Major Tour Operator plugin update & enhanced Wetu Content Importer
Tour operators using Wetu can now get even more value from their content — with faster, more flexible, and SEO-friendly WordPress websites.
We’re excited to announce that Wetu has partnered with LightSpeed through direct sponsorship to accelerate the development of two powerful open-source tools: the Tour Operator plugin and the Wetu Content Importer.
This collaboration is about more than just code — it’s about giving tour operators control over their content, their bookings, and their brand.
A milestone for LightSpeed’s open source work
This achievement marks a major moment in our history. After over a decade of dedicated open-source contributions to the WordPress ecosystem, this is LightSpeed’s first externally sponsored open-source initiative.
From the start, we’ve focused on building software that addresses real-world needs for travel and tourism professionals — always with a view toward openness, sustainability, and accessibility. This latest project elevates that work to new levels, combining our long-standing commitment to the WordPress community with the support of an industry leader like Wetu.
What’s new in the Tour Operator plugin?
The latest release of our Tour Operator plugin represents a complete evolution and introduces several advanced features designed specifically for the travel industry. Previously built using classic WordPress techniques, the new version is block-based, modern, and intuitive — offering a dramatically simplified experience for users managing travel websites.
Tour operators now benefit from:
- Streamlined content management for tours, destinations, and accommodation
- Enhanced user experience features with drag-and-drop layouts
- Seamless integration with third-party services like booking platforms and CRMs
Whether you’re launching a new tour business or modernising an established site, the Tour Operator plugin gives you the structure and tools to build a fully customised, SEO-optimised, mobile-ready site — without complex development or expensive themes.
Enhanced Wetu Content Importer
The Wetu Content Importer has been significantly upgraded.Tour operators can now:
- Effortlessly import rich content from Wetu, including tours, destinations, and accommodations
- Keep content fresh with scheduled syncing
- Ensure website visitors always see up-to-date and engaging information
This real-time content management approach boosts customer satisfaction and reduces admin workload — helping you focus on delivering great travel experiences.
Behind-the-scenes collaboration
Our partnership with Wetu wasn’t just about development — it extended into shared branding, quality control, and community outreach.
- We collaborated on logo formatting and brand guideline alignment, ensuring that both Wetu and LightSpeed are properly represented within the WordPress.org plugin directory.
- This reflects a shared commitment to quality, clarity, and recognition in the global WordPress community.
A special thanks goes to Jess Rackley, Brand & Events Manager at Wetu, whose clear communication and project coordination helped ensure the successful and timely launch of these tools.
Real Results: How Tour Operators Benefit
This Canada-based tour company used our plugin suite to streamline over 50 tour itineraries. With the Tour Operator plugin and Wetu Content Importer working together, their team now manages tour content in-house. The result? A noticeable increase in consultation requests and improved engagement across key tour pages.
“Thank you to the LightSpeed team for all your work! I am very proud of all the work you have all done to make our new website both modern and engaging!”
Chris Ronneseth
Owner of The Safari Partners
Showcasing at Indaba
LightSpeed will be joining Wetu at the Tourism Indaba in Durban from 12-15 May 2025, where we will meet with Tour Operators to help them understand how this software could be used to build their new website. Ash Shaw will represent LightSpeed and is excited to demonstrate these exciting updates to customers. It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with industry professionals and highlight the benefits of our newly enhanced solutions.
Grateful for our partnership
We extend our sincere thanks to Wetu for their valuable support and for championing our shared vision of empowering the travel and tourism industry through technology and innovation.
For further reading, please check out Wetu’s announcement about our collaboration: Increase Travel Bookings: How Wetu & LightSpeed Elevate Your Website
Built for the Community
We believe open-source software gives you more freedom and flexibility. That’s why our tools are:
- 100% free
- Openly developed on GitHub
- Built with WordPress best practices in mind
- Fully owned by you — no vendor lock-in, no commissions, no limits
We’re proud to be contributing these advancements back to the WordPress community, with the support and trust of a forward-thinking partner like Wetu.
Whether you’re a DMC, a growing mid-sized operator, or an independent travel consultant, these tools are built to help you do more with less.
Let’s build a site that works as hard as you do — powered by WordPress, enriched by Wetu, and backed by LightSpeed.
