bundle it! Pair tours with events, contests, or seasonal promos ("Summer Style Walk," anyone?). And hey—if someone ends the tour with a latte, a locally made candle, and a selfie in front of a mural? That’s basically the tourism trifecta.


A example of a self-guided tour in Driftscape

No time? Try Quick Wins for Small Teams

  • Start with 5–7 key locations

  • Use content you already have (photos, blog blurbs, historical tidbits)

  • Ask business owners to contribute their favourite memory, fun fact, or local tips.

  • Launch with a small weekend campaign to gather first feedback

Walking Tour Theme Ideas That Connect Businesses

Need a little creative nudge? Here are some walking tour themes that naturally connect visitors with local businesses while making the experience fun and meaningful:

  • Sips & Shops: Pair boutiques and cafes for a local shopping + tasting trail

  • Historic Storefronts Tour: Highlight the architecture and stories of long-standing businesses

  • Mural & Market Walk: Combine street art with stops at artisan markets or indie retailers

  • Locals’ Favourites: A tour curated by shopkeepers sharing their favourite hidden gems

  • Flavours of the District: Connect restaurants, bakeries, and gourmet grocers in a tasting loop

  • Seasonal Showcase: A spring bloom walk, holiday window tour, or autumn harvest stroll

  • Trail to Table: Partner with outdoor rec. spots and restaurants for a hike + bite combo

  • Cultural Corridors: Celebrate cultural districts with heritage stops and ethnic eateries

  • Wellness Walk: Include yoga studios, juice bars, and quiet garden spots for a health-themed tour

  • Date Night Tour: Combine cocktail stops, music venues, and dessert cafés into a romantic route

Final Thoughts: Small Steps, Big Foot Traffic

A walking tour doesn’t need a big budget—just a great story and the right partners. When done well, it boosts engagement, increases foot traffic, and helps visitors feel more connected to the people and places behind the storefronts.

Ready to build your first walking tour? Start with a story. Bring in your neighbours. Let Driftscape help you make the magic mobile.

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