Tourpreneur Tour Business Podcast

The VAWAA Story: Building a Niche Tour Business on Human-Centered Design

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:05:00 -0400

There is no itinerary. No promised outcome. And a 98 percent five-star review rate.

Geetika Agrawal is the founder and CEO of Vacation With An Artist (VAWAA), a platform connecting travelers with master artists in 42 countries for multi-day, one-on-one apprenticeships. The business does not sell tours. It sells access to process: five to six days in an artist's studio, working directly alongside practitioners of pottery, calligraphy, natural dyeing, quilting, shoemaking, and dozens of other craft traditions rooted in place and culture. There is no itinerary. No guaranteed finished product. No group of strangers to manage around. Just immersive making alongside people who have spent decades mastering their practice.

Geetika brings 20 years as a human-centered designer, including work at Disney Imagineering, L'Oreal, and Lincoln Center, to an operation run by a team of four with artists across 42 countries. Mitch and Geetika talk through how she vets artists (the internal bar: is this worth flying that far?), how she designed onboarding systems and feedback loops to maintain quality at scale, and why VAWAA has grown 25 to 30 percent organically for two consecutive years, hitting 50 percent growth this year, without a dollar in paid advertising. She also walks through the decision at the center of everything: sell the process, not the outcome. That decision, she argues, is directly why 98 percent of reviews are five stars.

Resources:

VAWAA: vacationwithanartist.com or vawaa.com
Geetika Agrawal on LinkedIn

How The Chef Tours Built a 70% Referral Rate by Never Running the Same Tour Twice

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Karl Wilder started The Chef Tours with 300 euros, no advertising budget, and a radical premise: spend the majority of your ticket price on food and wine, not marketing, and let your guests do the talking. It worked: 70% of his bookings now come from referrals.

Karl spends upwards of six months developing each new city, walking streets with his dog Milou, watching how vendors cook, tasting obsessively, choosing unique neighborhoods that other operators avoid. No two tours are the same: every tour shifts based on who's in the group, what's in season, which stand is having a great day. Groups are capped at six. There are no scripts. Chefs — not guides — run every experience, sharing their own lives, kitchens, and relationships with the city.

In this episode, Karl and Tourpreneur host Mitch Bach dig into why this model works, how to develop tours through deep neighborhood immersion rather than clipboard research, why he's selling a "development tour" as he explores the next city Buenos Aires, what operators get wrong about food storytelling, and why the messiest, most human, most unrepeatable experiences are the ones people can't stop talking about.

Visit The Chef Tours
Follow Karl on LinkedIn

What Do You Stand For? Why Taking a Position Is Good Business

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:20:00 -0400

Most tour operators know they should stand out. Very few are willing to say something specific enough to actually do it.

Yulia Denisyuk is a journalist, storyteller, and independent trip operator who has spent years watching the travel industry default to the same itineraries, the same highlights, and the same cheerful marketing, while the travelers who might actually connect with something real keep looking for it elsewhere. She and Mitch don't spend much time on tactics. They spend most of this conversation on the harder question: what does it actually mean to build a travel business around something you believe, and what does that require you to give up?

The conversation covers the rise of creator-led trips and why personal trust has effectively replaced brand trust for a growing share of travelers. Yulia makes a practical case for why a narrow, specific position, one that tells potential travelers what you won't do as clearly as what you will, is a more durable business strategy than chasing broader appeal. She also shares a framework for pitching your business to media that has nothing to do with your destination and everything to do with the larger conversation your trips are part of. By the end, the episode lands somewhere most travel business podcasts don't: the question of whether the goal is a five-star review from a self-actualized traveler, or something that actually changes the relationship between the people on your trip and the communities they're visiting.

Top Takeaways

Your trips should reflect your personal lens on a destination, not the consensus itinerary. 6:23 – 8:32 Yulia doesn't bring her Jordan groups to Jerash — one of the most recognized ancient Roman sites in the region — because she personally didn't connect with it, and the trip is built around what she can honestly advocate for. This creates a natural filter: you're not trying to reach everyone, you're reaching people who share your specific way of seeing a place. Operators who copy the standard itinerary end up competing on price and social media polish, and that's a fight most small operators lose.
Slow, longer trips are a competitive position — not an apology. 5:44 – 6:22 Yulia's Jordan trips run longer than the industry standard for that destination, by design, because real connection with local people takes time. Most group tours to Jordan are built for efficiency; hers is built for depth, which draws a traveler who isn't cross-shopping on price. If your trip length is determined by what the market seems to expect rather than what the experience actually requires, that's worth revisiting.
The creator-led trip works because personal trust has replaced brand trust. 8:32 – 9:57 Younger travelers have largely stopped trusting institutional brands and marketing, and they're redirecting that trust toward people whose worldview they already follow. An operator who has built any kind of content presence around a clear point of view can convert that trust directly into bookings, without the credibility-building work that larger brands spend years establishing. The itinerary becomes secondary. People are buying the person and the lens.
Cutting standard highlights from your itinerary can be more compelling than adding them. 9:30 – 9:57 Yulia tells prospective travelers that her groups experience Petra differently than 98% of group tours — rejecting the Indiana Jones angle that most operators default to because pop culture and Instagram demand it. Telling someone what you won't do, and why, signals that you've thought harder about the experience than operators who simply include everything on the standard list. That editorial curation communicates expertise faster than any feature list.
Distrust in mainstream media is spilling directly into how people choose travel operators. 11:06 – 12:09 The same collapse of credibility that has sidelined legacy publications is operating in the tour space: people want to travel with someone who stands for something, not a company whose primary message is "great experiences await." Yulia draws a direct line between the rise of independent journalists and the rise of creator-led trips, framing both as responses to the same cultural shift. Operators who communicate a consistent worldview — even a narrow or unfashionable one — are building the kind of trust that no ad spend can manufacture.
"Authenticity" is a dead word. A specific point of view is not. 13:00 – 13:22 Yulia's argument is that the word authenticity has been so thoroughly absorbed by marketing copy that it now means nothing, and that what people actually want is someone willing to say what they believe. For a tour operator, that means your website and social content should state a specific stance on travel — not just that you care about local culture, but what you think is broken about how most people experience it and what you're doing instead. A declared position creates a community. A vague claim of authenticity disappears into the noise.
Ignoring what's happening in the world right now reads as tone-deaf to a growing share of travelers. 13:44 – 15:24 Yulia describes a tour operator who opened a conference presentation with the words "the room is on fire" as one of the most powerful moments she'd witnessed at an industry event in years — because almost nobody else does it. Travelers who are paying attention to what's happening in Gaza, in immigration enforcement, in the communities they're visiting are looking for operators who are paying attention too. Operators who maintain cheerful, context-free marketing are losing those travelers, and those travelers tend to book multi-day, high-investment trips.
Most travel experiences are designed for the visitor, not the community — and that gap is an opening. 17:00 – 17:57 Yulia's conversation with Jordanian operator Muna Haddad surfaces a blunt question: who gets to tell the story of a place, and whose voice is actually centered in the experience? The honest answer is that most itineraries are curated around what the visiting traveler wants to see, not what local communities want to share or how they want to be represented. Operators who build trips around local agency — where the community is the narrator, not the scenery — are genuinely differentiated, and they tend to generate the kind of word-of-mouth that no marketing budget replaces.
Making locals the narrators, not the backdrop, is a structural choice you can make right now. 19:19 – 19:41 Yulia describes her role on her Jordan trips as providing the container through which her Jordanian friends tell their own stories. This is a design decision, not just a philosophy: it shapes the encounters, the pacing, and the framing of the entire trip. Day tour operators can apply this immediately by shifting from "I'll show you this place" to "I'll introduce you to the people who can tell you about it."
The industry has figured out personal transformation. Collective transformation is still unclaimed territory. 20:16 – 21:15 Yulia names a specific gap: travel reliably delivers personal transformation — the traveler returns changed — but almost never delivers collective transformation, where the relationship between the traveler and the local community actually shifts. Most marketing, including "transformational travel" marketing, focuses entirely on what happens to the individual. Operators who design for mutual exchange rather than one-directional traveler growth are building toward something the industry hasn't yet learned to sell, which means there's real space there.
Saturated markets don't require you to compete differently. They require you to compete on meaning. 6:23 – 6:35, 37:17 – 39:12 Yulia operates in Jordan, one of the most crowded group travel markets, and the Barcelona-based operator Aborijans runs in one of the world's most overtouristed cities — both have built distinct positions by naming a specific problem (stereotypes about Jordan, fake tapas tours in Barcelona) and presenting their product as the honest alternative. The positioning isn't just ethical; it does the marketing work because it gives travelers a reason to feel good about choosing you over the default. What you're pushing against is as important as what you're offering.
A specific social mission functions as a self-executing marketing filter. 34:07 – 35:48 Yulia cites Sororal, a tour operator focused entirely on gender violence and women-led travel, as an example of a company whose story closes the sale before any conversation starts: a traveler who cares about that issue lands on the website and already knows this is their trip. The more specific the mission, the less you have to explain yourself — the right traveler self-identifies and converts without a long persuasion process. For multi-day operators in particular, this kind of specificity also makes press outreach dramatically easier, because the story has a hook that editors can actually place.
When pitching media, your destination is not the story. The larger conversation your tour speaks to is. 41:25 – 43:42 Yulia's framework for a placeable pitch has four components: tie it to a larger trend, bring something genuinely newsworthy, identify a cultural relevance angle (what national or global conversation does your product touch?), and match it to the right publication's actual beat. Her example — a Puerto Rico operator connecting their product to the national conversation about Puerto Rican autonomy — shows what cultural timing can do for a pitch that would otherwise be ignored. Operators who pitch with "we have a great tour to this destination" are skipping the part that makes a story placeable.
Test the differentiated concept small before it becomes the whole business. 40:41 – 41:06 Yulia's advice to operators afraid the market won't respond to a bolder concept: design a test. One departure. One limited-availability format. One product that runs alongside your existing revenue-generating trips rather than replacing them. A small experiment gives you real market feedback without requiring you to bet the operation on an unproven idea. If it finds an audience, you have evidence. If it doesn't, you've learned something specific — not that the idea was wrong, but that something external didn't line up yet.
Taking a position isn't a risk to your bookings. Having no position is. 38:44 – 39:40 The travelers Yulia describes as craving a point of view are, practically speaking, the travelers most likely to book a longer, more expensive trip with an independent operator — they're not price shoppers, they're meaning shoppers. The fear most operators have is that a strong position will cost them customers, but the more likely outcome is that neutrality makes them invisible in a market where the options are nearly infinite. What you lose by having a point of view is the travelers who weren't going to convert anyway. What you gain is the ones who become regulars.
The people most likely to respond to your real voice are already in your audience; they're just waiting for you to stop performing. 30:20 – 31:11 Yulia describes going through the same evolution Mitch did: she used to publish marketing and "how to succeed" content, and her inner world stopped matching what she was putting out. The operators who found their niche by getting more specific and more honest didn't lose their audience — they finally found the part of it worth keeping. If the content you're producing feels like a performance of what a tour operator is supposed to say, that's the signal, not the strategy.
Doughnut economics is a practical operating model, not just an ideology. 32:30 – 33:26 Yulia discovered this framework through a course called Creating Regenerative Livelihoods, and she applies it directly to how she structures her business: reinvesting in local communities, recirculating benefits rather than extracting them, resisting the "always up" growth logic that she argues is biologically unsustainable. For tour operators specifically, this maps to concrete decisions — who you pay, how you price, whether your margins come at the expense of the guides and hosts who make the experience real. It's also, practically, a story your travelers want to hear you tell.

Be Weird, Be Personal: Storytelling as a Competitive Advantage in the Age of AI

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:15:00 -0400

When AI bots can generate endless facts and flawless narratives, what’s left for human tour guides? This week Mitch Bach sits down with VoiceMap founder Iain Manley to explore the future of storytelling in travel, from his perspective as a journalist and developer of a self-guided audio tour app powered by human creators. We dive into the power of personal perspective and the new risks of playing it safe with stale, objective facts but no humanity. This episode challenges tour operators to rethink what makes an experience truly unforgettable in 2026—and why being more human, more vulnerable, and even more imperfect might be your competitive advantage.

In this episode we cover:

Why AI is forcing tour guides to rethink their role
The difference between information and true storytelling
How “personal” stories can reshape how people see a place
Why generic, fact-based tours are becoming obsolete
The surprising way AI is already hurting mediocre tours
How to create experiences AI can’t replicate
The power of subjectivity, emotion, and lived experience
Why taking creative risks is now essential for tour businesses
The hidden danger of optimizing for 5-star reviews
What great storytelling looks like in the age of AI

As always, show notes and more resources on tourpreneur.com

Understanding DMOs: How Tour Operators Can Build Real Destination Partnerships

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:05:00 -0400

Mitch Bach talks with Jenn Barbee, co-founder of Destination Innovate, about the real inner workings of DMOs, those three letters that every tour operator has an opinion about but few actually understand. Jenn has spent 30 years inside destination marketing, from a shoestring US Department of Commerce team trying to promote America on a $50,000 budget to her current work closing the gap between DMOs and the small businesses they are supposed to serve. The conversation covers how DMOs get funded, why they sit on valuable visitor data, and what tour operators can actually do to get beyond the dead-end website listing.

It goes further than the typical "how to work with your tourism board" advice. Jenn and Mitch get into the identity crisis hitting tour operators and DMOs at the same time: both are losing ground to OTA platforms, both need direct guest relationships, and neither is building enough local partnerships to fight back. They talk short-term rental hosts as untapped referral channels, guerrilla marketing tactics that cost almost nothing, and the hard truth about inbound tourism to the US heading into World Cup and the 250th anniversary.

Key Takeaways

Your DMO has expensive visitor data that could sharpen your product, pricing, and ads, but they will not hand it over unless you ask. 06:14 – 07:19 DMOs invest in data about visitor appetite, competing markets, and traveler clusters by neighborhood and interest type. That information rarely trickles down to small tour businesses because DMOs feel pressure to contextualize it or fear judgment on their numbers. Frame your ask around strengthening the destination's tourism product, not just helping your business, and you stand a real chance of getting access to insights you could never afford on your own.
The single best first move with your DMO is to find the community manager and introduce yourself with specific visitor language, not a sales pitch. 11:48 – 12:58 Audit your tour product against what the destination website is promoting in terms of itineraries or themes, then reach out where you see a match or a gap. Lead with collaboration. Once you have that baseline, you can inch toward higher-value asks like data sharing or co-promotion, but only after you have earned the relationship through showing up and being useful.
Survey your customers about whether they booked the experience before the hotel, then bring that data to the DMO. 56:29 – 56:39 If you can show a DMO that your tour attracted bed nights, you are speaking their only real language: occupancy and bed tax justification. Most tour operators never collect this data, and most DMOs have never seen it from a small business. It positions you as a strategic asset rather than another name on a listings page.
DMOs are shifting from marketing organizations to stewardship organizations, and that tension is something you can use. 08:50 – 09:59 Many DMOs now describe themselves as "destination management" or "stewardship" organizations, moving toward what is right for their communities. Their boards and bed tax collectors still want heads-in-beds KPIs. If your tour disperses visitors into underserved neighborhoods, supports local businesses, or tells a more honest destination story, you become the kind of partner that helps a DMO justify its new direction to the people holding the purse strings.
Getting listed on the DMO website is a win. Stop underestimating it. 13:10 – 13:45 Many operators treat a listing as table stakes, but some DMOs do not even offer that without a paid membership. If you are listed, follow up by tagging the DMO constantly on social media and feeding them content they can reshare within their brand guidelines. The social media managers have more flexibility than the executive staff and will amplify content that feels fresh or on-brand.
If your local DMO is stuck promoting only the marquee attractions, skip them and go to the state level. 17:38 – 18:32 A DMO locked into bread-and-butter promotion is usually in protection mode, worried about occupancy numbers. State tourism offices have embraced experience-driven programming and are more open to working with operators who tell a broader story. For most small tour businesses, the state governor's conference on tourism is where accessible DMO relationships start.
Short-term rental hosts are closer to the guest than any DMO, and tour operators should be building direct relationships with them now. 24:31 – 26:00 Short-term rentals nationally overtook hotels in occupancy as of September 2025. Those hosts talk directly to guests about what to do in town. A recommendation from a local Airbnb host is warmer than any OTA listing and costs zero commission. Finding them is manual (social media DMs, local searches), but the payoff is a direct referral channel with no middleman.
Stop chasing first-time visitors. Loyal, repeat visitors spend more, stay longer, and sustain the businesses that matter. 32:49 – 33:32 DMOs and operators both fixate on acquiring new customers while ignoring the people who already love the destination. Repeat visitors become patrons of smaller, niche experiences and local businesses. For multi-day operators especially, a returning guest who books a deeper or different tour is more profitable than constantly feeding the top of the funnel.
Identity beats branding. Know who you are and say no to the rest. 38:44 – 41:27 Jenn draws a hard line between brand (what you market) and identity (who you actually are and who you serve). When you lead with identity, you market less because the right people find you. That means turning down some customers and product ideas, which is terrifying for newer operators, but it prevents the bland, generic positioning that makes you invisible on platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide.
The "book direct" movement matters for tour operators just as much as it does for short-term rentals and hotels. 42:58 – 44:28 Hotels lost roughly 80% of their distribution to OTAs. Tours and activities sit around 40% OTA-controlled, which means there is still time to build direct channels. DMOs missed the OTA boat the first time and are caught in a relevancy crisis. That creates a shared interest: both of you need to reclaim the guest relationship before the platforms own it entirely.
Guerrilla, person-to-person marketing is the only thing worth betting on in this environment. 34:16 – 35:03 Replace coffee sleeves at a local shop for a week with a message like "next time mama's in town, try this." That costs almost nothing and puts your name in front of a local audience in a real, physical moment. Operators burning money on flashy ad campaigns and agencies are losing to the ones doing the manual work of building one relationship at a time.
Bring tour operators, short-term rental hosts, and local businesses into the same room. The collaboration that comes out of it is worth more than any campaign. 30:35 – 32:17 A 12-person Tourpreneur meetup in Dallas turned competitors into collaborators planning joint tours before they left the room. Those rooms should include short-term rental hosts, restaurants, coffee shops. Nobody is organizing these cross-sector local gatherings yet. That is the opportunity.
Rethink the "travel presentation at the library" model. Gather local people around something that is not your tour. 53:23 – 54:46 Jenn pitches a revival of the house-party model for travel: 10 to 15 people, food, conversation, then introduce the experience. For multi-day operators, this replaces the stale slide deck. Book clubs are surging. House gatherings are surging. The sale happens because you built trust in a personal setting, not because you ran a Facebook ad.
Quirky, unpolished video cuts through. But virality does not equal business success. 36:32 – 37:38 Behind-the-scenes, day-in-the-life content is what is actually getting traction on social right now. The less templated and less AI-generated it feels, the better it performs. Use that attention as a hook, then shift to collaborative content and real relationship-building that converts. A weird 30-second clip of your tour prep is worth more than a polished banner ad.
The inbound tourism situation in the US is worse than most operators realize, and pretending otherwise is a losing strategy. 48:28 – 50:43 Canadian airlines are pulling US routes for summer 2026. Sixteen countries now have travel advisories against the US. The World Cup and the 250th anniversary are approaching with a damaged international reputation. Operators who depend on inbound international visitors need to pivot hard toward domestic and loyal-visitor strategies now, and the ones who acknowledge reality in their messaging will build more trust than the ones still running sunset stock photos.

Embracing Your Inner Pirate: How to Build a Passion-First Business

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:15:00 -0400

How do you scale a company without losing your soul or passion?

Mitch Bach talks this week with Paul Whitten, founder of Nashville Adventures, about how a former combat veteran, Peace Corps volunteer, UK Parliamentary Fellow, and Amazon project manager translated the learnings from his winding life path into a fast-growing tour company built at the intersection of passion, profitability, and public history.

Paul identified a “Paul-shaped hole” in Nashville’s bachelorette-heavy market by blending deep historical knowledge with an approachable, beer-in-hand delivery style. We discuss why he rejects over-scripted tours in favor of hiring obsessively passionate subject-matter nerds (bourbon, ghosts, coffee, Civil War) and giving them ownership; how early growth came from soft-launching, the power of relentless relationship-building with distilleries, chambers of commerce, concierges, and DMCs (and the power of simply responding to emails!). And why enthusiasm, not hacks or ad tricks, is the true differentiator.

The conversation dives into scaling without losing soul, balancing founder-led guiding with team development, leveraging community partnerships and veteran identity, experimenting with new formats like coffee crawls and XR-enhanced tours, and using books and potential city expansion as strategic next steps. We also tackle the harder edge of the job: the tour guide’s role as a public historian in polarized times, handling contentious Civil War and civil rights narratives responsibly, creating space for civil discourse on tour, and embracing risk, naivety, and “pirate” rule-breaking as essential traits for entrepreneurial success in the tours and activities industry.

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn
Nashville Adventures Home Page
See Reality XR tours mentioned
More show notes and takeaways on tourpreneur.com

Tour Guiding in Contentious Times: Designing Conversations, Not Just Commentary

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:10:00 -0400

This is an episode all about the hard stuff. Politics. Disagreement on tour. Tour sites where the truth itself is in debate. Confronting places with complicated, dark histories.

Most of the advice out there is: avoid this stuff at all costs. People just want to have fun, they're on vacation. Guides should stick to the script and make sure they don't say something that upsets the guests. I'm not here as a tour guide to shove my opinions down everyone's throats. Can't we all just get along? Can't we just keep the discourse civil?

Our guest this week, Mike Fishback, is a middle-school humanities educator and curriculum designer who thinks this instinct is exactly the problem. "Civil discourse" isn't about keeping things polite — it's about strategies for engaging with and managing disagreement and difficulty in learning situations, like a tour. Mike learned through experience that it's unwise to sit back, cross your fingers, and hope you don't upset a guest. That there are powerful ways to lean into difficult topics that make the whole experience more meaningful — intentionally creating dialogue through artful questioning and participatory techniques. And he has the educational frameworks and two decades of lived experience to back every word of it up.

Mike also happens to have spent years as a client of mine — I was the tour guide for his group of middle schoolers on trips to New York and DC, and I saw firsthand how he engaged his students with really meaty, difficult topics in a way that didn't shut them down but fired them up.

The lessons here aren't for kids. They're for everyone. And if you've ever told yourself that your job is just to deliver the facts and keep things light, this conversation might be the most useful hour you spend all week.

More takeaways and show notes on tourpreneur.com

Invisible No More: Busting Myths About the 50+ Woman Traveler with Carolyn Ray

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 08:50:00 -0400

What if the most powerful segment in travel has been hiding in plain sight for decades?

Tourpreneur's Mitch Bach talks with Carolyn Ray, CEO of Journey Woman, about her transformation from corporate executive to full-time traveler and advocate for the 50+ woman traveler—a demographic that represents half the world's population yet remains largely invisible to the travel industry.

After a life-changing trip to Kenya at age 50, Carolyn sold everything and reinvented herself, eventually acquiring Journey Woman in 2019 and transforming it from a 1990s-era newsletter into a multifaceted platform that includes research, advocacy, a women's travel directory, and speakers bureau.

Through her groundbreaking "Invisible No More" research, Carolyn became the first to quantify this market segment, revealing that operators who only market destinations are "doing half the job" because 50+ women travelers are looking for purposeful, intentional experiences beyond simple safety assurances.

She challenges the industry's obsession paid media and influencer marketing, and urges women entrepreneurs to reject outdated rules, trust their intuition, and put themselves unapologetically in the spotlight—embodying her company's core value to "make your own rules."

The "Invisible No More" study
Article mentioned: Is it safe to travel to the US right now?
The new Women's Travel Directory

15,000 Guests in Three Years: How Carlo Leverages Tech and Creativity to Grow

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:28:00 -0400

This is a story of growth through creativity, experimentation, and using technology to stay lean.

Carlo Pandian (LinkedIn) is the founder of Slow Travel Italia. Four years ago he started with a single wine tasting in Verona, and today runs 160 experiences across 12 Italian cities, serving 15,000 guests a year with a very small team.

In this episode, he talks to TP host Mitch Bach about exactly how he did it: experimenting with neglected time slots (like 6pm) that competitors ignore, launching five tours at once instead of one to multiply his chances of finding a niche, using Airtable and automations to eliminate manual booking assignments and personalize communication at scale, and treating OTAs as a launchpad rather than a long-term home. Carlo shares how he identifies gaps in crowded markets by studying what's missing—not just in Italy but in places like Japan—and why he pulled out of Milan when the math didn't work. He explains his "requirements manifesto" for vetting partners, how he coaches food producers on storytelling for international audiences, and why the biggest trend he's seeing is travelers willing to spend half a day outside the city for a single product done deeply—visiting the olive grove, watching mozzarella pulled from boiling water, understanding one thing fully rather than tasting nine things superficially.

As always, more info and takeaways on tourpreneur.com.

An Ex-Human Rights Lawyer's Uncomfortable Questions for Adventure Tourism

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Mitch Bach sits down with Marinel de Jesus, a former human rights lawyer turned tour operator.

She is filled with questions about the adventure tour industry:

Why do porters on the famous, touristy Inca Trail in Peru carry crushing loads for little pay and even less dignity? Why is it so difficult to find women adventure guides in so many parts of the world? What do indigenous communities actually want from tourism—and why doesn't anyone bother to ask them?

These are just some of the uncomfortable questions and themes she's carried with her as she's lived and trekked around the world. Originally from the Philippines, she became a human rights lawyer in Washington D.C., spending 15 years prosecuting child protection and mental health cases. Then her mother passed away—and she never went back to the office. But Marinel didn't just start a tour company. She moved into indigenous communities. She lived with Quechua porters in Peru and learned the dark truths behind the picture-perfect Inca Trail. She spent nearly 300 days in Mongolia during Covid, co-creating a nomad camp that started with tea and a blank piece of paper—not a business plan. She walked 100 days across Nepal with Mingmar, a female guide she searched for over a year and a half to find, proving that women belong on the Great Himalaya Trail.

This discussion challenges everything we assume about adventure tourism—the colonial narratives baked into our itineraries, the voices we never hear, the scripts we impose on communities who know how to welcome guests far better than we do. She makes the case for showing up with no agenda, listening before designing, and building something that matters more than scale.

Marinel's organizations:

Equity Global Treks (Brown Gal Trekker)
The Porter Voice Collective
Her vision for Himalayan Women Trail Leaders
Her film KM82 on the Quechuan Porters of Peru
The Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp she helped start in Mongolia

More show notes and resources on tourpreneur.com

From Solo Engineer to 26 Guides: The Unorthodox Growth Strategies behind Rainbow Tours

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0400

This short episode was recorded live at GetYourGuide's Unlocked conference in September 2025.

When you meet Arturo Ardao Rivera, the first thing you feel is his energy. He doesn't come off as an engineer, which was his profession until he discovered a joy for tour guiding and running a tour business. Originally from Madrid, Arturo found his true passion when he created Rainbow Tours Stockholm. It has grown from a solo operation to employing 26 guides.

His story is one of rejecting some of his engineering tendencies (choosing feelings over numbers!) and leaning into strategies that appear unorthodox but have worked well for him.

You'll discover:

His unique "taxi tariff" model for private tours, and his approach to hyper-personalization.
Why he doesn't ask for reviews
Why he's not sold on the "get more bookings" industry mantra
Why he visits guides he's thinking of hiring in their comfort zone, not his
How guide applicants are asked to become undercover tour takers
How he leverages running two separate brands for pricing strategy
How he grow leveraging 10+ OTA partners, and how he's managing his distribution mix

Connect with Arturo on LinkedIn, and visit Rainbow Tours Stockholm!

Stop entertaining tourists. Start making meaning. (w/ Dr. Anu Taranath)

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 08:49:00 -0400

It's 2026... welcome to a new year of Tourpreneur weekly travel business podcasts!

And we're starting the year off in a slightly different vein.

This episode is a must-listen to help you set a new and hopefully inspirational, deeper tone for your year ahead as a business owner or guide.

Our opening guest is the inimitable Dr. Anu Taranath, a professor, author, and facilitator. She's truly one of a kind. She gave the opening keynote at last year's Tourpreneur conference, and blew everyone away.

So Tourpreneur's Mitch Bach was excited to sit down with Anu to challenge Tourpreneurs to think new thoughts about what they're doing as business owners. Yes, our job is to bring joy and entertainment and storytelling to our guests. Yes, our job as business owners is to show up for the daily grind of practical, nuts and bolts business. That's the spine of many of our lives out there.

This episode will ask you to go deeper.

If you rest on only the level of entertainment, and 'customer service' and professionalism, you're missing an opportunity for greater meaning, both in your business and your guests' lives.

Anu asks you to think of your role as creating not only staged performances, but also spaces and containers to "rehumanize humans" and "normalize the normal"—that is, the kinds of human questions about culture and difference that are normal reactions to a travel experience that stretches people.

It's an invitation to take off the armor — yours and your guests, and create something more meaningful together, something deeply human.

As always, more show notes and links on tourpreneur.com.

WeRoad: Building a Tour Operator Where Technology Enables Human Connection

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 08:45:00 -0400

Pete Syme interviews Andrea Lamparini from WeRoad, a hybrid tech company and tour operator that's rewriting the rules of group travel for millennials and Gen Z. The conversation reveals how WeRoad has achieved exceptional growth by building a community-first model where strangers become friends through small group experiences, using travel coordinators instead of traditional guides, operating as a curated marketplace where top coordinators design their own trips, and leveraging technology to scale operations with one-third of their 200-person team dedicated to tech. Andrea shares how they maintain quality with 4,000+ casual travel coordinators who each lead just one trip per year, why they leave 30-40% of each itinerary unstructured for group decision-making, how their supply model works across 68-70 DMCs globally, and why they're expanding into B2B channels including travel agencies, employee benefit programs, and corporate partnerships that already represent 17-18% of revenue. The discussion covers their VC backing (rare for a tour operator), plans for US expansion in 2026, the power of their We Meet app hosting 50,000 community members at events this year, and Andrea's key lesson learned: curating their marketplace offering earlier would have prevented the conversion drop caused by overwhelming choice.

Top Ten Takeaways

1. Travel Coordinators Work Alongside Local Guides

WeRoad uses travel coordinators who are the same age as travelers, depart from the same home country, and focus on facilitating group dynamics rather than delivering local expertise. Local guides are still included for museums, parks, and other sites where specialized knowledge is needed. Travel coordinators create WhatsApp groups one month before departure, balance introverted and extroverted personalities, and coordinate the 30-40% of unstructured time built into every itinerary. WeRoad has 4,000+ coordinators working casual contracts with a commitment of just one trip per year.

2. Quality at Scale Without Full-Time Staff

Coordinators go through online applications, webinars, group interviews, and a final boot camp weekend with 100 candidates. Most visit destinations for the first time, but rigorous hiring and training ensure consistency. Local DMC partners provide backup if logistics fail. Top performers can become "producers" who design and scout their own trips.

3. Groups Decide 30-40% of Their Itinerary in Real Time

Accommodations, transport, and core experiences are fixed, but dinners, half-days, and optional activities are decided by the group during the trip based on their interests and budget. Travel coordinators provide options and handle bookings with local partners, personalizing the experience to match group energy.

4. A Curated Marketplace Scales the Portfolio 5x

WeRoad's internal team creates 200 itineraries while travel producers create 1,000+ more. This model scaled their catalog 5x without adding internal headcount. All producers use standardized supply agreements ensuring every DMC meets centralized requirements for safety, insurance, compliance, and capacity.

5. Supply Quality Is Non-Negotiable

WeRoad works with 68-70 DMCs globally, visits partner sites, and monitors quality constantly. The rule is simple: mess up once or twice and you're out. Because each group makes different choices during unstructured time, suppliers must be flexible enough to support varied activities in every destination.

6. Community Extends Beyond Travel Through We Meet

The We Meet app hosts 10,000+ events across Europe where 50,000 people connected this year. Travel coordinators organize pottery classes, running groups, hiking, pub quizzes, and weekend trips in their home cities. This keeps travelers engaged between their one or two annual trips and drives repeat bookings.

7. One-Third of Staff Are Tech People

WeRoad built their entire platform internally: booking websites, supply platforms for internal operators and external producers, and the We Meet app. They use AI for customer service, machine learning for demand forecasting that gives suppliers 12-month projections, and sentiment analysis to understand feedback at scale.

8. Growth Comes From Digital, Community, and B2B Channels

WeRoad started with digital acquisition through social media and paid channels, building massive accounts that visualize the beauty of trips and community. They recently launched a global partnership program targeting travel agencies, employee benefit platforms, corporate retreats, and associations. This B2B channel already represents 17-18% of total volume.

9. VCs Invest in Tour Operators That Look Like Tech Platforms

WeRoad is unusually VC-backed for a tour operator because investors see them as a tech platform sustaining a brand mission. Strong unit economics in mature markets mean they can self-finance growth, but external investment accelerates new market expansion. The focus remains on sustainable growth, not burning money short-term.

10. Overwhelming Choice Kills Conversion

Andrea's biggest lesson: curate your marketplace offering early. When WeRoad first opened to travel producers, the abundance of trips—including duplicates—confused customers and decreased conversion. They now prioritize how offerings are visualized and presented, not just experience quality. US expansion is planned for 2026 after strengthening European markets, followed by Asia and Middle East. Japan is currently their most popular destination.

Growing Without Scaling: Christy Hunter's Strategy for Building Photo Walk

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 17:51:00 -0400

Christy Hunter started Photo Walk Nashville seven years ago after discovering Airbnb Experiences, combining her photography skills with local knowledge to create tours that capture memories for travelers. What began as open photo shoots quickly evolved as she learned to segment products for different customer types—bachelorette parties, couples, solo travelers, dog owners, and corporate groups.

The conversation covers her product development journey, including early mistakes like mixing incompatible customer types and learning when to say no. Christy emphasizes the importance of local partnerships, sharing examples like teaming up with cosmetic brand Winky Lux for a home base and an apartment complex for rooftop access.

On marketing, Christy shares her successful TikTok strategy: having team member Gina speak directly to camera as if she were a past guest ("You have to do this one thing in Nashville..."), which drove multiple viral videos and direct bookings. She also discusses influencer marketing from both sides—as a tour operator and as an influencer herself—stressing the importance of clear communication, doing research on engagement rates, and not asking for specific deliverables.

Christy expanded to Charleston this year when a team member relocated, keeping the same operational model rather than franchising. She's also building Go To Nashville, an OTA reselling partner experiences through Tour Base's affiliate system. Looking ahead, she's focused on increasing capacity utilization rather than geographic expansion, and launching a consulting business to help other photographers and retailers enter the tourism space.

Top 10 Takeaways

She learned to segment products by customer type after mixing incompatible groups. Couples from Ohio and bachelorette parties on the same tour didn't work. She created separate experiences for bachelorette parties, dog owners, proposals, and corporate groups. She also had to add rules like no showing up intoxicated.
Local partnerships solved operational problems. She partnered with Winky Lux cosmetics to use their store as a tour base. She partnered with an apartment complex to do one event per month in exchange for building access, free parking, gym, pool, and exclusive rooftop access for a champagne add-on.
She met business partner Gina through Airbnb host meetups. Gina developed scheduling systems for Photo Walk and now leads their TikTok strategy. They found a part-time scheduling manager who is also one of their hosts to keep operations in the family.
Styled shoots solve the content creation problem. Designate one day per quarter or year, hire models (friends and family work), hire a photographer, and simulate the tour experience. Creating content during real tours is too difficult.
Their TikTok strategy: Gina speaks as if she's a past guest. She says "you have to do this one thing in Nashville" direct to camera. They had multiple viral videos and saw direct booking surges. They repeat the same hook for different demographics. TikTok shows it to different audiences each time.
Influencer marketing is about clear communication and research. Look at engagement rates, not follower counts. Check if they have real followers by looking at views relative to follower count. Don't ask for specific deliverables. Show them a good time and they'll naturally post. Get expectations in writing.
She hires photographers who are connectors and storytellers first. Technical skill matters, but being a people person is more important. She uses live view mode to avoid putting the camera between her and the guest. She tells guests upfront she has posing ideas so they relax.
She tracks booking sources through Peak's intake form. She asks "how did you hear about us?" Her biggest sources are Google, Facebook groups (Nashville visitors pages), and TikTok.
Her growth strategy is "fill the bus" not geographic expansion. Rather than opening in five cities in five years, she wants to get four or five people on tours that currently have two. Same time and overhead, better revenue. She still wants to be out leading tours, not behind a computer.
Charleston expansion happened organically when a Nashville team member relocated. They kept the same operational model rather than franchising. She handles scheduling and marketing centrally. Charleston is 40 minutes by plane, so she can support when needed.

Champagne at an Active Volcano: Selling Luxury Tours in Remote Places

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 19:37:00 -0400

Ryan Connolly went from finance analyst to glacier guide to co-founder of Hidden Iceland. In this episode, he shares the numbers behind their most pivotal business decision: cutting small group tours that represented 50% of their departures but only 10% of revenue.

That shift to exclusively premium and luxury private tours helped the company grow by 5% while improving quality and profitability. Ryan explains how relationship marketing drives 70% of their bookings directly without OTAs, why they lead with education when working with travel advisors, and why PR outperforms paid advertising when selling luxury experiences.

Plus, the story of how a three-year journey across 40 countries led him to Iceland, where he met his wife on a glacier tour and built a business with two partners.

Top 10 Takeaways for Tour Operators

1. Cut unprofitable segments ruthlessly

Small group tours accounted for 50% of Hidden Iceland's departures but only 10% of revenue. After eliminating that segment, they grew 5% by focusing resources on premium and luxury private tours where margins are higher.

2. Partner with competitors instead of viewing them as threats

When customers can't afford Hidden Iceland's luxury pricing, Ryan personally introduces them to partner companies that serve the budget segment. This maintains relationships and positions them as helpful experts rather than pushy salespeople.

3. PR drives better ROI than paid ads for high ticket sales

Over 450 articles in publications like Condé Nast, Forbes, and CNN have driven 70% direct bookings. For luxury trips ($20,000+), earned media builds trust better than Facebook or Google ads.

4. Lead with personal story in first customer contact

Ryan's initial email starts: "Hello, my name is Ryan. I'm originally Scottish. I've lived in Iceland since 2016. I originally trained as a glacier guide..." This builds immediate trust and differentiates from transactional competitors.

5. Educate travel advisors. Don't just sell to them

Hidden Iceland runs webinars teaching agents about Iceland's seasons, distances, and what each time of year offers. Not sales pitches. The education first approach builds meaningful advisor relationships that generate 30% of bookings.

6. Vet activity partners on safety and environmental standards

Before partnering with snowmobile companies, helicopter tours, or other providers, Hidden Iceland shares their own safety and environmental policies first, then asks partners to reciprocate. This creates collaboration, not just transactions.

7. Train guides to be themselves, not follow scripts

Instead of teaching guides what to say at each stop, Hidden Iceland tells them: "Be yourself in the most authentic way possible and create genuine connections." This leads to reviews that praise the guide more than the destination.

8. Choose conferences strategically. Avoid the herd

Ryan skips luxury travel conferences if more than 2 or 3 other Iceland companies will attend. Less competition means easier differentiation and more meaningful conversations with travel advisors.

9. Keep the sales process low tech and high touch

Despite having a CRM (LEMACS), Hidden Iceland puts key itinerary details in the body of emails and offers phone calls early. For luxury clients, human connection trumps slick automation.

10. Build the business with partners you trust implicitly

Ryan emphasizes: "Don't set up a company with anyone you don't trust inherently and that you believe will communicate effectively during the hardest times." Through pandemics and volcanic eruptions, Hidden Iceland's three owners have never shouted at each other because they chose partnership carefully.

Building a Cross-Border Motorcycle Tour Business in East Africa

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Kevin and Sylvia launched iRide Arusha in July 2024, offering motorcycle tours and rentals in Tanzania. Within 18 months they scaled across four East African cities through a franchise model called iRide Africa, with partners operating in Rwanda, Nairobi, and Mombasa. The franchise structure allows riders to cross borders and book multi-country tours.

The episode covers operational realities: importing equipment across borders, navigating tourism regulations, managing multi-country payment processing, and running rentals and guided tours as two distinct businesses with different customer profiles and sales cycles. Kevin and Sylvia share how they find customers through motorcycle clubs, price for premium buyers, and use immediate response times as a competitive advantage.

TOP 10 TAKEAWAYS

1. Test adjacent niches when your market is saturated

Rather than launch another safari company in an oversaturated market, Kevin and Sylvia identified motorcycle touring as an underserved adventure niche in East Africa. Consider what adjacent experiences your destination supports that competitors aren't offering.

2. Franchise models can scale faster than going solo

Within 18 months, iRide expanded across four East African cities through franchise partnerships. Partners share mechanics, bikes, marketing resources, and customer referrals. This creates a network effect where riders can start in one country and end in another, adding value no single operator could deliver alone.

3. Target communities, not just individuals

Kevin reaches out directly to motorcycle clubs in major US cities. One Chicago BMW Riders club is bringing eight people in February. Booking one club creates the revenue of eight individual customers with a fraction of the acquisition cost. Find the clubs, associations, or communities that match your experience type.

4. Customer service is a competitive advantage in developing markets

Their immediate response times and willingness to hop on Zoom calls builds trust fast, especially for customers who've never been to Africa.

5. Platform diversification requires testing, not guessing

iRide is on Get Your Guide, Viator, Klook, WeTravel, and fielding Facebook messages, but hasn't found the magic channel yet. Test widely, track what converts, double down there.

6. Price for the experience you're actually delivering, not your self-doubt

Kevin admits they severely underpriced at launch. Beginner business owners often can't see their own value clearly. If you're offering wow moments and authentic connections, charge accordingly.

7. Guided vs. rental requires different marketing and operations

Rental customers (experienced, self-sufficient, quick decision makers) need less hand-holding than guided tour customers (more questions, longer planning cycles, higher price points). These are functionally two different businesses with different messaging, pricing, and customer profiles.

8. Gross revenue and net income are very different

Vehicle maintenance, cross-border parts sourcing, and insurance eat into margins constantly. Build cash reserves and expect hidden costs, especially in asset-heavy businesses.

9. Local language fluency unlocks competitive advantages

Sylvia's Swahili fluency helped navigate Interpol holds on imported bikes, handle tourism police complaints from competitors, and build long-term supplier relationships. Language access isn't just customer-facing—it's operational power.

10. Differentiation isn't just what you do, it's how guests connect

Guests consistently cite the vastness of the landscape and local interactions (like lunch with Sylvia's 88-year-old farming grandmother) as their standout memories. Design for connection points your format uniquely enables.

“The Riches are in the Niches”—2026 Group Travel Trends & Events

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:38:00 -0400

This conversation with Jeff Gayduk, publisher of Premier Travel Media, reveals an industry at a transformative inflection point where specialized group travel is experiencing unprecedented growth despite predictions of its demise. Speaking from his unique vantage point overseeing multiple travel industry verticals, Gayduk identifies 2026 as a watershed year driven by three major events—the World Cup, Route 66's centennial, and America's 250th anniversary—while highlighting the explosive growth in niche markets from pickleball tourism to multi-generational family trips. The discussion underscores a fundamental shift in how travel experiences are designed and marketed, moving away from cookie-cutter itineraries toward highly specialized, passion-driven offerings that leverage everything from sports tournaments to career readiness programs, with successful operators focusing on authentic relationships and deep expertise rather than trying to compete with legacy brands on traditional offerings.

10 Key Takeaways

1. Group Travel is Experiencing Its Most Exciting Era

The group travel market has undergone a complete transformation since COVID, moving from a defensive position of proving relevance to an offensive surge of innovation and growth. Special interest groups, family bonding experiences, and educational opportunities are creating unique travel products unavailable to individual consumers. The pandemic's forced separation actually accelerated demand for meaningful group experiences rather than diminishing it.

2. Three Major Events Will Define 2026 Tourism

The World Cup across 16 North American cities will bring 6.5 million visitors with 40% from overseas, creating massive opportunities for tour operators in hub cities. Route 66's anniversary and America's 250th celebration will generate patriotic tourism and historical programming throughout the year. These events create both standalone opportunities and chances for creative tour operators to build complementary experiences around the main attractions.

3. Sports Tourism Has Become the Industry's Hidden Giant

Youth sports tournaments drive consistent weekend travel with families spending whatever necessary for their children's athletic participation, creating massive but underserved tourism segments. Adult amateur sports, particularly pickleball, are seeing explosive growth with facilities featuring 32-64 courts becoming destinations themselves. The opportunity lies not in the games themselves but in creating experiences for the downtime between matches, serving families who are tourists without tour infrastructure.

4. The Student Travel Market Has Evolved Beyond Class Trips

Career readiness programs are emerging as students face AI-driven uncertainty about future employment, with manufacturers and trade schools becoming unexpected tourism partners. Small, specialized STEM groups and performance ensembles are replacing massive band trips, creating opportunities for highly targeted educational experiences. College visit tours have become sophisticated multi-campus experiences as the stakes for education choices continue rising.

5. Niche Specialization Beats General Tourism Every Time

"The riches are in the niches" has proven true as operators who focus on specific passions outperform those trying to compete on standard itineraries. Technology now enables operators to reach highly specific audiences globally rather than being limited to local marketing through yellow pages and park districts. The tighter the niche, the easier it becomes to market and the more likely customers are to pay premium prices for expertise.

6. Multi-Generational Travel Represents Billions in Untapped Opportunity

Older Americans with disposable income are funding entire family trips, from luxury yacht cruises to Disney vacations, often including extended family and friends. These trips require sophisticated customization that big operators can't provide, creating opportunities for bespoke tour designers. The spending on these milestone celebration trips is "mind-boggling" according to industry data, with grandparents willing to invest heavily in family bonding experiences.

7. DMOs Are Underutilized Partners for Tour Operators

Destination Marketing Organizations spend hundreds of thousands on marketing but need tour operators to provide the actual bookable products visitors seek. DMOs possess mountains of data and local insights that operators often don't know to request, creating missed opportunities for partnership. The relationship should be symbiotic: DMOs drive inspiration and awareness while operators deliver the experiences that fulfill that inspiration.

8. Legacy Operators Must Balance Old Customers with New Acquisition

Large traditional operators face the challenge of serving aging loyal customers while attracting younger demographics with different travel styles and expectations. Successful adaptation includes smaller group sizes, slower itineraries with longer stays, and the integration of river cruising as a bridge product. The human relationship element that made these companies successful remains their key differentiator even as they modernize their offerings.

9. Travel Advisors Are Specializing to Survive and Thrive

The successful travel advisor model has shifted from selling airline tickets to becoming highly specialized experts in specific destinations, cruise lines, or travel styles. Good advisors serve as client advocates navigating an increasingly complex travel landscape, especially for multi-generational or special interest trips. The question remains whether there's a sufficient pipeline of new advisors entering the field to sustain this specialized, high-touch service model.

10. Experience Design Trumps Destination Marketing

Modern travelers seek transformative experiences rather than destination checkboxes, with operators succeeding by creating unique access and authentic local connections. Events from Taylor Swift concerts to World Cup matches are becoming trip anchors, with some operators building entire experiences around events without even including tickets. The shift represents a fundamental change from "where are we going" to "what will we become through this experience."

Vibe Coding for Tour Operators: No‑Code Tools to Save Time and Grow Revenue

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Pete Syme talks with Drew Falkman about vibe coding, a way for tour operators to build custom software tools using plain English prompts instead of traditional programming. Drew explains how AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude have been trained on code repositories, allowing them to generate working applications from simple descriptions. The conversation covers why this matters for small operators, what you can build, the learning curve, costs, security considerations, and how this technology could shift the relationship between tour operators and the software they depend on. Pete emphasizes that operators already have the same AI access as hundred million dollar companies and encourages spending at least an hour daily experimenting with these tools.

Top 10 Takeaways

You can build tools without coding knowledge. AI tools trained on code repositories can generate working applications from plain English descriptions, making app building accessible to anyone.
Most SaaS tools don't fit your exact workflow. You end up paying for applications where 80% of features you're not using because they're designed for other industries, but the things you do use aren't quite refined enough.
Start with internal workflows, not customer-facing apps. Build tools for internal processes first. Don't go public with what you build until you have experience, as you can get 80 to 90% correct quickly, but that last bit is more challenging.
Map your processes before building. Write down all your processes on paper, rank what's most important, and list what you really don't like doing. This helps identify where custom tools can have the biggest impact.
The learning curve has three main steps. First, learn to plan what you want to build (20 to 30 hours). Second, design the workflow and user interface (a few hours). Third, understand data and databases (a couple days). Total time to get comfortable is roughly a few weeks of focused learning.
Tools like Lovable cost around $20 per month. There are small monthly fees for vibe coding platforms, plus hosting costs if your tool is public-facing. Tools like Lovable, Bolt, Replit, Magic Patterns, and N8n each serve different purposes.
Keep data storage minimal for security. Don't store sensitive information like credit card numbers or social security numbers. Use third-party authentication (Google, Microsoft, Apple) and payment processors like Stripe to handle sensitive data.
You can build custom booking flows and optimize conversions. Create your own booking engine where you control every step, then use analytics tools to see where people drop off and experiment with improvements to increase completion rates.
This threatens the traditional SaaS industry. Large companies spending millions monthly on SaaS are already exploring vibe coding to reduce costs. What happens at that level will cascade down through the industry to the tools small operators use today.
Just try it to understand the possibilities. Go to lovable.dev, run a prompt, and build something. You won't fully understand what you can do until you experiment. You have nothing to lose with free versions, and no one else will see your experiments.

Want to learn vibe coding yourself? Drew teaches courses on building apps without code. Visit drewfalkman.com to explore free resources and paid courses that walk you through the process step by step.

Designing High‑Repeat, High‑Value Wine Tours Off The Beaten Path

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:09:00 -0400

Born from a wine import business and shaped by deep relationships with multi‑generational wineries, Joy of Wine Journeys built a premium, multi‑day model with a ~75% repeat rate. Natalie shares why they skip big cities, how “depth over density” creates value, and how pricing, partnerships, feedback, and tight ops compound into growth.

Top 10 takeaways

1) Repeat guests keep coming back. About 75% rebook, often bringing friends and family. Nail the first trip and lifetime value follows.

2) Win the in between. Don’t try to run Paris or Venice. Guests fly into a gateway, then the tour connects the regions in between where long winery relationships unlock access and stories.

3) Fewer stops, deeper moments. Five wineries in ten days. Hosted visits. Family meals. Time to linger. People remember conversations and rituals, not mileage.

4) Price for the value you deliver. Raise prices as the experience improves. Let booking behavior and guest comments set the ceiling, not nerves.

5) Partners make you resilient. When a bus failed, local partners mobilized vans, cold water, and support within the hour. Good relationships turn problems into loyalty moments.

6) Feedback is the roadmap. Debrief during and after each tour, then keep, change, or cut. Trim bloat, smooth pacing, and upgrade hotels, meals, wines, and transport.

7) Know who you serve. Average age ~63. Well traveled. Hungry for hosted, exclusive experiences without snobbery. Design pacing, teaching, and access for that person.

8) Confirm, confirm, confirm. Book a year out, then reconfirm at six months, three months, one month, and day‑of. Fewer surprises. Smoother days.

9) Help in the cities even if you don’t operate there. Refer guests to vetted guides in Venice, Milan, Paris, Nice, and Florence so the whole trip feels looked after.

10) Use tech to support margins, not as the magic. TravelJoy for CRM, WeTravel for euro payments, Travelfy for itineraries, QuickBooks for the back office. The differentiator is still access, hosting, and relationships.

How to Turn Great Tours Into 50,000 Five-Star Reviews

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:34:00 -0400

When Justin Buzzi launched a clear kayak tour in Florida, his goal was to offer something memorable. What he built was one of the most highly rated kayak experiences in the country—with over 50,000 five-star reviews and 30+ franchise locations.

In this episode, Justin joins Dustin Miller of Conversion Assist to unpack how they built a guest experience that keeps working long after the paddles are down. From guide training to personalized automations, they reveal the systems and strategies behind their flywheel of reviews, repeat customers, and referrals.

Whether you run one tour or many, this conversation offers clear, actionable ideas for tightening operations, earning stronger reviews, and building a reputation that scales.

Top 10 Takeaways

Start with experience. Build with systems. Clear kayaks got attention, but it was the systems behind the scenes—like training, hiring, and guest communication—that turned Get Up and Go Kayaking into a scalable business.
Google reviews matter most. While they still collect reviews on TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and Facebook, the team prioritizes Google for its impact on search visibility and conversion. That focus shapes everything from email copy to in-person asks.
Follow up with every guest, not just the booker. After each tour, automated messages go out to everyone who attended—not just the person who paid. That alone tripled their review volume in one year.
Set expectations before guests arrive. Automated pre-tour texts help guests feel informed, reduce no-shows, and create a smoother arrival. That positive start lays the groundwork for better reviews.
Empower guides to own the guest relationship.Top guides build connection, read the group, and ask for reviews in ways that feel natural. Some have personally earned over 2,000 five-star reviews through great service and follow-up.
Automation can still feel personal. With name-based SMS, segmented follow-ups, and smart timing, Dustin’s system balances efficiency with a human touch. Guests feel supported without extra strain on the team.
Use your off-season to get stronger. Slow months are for updating SOPs, refreshing content, replacing gear, and optimizing tools. When the season picks up again, the whole operation runs better.
Your reviews are a roadmap. Use AI to analyze common praise and complaints in your reviews. What guests love should shape your messaging. What they question should inform training or improvements.
Bad reviews are a chance to show who you are. Reply quickly, stay calm, and put future guests at ease. Dustin recommends using AI to help write thoughtful, emotionally neutral responses if needed.
Great reviews grow more than bookings. Consistent five-star reviews improve search rankings, boost conversion rates, and increase the long-term value of your company. It’s not just a feedback loop—it’s a growth engine.

Multi-Day Brand & Growth Strategies from Intrepid Travel

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:54:00 -0400

When Christian Wolters rejoined Intrepid Travel, his goal wasn’t to reinvent the brand—it was to reconnect it to its core. As President for Canada and GM of Marketing for North America, Christian brought a global perspective to a local challenge: how to ensure that Intrepid’s messaging reflected its values, operations, and guest experience.

At the time, Intrepid already had strong credentials as the world’s largest B Corp-certified travel company—but its marketing had become noisy. Christian’s task was to bring back clarity and alignment.

In this episode, he shares how the team rebuilt trust through transparent messaging, simplified their email strategy, and launched bold campaigns—like “Offsetting is not enough”—that prioritized substance over slogans.

We explore how brand credibility starts internally, how even small teams can clarify their voice, and why the most effective growth strategy is simply this: make sure what you say matches what you do.

Top 10 Takeaways

Here’s what stood out from Christian’s approach to brand leadership at Intrepid Travel—and how you can apply the same principles no matter your team size or marketing budget:

Marketing only works when it reflects what’s real

Before crafting new campaigns, Christian focused on whether the brand’s messaging matched the guest experience. Effective marketing starts with operational alignment, not just creative ideas.

Less content can create more impact

Intrepid eliminated 70% of its email marketing output. By reducing noise and focusing on relevant, high-quality communication, they saw stronger engagement and a better connection with their audience.

Transparency strengthens your position

Instead of promoting carbon offsets as a total solution, Intrepid launched a campaign that openly stated: “Offsetting is not enough.” That honesty sparked deeper trust among travelers who care about sustainability.

Internal stories are the foundation of brand identity

Christian built Intrepid’s external messaging around what employees already cared about and talked about. That made the brand more authentic, more consistent, and easier to rally around.

Clarity attracts the right people

Getting specific about Intrepid’s values helped bring in better-fit travelers, partners, and employees. When you know what you stand for, the right people find you—and the wrong ones self-select out.

Show up with your real voice, not someone else’s

Christian encouraged small operators to speak in their own words. You don’t need slick campaigns to earn trust—just a clear point of view and consistency in how you show up.

Sustainability starts with how you operate

For Intrepid, being a responsible travel company isn’t just a message—it’s built into how trips are run, how suppliers are chosen, and how decisions are made. Marketing simply tells that story.

Internal alignment makes external messaging stronger

Christian made sure every team member could explain the brand’s purpose and values. When your team understands the story, they can embody it and share it more naturally with guests.

Rebrands can help clarify—not just refresh—your identity

Intrepid’s rebrand wasn’t just about visuals. It was about focusing the company’s message and voice to reflect its mission more clearly and consistently across all channels.

Small teams can apply the same approach

Even without big budgets or a full marketing department, operators can build stronger brands by focusing on alignment, simplifying their message, and staying grounded in purpose.

The Financial Fix: Bookkeeping Tips to Keep Tour Operators Profitable (w/ Purple Sapphire Business Solutions)

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:22:00 -0400

When Kirstin Reeder’s first-ever bookkeeping client turned out to be a tour operator, she didn’t expect it to change the course of her business. But that relationship revealed how often tour operators are misunderstood by traditional accountants. Today, Kirstin and her teammate Amber Call run Purple Sapphire Business Solutions, a firm focused entirely on the unique financial needs of the tour and activity industry.

This episode is packed with real-world guidance on how to set up your books, track profitability, avoid fraud, and prepare for seasonality. Whether you are just getting started or running a multi-day operation, Kirstin and Amber share the habits and systems that help operators build financially healthy businesses and reduce stress at tax time.

And if you're attending TourWeek 2025, you can come meet Kirstin in person!
Download their free expense audit calculator

Growth Series: How World Tours Italy Scaled While Keeping Everything In-House

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 20:01:00 -0400

As part of our Growth series, recorded live in Berlin at GetYourGuide's 2025 Unlocked Summit, we now turn to Naples, Italy. Tourpreneur host Mitch Bach talks with Jasmine Palmieri, Commercial & Product Director for World Tours Italy.

World Tours has scaled by keeping everything in-house—from their fleet of vehicles to employed tour guides—allowing them to maintain strict quality control as they grow. Jasmine explains their strategy of offering small group tours in multiple languages daily, staying ahead of competitors through constant innovation, and creating unique experiences like a Roman-era dining experience paired with archaeological tours. She emphasizes the importance of personal connection, having guides proactively reach out to clients and serve as local advisors throughout their stay, turning tourists into enthusiastic advocates who spread the word to friends and family.

Episode sponsored by GetYourGuide. Join Tourpreneur in November for TourWeek 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina!

Growth Series: How Arzu Tutuk scaled her European walking tour business to 160,000 customers

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:35:00 -0400

Welcome to the Growth Series! Tourpreneur hosts Peter Syme and Mitch Bach attended GetYourGuide's Unlocked event in Berlin in September, and recorded several conversations with tour operators who have scaled their businesses to tens and hundreds of thousands of travelers. They share their insights and secrets in this series.

In this conversation, Peter talks with Arzu Tutuk, Founder and Managing Director of Walks in Europe. She shares her journey from being a solo tour guide in Istanbul to running a scaled operation across multiple cities in Europe. They talk about the importance of delegation, leveraging technology, understanding pricing strategies, managing cash flow, and enhancing customer communication. Arzu highlights the need for small operators to expand their partner networks and adapt to market trends, particularly the growing demand for personalized and private tours.

Key takeaways

Delegation is crucial for scaling a business.
Your time as a business owner is more valuable than guiding.
Invest in customer service to free up your time.
Utilize technology to streamline operations and bookings.
Pricing strategies should be dynamic and responsive to market demand.
Cash flow management is essential for business sustainability.
Effective communication with customers can increase bookings.
Private and customized tours are becoming increasingly popular.
Expanding your partner network can accelerate growth.
Diversifying sales channels is key to reaching more customers.

From MasterChef and Video Games to Market-to-Table Tours: How Emotion Became the Secret Ingredient (w/ Joseph Szakács)

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 07:19:00 -0400

Today Tourpreneur host Mitch Bach goes to Budapest!

When a video game designer accidentally lands on MasterChef thanks to his partner’s prank, he doesn’t expect it to change his life. But that twist launched Joseph Szakács into founding Foodapest, one of Budapest’s most unique food experiences. In this episode, Joseph shares how he turned a surprise phone call into a purpose-driven business built around cooking, culture, and human connection.

The (Hungarian) meat of this conversation focuses on Emotion Design. Joseph reveals how his background in video game development taught him to craft emotional journeys, not just itineraries. We dive deep into his ideas on “vibe guiding,” emotional storytelling, and why frustration and delight both belong on a tour.

Visit Foodapest
Join Tourpreneur for TourWeek 2025 in November!

Tour Design as a Defensive Moat for your Tour Business

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 06:27:00 -0400

Good tour design doesn't just help create memorable experiences, it's also a way to build a defensive moat around your business that protects against competitors, copycats, and even AI disruption.

In today's episode, TP hosts Mitch Bach and Peter Syme dismantle the traditional information-based approach to tour guiding and argue for a shift in thinking towards emotional design. They explore how customers drowning in content and knowledge need tours that create feelings rather than deliver facts, introducing frameworks like the "connection triangle" (guide-guest-place), the peak-end rule for memory formation, and the psychology of surprise as a core human emotion. The discussion reveals why designing around emotions like awe, connection, and surprise creates experiences that can't be replicated by competitors or generated by AI.

Mitch and Pete dive into how tour operators can build defensible businesses through unique access, authentic personal stories, and continuous iteration rather than relying on replicable scripts or famous landmarks. Using examples from speakeasy-style walking tours in New York to bonfire dinners with base jumpers in the mountains, they demonstrate how value-based pricing comes from designing experiences that surprise and transform rather than simply meeting expectations.

For more on tour design, join us at our annual conference TourWeek, November 10-13, 2025 in Charleston, SC!

GetYourGuide’s COO Tao Tao: On Platform Curation, Competition, Innovation, and Anthony Bourdain

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 08:47:00 -0400

Tourpreneur hosts Mitch Bach and Peter Syme come to you live from Berlin! They attended GetYourGuide's Unlocked conference, where over 300 of their tour, activity, and attraction partners gathered from around the world to have a day-long discussion that will shape the future of the platform, and our industry in part. (Last year's supplier discussions focused on the need for curation, leading directly to a major shift in the platform's direction.)

Peter and Mitch spent most of the day speaking with tour operators there, but when end-of-day drinks happened, GetYourGuide's COO Tao Tao said "let's grab some beers and go have a chat!" And we couldn't resist the chance to pepper him with questions.

In an age of carefully scripted, PR-focused corporate conversations, we appreciated Tao's candor and willingness to answer everything we threw at him. Our questions were a little wacky, a little philosophical and extremely eclectic. But he didn't shy away from anything. And the result really exposes GetYourGuide's vision (and bet) for how an experiences marketplace should look in 2025 and beyond.

This conversation is wide-ranging to say the least, and a good follow-up after our podcast in January (which is also a must-listen).

In this episode we cover a lot of terrain:

Mitch gets a little wacky with social commentary: Are reviews actually good for our industry? Are we all better off experiencing travel through serendipity and wandering, rather than organized, booked experiences?
Pete notices an end-of-day discussion on "moods" and asked Tao whether GetYourGuide should be developing mood and feeling filters!
Tao shares why they created a conference to show up for their suppliers, even when there's tough love in the room.
We ask how, 9 months later, the shift to a more curated marketplace is progressing. Are we nearing the end of the process, or just the beginning?
We veer into a strange conversation around which movie or TV show best describes the current OTA situation, and how GetYourGuide thinks about what they're doing as an organization that partially sets the tone for what tours & activities are.
Tao shares how in the age of AI, product differentiation and curation will only get more important.
We all agree our industry needs to grow the pie. But how? In what direction?
New AI reviews and filters point to a future possibility where the right tour is surfaced in a more personalized way, and quality is assessed beyond star ratings.
Finally, we get Tao's advice for new businesses and how they should position themselves in the industry and the platform for best success.

And GetYourGuide is a sponsor of TourWeek 2025, our global conference with 400 tour & activity industry players coming to Charleston, SC for more meaty, frothy conversations!

More show notes and resources on tourpreneur.com

The Future of In-Person Events at Tourpreneur: Shindigs & TourWeek

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 15:04:00 -0400

If there's one thing we at Tourpreneur have learned about running an online community, it's how important it is to have in-person gatherings to anchor the online conversations in the friendships that develop in-person.

So far this year we've welcomed nearly 1,000 people to our small group "Shindigs" (meetups) held all around the world.

And we're planning on more, plus launching a brand new style of conference for the whole industry, TourWeek.

So in this special episode, Mitch, Peter and TP Head of Events Kyle Campbell sit down for a chat about the importance of tour operators meeting up together in-person and how we want YOU to join or host an in-person gathering!

Improving Guest Experience Through the Art of "Conscious Photography"

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 11:13:00 -0400

How do we design experiences that use photography to enhance the guided experience, and not detract from feeling engaged and immersed? That's the question Mitch Bach posed in this Tourpreneur episode.

Mikaela Toczek is the perfect person to answer that questions. She's the founder of More to Explore in Slovenia, which combines her background as a documentary photographer and photojournalism educator with her passion for guiding to create tours that explore Slovenia's lesser-known areas.

Having moved to Slovenia with her family and launched her business three years ago, she deliberately focuses on areas without established tourism infrastructure, taking small groups of eight people to places that offer authentic connections with local hosts and providers.

Her approach to tours integrates what she calls "conscious photography" - a philosophy rooted in her experience using medium format film cameras that have only 12 shots per roll, forcing intentional, reflective image-making rather than mindless smartphone snapping. This photographic mindfulness becomes woven throughout her tour experiences, helping guests balance capturing memories with being fully present in Slovenia's stunning natural landscapes.

Don't forget to join us for TourWeek, Tourpreneur's global event for tour operators! More at tourweek.travel

Supporting a London neighborhood through a deeply personal food tour

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

**Don't forget to register for our upcoming conference: TourWeek, Nov 10-13!**

The whole TP gang of Mitch, Peter, Chris and Kyle were in London together recently for a Tourpreneur party. And our friends at GetYourGuide emailed and said—hey, while you're in London, do you want to take a tour?

We said, sure! When we asked what it was, they said: trust us, this is a good one.

They weren't kidding.

It was such an interesting experience that we surprised the owner-guide by asking him to record an impromptu podcast episode right after finishing his 3-hour tour of Afro-Carribean Foods of Brixton, London.

Obi owns Gorgeous Tours UK, and operates African and Caribbean food tours in Brixton, London's historically black neighborhood, sharing deeply personal stories of his Nigerian family's immigration experience alongside the complex cultural evolution of the area.

What began six years ago as a slow-starting venture inspired by his wife's suggestion during a Bangkok food tour has transformed into a thriving full-time business running twice daily, six days a week, thanks to an unexpected boost from Beyoncé's London concerts in May 2023 that brought thousands of American tourists seeking authentic cultural experiences.

His tours combine eight to nine food tastings with intimate storytelling that doesn't shy away from difficult truths about gentrification, historical neglect, and community displacement, instead embracing honest narratives that guests appreciate for their authenticity. Operating as a solo entrepreneur, Obi faces the classic scaling challenges of managing all aspects of his business while maintaining the personal touch and local relationships that make his tours special.

Three Grumpy Old Men Rant About AI to One Pro-AI Weirdo

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 06:46:00 -0400

There's no explaining this episode. It's rambling and angry and raw and weird, but probably a very useful episode to listen to.

Mr. AI-is-the-future Peter Syme and Mr. Human-Connection-is-Everything Mitch Bach are joined by two brilliant guys who have made their living creating travel content. Stuart McDonald founded Travelfish to offer true expert insights into Southeast Asian travel destinations. And Matthew Barker is the founder of Horizon Guides, which helps tour operators sell tours by pairing their products with expert content.

Both Matthew and Stuart have spent decades in the travel content business, and have a lot to say about what Google's content updates and the general shift to AI has done to the spirit of travel planning & discovery. But the conversation gets much broader, real quick. Mitch rants about the poverty of fast-food AI tour guide experiences and what it's doing to customer behavior, and Pete valiantly defends technology.

Nothing is firmly decided, but the debate is definite informative for anyone struggling to figure out where we're headed as a tour industry.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Changing Landscape of Travel Content
04:29 Understanding Google’s Evolving Algorithms
08:35 Creating Quality Travel Content
13:40 The Impact of AI on Travel Content
18:17 The Role of Human Connection in Travel Experiences
25:01 Navigating the Future of Travel and Content Creation
44:22 The Impact of Digital Culture on Personal Identity
46:15 The Illusion of Choice in a Digital World
48:26 Mindless Travel: The Loss of Agency
51:48 The Backlash Against Mindless Travel
55:00 The Role of Authenticity in Travel Experiences
58:48 The Importance of Connection in Guiding
01:01:21 Creating Meaningful Content in Travel
01:05:58 The Power of Personal Stories in Travel Marketing
01:12:12 Designing Immersive Experiences Without Screens

Balancing Soul, Scale & Authenticity in Food Tourism (w/ Lauren Aloise of Devour Tours)

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 07:27:00 -0400

What does it take to grow a food tour company without losing what made it special in the first place? Mitch Bach talks with Lauren Aloise, co-founder of Devour Tours and now VP of Marketing and Guest Experience at Walks-Devour Tours, joins us to unpack the hard-earned lessons of scaling with soul. From cooking classes in her Madrid apartment to managing operations across continents, Lauren shares how Devour stayed grounded in hospitality, storytelling, and meaningful local partnerships—even as it greatly expanded.

Mitch and Lauren explore the tough questions many tour operators face: How do you train guides to host, not just talk? What gets lost when experiences become too polished? And how do you adapt to a tourism landscape shaped by TikTok, AI, and shifting guest expectations? This episode is packed with insight for anyone trying to grow a purpose-driven experience business—without losing the magic.

Join the 20,000 member Tourpreneur Facebook Group
More show notes at tourpreneur.com
November 10-13, 2025: Tourpreneur's TourWeek annual conference

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Devour Tours and Lauren Aloise
02:23 The Origins of Devour Tours
05:54 Evolving the Business Model
11:13 The Challenges of Scaling
14:30 Customer Loyalty and Brand Connection
16:20 The Unique Qualities of Food Tourism
20:57 Creating Connection Through Food Tours
25:23 The Future of Tour Guiding and AI
25:48 The Impact of AI on Tourism and Hospitality
27:59 The Power of Shared Food Memories
29:25 Balancing Experience and Product in Tours
30:33 Investing in Guide Training and Engagement
33:29 Building Loyalty and Company Culture
34:38 Navigating the Rise of DIY Food Tourism
37:41 Adapting Marketing Strategies for a New Generation
39:19 The Value of Webinars in Customer Engagement
43:16 Learning from Failures and Defining Success
47:39 The Importance of Focus in Business Growth

Sell More Tours with Social Video and Creator Partnerships

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 10:38:00 -0400

Madison Rifkin leads Mount, a platform that partners with short-term rental hosts to help them feature and promote local tours and activities to their guests.

But how do you actually get those guests to book? A static landing page doesn’t cut it. That’s where Madison’s “Creator Army” comes in—a vetted network of content creators trained specifically to craft high-performing short-form videos designed for the tour and activity industry.

In this episode, Madi breaks down what’s working on social video platforms right now, how Mount converts attention into bookings, and why your next best sales channel might be Instagram or TikTok. Plus, we dive into the unexpected origin story of Mount—which Madi started when she was just 12 years old.

Show notes & more information on tourpreneur.com
Join us Nov 10-13, 2025 for TourWeek, our annual global tour operator conference!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Mount and Its Mission
01:25 Understanding Mount's Unique Approach
04:04 The Role of AI and Concierge Services
05:20 Challenges in the Short-Term Rental Market
07:47 The Evolution of Short-Term Rentals
10:01 Targeting the Right Audience for Experiences
11:37 Mount's Content Strategy and Creator Army
15:00 The Importance of Authentic Storytelling
18:12 Creating Engaging Social Media Content
21:45 Building a Content Army for Tour Operators
24:05 Trends in Social Media Content
27:13 The Power of Series Content
29:15 User-Generated Content and Its Impact
32:51 Navigating the Challenges of the Travel Industry
36:12 Finding the Right Creators for Your Brand
39:11 Gender Dynamics in Social Media and Content Creation
42:25 Madi's Journey and Vision for Mount
44:50 How to Get Involved with Mount

Demystifying AI for Tour Operators (w/ Janette Roush of Brand USA)

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:55:00 -0400

All we hear about is AI this, AI that. And yet trying to keep up with all the changes can be overwhelming. Many operators are simply rejecting it outright, or knowingly keeping their heads buried in the sand.

So Mitch Bach sat down with Janette Roush, the "Chief AI Officer" for Brand USA, to ask a fundamental question: what are some practical ways a tour operator can get started using AI effectively for their tour business? This isn't a technical, advanced conversation, but rather a clear-eyed overview of the benefits of just getting started and a practical approach to do just that. It's a great first step for those wondering where to begin.

Janette is a master communicator on this topic, and everyone should follow her on LinkedIn!

🔥 Attend our next global conference, TourWeek!

Registration is now open for TourWeek '25, in Charleston, South Carolina. A gathering of day tour operators, multi-day operators, DMCs, travel advisors, guides, tour leaders... all descending on the city to take tours, get inspired, book 1:1 partnership meetings, and of course make new friends. Learn more at tourweek.travel!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to AI in Tourism

58:51 The Role of a Chief AI Officer

01:00:19 AI's Impact on the Travel Industry

01:03:58 The Future of AI in Travel

01:07:08 AI and Pricing Strategies

01:10:10 The Evolution of SaaS in Tourism

01:14:16 Human Touch vs AI in Business Decisions

01:17:53 Getting Started with AI for Businesses

01:21:32 Mindset Shifts for Embracing AI

01:24:18 The Future of Work and Strategy

01:26:48 SEO in the Age of AI

01:29:30 The Value of Human Connection in Travel

01:33:06 Balancing Automation and Customer Service

01:37:38 Future-Proofing Your Business with AI

01:45:45 Common Pitfalls and Successes in AI Implementation

Tourism as a Force for Good: The Untours Foundation's Mission

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:45:00 -0400

In this episode of the Tourpreneur podcast, Chris speaks with Jonathan Coleman from the Untours Foundation and Zakia Moulaoui Guery from Invisible Cities. They discuss the transformative power of tourism and how both organizations are making a significant impact in their communities.

The Untours Foundation focuses on impact investing in social enterprises, while Invisible Cities trains individuals affected by homelessness to become tour guides, sharing their unique stories. Together, they explore the intersection of tourism, social change, and community empowerment.

In this conversation, Zakia and Jonathan discuss the importance of networking, partnerships, and financial support, particularly for social enterprises like Invisible Cities. They highlight the significance of building trust and rapport with stakeholders, the milestones achieved by Invisible Cities, and the role of corporate partnerships in supporting their mission.

The discussion also covers future plans for expansion and offers advice for other tourism businesses looking to partner with Untours.

Selling Tours Through Guide Platforms: Advice, Trends, and Challenges

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Mitch Bach is joined by ToursByLocals CEO Lisa Chen and Sherif Abiza, Chief Community Officer of Withlocals. Together they discuss a recent incident of guide poaching amongst tour platforms, and talk about what trust and fairness looks like in our industry.

Guide platforms operate differently than other OTAs like GetYourGuide, Viator or Klook, since they deal primarily in solo entrepreneurs who themselves are the face of the tour.

In this episode of Tourpreneur the group discusses:

what does the platform's commission get spent on?
how a guide platform acquires a customer
what goes into a great guide profile
the rise of video, and social commerce
what it takes to build trust between travelers, guides and a platform
how guides need to adopt a 'marketing mindset', beyond delivering a great tour
what they think of Airbnb Experiences' new reboot

Don't forget:

Join Tourpreneur's 20,000 strong Facebook Group of tour professionals!
Join us for TourWeek 2025, our annual conference for tour operators & guides!

Sell More Tours through Partnerships (w/ Nicole Mahoney of Travel Alliance Partnership)

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:36:00 -0400

Nicole Mahoney runs Travel Alliance Partnership, a small group of tour operators banding together to create more buying power with suppliers, resell each others' tours, and much much more. In this Tourpreneur episode Nicole talks with Mitch Bach about how powerful these kinds of B2B partnership models can be when it comes to growing your tour business.

Watch the video, show notes, and more at tourpreneur.com

And join us for our TourWeek 2025, our global conference in Charleston, SC November 10-13!

Streamlining Your Customer & Team Communication Flows (w/ Ben Sann of Tour Optima)

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:48:00 -0400

Benjamin Sann is the CEO of Tour Optima, a communications platform and white-labeled app solution that offers streamlined messaging between your business and your guests, guides, and internal team.

Communication is everything. How are your guests receiving the itinerary and important updates? How are they being prompted to review and tip the guide at the end of the tour? How do you handle group communication blasts throughout a multi-day tour?

In this episode we talk about how to streamline your communications flow throughout the entire customer journey, from pre-booking to on-tour to post-tour follow-up. Ben is filled with great advice for when and how you should be communicating with your customers, this is a must-listen!

For more show notes, visit tourpreneur.com
Join our 20,000 member Facebook group!
Our annual conference, TourWeek 2025 is open for registrations!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Tour Optima
01:37 Understanding Communication in Tourism
03:05 Streamlining Operations for Multi-Day Tours
05:54 Enhancing Guest Experience Through Communication
09:10 The Balance of Communication and Engagement
10:15 Simplifying the Customer Journey
12:46 Real-World Communication Challenges
16:54 Ideal Communication Map for Tours
20:26 Integrating Technology in Tour Operations
26:20 Optimizing Customer Communication in Tours
30:31 Enhancing Pre-Booking Communication Strategies
32:05 Balancing Customer and Operational Journeys
34:19 Streamlining Vendor Communication for Tours
35:35 Leveraging Data for Marketing and Customer Insights
40:05 Understanding Customer Booking Behavior
44:12 The Future of Technology in Tour Operations

Building a Next-Generation Multi-Day Tour Brand through Community

Mon, 26 May 2025 01:31:00 -0400

Katalina Mayorga is the powerhouse founder of El Camino Travel, a multi-day tour company reimagining the group trip experience for a new generation.

But she's also much more than a tour operator. To sell her trips she's leaned heavily into community, creating a membership that serves not only as a customer base, but a space for likeminded 'bold women' to share recommendations and advice. And to power this community, she's created a new tech platform that is re-imagining the travel booking flow in an age where we're all drowning in the mediocre recommendations of AI and endless clickbait blog posts.

In this episode, Tourpreneur's Mitch Bach talks to Katalina about:

what it takes to design and market the group travel experience to millennials.
what makes a great DMC relationship, from both perspectives.
what social responsibility really means
building a community-driven brand
How to build a brand when you’re small
the growing ‘nichification’ of travel

...and so much more.

For show notes and more info, visit tourpreneur.com. And be sure to join nearly 20,000 Tourpreneurs in our bustling Facebook group.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to El Camino Travel

01:50 - Katalina's Journey to Founding El Camino

06:50 - Reinventing Group Travel Experiences

11:39 - Building Unique Travel Experiences

17:33 - Community Engagement and Co-Creation

23:54 - The Importance of DMC Relationships

32:12 - Defining Brand and Community in Travel

35:40 - Defining Your Customer Avatar

38:36 - Building a Strong Brand Identity

40:59 - The Role of the Founder in Brand Success

44:58 - Creating a Community Around Travel

50:18 - The Future of Travel and Community

57:43 - Navigating Conflict and Kindness in Travel

GetYourGuide analyzed 3.1 Million Reviews. Here’s What Tour Operators Need to Know.

Wed, 21 May 2025 08:21:00 -0400

We all know good reviews are important, but what deeper insights can reviews give us about our tour businesses, and our industry?

To answer that, Anna Cashman, Head of B2B Brand & Insights for GetYourGuide, led an effort to analyze 3.1 million reviews with comments. Her team parsed the data to understand trends and takeaways for tour operators. She joins Peter, Chris and Mitch on the podcast to talk through what this all means for tour operators.

We were surprised by some of the report's insights: What countries leave the most reviews? Who are the most critical reviewers? How many reviews ensures a successful product? Why are attractions so popular but so poorly reviewed? What kinds of tours get the best reviews?

Download the Review Report
GetYourGuide's Spring 2025 Unlocked Release for Suppliers
Join GetYourGuide as a supplier
Anna Cashman on LinkedIn

A Look at the New Airbnb Experiences Reboot

Thu, 15 May 2025 18:15:00 -0400

Well, the new Airbnb 2025 Summer Release is upon us. The just hosted a big, splashy launch event for its reboot of Experiences, and also introduced Airbnb Services, featuring dozens of categories of new bookable offerings, from nail care to personal chefs. What does this mean for the future of Airbnb, for the tours & activities sector, and for Experience Hosts? Let's dive in!

Mitch Bach and Peter Syme invited Ben Gollan to share his insights. Ben is one of Airbnb's most popular NYC hosts, and has been with the platform since the early days. He's hugely optimistic about the new direction and investment Experiences is taking, and it's nice to hear his positivity about the platform's potential. Given the launch of Airbnb Services, Mitch and Pete look at what all of this means in the bigger picture for Airbnb, for the tours & activities sector, and where Airbnb gets it right and where there's room for improvement.

The Transformational Power of Walking (w/ Joao of Walking Mentorship)

Mon, 12 May 2025 07:55:00 -0400

Mitch Bach sat down with João Perre Viana, the founder of Walking Mentorship, to talk one thing we tour operators are all familiar with: walking.

But not many of us design week-long trips where all you do is walk. Sometimes alone. Sometimes in a group. That's it. Beyond some shared meals and moments, there isn't much of a plan. Each group takes on a different spirit, but it's all guided by a mentor who along the way tries to facilitate and gently foster personal transformation. What that looks like is up to the individual guest.

This conversation veered away from the nitty-gritty of business, and towards diving into the importance and magic of what we do as experience creators.

For more show notes, visit tourpreneur.com. And be sure to join nearly 20,000 tour operators in our Facebook group!

1. Introduction to Walking Mentorship [00:00:09]

Joao’s background and origins in Portugal
Is Walking Mentorship a tour company?

2. Joao’s Personal Journey and Spark for Walking Mentorship [00:01:16]

The first Camino de Santiago in 1993
The impact of the walk and self-discovery
Realization of a calling to this work

3. Founding and Early Development of Walking Mentorship [00:04:23]

Corporate career delay and returning to the idea
Email to “fools, friends, and family,” and pilot programs
Early feedback and attempts to give up on the idea

4. The Nature of Walking Journeys as Transformational Experiences [00:07:14]

Layers of experience: curiosity, physicality, purpose, self-understanding, spirituality, culture
Doors in a room analogy for guiding participant journeys

5. Participant Freedom, Responsibility, and Structure [00:12:06]

Emphasis on total freedom and responsibility
Rare participant withdrawal and the ethos behind the program

6. Difference Between Typical Travel and Mentorship Walking Journeys [00:13:10]

Critique of traditional, structured, checklist-driven tours
Deprogramming guests and creating space for transformation

7. Risk, Challenge, and Your Personal “Everest” [00:17:26]

Meaning of risk (internal vs. external threats)
The “wolves” participants face within themselves
Ensuring physical and psychological safety

8. Common Motivations and Unique Outcomes [00:19:55]

The universal quest or search among participants
Every individual’s unique journey and needs
“There is no replay” principle

9. The Mentorship Structure and Methodology [00:22:20]

Mentor’s responsibilities and boundaries
Preparing participants for returning home
Structured support with eventual independence

10. Designing for Difficulty and Personal Growth [00:26:53]

Backpack packing as a life metaphor
Balancing physical challenge with adaptability
Reading the group and tailoring the journey

11. Practical Aspects and Device Usage [00:32:22]

Approach to phone/device use on programs
Fostering mindful interaction with technology

12. Lessons for Day Tour Operators and Short-Form Experiences [00:35:16]

Applying listening, eye contact, and personalization even to short tours
Offering small but impactful experiences

13. The Art of Listening and Asking Questions [00:40:04]

Listening as a crucial guiding skill
Asking questions through stories
Techniques for prompting deep reflection

14. Walking Mentorship Methodology: “Survival Kit” [00:44:40]

Four stages: Slowing Down, Reconnecting, Gaining Perspective, Taking Action
Toolbox of facilitation methods and adapting to the moment

15. Working with Corporate Groups [00:51:36]

Parallels between corporate groups worldwide
Depth of impact in team environments
Equalizing power structures and fostering trust

16. Empathy, Conflict, and the Power of Walking Side-by-Side [01:00:08]

Walking as an equalizer, building empathy beyond verbal communication
Practical examples with diverse and conflicting groups

17. Broader Mission and the Potential of the Travel Industry [01:06:15]

The urgency of empathy-building travel experiences in a divided world
Tourism’s unique opportunity and challenge

18. Reflections on Personal Growth and Lifelong Learning [01:03:16, resumes at 01:11:30]

Lifelong curiosity, humility, and self-improvement
Giving individuals autonomy and intention

Connectivity Series: Multi-Day Tour Connectivity - Past, Present & Future

Fri, 02 May 2025 10:35:00 -0400

Kelly Tompkins is the Founder & CPO of ReserveX, building software infrastructure that connects the components of our whole industry: Multi-Day tours, Day tours, Travel Advisors, OTAs, Meta-Search, and more.

He's also been in the industry for a long, long time.

Together with Tourpreneur host Peter Syme, Kelly talks about where the industry has been, and where it's going. He specifically looks at the disconnects in selling multi-day tours, how API connectivity can open your company up to more sales channels, but also the challenges in creating digital multi-day inventory.

Along the way he also talks to Peter about how AI will change tour booking flows, and much much more.

As always, visit tourpreneur.com for more resources and join our nearly 20,000 member free Facebook community!

Connectivity Series: Demystifying APIs, and Why Tour Operators Should Care

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:37:00 -0400

TP team members Mitch Bach and Peter Syme talk to Chris Mark, Head of Connectivity for GetYourGuide.

As we continue our Connectivity Series, we're looking at the people building the plumbing that make our industry work. When you list your tour on GetYourGuide, you might not understand the way in which it gets shared on other platforms, and how it integrates with your booking software, to bring you more sales but also make the whole process seamless.

We sat down with Chris who is one of the architects making best-in-class connectivity. He comes from the tech industry, specifically Uber Eats, and learned a lot about what it takes to build the tech the makes sure everything works together nicely.

Listen to the end, because Chris shares his opinion on the value proposition about tour marketplaces.

More info & links at tourpreneur.com

TP Exclusive: Chris Torres sells Tourism Marketing Agency (TMA) to the Trikon Group

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Mitch Bach and Pete Syme interview fellow Tourpreneur partner Chris Torres, a seasoned marketing expert, who shares insights from his extensive career in the industry.

Chris announces the sale of his business, discusses the evolving landscape of marketing, and emphasises the importance of storytelling and innovation in attracting customers.

The conversation covers the differences between marketing strategies for day tours and multi-day tours, the significance of print marketing, and what tour operators should look for in a marketing agency. Chris also reflects on his future plans and the changes in his professional journey.

Tourism Marketing Agency

Trikon Group

Read the full Press Release

Takeaways

Chris Torres has been in marketing and design since he was 16.
He sold his business after 17 years to focus on new opportunities.
Marketing is more crucial than ever in today's cluttered landscape.
Agencies must adapt to technological changes and customer needs.
Tour operators should invest in long-term marketing strategies.
Video content is a powerful tool for differentiation.
Understanding your customer is key to effective marketing.
Print marketing remains relevant and impactful.
Agencies should be evaluated based on results over time.
It's important for operators to know when to move on from an agency, and vice versa.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chris Torres and His Journey

01:24 Chris Torres Announces Business Sale

03:48 The Importance of Marketing in Today's World

07:46 The Evolving Role of Marketing Agencies

11:06 What Tour Operators Should Look for in Agencies

13:30 When to Move On from an Agency

18:04 Day Tours vs. Multi-Day Tours Marketing Strategies

19:53 Standing Out in a Crowded Market

26:02 The Role of Print Marketing

27:34 Looking Ahead: Chris's Future Plans

Connectivity Series: Understanding How Travel Advisors work with Tour Operators

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 07:14:00 -0400

As we continue our connectivity series, we look at the landscape of B2B sales for tour operators as it evolves thanks to new technology, connectivity, and companies changing how travel is sold.

Evan Frank has been the CEO of a tour company (Context Travel), founder of a short-term rental pioneer (onefinestay), and is no co-founder of Fora Travel, leading the charge at reimagining the role of the travel advisor, updating it with new technology and a brand that suits a new demographic of advisor today.

How Evan's seen the evolution of B2C and B2B distribution as a tour operator
The evolving landscape of travel advisors, especially post-COVID.
Discussion on the importance of multichannel distribution.
Building a modern, networked community of advisors.
Tips for tour suppliers to connect with travel advisors.
The importance of networking and being proactive.
The importance of building a personal brand and relationships.

If you're interested in this potential sales channel for your business, this is a must-listen.

Show notes on tourpreneur.com
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Connectivity Series: Leveraging Short Term Rental Partnerships to Sell Tours

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 08:42:00 -0400

This week we begin a mini-series on connectivity: interviews with people helping tour operators grow their B2B partnerships through tech tools that connect with other industry sectors.

We start the series off looking at short term rentals. This is often a desired B2B relationship for tour operators, but one that's hard to decipher and connect with.

Our guests are Karen Piscitelli, Founder of Explorabout and Annie Holcombe of the channel manager NextPax. Karen is building a platform to allow property managers to tap into inventory of unique bookable experiences, and Annie is an expert in the connectivity landscape for the short term rental market.

We look at:

how to understand the short term rental space
strategies tour operators can use to creatively connect with property managers
tech challenges in connecting properties to tours & activities
working with OTAs like Airbnb vs. direct relationships with properties
how Explorabout and Nextpax are thinking about channel management and
the opportunity for designing tours in partnership with property managers
opportunities in remote workers

Show notes and more available at tourpreneur.com

Dan Christian's 5 Lessons From Large Multi-Day Tour Operators on Marketing & Scaling

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 16:06:00 -0400

Dan Christian has spent decades in the industry working at some of the world's largest travel brands: The Travel Corporation, G Adventures, Lonely Planet.

Today he's the host of the Travel Trends podcast and CEO of the Acceleration Team, helping travel companies achieve rapid growth.

Dan knows marketing and business transformation like nobody else, and in this episode he spills the secrets of the world's largest companies:

How do the largest tour companies really make their money?
What have they learned about marketing tours?
How do you scale up your operations efficiently as you add new regions?
What does smart growth look like?
How important is brand and USP?
How do you leverage technology?
What are the best distribution channels for selling your tours?
Are travel advisors worth working with?

More information...

Show notes with more of Dan's insights
Tourpreneur's full event schedule including CONNECT NYC in February, and our Tour Product Boot Camp in Berlin, March 3.
Join our 16,000+ tour operator community on Facebook
Get our free Tour Business Toolkit by joining our Community Hub

GetYourGuide’s Evolving Approach to Curating an Experience Marketplace (w/ Tao Tao, COO)

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0400

GetYourGuide has recently surpassed 200 million tickets sold. Co-Founder & COO Tao Tao sits down with Tourpreneur's Mitch Bach, Peter Syme and Chris Torres to talk about the challenges and surprises of 16 years of scaling an online experiences marketplace.

As always, we focus on takeaways for tour operators as Tao Tao shares data and insights. We examine the tensions inherent in balancing the needs of both suppliers and travelers, especially when it comes to curation—and Tao Tao shares news of new steps they're taking to curate their tour offerings and ensure quality.

We covered a lot in a one-hour conversation:

what he's seen as changing customer behavior and how this impacts operators
what kinds of tours GetYourGuide is really looking for, and what sells wel
how to handle late booking windows, and how customers are discovering tours much earlier in the customer journey
thorny supplier issues like commissions, late bookings, cancellation cut-off times, and more
how to balance customers' evolving needs with the needs of suppliers
why there is polarization in the industry regarding the opinion of OTAs
how an experience marketplace is different than other travel OTAs
how a brand like GetYourGuide can inspire customer loyalty
pricing: how do you create a marketplace that doesn't just compete on price
how to make sure you have enough tours to serve a variety of customers, but enough curation to ensure quality
thoughts on how AI is and will be used behind the scenes and in front of customers in the future to discover and experience travel
multi-day travel: is it a future avenue they're thinking about?

Upcoming Tourpreneur events:

Feb 18-20, 2025: New York City - TourpreneurCONNECT, focused on scaling your operations, sales, and marketing strategies
March 3, 2025: Free Pre-ITB Tourpreneur Business Workshop at GetYourGuide Headquarters
View our whole global calendar of meetups and conferences

The 70-20-10 Rule for Preparing for 2025

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 11:08:00 -0400

A Christmas Eve gift for you!

We're just days away from 2025, so it's clearly time to start thinking about how you're going to grow and improve your business next year!

Tourpreneur hosts Mitch Bach and Peter Syme have a conversation about what Pete calls the 70-20-10 rule for how to spend your time doing business development in the off season. (You'll have to listen to find out).

We cover topics such as:

Leading guide training and innovation workshops
finding new sales partners
looking at your finances
a system for figuring out what's working and what's not

And so much more.

Thank you all so much for being supporters and listeners of Tourpreneur in 2024. We have so much in store for you for next year.

Join Tourpreneur.com for free courses, resources, and full archives of all our podcasts
Attend one of dozens of global meetups in 2025

6 Easy Fixes to Improve Your Tour Business Immediately

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:56:00 -0400

TP hosts Mitch Bach, Peter Syme and Chris Torres have just returned from their California Road Show, in partnership with GetYourGuide.

We spent a week hosting business development workshops in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles, meeting dozens of operators in all sorts of verticals. Thanks to everyone who showed up, and to GetYourGuide who shared regional data on travel trends and customer behavior insights relevant to the local market. The Tourpreneur team paired that data with live business audits.

The results were surprising.

In this episode, we look at 6 easy fixes to your tour business that we repeatedly saw in the operators we audited, as well as the top 6 sales channels—according to the operators attending—that are working right now. We dig into the why of it all, and Peter does his best Grumpy Grinch impression.

All the resources and events we mentioned are available at tourpreneur.com

Scaling a DMC that's Challenging Conventions & Changing Communities (w/ Rodrigo Atuesta of Impulse Travel)

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 12:17:00 -0400

This episode is going to inspire and surprise you. Rodrigo Atuesta is the CEO of Impulse Travel. From humble beginnings as a guide and Couch Surfer, Rodrigo and his partners have built a DMC in Colombia that has now served over 30,000 travelers. But the way he's built it has been extraordinary, challenging assumptions about how DMCs should work, and understanding the responsibility and power that a travel company has to transform destinations.

In this far-reaching conversation, Tourpreneur's Mitch Bach talks a variety of topics with Rodrigo:

What he learned about hospitality and “meaningful interactions” from his days of Couch Surfing
how he participates in and hosts FAM trips with agents to promote his business and country
how to challenge and change global stereotypes about Colombia
his approach to the “co-creation” process as a DMC working with tour operators
the surprising lessons learned from his experience with Booking.com’s Booking Booster accelerator program
what true leadership … soft skills, good leadership is the capacity to reinvent yourself. Learning to be vulnerable in leadership perspectives.
the importance of thinking intentionally about company culture as you build your company, not after.
his discovery of how developing tourism in a community, and fostering local leadership brought change and impact to a community… watching the murder rate drop.
how you can build a company as a response to a need within a community, rather than imposing your vision on a place.
His team's HEART design process for product development: (Human Encounters & Connection, Economic Opportunity, Authenticity, Regenerative Narratives, Top Notch)
his thinking around how to tell the story of Colombia and develop tourism in a way that improves communities and changes narratives
how Impulse takes travelers' assumptions about what they want to do (see Pablo Escobar sights) and changes those intentions into something positive
how his DMC builds bridges with other tour operators through partnerships, creating an association, and supporting each other to grow the whole pie.
Impulse's surprising “total transparency” model, in which they disclose everything down to the penny to the client!

My favorite quote from the episode:

"A true leader is anyone who is aware of their impact on other people, and acts on this awareness.”

For more information, visit tourpreneur.com.

And don't forget great upcoming TP events!

the Tourpreneur California Road Show starting December 8, 2024 thanks to our partnership with GetYourGuide
TourpreneurCONNECT:NYC sales & operations conference in February
Tourpreneur Shindigs — global small group meetups in dozens of countries around the world

Visit our global events calendar here.

Rethinking Travel Necessity and Sustainability with Xavier Font

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 10:41:00 -0400

In this episode of Tourpreneur, we dive into the intricacies of sustainable travel with Xavier Font, a seasoned expert in travel and sustainability. With over two decades of experience and a professorship at the University of Surrey, Xavier brings a wealth of knowledge to our discussion.

We explore the necessity of rethinking travel for environmental reasons and the potential for combining work and travel for greater efficiency and satisfaction. Xavier emphasizes designing meaningful travel experiences that foster personal interactions, rather than purely focusing on technical sustainability measures. We also tackle the growth of sustainable consumer interest, the implications of certifications like B Corp, and the practical steps small to medium-sized operators can take to integrate sustainability.

Join us as we unpack the opportunities and challenges facing the travel industry and discover how tour operators can lead the charge towards a more sustainable future.

Strategies to Attract Corporate Clients for Tour Operators

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 11:22:00 -0400

Today, we're tackling a crucial topic for those looking to expand their business into new territories: B2B marketing strategies for tour operators.

If you're aiming to attract corporate clients or promote team-building experiences, this episode is a must-listen. Chris Torres provides some quick tips on how to build a strong brand, utilise SEO, leverage targeted ads, and make the most of platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook to grow your business in the corporate marketplace.

Whether you're new to this or looking to refine your approach, these tips will help position you as a trusted expert in the industry and pave the way for higher revenue and profit margins. So, let's get started!

Can Airbnb's Third Attempt at Experiences Succeed?

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:40:00 -0400

In this quick episode, Tourpreneur partners Peter Syme and Chris Torres dive into the latest buzz around Airbnb's third attempt to amplify their experiences offering.

Despite previous failures, Airbnb is pushing hard again, proclaiming that experiences represent a massive market opportunity. But can they succeed this time? Peter and Chris weigh in on the challenges Airbnb faces, from curating high-quality experiences to ensuring sustainable pricing for operators.

They discuss the potential pitfalls of relying on non-professional hosts and the importance of integrating API connectivity for seamless bookings. Will Airbnb's powerful brand and vast resources finally turn the tide? Tune in as our hosts dissect the prospects of Airbnb becoming a major player in the experiences sector and share insights on what needs to change for this ambitious venture to thrive.

For more, visit tourpreneur.com

How three successful TikTokers use social video to sell tours

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Mitch Bach interviews three tour guides and operators who have become extremely popular on TikTok:

Megan Marod (@themegandaily)
David Harry (@the_london_spy)
John O'Sullivan (@oneminutetours)

These guides have all harnessed the power of TikTok in different ways that suits their personality, goals, and markets. But they have one thing in common: they say the key to success is showing up authentically.

In this episode they tell their story and share their tips and strategies on a variety of topics:

What videos of theirs had viral success
How to build authenticity and develop your own unique style
Batch creation and other tips to streamline the creation process
How to engage with your audience (and handle negative comments)
Their experience with the Creator Fund and its monetization potential
Whether and how to develop brand partnerships
Collaborating with content creators
Should you show up as a brand or an individual?
How they measure success on the platform

If you're interested in working with content creators, Tourpreneur has a new short course from an experienced creator on how to pitch and negotiate with creators, and criteria to look for when deciding who to partner with. Available to anyone with a Professional Membership.

Show notes & more on tourpreneur.com!

TP Coffee Talk: What's been happening in the tours & activities industry?

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 09:50:00 -0400

The Tourpreneur podcast is back! After a summer hiatus while operators were busy operating... we're returning to our weekly schedule of conversations and insights for the tours & activities industry.

To kick off the fall season, TP partners Mitch Bach, Peter Syme and Chris Torres chat through everything that's been happening in the industry over the past month:

What we hear about an industry 'slowdown' or 'softening' for tour operators, and whether it should change your business and marketing strategies
AI: is it overhyped? Is the bubble bursting? Pete and Mitch debate humans vs. AI: what's the future hold? Will it be as revolutionary as the internet, or another overhyped flawed and failed technology like the Metaverse?
the Google anti-trust ruling: how does a potential disruption in search affect operators?
What Mitch learned about market positioning and B2B partnerships at the SYTA student youth travel conference in NYC
The EU's new cookie law and its privacy implications for operators
connecting with short term rental owners and other B2B strategies
Peter speaking at WeTravel's travel tech innovation summit next week

September 10-12, join our friends at WeTravel for a free ticket to their three-day virtual Travel Innovation Summit where you'll hear from Tourpreneur.

Don't hesitate to get your ticket to our in-person multi-day tour operator conference Tourpreneur CONNECT in Marrakesh, Morocco Nov 18-21!

And as always, you'll find show notes and more on tourpreneur.com

Putting Vulnerability and Empathy at the Heart of Your Tour Business Strategy (w/ Kyle Campbell of Sudden Journeys)

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 08:07:00 -0400

Excuse the length of this episode, but I jealously didn’t want to stop interviewing this week’s guest, Kyle Campbell, who runs her small-group multi-day tour company, Sudden Journeys. For some of you listening, this might be the episode you need to hear to relase yourself from the burden of thinking you have to keep producing more content to sell your tours.

At first glance, this episode’s title might put you off: what do the seemingly “soft” words like vulnerability and empathy have to do with the hard realities and hustle of growing a tour business? Kyle shows you the answer is: everything! Her multi-day small group tour company has been built (and has doubled in size this past year) based on a strategy of thinking deeply about how to connect meaningfully with her guests, and how to express herself and her business authentically and vulnerably. She’s not posting often on social media, but when she does, it’s personal, thoughtful, and she’s built a small but fervent community of people who connect deeply with her message, and book her tours. Her commitment to being open and honest resonates deeply with her social media audience, and you'll hear about how important tour design is, from the welcome dinner ice breaker questions and tablescape to designing large periods of rest in her itineraries, to allow guests to leave feeling truly revitalized.

***Also, Kyle will be at Tourpreneur CONNECT, our multi-day tour operator conference in Marrakesh, Morocco in November if you want to meet her! ***

Key Episode Takeaways

Creating unforgettable experiences and connecting with travelers on a deeper level is crucial in the travel industry.
Using evocative imagery, storytelling, and personal vulnerability can engage and inspire travelers.
A “dimensional experience” that goes beyond facts and dates is more memorable and impactful.
Travel has the power to transform and connect people, and it is important to create trips that leave travelers refreshed and with a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.
Surprise and delight are powerful tools for designing memorable moments on tours.
Creating a group experience that allows for autonomy and connection is key to fostering a sense of community among guests.
When hiring and training tour leaders, it is important to find individuals who are passionate, organized, and willing to learn.

Resources

Show Notes on Tourpreneur.com
Sudden Journeys website
A sample Instagram post showing how Kyle uses long-form storytelling with a simple, evocative images to create a mood that connects with her audience.
Here’s an example of Kyle’s itinerary document that is also deep storytelling along the way

Maintaining Profit Margins and Growth in High-Demand Destination

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 10:40:00 -0400

Host Peter Syme sits down with Ambrose Bittner, a seasoned operator of private customised tours across Asia. They delve into the intricacies of running a tour operation, touching on key aspects like process engineering, client communication, and the decision to outsource tasks versus keeping them in-house.

Ambrose shares his journey through COVID-19, during which he invested in new back-office infrastructure and refined his booking process. They also explore the challenges of maintaining revenue growth while managing staffing and the delicate balance between business and personal life.

Additionally, they look ahead to 2024 and 2025, discussing the evolving travel landscape in Asia and opportunities in Japan.

Whether you're a small business owner in the travel industry or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes of bespoke tours, this episode offers valuable insights into overcoming challenges, leveraging AI, and strategically growing a tour operation business.

Overview

00:00 Asia travel delayed, government loan assisted business. Staffing challenges.

06:02 Increased training needs post COVID for businesses.

10:18 Invested in back office infrastructure and website.

13:47 Early owner takes hit, recruit to profit.

16:40 Struggles with work-life balance, especially post-COVID.

18:12 Focusing on business and nonprofit work balance.

22:46 Operators facing challenges in staffing and training.

26:21 Preparing for Japan trip; staffing challenges expected.

31:13 Surviving with wife, diversifying after COVID.

33:31 Maximize investment in hot travel destinations.

38:25 Strategies to grow business through referrals important.

40:42 Outsource certain tasks, not client communication.

44:31 Customized tours in Asia, wide range of activities.

46:02 Choose accommodation based on your needs and budget.

Content Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Tour Business

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 16:26:00 -0400

Visit tourpreneur.com for more show notes.
Tourpreneur is hosting two conferences! Join us in November in Marrakesh, Morroco for CONNECT:Multi-day, and in February in New York City for CONNECT:Profit. More info here.

In this episode, Lia Garcia, CEO of Practical Wanderlust and Louisville Food Tours, shares her journey from starting a blog to becoming one of the largest travel blogs in the world. She discusses her monetization strategy, which includes ad revenue and affiliate marketing. Leah emphasizes the importance of authenticity, trust, and storytelling in content creation. She also provides insights on partnering with bloggers and tour operators, highlighting the value of building relationships and offering competitive commissions. Leah advises tour operators to focus on personal storytelling and finding ways to differentiate themselves from OTAs. Lia Garcia shares her strategies for affiliate marketing, SEO, email marketing, and scaling a food tour business. She emphasizes the importance of using native affiliate links and leveraging bloggers to promote tours. Lia also discusses her use of keyword research tools like KeySearch and her preference for simple tech tools like WordPress, Flowdesk, and ConvertKit. She highlights the effectiveness of lead magnets in building an email list and explains how she uses automated sequences to target customers at different stages of the buying cycle. Lia also talks about the challenges of scaling her business and the importance of establishing trust and authenticity through storytelling.

Takeaways

Authenticity, trust, and storytelling are key in content marketing.
Building relationships with bloggers can drive sales and conversions.
Tour operators should differentiate themselves from OTAs and offer competitive commissions.
Personal storytelling and partnerships with bloggers can be effective strategies for tour operators.
Consider the audience and buying cycle when selecting content creators. Consider using native affiliate links and partnering with bloggers to promote tours
Use keyword research tools to optimize content and improve SEO
Create lead magnets to incentivize email sign-ups and use automated sequences to target customers at different stages of the buying cycle
Choose tech tools that are user-friendly and meet your specific needs
Scaling a business comes with challenges, such as scheduling and finding the right balance
Establish trust and authenticity through storytelling to build credibility with customers

00:00 — Introduction and Background

04:42 — Leah's Journey from Blogging to Content Marketing

08:17 — Monetization Strategy: Ad Revenue and Affiliate Marketing

11:48 — Partnerships with Tour Operators and Bloggers

16:33 — Developing a Blogging Strategy for Tour Operators

23:12 — Selecting the Right Content Creators for Partnerships

26:38 — Utilizing Booking Software and Automating Processes

29:28 — Differentiating Between Bloggers and Social Media Creators

33:05 — Optimizing SEO with Keyword Research

35:19 — Effective Email Marketing Strategies

38:15 — Choosing User-Friendly Tech Tools

45:14 — Challenges and Strategies for Scaling a Food Tour Business

53:25 — Building Trust and Credibility through Storytelling

Beyond AirBNB: Essential Marketing and Partnership Strategies for Tour Operators

Tue, 21 May 2024 08:11:00 -0400

In this episode, we'll unpack why building direct sales through SEO and website optimization, along with embracing paid advertising on platforms like Facebook, can be game-changing, despite being time-consuming. We'll also discuss the importance of feeding Google's business profile and the significance of robust content production for SEO and AI.

But the conversation doesn't stop there. We dive into the critical need for human-to-human partnerships to build resilient businesses, especially in light of Airbnb's controversial decision to remove a significant portion of their experiences inventory. Whether you're a tour operator or a small business owner, this episode offers valuable insights on navigating these uncertain times, from exploring untapped opportunities to fostering real, local partnerships. Plus, stay tuned for two exciting resources we're launching this week – a comprehensive technology and partner directory and a free guide on optimizing your Google presence.

Overview

00:00 Airbnb launches low-cost, high-value experiences.

03:44 Airbnb removing well-ranked experiences for partnership.

07:59 Customer takes precedence in $100 billion company.

13:42 Expand business by adding diverse partners cautiously.

16:43 Facebook advertising remains the best marketing platform.

19:26 SEO and PPC methods are changing, uncertain.

23:47 Build local business partnerships for sustained rewards.

26:31 Limited B2B partners yield 20% successful deals.

30:11 Tourpreneur offers valuable resources for business growth.

31:10 Thanks for listening, find notes at tourpreneur.com.

Charting Growth: Strategies for Growing Your Tour Business - 261

Wed, 15 May 2024 09:18:00 -0400

Guests Sherri Brown and Cherrye Moore discuss their experiences and the strategies that have helped them target new markets, focusing on both local and corporate sectors.

Host Peter Syme shares his insights on effective pricing strategies, managing business growth, and best practices for training and integrating new team members.

Throughout the episode, topics such as adapting to market changes, optimising group tour logistics, and customising experiences are explored.

Overview

00:00 Tourpreneur podcast highlights growth and challenges ahead.

07:21 Local market stability crucial for business success.

15:29 Shocked by flight price difference and market saturation.

18:09 Long wait times impacting small group tours.

24:27 Two-way conversation for efficient training methods.

27:24 Challenges with growing team and shared calendar.

36:49 Cater to corporate customers for better margins.

40:01 Ask for budget first when planning events.

44:56 Create custom Italian American group travel tours.

48:12 Networking grows organically, requires old-fashioned hard work.

55:13 Expanding travel services to Calabria for Americans.

59:18 Senior leadership team takes strategic retreats together.

01:04:19 Thank you for opportunities and challenges ahead.

Scaling Your Tour Business: Innovations and Strategies for Modern Entrepreneurs

Thu, 09 May 2024 07:17:00 -0400

Sean discusses his contemplation on expansion strategies, weighing the pros and cons of growing his market in Ireland versus entering new territories like the UK with self-guided hiking tours. Amidst these considerations, Peter advises maximizing existing operations before venturing into new markets, highlighting the complexities of establishing business in new destinations.

On the technology front, Luksa champions the potential of AI in streamlining communications and operations, a sentiment echoed by Edin who plans to integrate ThermoLogistix into his business operations. However, maintaining the human element in the business, especially in B2B relations, remains a key challenge as discussed by our guests.

Moreover, we'll delve into issues like asset management, pricing strategies, and leveraging social media demographics to maximize future profitability in an industry bracing for an influx of a billion new travelers.

Gear up for invaluable insights from seasoned entrepreneurs who are navigating the thrilling and unpredictable waves of the travel and tour industry. This episode is a must-listen for any tourpreneur looking to scale new heights and expand their horizons. Join us on this enlightening journey on Tourpreneur.

Overview

00:00 New podcast series explores entrepreneurial challenges in 2024.

07:04 Fleet management challenges and staff motivation efforts.

12:27 Well-trained teams bring long-term rewards. Embrace change.

17:04 Challenges in maintaining service quality and responsiveness.

24:11 B2B pricing challenges and margin management strategies.

28:51 Managing costs, balancing growth and profitability.

36:25 Urgent need for b to c monitoring.

38:48 Scaling asset-based business requires strategic partnerships.

45:49 Using bus for business strategy and development.

51:19 Max out your destination for business success.

56:29 Technology makes life easier but presents challenges.

01:01:14 Retirement-age people have money, offer potential market.

Best Practices for Building a Healthy & Inspired Team (w/ Peter McGovern)

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 07:11:00 -0400

Peter McGovern, a seasoned entrepreneur with a passion for international education gives us his forward-thinking approach to building successful teams.

In this episode, we unpack the thoughtful approach to hiring, emphasizing the importance of aligning with organizational core values and mission. From creating detailed scorecards for potential candidates to embracing diversity and fostering strong internal communication, Peter and Nikki explore the practical strategies and wisdom necessary for nurturing an international team and the critical role of company culture in achieving sustainable growth. Get ready for profound insights on managing hiring processes, the significance of structured planning, and the challenges of remote connections in a post-pandemic world. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, this discussion is packed with actionable advice tailored to help you thrive in the entrepreneurial journey.

Overview

00:00 Experienced, forward-thinking approach to building successful teams.

03:24 Experience in different organizations, importance of team.

09:24 Value of diversity in team for innovation.

12:43 Effective communication is crucial for organizational growth.

13:49 Establish communication, connection, and role clarity.

17:17 Excitement for organizational development in career planning.

20:33 Delegate responsibilities, focus on key functions for success.

26:08 Age similarity in hiring process not crucial.

29:34 Adapting and evolving as we grow. CEO responsibility.

31:09 Structured plans bring freedom and autonomy.

36:28 Community is critical for us at Odyssey.

38:03 Various ways to connect and build community.

43:10 Create mission statement, define role, list outcomes.

44:46 Structured and thorough interview process ensures fit.

48:10 Aligning people with right roles for success.

50:38 Grateful for the love, thanks Peter.

Lessons & Opportunities in the Legacy Group Travel Market (w/ Brian Jewell)

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 18:00:00 -0400

Mitch Bach talks with Brian Jewell, the Vice President and Executive Editor of Group Travel Leader, a media company representing tens of thousands of tour operators, travel agents, trip planners, many of whom have been in business for decades. Brian provides endless free resources for his community of small travel provider, and has learned countless lessons from decades in the industry.

There's a whole community of small, outbound multi-day tour operators who have been in business since the years and decades after WWII, since the beginning of the explosive growth of mass tourism. Those operators are at the ends of their careers, and the companies they've built offer a huge opportunity for acquisition, and also have learned lessons about finding niche markets and solidifying their business through personal relationships.

TP Call-in Show: Marketing Advise from Dan & Casey of Untethered Media

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 09:22:00 -0400

In this episode, Dan & Casey from Untethered Media join Chris to delve deep into the strategies that make your marketing click.

From the subtle art of Facebook ads that work like modern-day flyers, to the critical role of a well-designed website, we're covering all the bases.

We'll explore why it's not just about selling but building trust with potential customers and how the first impression your site makes can be the deal-breaker.

Overview

00:00 Entrepreneur call-in show with experts advising.

05:57 LinkedIn for B2B, Facebook for inspiration, Google Ads.

07:24 Embraces marketing, but could live without social media.

11:24 Ensure clear, direct messaging on website landing.

13:21 Focus on customer-centric design, not personal preference.

19:02 Repurposed Irish sheep blog for better traffic.

22:19 Overbooked venue, enjoyed parent's restaurant, shared discovery.

24:12 Assessing strategy effectiveness of client's Facebook group.

29:14 "New leader, marketing strategy, customer engagement, growth."

32:43 Working behind the scenes, adding more content.

How the New York Adventure Club crafts special-access experiences aimed at locals (w/ Corey William Schneider)

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:20:00 -0400

Mitch Bach talks with Corey William Schneider, founder of the New York Adventure Club, about his unique approach to building a tour business focused on delivering unique, special-access experiences to primarily a crowd of locals.

From those experiences, which grew out of his personal desire to explore more of his home of New York City with other likeminded friends, he pivoted during Covid towards a wide variety of virtual tours.

Today the Adventure Club still does both. Corey's story can help operators everywhere understand how to develop product lines aimed at locals, and ancillary high-profit revenues through virtual tours at scale.

Guess Where Trips: Crafting Self-Guided Surprise Road Trips (w/ Jessica Off)

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 11:30:00 -0400

Mitch Bach speaks with Jessica Off, founder of Guess Where Trips, an e-commerce company creating physical and digital surprise road trips for customers across Canada and the U.S.

Jessica is a serial travel entrepreneur, including work at G Adventures. In this episode, she talks about what led her to start an e-commerce product-based travel business, after looking into tour operating and multi-day trips.

This episode will give tour operators the inspiration to think about ancillary product revenue streams that can complement their in-person business, utilizing the same destination knowledge and supplier connections to offer experiences to a new customer base!

Visit Guess Where Trips home page
Episode show notes

We talk about:

the design thinking behind crafting self-guided tours
why the element of surprise is so crucial to the experience
her experience working with content creators
how B2C trade shows have worked out for her trying to sell her product
why she decided to ditch multi-day surprise trips
the importance of collecting email addresses at trade shows
finding the right market for the trips, and why big cities don’t work
working with local vendors to support them

Tourpreneur Call-in Show: Business Growth and Marketing

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:25:00 -0400

In this follow-up episode, our hosts Chris Torres, Mitch Bach, and Peter Syme delve into the increasing use of AI in the travel industry, emphasizing its impact on creating new products and services. They discuss the strategic challenges of AI adoption and the potential for customized experiences at scale, while also stressing the importance of maintaining a human touch in the digital age.

The hosts raise concerns about the commercialization of the travel industry and the potential negative impacts on destinations, while also providing valuable insights on business acquisitions, the future of travel, and targeting niche market segments such as cruise ship passengers. Throughout the episode, they emphasize the value of creating unique and engaging experiences, and provide actionable advice for operators looking to enhance their businesses. Plus, they share information about free resources and coaching opportunities to help operators take their businesses to the next level. Tune in for practical advice, expert insights, and thought-provoking discussions on navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the travel industry.

Overview

00:00 Pine discusses mass customization and AI opportunities.

05:43 Consider hotels for city stays to personalize experiences.

10:16 Embrace failure as part of creative process.

13:41 Marketing hidden gems creates its own challenges.

17:14 AI travel planner focuses on commercial experiences.

21:54 Consider demographics, repeat customers, marketing strategy questions.

24:45 Established business with cash flow & opportunities.

28:52 Old businesses face opportunity in rejuvenation and acquisition.

30:12 Boomers retiring and impacting business market.

34:59 Creating useful, unique content is key.

40:01 Personalized technology offers customized travel experiences.

43:35 Use technology to create emotional, surprising experiences.

47:26 Single operators may struggle to secure contracts.

49:53 Cruises cater to least adventurous travelers' needs.

54:17 Tailored marketing crucial for diverse cruise clientele.

56:03 "Category Pirates" book encourages unique business strategies.

58:48 Online audiences remain undervalued despite digital presence.

Enhancing Tourism with AI: Collaboration, Differentiation and Revenue Optimisation

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Tourpreneur, host Peter Syme welcomes special guest Marius Nigard to explore the exciting intersection of AI technology and the travel industry.

Marius shares insights into the potential of AI-driven tools to personalise and enhance the travel experience, from providing self-guided audio tours to advising on optimal visiting times for popular attractions. As they delve into the economic and collaborative implications of utilising AI-generated content, they also emphasise the importance of storytelling and personalisation in engaging the 97% of travellers who prefer independent exploration.

Join us as we uncover the opportunities and challenges brought about by AI technology in redefining the future of guided tours and travel experiences.

00:00 AI-driven destination guides revolutionize travel industry.

06:21 Understanding customer data for real-time personalization.

07:59 Moving from one-to-many to personal learning.

10:28 Encouraging independent travel experiences, providing digital guidance.

14:40 AI in travel industry needs high-quality data.

18:34 The future of AI and safeguarding information.

23:18 Reward content creators, create new market opportunities.

26:17 Building API as a tool for customization.

29:07 Tailored branding and technology shape tourism's future.

31:48 Highlighting the revenue potential of upselling tours.

34:17 META launching AI characters for millions daily.

39:38 Urgent buying decision in global industry.

42:20 Promoting diverse cultural experiences for tourists.

46:03 AI tour guides offer opportunities for growth.

47:40 Appreciation expressed multiple times for having me.

The Tourpeneur Call-in Show

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 08:30:00 -0400

Chris Torres kicks things off by discussing the three paths for business owners: low road (staying small), middle road (scaling up to a moderate size), and high road (scaling up to a big company), emphasizing the importance of aligning these choices with personal and business goals. Mitch Bach joins in to emphasize the significance of personal fulfillment and passion in business, while Peter Syme shares valuable insights and advice on navigating potential industry disruptions in 2024.

Throughout the episode, our hosts tackle questions from the community and provide expert advice on reaching customers, marketing strategies, scenario planning, and the debate around scaling up businesses. With a mix of humor, candid insights, and actionable tips, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to take your tour business to the next level.

So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let's dive into the latest in the world of travel entrepreneurship.

Overview

00:00 Marketing coaching call discusses 2024 trends and success.

06:43 Global unrest could disrupt travel in 2024.

09:53 Product experimentation is crucial for success.

11:23 Virtual travel trend set to grow further.

16:03 Testing tour logistics with friends and family.

20:04 Target female solo travelers, analyze audience data.

21:39 New operators often neglect marketing, leading to slow growth.

25:26 Build personal brand, market unique experiences effectively.

27:17 Linda seeks collaboration with international travel agents.

33:14 Building agent relationships through valuable information exchange.

34:42 Misunderstandings about agency's travel services, communication hurdles.

38:02 Create batch of content and publish strategically.

42:58 Transformational travel offers emotional fulfillment and change.

44:38 Appealing to slow travelers through storytelling and photos.

50:01 Small companies can lead to success and happiness.

51:39 Prefers small business for work-life balance.

54:51 As a business owner, learn to say no.

58:43 Tourpreneur.com offers business coaching and resources.

The Power of Flexibility & Values: Jen Fein on Sustainable Growth in the Travel-Tech Industry

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 15:24:00 -0400

In today's episode, we have a special guest joining us - Jen Fein, the CEO and head of product at YouLi (https://go.youli.io/). We'll be discussing the fascinating journey of YouLi, a platform that generates personalised travel itineraries, and how it has been transforming the travel industry.

Get ready for an insightful conversation as we explore the importance of email marketing, the rise of unique group travel experiences, and the challenges and rewards of being a female founder in the tech and travel space. So grab your headphones and get ready to be inspired by Jen's entrepreneurial journey on this episode of Tourpreneur.

Key Facts and Insights from the Episode

Increase in conversions and high demand for student travel
Top three conversion channels: email marketing, organic search, and affiliates
Paid search not recommended for specialised experiential group travel
Effectiveness of email newsletters in building relationships and trust with customers
Customer preferences for unique experiences and smaller brands
Jen Fein's background and journey in the travel industry
Positive experience at the Women in Travel Summit and potential future partnerships
Importance of networking and crowd size at conferences
YouLi's mission to provide personalised travel itineraries through templates and customisation
YouLi's provision of personalised portals and schedules for TourpreneurConnect attendees
Importance of repeat customers and their impact on content creation and customer value
Challenges and risks in the travel tech industry, including funding issues
YouLi's focus on niche experiences and its categorisation as B2B SaaS
YouLi's growth model and emphasis on loyal customers aligned with values
Importance of understanding the business problem and goals before automation implementation
Rise in demand for unique group travel experiences with a merger of events and travel
Value of group travel in dividing costs among participants
Market differences for event tours compared to traditional tour operators
Competitor analysis, including events and potential activities
Importance of intimacy in large group travel experiences

04:19 Exception in corporate world leads to Japan; friends don't read details, different information needs.

07:11 Technology allows for personalized and dynamic content.

10:01 Partnerships, retreat training, memberships, Transformational Travel Council.

17:30 4-day music festival tour in Colombia. Unique experiences.

19:27 Event planning skill merges with technology trends.

23:57 Conversions up 30% in last 90 days.

27:19 Paid search may not lead to bookings.

29:32 Intimacy and trust in travel experiences.

33:22 Not travel tech, focused on unique experiences.

36:40 Build company that cares, survives, and grows.

42:18 Let go of unnecessary technology, automate business.

44:59 Quick digital transformation for partnered clients. Gradual migration.

47:09 Original founder became tech guy, found co-founders.

51:36 Empathy, flexibility, and values guided our decisions.

53:29 Intentional, patient, sustainable business growth is success.

The Art of Crafting 'Awe': The Psychology of making lasting tour memories (w/ Psychologist Dacher Keltner)

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 10:30:00 -0400

Psychologist Dacher Keltner is a world-renowned expert in all things emotion. He teaches at UC Berkeley, and is latest book is Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life.

Keltner speaks with Mitch about the role of emotions like awe in travel experiences, and what we as tour operators should be thinking about in order to craft these kinds of moments on tours, whether they're 3 hours or 10 days long.

Some topics we cover:

dissecting what we mean by "Transformative experiences"
what the brain gains from human interaction and collaboration
how experiences ranging from grief to nature can unlock awe
thinking about encounters of vastness and mystery during travel
changing guests' perception through story, silence, and intentional seeing
the importance of slow observation and slow looking to connect with the vastness of the world
the value of religious and spiritual texts and figures in understanding awe
how storytelling creates awe
creating travel experiences that rely on emotion and "wow moments" rather than information
how traveling in groups can create shared awe moments
Keltner's "8 wonders" of life

As always, you'll find much more at tourpreneur.com.

Dacher's Bio
Why do we feel awe? a good follow-up article
Join 10,000 tour operators in our Facebook Community

Running Order:

[00:00:49] Emotionally influenced upbringing in cultural revolution.

[00:06:05] They types of emotion

[00:08:33] Describing moments of awe

[00:10:55] Designing awe in our lives and work.

[00:18:18] Designing awe, art, and slow travel.

[00:20:32] What religion and spirituality understand about awe

[00:26:13] Attuned experiences

[00:28:16] Awe is about mystery and exploration.

[00:34:54] Life's vulnerability and suffering bring growth and awe.

[00:39:02] What can't be replaced by technology?

[00:42:29] Finding awe in grief.

Taking Brands from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary, with Catherine Warrilow

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0400

Prepare to get enlightened as we have an engaging chat with Catherine Warrilow, the former marketing powerhouse behind Days Out. Catherine brings her unique insights to the table, shedding light on the importance of authenticity in branding. We dive deep into the significance of aligning a brand with customer's needs, leveraging the power of storytelling, and the irreplaceable role of a well-knit team.

(0:00:00) - Authenticity and Personal Branding in Brands

Brand strategy, customer need, culture, stories, and customer knowledge are key to a successful brand.

(0:11:37) - Tourism Success Through Personal Branding

We discussed finding the right team, creating a personal brand, and the success story of Days Out No.

(0:24:51) - Investing in Brand Development and Content

Create unique content quickly and easily, use AI to enhance audio, make content feel candid and authentic to humanise brand.

(0:31:05) - LinkedIn Content Ideas and Networking Opportunities

Catherine Warrilow emphasises authentic content, team building, unique messaging, and social media strategies for successful branding.

IMPACT Series: "Stories can heal us": How Mercat Tours Impacts their Team & City

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Mitch Bach begins Tourpreneur's IMPACT series with an interview with Kat Brogan of Mercat Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland, whose mission is to "make meaningful connections" through the power of storytelling.

The end of the interview encapsulates the point of this new series, so be sure to listen to the end. Our IMPACT podcasts are about how travel companies around the world answer the questions: what are you doing to make a meaningful impact in your business, community and the tourism industry?

Kat is leading a company that takes this seriously. Here are just some of the topics and initiatives we cover:

How important it is to create a culture of trust in your team.
The creation of "The Mercat Deal"—a pledge to her team and the city of Edinburgh to do right by everyone that's a stakeholder in the community.
Her commitment to offering her team members a living wage, with permanent contracts, guaranteed "living hours", and profit sharing bonuses.
How Kat empowers and connects with her guides through a huge variety of channels, in-person and virtually.
How Kat assesses her whole customer journey to give the feedback her entire team wants, using formal and informal assessments, anonymous surveys, secret shoppers and more, in order to take a "360" look at her business and team.
Mercat's participation in "Our Stories, Our City" initiative to raise money for those on the margins through the power of storytelling.

Learn more:

Learn about the impact they're making on Edinburgh through their Our Stories Our City initiative, in partnership with several local organizations.
View The Mercat Deal, Mercat's promises to its team and community about what they're doing to ensure they're a responsible, ethical, quality participant in the local environment and global tourism industry.

How to get more corporate bookings for your tour business (w/ Joe Martin)

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 05:45:00 -0400

Mitch Bach sits down with Joe Martin to discuss corporate bookings. Joe pivoted his marketing agency to focus on getting tour operators more corporate bookings, to reduce your dependence on tourists. Tourist come and go, often only book you once, and are dependent on the changing global tourism markets. Producing private, corporate team building experiences can be a source of recurring, stable, profitable revenue for your business. This episode is jam-packed with helpful tips on website optimization, how to connect with and market to the corporate audience, and so much more. We learn why he thinks you should think of yourself as an "experience coordinator", and he shares the 1 website tweak to potentially increase your bookings up to 25%!

Visit Tourpreneur.com for show notes and more information
Come to Vienna, Austria for our Tour Leader & Guide Event Oct 18-19
Come to London for a meetup on Oct 12!
Visit Joe's company, Uplevel Tourism

In this episode:

[00:01:33] Joe talks about his path from self-taught web developer turned marketing expert.

[00:04:19] Website optimization: Joe tested button options, "buy tickets" or "book now". "See dates" increased bookings by 25%.

[00:09:59] Why you should shit to focusing on the corporate market.

[00:13:52] High-converting websites resemble salespeople, not stores. They strategically present solutions rather than giving away too much information.

[00:19:02] Finding a one-stop shop for selling.

[00:22:20] Identify target corporate guests, focus on empathy.

[00:25:00] Tagging, automation, and customization lead to powerful marketing.

[00:32:30] Limiting tour company's capabilities, focus on current offerings. Create corporate tour page, then explore automation. Potential for additional products in the future.

[00:36:05] Dial back on passive tours, be interactive.

[00:38:44] Connection triangle: guide, group, place, interactivity.

[00:41:34] The "Pitch Anything" book can help with messaging to your customers.

How the Regulatory Environment is Impacting Tour Operators - with Martin Alcock

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:45:00 -0400

Martin shares insights into the VAT (Value Added Tax) system in Europe and how it affects UK tour operators, particularly since Brexit. We learn about Tom's (Tour Operators Margin Scheme) and its role in simplifying VAT calculations for businesses operating across European countries. However, with the UK's departure from the EU, outbound travel is now zero-rated, raising concerns about potential administrative challenges as different member states impose varying VAT registration requirements.

Our guest also touches on the vital services his consultancy provides, including helping tour operators navigate regulatory complexities, obtain licenses, arrange financial security, and negotiate with banking and merchant providers. We'll explore the Tourpreneur Facebook community and the value of leveraging third-party partnerships for business growth.

In addition, Martin stresses the importance of financial planning, working capital management, and developing flexible budgets. He reveals how his team assists clients with obtaining funding, creating financial models, and crafting terms and conditions tailored to their needs. We'll also delve into consumer protection legislation and the role of trade associations like Apter.

So, if you're a tour operator or travel professional looking to stay ahead in the ever-changing regulatory landscape, then this is the episode for you. Get ready to gain valuable insights and practical strategies as we dive into the impact of the regulatory environment on tour operators with Martin Alcock.

Overview

00:00 Tourism consultant, Martin Alcock, discussed his work with travel companies, helping them navigate regulations, finance, and strategy. He specializes in obtaining licenses and negotiating corporate changes. Martin also emphasizes the importance of financial security for operators and offers assistance with banking and merchant providers.

05:47 "Do you need it? Legal obligations."

10:29 Consumer protection legislation ensures compensation for consumers. Liability extends to health and safety concerns. Packages are defined by combining services.

14:10 Be aware of the risks; protect yourself.

18:52 Flexible insurance gives operators variable cost option.

22:08 Trust accounts essential due to insurance failures.

24:21 Third party scrutiny important for business success.

29:41 Temporary VAT exemption for UK outbound travel.

34:00 Startups need terms and conditions, lawyers help.

37:25 Legal responsibility for refunds when selling packages.

42:47 Regulatory space offers positive and negative scenarios.

45:51 Tour operator job complex; reach out for help.

Homefans: The Rise and Rise of Sports Tourism

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:01:00 -0400

In this episode we host a discussion with Daniel Alejandro Velásquez González, Founder and COO of Homefans—a sports experience marketplace—where travellers can book unique sports experiences anywhere in the world, hosted by fully-vetted local hosts.

How a Buyer/Seller Conference Can Help Grow Your Tour Business

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:18:00 -0400

Mitch talks with Catherine Prather of the National Tour Association (NTA) about their Travel Exchange conference, and how the buyer appointments, networking sessions, and other events can help grow your tour business.

Guest Business Coach: Diversifying Your Guide Team

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 12:31:00 -0400

This episode is a snippet of a Guest Coaching session, available for Tourpreneur Group Coaching members. Guest Coach Komal Darira (Women for World) will share how she built mostly female guide teams in Delhi, a city where being a tour guide is still not considered an ideal career for a woman. While her destination is specific, you'll walk away with some ideas on how, to build a truly diverse guide team, you might need to think outside of the box.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/komal-darira-61816697/?originalSubdomain=in

Sign up for business coaching here

Better Business On Purpose: Make Money. Create Impact. Be A Force For Good.

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 11:23:00 -0400

Conversation with Neil Witten on how tour operators can be highly profitable and be a force for good at the same time as having a very clear purpose. An engaging listen about how difficult and challenging doing business with a purpose is but one that when done correctly is highly rewarding. Join us for Tourpreneur Connect Seville, November 27-30, 2023 https://tourpreneur.com/connect/ For those interested, we recommend you check out Neil's book: https://amzn.eu/d/0TLas5o

What Makes a Great Tour Guide

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:00:00 -0400

In this far-ranging conversation, Mitch and Claire Bown — two tour guide trainers — dive into the state of tour guiding today, and the skills that make a guided experience truly powerful. Find out more about Claire - https://thinkingmuseum.com/speaking/ Join us for Tourpreneur Connect Seville, November 27-30, 2023 https://tourpreneur.com/connect/

The Power of Cultural Context in Travel Experiences

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 15:53:00 -0400

On this episode of our entrepreneur series with Kelly Lewis, we hear from Stephanie Flor, founder of a luxury travel company that focuses on providing a unique travel experience through a beauty lens.

Join us for Tourpreneur Connect Seville, November 27-30, 2023 https://tourpreneur.com/connect/

Sponsored by https://tripadmit.com/tap-to-tip/

TripAdmit’s powerful digital tipping solution that doesn’t require an app or any additional hardware, enable guests to tip without cash and guides to receive payments seamlessly.

Our tipping solution is entirely digital, providing a swift, effortless, and practical way for guests to tip digitally. Thanks to our ‘Tap to Tip’ technology, guests can now make contactless payments through their iPhone or Android phone, eliminating the need for bulky card readers.

Tourpreneur Roundup 29th June 2023

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 13:43:00 -0400

In this roundup, Mitch, Chris, Pete and Nikki are joined by our multi-day podcast host Mat Newton! Today we talk about Mat's Podcast, the importance of owning your own marketing accounts, Pete at the Travel Tech Conference and news on our venue for Tourpreneur Connect!

Join us for Tourpreneur Connect Seville, November 27-30, 2023 https://tourpreneur.com/connect/

Sponsored by https://tripadmit.com/tap-to-tip/

TripAdmit’s powerful digital tipping solution that doesn’t require an app or any additional hardware, enable guests to tip without cash and guides to receive payments seamlessly.

Tourpreneur Roundup 15 June 2023

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 09:45:00 -0400

In this roundup, Mitch, Chris, Pete and Nikki chat about the sale of Rezdy, the growth of content creators in our community and the opportunity this can bring to operators, the power of long-form video in marketing and much much more!

Sponsored by https://tripadmit.com/tap-to-tip/

TripAdmit’s powerful digital tipping solution that doesn’t require an app or any additional hardware, enable guests to tip without cash and guides to receive payments seamlessly.

The Power of Consumer Generated Content to Boost your Bookings

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:00:00 -0400

By encouraging user generated content, operators can not only gather valuable feedback and insights from their customers, but also use it to showcase their offerings, attract new visitors and increase bookings.

Tourpreneur's own Chris Torres provides some insights into why you must implement this now to grow your bookings in future.

Sponsored by https://tripadmit.com/tap-to-tip/

Tourpreneur Roundup 8th June 2023

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:55:00 -0400

In this roundup, Mitch, Chris and Nikki chat about the launch of our new Multi-Day podcast, hosted by Mat Newton, changes to how Facebook will track your data as they phase out cookie tracking, Google AI Search, GYG new round of funding and more.

The Art of Crafting a Transformative Experience

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 14:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Tourpreneur, guest James Wallman shares his insights on designing unforgettable experiences, the shift from materialism to experientialism, and the importance of transformational experiences for happiness. He also shares his thoughts on the future of experientialism and the role of the organization in transforming the quality of life in the 21st century.

Join us for Tourpreneur Connect Seville, November 27-30, 2023

https://tourpreneur.com/connect/

The Tourpreneur Roundup: 24th May '23

Thu, 25 May 2023 14:00:00 -0400

In this roundup, Mitch, Chris, Pete and Nikki chat about our Huddle in Puerto Rico, content creators, our Scottish meet-up and Huddle, announcing our 100 person event CONNECT in Seville and what the future holds for Tourpreneur.

Join us for Tourpreneur Connect Seville, November 27-30, 2023 https://tourpreneur.com/connect/

[Women] Travel Entrepreneurs: Moving Past Uncertainty to Build a Strong Business

Mon, 22 May 2023 10:21:00 -0400

On this episode of [Women] Travel Entrepreneurs, we delve into the multi-day business with Justa Alujiangana, who shares her journey of starting a business in Tanzania. With over a decade of experience in the industry, she talks about the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned along the way. Justa and Kelly discuss the importance of understanding your clients' needs, creating experiences from personal content, and the role of accommodations in the tourism industry.

Join us for Tourpreneur Connect Seville, November 27-30, 2023

https://tourpreneur.com/connect/

How the Concept of “Play” Can Improve Your Tours

Thu, 11 May 2023 12:32:00 -0400

On this episode of Tourpreneur, we delve into the world of play and its importance in creating fulfilling and engaging travel experiences. Our guest expert—Samantha Hardcastle from The Storied Experience—discusses the various types of play and how they can be incorporated into your tours. We explore the demand for more interactive and creative experiences while learning how play promotes continuous learning and growth. Sam and Mitch both share experiences using gamification to engage children and adults, and how we can incorporate different modes of play in travel experiences to create a comfortable and enjoyable time for the guests. We learn how play can help us grow personally and let tourists challenge themselves and their beliefs. By the end of the episode, you will have a comprehensive idea of how to infuse play into your travel experiences to make them fulfilling and enjoyable. For show notes and more resources, visit tourpreneur.com

Using Brain Science to Craft Immersive Tours w/ Paul Zak

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Mitch Bach talks with neuroscientist Paul Zak about his latest book "Immersion", and how the brain principles he's discovered can help tour operators create more engaging tours.

Read Immersion here.
View video + show notes on the Tourpreneur website

As always, Tourpreneur+ members get accesss to bonus content, including a course on designing more immerive tours.

Guest Bio

Paul J. Zak is a professor at Claremont Graduate University and is ranked in the top 0.3% of most cited scientists with over 180 published papers and more than 19,000 citations to his research. Zak’s two decades of research have taken him from the Pentagon to Fortune 50 boardrooms to the rainforest of Papua New Guinea. Along the way he helped start a number of interdisciplinary fields including neuroeconomics, neuromanagement, and neuromarketing. He has written three general audience books and is a regular TED speaker.

His latest book, Immersion: The Science of the Extraordinary and Source of Happiness (2022), identifies the neurologic basis for extraordinary experiences and uses 50,000 brain measurements to show readers how to create high-impact marketing, entertainment, training, customer experiences, and employee experiences. The book shows that extraordinary experiences drive up customer lifetime value and provide the neurologic foundation for increased individual happiness.

How will AI Impact Tourism and Tour Operators?

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 15:16:00 -0400

Peter Syme chats with Terry Jones, Founder of Travelocity and Founding Chairman of Kayak, who is currently building again in the AI travel space. AI will impact every single tour operator but not all will be impacted in the same way. "AIs are “learning” systems. They grow and improve with each interaction. You will be left behind if your competitors adopt and you do not!

What Tour Operators Can Learn from Content Creators

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 11:25:00 -0400

Join Nikki Padilla Rivera as she speaks with Amanda Walkins, (Wanderful, TMA) who shares her insights on how to bridge the gap between tour operators and content creators to foster more effective partnerships. Nikki and Amanda also discuss their experiences attending the Women in Travel Summit and how it provides a valuable opportunity for tour operators to connect with content creators. They share their thoughts on the importance of these types of events for building relationships, networking, and learning about industry trends.

Women in Travel Summit tickets here, 50% off with code: tourpreneur50

Tourpreneur Happy Hour Event- RSVP here

https://tourpreneur.com/podcast/

New TP Series Reboot: [Women] Travel Entrepreneurs

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 11:15:00 -0400

Nikki Padilla Rivera chats with Kelly Lewis, founder of Damesly and host of the rebooted '[Women] Travel Entrepreneurs' series. In this teaser, Kelly talks about the intention behind the series and her vision for showcasing the diverse experiences of women who are building businesses in the travel industry. The stories will be valuable listening for anyone looking to start or grow a business in the travel industry, regardless of gender.

https://tourpreneur.com/podcast/

Risk Management: Strategies For Improving Safety, Mental Health, And Duty Of Care

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Join Mitch Bach as he hosts the Tourpreneur Podcast with Dave Dennis of the Cornerstone Safety Group, Kristin Dennison, VP of Trip Experience at TrovaTrip, and Mike Megan, Executive Director with Global Expeditions Group. They discuss risk management in the travel industry and how tour operators can ensure safety for travelers.

Hear their stories from TrovaTrips and Global Expeditions, learn about Cornerstone's services such as a resource library and on-call services for members, and discover how to create conditions for powerful transformation of people through travel experiences.

Key timestamps:

0:02:57 Risk Management and Duty of Care: A Conversation with Dave

0:05:16 Discussion on Duty of Care: Legal and Moral Obligations of Tour Operators

0:07:38 "Risk Management and Safety in the Travel and Adventure Industry"

0:10:47 Prioritizing Safety in Travel Delivery and Onboarding

0:13:00 Exploring Global Risk Management and Duty of Care Obligations for Travelers

0:14:34 Risk Management Communication: A Discussion on Physical and Mental Risks

0:16:07 Crisis Management Planning for Travel Organizations

0:21:35 Discussion on Duty of Care and Secession Planning in the Workforce

0:22:44 Conversation on Crisis Response Structures and Risk Management for Field Staff

0:25:05 Conversation on Mental Well-Being and Emotional Support in the Travel Ecosystem Post-Pandemic

0:26:53 Exploring Mental Health Support for Travelers and Staff in the Post-Pandemic Landscape

0:31:27 Examining the Impact of the Pandemic on Teamwork and Mental Health in College Programs

0:33:46 Discussion on Student Burnout and Mental Health Issues in Travel Programs

0:35:32 Mental Health Training for Tour Operators and Guides

0:39:07 Setting Appropriate Emotional Boundaries for Field Staff and Office Teams

0:42:47 Setting Boundaries for Transformative Experiences

0:47:08 Conversation on Risk Management and Intentional Travel Planning

0:48:38 Discussion on Developing a Framework for the Travel Industry

U.S. Tax Strategies for Tour Operators and Guides

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 12:03:00 -0400

In this episode of Tourpreneur, Mitch Bach interviews Chris Foxcroft-Hibbs, the owner of Happy Lifestyle Accounting. Chris specializes in working with tourism businesses, including guides and operators. The episode focuses on income taxes and strategies for tour guides and operators to consider. Chris emphasizes the importance of making sure all transactions are recorded properly and all debts are in order. He also suggests working with a good accountant to help maximize deductions and ensure profitability.

The discussion emphasizes the joys that can come from proper tax planning and preparation.

[00:02:52] Tax strategy for small businesses.
[00:04:54] Saving on your tax bill.
[00:07:09] S corp taxation benefits.
[00:10:50] Finding Personal Benefit of Business Deductions.
[00:14:34] Chart of Accounts and Deductions.
[00:18:21] LLC vs Series LLC.
[00:21:54] Budgeting strategies.
[00:27:34] Educational tour operations.
[00:28:57] Cash vs Accrual Accounting.
[00:34:05] Profit Planning and Growth.
[00:35:54] Business Metrics to Track.
[00:39:51] Building a healthy accountant-client relationship.
[00:42:45] Fixed pricing in accounting.
[00:46:12] Operational Efficiency.

Help us keep this community alive by becoming a member of Tourpreneur+ https://tourpreneur.com/plus/ - This helps us bring in speakers, run events and provide even more value to our community. All for less than a coffee per day!

Why You Should Embrace AI, Not Be Frightened Of It

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 17:31:00 -0400

With so much discussion in the Tourpreneur Community about the good, the bad and the ugly of AI, Chris Torres advises on why he feels a lot of operators are missing the revenue opportunities it brings.

AI is transforming the tourism industry by offering personalised experiences, hybrid tours, and self-guided options that can increase revenue and profits for businesses.

00:00 💰 AI is a game-changer for tourism businesses, that can drive revenue and profit while transforming society as we know it.
01:47 💻 🌍 Hybrid tours can boost brand exposure and profits by providing both digital and in-person experiences throughout the customer journey.
02:25 🤖 An AI Avatar guide offers personalised travel experiences from booking to insights during the trip.
04:54 💻 🌍 Hybrid tourism experiences that blend digital and in-person elements with the help of AI can increase revenue.
05:35 💰 AI-delivered self-guided options for customers unable to book in-person experiences.
06:36 🌍 Mac Adventure's switch to a fully self-guided model shows the exponential growth potential of the fast-growing self-guided travel sector.
07:30 💡 Understand the impact of AI on business and embrace its potential for generating revenue.

Join our free community of over 10,000 tour operators

How a Love of the Sandwich Became a Tour Business

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 11:45:00 -0400

Ben Gollan, a former lawyer turned accidental entrepreneur, found job satisfaction in running sandwich tours in New York City called A Man and his Sandwich, shares insights on team building, niche food tours, and effective outsourcing.

00:00 🍔 Former lawyer turned accidental entrepreneur finds job satisfaction in running sandwich tours in New York City after being inspired by niche tour operators and starting as a hobby.
08:27 🏠 Airbnb's website relaunch in 2022 impacted experienced hosts' organic business, but CEO Brian Chesky promises a renewed focus on experiences in 2023.
16:28 🥪 Team building should be simple, fun, and interactive, with a shareable hook like the hot dog sandwich debate, and alternative ingredients can be used if needed.
22:38 🍔 Niche food tours use SEO optimization, content creation, and media coverage to expand their reach and engage with passionate audiences.
26:58 🥪 A Man and his Sandwich promotes unique tourism experiences through storytelling, nostalgia, history, and purpose.
33:03 🚶‍♂️ Ben shares how identifying opportunities and capitalizing on luck led to success in the tour industry, while pursuing passions and avoiding burnout in the sandwich business.
37:46 👥 Learn to outsource effectively and build a team to work on your business, not in it, as demonstrated by Ben's experience running 45 online classes during the busiest week before Christmas 2020 and seeking assistance from other hosts for hosting and tours.
41:45 🥪 An open face sandwich is still a sandwich... or is it?

Visit Ben's Website

Ben Gollan on LinkedIn

Multi-Day Series: Growing a Multi-Day B2B Business

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 08:53:00 -0400

In this first episode of our Multi-Day series with Mat Newton, Ruth Franklin shares her journey to success in the B2B tour business, discussing the importance of having documents in place, creating a succinct pitch deck, connecting with product managers and CEOs on LinkedIn, and making connections and adding value to stand out in a competitive market at trade shows.

00:00 🤝 Pick 10 of your "dream clients" to start selling to as a strategy for success in the tour and travel industry.
08:09 💡 Ruth's journey to success in the B2B tour business is discussed, including the importance of having documents in place and creating a succinct pitch deck to share with prospective partners.
13:07 🤔 Use risk assessment and conversation to plan a successful tour and share your lessons with your younger self.
19:08 🤝 Connecting with product managers and CEOs on LinkedIn, I generated over 250,000 in revenue and created potential for multi-million dollar revenue stream over the next 10 years.
28:16 🤝 Building relationships with businesses takes time and effort, be social and friendly online but keep personal rants to a minimum.
33:25 🤝 Connecting with your tourism board and setting up in a coffee shop can help first-time exhibitors get the most out of trade fairs, with potential for 15 current partners, 20 new contacts, and 3 quotations already received.
40:22 🤝 Make connections and add value to stand out in a competitive market at trade shows by researching and pre-working, and follow-up emails can help keep the conversation going.

Visit Secret Paradise Maldives

Ruth on LinkedIn

Growing a Multi-Day Tour Business with Katy Clarke

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 09:24:00 -0400

Katy Clarke of Untold Italy chats with Mitch Bach and shares her insights on building a successful multi-day tour business in Italy through podcasting, affiliate marketing, and creating connections and community.

00:00 Starting a tour business in Italy? Katie Clark from Untold Italy shares her insights on building a multi-day tour business.
08:07 I have a strong relationship with Day Tour operators in Italy, which has resulted in successful revenue from affiliate sales, advertising, and sponsorship.
14:40 Podcasting is a great way to build relationships and market tour businesses.
19:35 Create a travel podcast to build a global business, provide value, and use affiliate marketing to make high margin revenue.
28:04 Developing a brand for off-the-beaten-path Italian experiences can lead to sustainable tourism and earning a little chunk off of recommendations.
36:14 Creating connections and community through shared experiences can create lifelong friendships and memories.
44:06 Be honest and collaborate to get the best results, rather than trying to go it alone.

Visit Untold Italy

The future of tourism will be dictated by the Planet

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 09:23:00 -0400

The environmental and sustainability challenges with Professor Enda McGovern. Pete was lucky enough to come across Enda when we were both presenting at the AI Summer School For Tourism last year in Ireland. What he had to say opened my mind to the real problems and challenges that travel and tourism faces and the ones that will dictate all our futures. He holds nothing back with very strong views on the future of tourism in this podcast!

Join our free tour operator community of over 10,000 members.
Become a Tourpreneur Member for even more content
Enda McGovern's LinkedIn

00:00 Podcast introduces Edna McGovern and their impactful presentation.

06:03 Uncertain climate change predictions, weather pattern shifts.

08:50 Unpredictable weather challenges tourism in popular destinations.

10:42 Climate change causing devastation and travel challenges.

15:51 Difficulty grasping lifestyle changes, evolution of vineyards.

19:37 Tourism industry criticized for carbon emissions.

21:59 Capitalism vs nature: society's materialistic consequences.

25:50 Changing travel patterns: closeness over long distances.

30:03 Globalization's impact and the rise of wealth.

33:51 Preparing for emergencies is not natural for individuals.

35:35 Suggesting better leadership and preparedness for challenges.

39:16 Concern over climate change and its consequences.

41:24 Recommend upfront mention of business model benefits.

44:14 Value, passion, sustainability, guidance in tourism industry.

Travel Trade Events & Representation

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:20:00 -0400

Today we discuss travel trade representation with Mark Wright of The Adventure Connection.

Mark is a 30 year plus veteran of the travel industry who now represents tour operators and destination management companies around the World.

Representation is a little understand method in our community and it deserves more attention as a way to grow your tour operation.

Join our free tour operator community!

And become a member for even more content

The Adventure Connection

00:00 Best time for operators to make connections.

05:40 Representation company acts as middleman, connecting operators.

09:44 Investment in shows can be costly for operators, particularly small ones, in terms of both time and money. Representation offers a range of services to help, beyond just attending trade shows.

13:28 Busy pre-event period: clients, meetings, presentations.

14:39 Monitoring meetings, efficient follow-up vital, tailored templates.

17:53 Supply chain and tour operators are affected. Marketing representation helps build relationships and increase business. Fan trips foster product experience and relationships.

21:15 Increased travel to Europe as restrictions ease.

24:49 Tour operators prioritize sustainability in DMC selection.

30:56 Niche identification and ready-made products for operators.

32:06 DMC developed toolkit to improve services.

35:27 Product manager must understand industry, work in product development. Challenging for DMCs to approach them.

40:26 We attend about 6-10 shows per year, including big ones like WCM and ITB, as well as smaller specialist shows. The rise of smaller shows is positive.

42:48 Traditional industry cycle guides timing of activities.

45:07 Need more staff to revive travel industry.

Selecting the Right Event to Attend for Tour Operators

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 17:17:00 -0400

Mitch, Chris and Pete are joined by Douglas Quinby and Bruce Rosard of the amazing industry focused event, Arival to discuss how you should choose the event that will give you the best ROI.

We discuss...

Which event is right for you
Doing your ground work before you attend
Why Tour Operators should attend Arival
Getting an ROI from events

Timestamp

02:38 Networking, deals, partnerships lead to bigger events. Start locally, understand event types, work hard.

04:55 Lack of diverse buyers at Arrival event.

08:21 Event success depends on preparation and networking.

11:28 Importance of tourism industry and cultural differences.

15:10 Tourpreneur community focuses on ROI, marathon events.

18:23 Valuable education component helps professionalize arrival industry.

20:18 Maximize time with 2 guys from Columbia.

23:45 Reach out to industry contacts for guidance.

26:52 Digital game trumps traditional events, save money.

31:23 Events provide valuable learning opportunities for businesses.

34:12 Open mind at events can create possibilities.

38:05 Events with global operators expand product development.

41:47 Connect, niche talk, latest trends, water sports, podcasting, cross learning opportunities.

45:40 cost, accessibility, regional relevance.

48:25 Remember the questions, have a great time.

Multi-day Tour Distribution & Trends (with TourRadar's Travis Pittman)

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 15:51:00 -0400

Chris & Pete are joined by Travis Pittman, the Co-founder & CEO of TourRadar to discuss the trends in multi-day tours as well as its future.

We discuss...

How TourRadar started
Distribution through travel agents
Sweet spot in length of multi-day tours
How multi-day will be affected by AI
Onboarding new operators restarting in some destinations

Join our free tour operator community of over 9,000 members:

Join Tourpreneur+ for even more content:

Visit TourRadar

How to Elevate Customer Service

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 12:42:00 -0400

Tourpreneur Guest host Renee Ventrice chats with Roberto D'Alessandro of Touring Italy on how he creates and delivers exceptional customer service.

The Environmental Crisis Impacting the Travel Industry

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 11:19:00 -0400

Today we are discussing the environmental crisis and the impact on the travel industry by industry expert Stuart McDonald of Travel Fish.

Promoting Safety in Women's Travel

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 15:11:00 -0400

Christy, Samantha and Sandra join the Women in Travel podcast to chat over a variety of topics Including how to promote safety in women's travel.

Multiday Marketing, Websites, and Tour Design

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 09:53:00 -0400

Melbourne-based tour operator Mat Newton is one of the tour industry’s most insightful leaders, and has worked in all sides of our industry. He’s the founder of the respected Tourism Tiger website design agency, ran marketing for reservation technology company Peek Pro, has worked in SEO, and is now a multiday tour operator running several tour brands, including Patch Adventures (https://patchadventures.com.au/).In this episode, we talk about everything pertinent to the multiday tour operator:

How to best set up your tour website
How to market a multiday tour
Comparing the day and multiday tour industries
How to think about “energy flows” when designing your tour
The Australian customer: what they want and how to sell to them

Mat is also the new host of Tourpreneur Multi-day, a Tourpreneur podcast highlighting the stories and insights from multiday tour companies and service providers, coming soon to Tourpreneur!

Join our community of 9000 operators: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur
Join Tourpreneur+ for more exculsive content and events: https://tourpreneur.com/plus/

Tourpreneur Roundup: Looking Ahead to 2023

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 11:18:00 -0400

Mitch, Pete and Chris look back at 2022 while also looking ahead to what the future brings in 2023.

AI has potential to improve customer experiences in-store and online through personalized recommendations and marketing content
Upcoming Demo Day with 18 resellers and OTAs presenting platforms and available for one-on-one conversations with attendees
Tourpreneur website launches several new directories, including a travel technology software directory, a "green list" of vetted service providers, a directory for buying and selling tour businesses, and a Tour Operator World Map
Tour Operator World Map allows operators to connect with local service providers and form partnerships
Free seminar on buying and selling a tour business available
"Huddles" events offer in-person workshops and advice sessions for select group of tour operators, taking place in Charleston and Lisbon in early 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) has gone beyond hype to become a genuine, useful tool with the potential to enhance the in-store and online purchasing experiences of customers. In preparation for an upcoming Tourpreneur Sprint, we discuss how AI will revolutionise the tourism industry by, among other things, analysing customer data and providing personalised recommendations, and creating marketing content while being careful to use other tools to ensure the content is not seen as plagiarised or AI generated.

We discuss the upcoming Demo Day, where 18 resellers and OTAs will present their platforms and you will have the chance to speak with the attendees one-on-one. The conference will provide venues for tour operators to promote their services.

The Tourpreneur website has recently launched several new directories, which we discuss in this article. These include a directory of travel technology software, a directory of vetted service providers known as a "green list," a directory for buying and selling a tour business, and a Tour Operator World Map. The purpose of these directories is to facilitate communication and resource sharing among tour operators.

Using the Tour Operator World Map, the operators can network with one another and find local service providers or form strategic partnerships. Moreover, the presenter announces the availability of a free seminar on how to buy and sell a tourism business.

Finally, we discuss the upcoming "huddles," where a select group of tour operators will get together for business-oriented workshops and advice sessions. The first two will take place in Charleston, South Carolina, and Lisbon, Portugal, respectively, in the first two months of 2023. The purpose of these face-to-face gatherings is to lend a helping hand to the travel industry's frontrunners by discussing the nitty-gritty of their operations and outlining concrete steps for growth.

Tipping, TikTok and Evolving Your Business

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 11:08:00 -0400

Talking to tour operator John O'Sullivan is always a breath of fresh air; he likes to think deeply about the tour industry, and experiment with new ideas that often challenge the tour operator orthodoxy. John runs Depot Adventures in Melbourne, Australia and Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as a new TikTok-based venture, One Minute Tours. John's first Tourpreneur podcast was recorded with Shane back in 2019, where he shared his thoughts about the economics of the "free tour" model. It's still a worthy listen. Now he's back with a new venture, new locations for his old company. We cover a wide variety of topics:

how to structure and develop a tour in a new destination
thinking about tour content in the age of Wikipedia
developing a business across two extremely different locations
does developing a global brand bring benefits?
entering a midmarket destination: how to sell? how to price?
hiring and retaining guides as employees
John's experiment with tip pooling, and being transparent about his experiment with his guide community
his accidental virality on TikTok, and how it's changing the direction of his business

As always, bonus material and more can be found on Tourpreneur.com/plus

Jason Heffernan of Backcountry Bliss on Bouncing Back from the Aussie Shutdown

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 11:06:00 -0400

Jason Heffernan operates a unique rainforest experience in the Daintree rainforest in Queensland Australia. Listen to his story of how he used distribution to help with growth.

https://backcountrybliss.com.au/

Join our community of 10,000+ members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Creating & Promoting Tours for Solo Women Travellers

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:25:00 -0400

Christy, Samantha and Sandra join the Women in Travel podcast to chat over a variety of topics Including creating, promoting and marketing tours to women.

Christy Hunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christytheconnector/
Samantha Hardcastle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skhardcastle/
Sandra Weinacht: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandraweinacht/

A Chat with Jacqui Coward and Jennifer Burke about their new startup Global Team Gatherings

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 11:18:00 -0400

The world has change due to covid and we are not going back to normal work practises. Work from home and hybrid work is now the norm. This has created many challenges but also endless opportunities. The need to get teams together has moved from nice to have to must have. This is what global team gathering is looking to address

Check out Global Team Gatherings: https://globalteamgatherings.com/

The Tourpreneur Roundup

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 18:27:00 -0400

Chris, Pete and Mitch discuss what's happening in the industry and share their thoughts.

We also discuss upcoming events at Tourpreneur like our demo day and Huddles in the US and Europe.

Join Tourpreneur+ for even more content:

https://tourpreneur.com/plus/

Join our free tour operator community of over 5.2K members:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Creating Bingeable Tours to Drive Repeat Business

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Creating Bingeable Tours to Drive Repeat Business

John Kanaster of Battlefield Tours of Virginia explains how leaving his guests on a cliffhanger brings them back for more!

Join Tourpreneur+ for even more content:

https://tourpreneur.com/plus/

Join our free tour operator community of over 5.2K members:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Visit John's Website: https://battlefieldtoursofvirginia.com/

A Discussion with Daria Kholodilina, a Georgian Wine and Food Guide Originally from Ukraine

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:29:00 -0400

In this podcast we discuss the stunning wine and food offerings that Georgia has to offer, and how the war in Ukraine is impacting tourism in many close neighbour countries including Georgia.

Chris’ Top 8 Strategies to Marketing to the Luxury Consumer

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0400

We asked the Tourpreneur community what marketing topics they would like to see us cover next; targeting high-wealth luxury consumers was high on the list of priorities.

In this episode, Chris is going to provide my top 8 strategies to attract this demographic.

1. Photos

2. Create a Website that focuses on Style and Exclusivity – The VIP Treatment

3. Be Personal

4. Use Facebook Ads to Reach a Luxury Demographic

5. Email Marketing is Huge

6. Create Exclusivity… or at Least a Sense of it

7. Use LinkedIn to Raise your Profile

8. Produce a Podcast

Read the full list here:

Babylon Tours: Scaling a Lean Walking Tour Company

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 13:23:00 -0400

In this episode, Mitch converses with Arnaud Azoulay, CEO of Babylon Tours, a walking tour company specializing in museum tours across Europe.Arnaud is a maverick and an outlier. He’s one of the rare walking tour companies that has scaled its brand into nearly a dozen cities. And he’s done it on a lean team and budget, by focusing on the basics: a quality tour and quality guides. He’s not distracted by all the tech talk, and he sells primarily through OTAs.In this episode, we’ll discuss:

Arnaud’s success story from a 30-something Paris guide to scaling a tour business to 10 cities.
His organic and gradual approach to growth
The importance of combo products, and how he sells them
Why he still offers a personal human touch despite using automations
Why he firmly believes in using OTAs as his main sales channel, and his experience with Viator Accelerate
His focus on the quality of experience
What’s been working for his OTA listings
How he gets repeat customers as a day tour operator
What he’s learned from In N Out Burger in California

As always, much more exclusive members-only content available on tourpreneur.com/plus

The Challenge of Building a Water Sports Operation in Florida

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 10:15:00 -0400

Kevin O'neil describes all the challenges he has faced when building his business including losing his location, legal challenges and having a heart attack!

Join Tourpreneur+ for even more content: https://tourpreneur.com/plus/

Join our free tour operator community of over 4.5K members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Check out Kevin's business: https://destinywateradventures.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-oneil-787798156/

The Highs and Lows of Being a Tour Operator in Southeast Asia

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 10:03:00 -0400

Listen to the incredible journey of how Steve Williams found his way into the industry and helped transform some local operators before building his own business.

Take note of the wasted $1m on Facebook ads and the costs of acquiring customers!

Check out Trunk Travel
Check out Steve's LinkedIn

Preparing your Tour Company for Sale

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 11:24:00 -0400

Preparation is essential if you are going to maximize the chances of selling your tour company at the best possible price. Experienced buyer Trish Higgins explains what she looks for when buying experience companies.

Responsible Tourism In India

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:08:00 -0400

A discussion with Sachin Bansal from City explores and Regenerative Travel in India about doing tourism better for all stakeholders.

Join our Community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Join Tourpreneur+

https://tourpreneur.com/plus/

Growing Your Tour Business Through Linkedin

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Growing Your Tour Business Through Linkedin

Peter Syme and Chris chat about how Peter has made six figures growing his business through a seldom used social platform for the tours and activities sector… LinkedIn.

Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Visit our website: https://tourpreneur.com

Women in Travel: How to Craft Tours Focused on Telling the Stories of Women

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 14:00:45 -0400

Women in Travel: How to Craft Tours Focused on Telling the Stories of Women

Amanda, Carol, Zakia, Caroline and Mary discuss how they craft female focused stories and products in their tours.

Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Visit our website: https://tourpreneur.com

What is the Future of Reservation Systems?

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 08:56:00 -0400

Who better to discuss the future of reservation systems with than one of the founding fathers who started the sector nearly 20 years ago. Alex Bainbridge, ex CEO TourCMS, and Peter Syme discuss the future of this essential software.

Using Your Passion to Create a Music Tour Business in New Orleans

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 14:14:00 -0400

Renee Ventrice chats with Quay Frazier of Big Easy Walking Tours on growing his tour business in New Orleans. Quay has a passion for music and has played with some world famous artists so this allows for a unique take on his walking tours.

The Legalities of Tour Operating

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 16:20:00 -0400

In this episode Mitch Bach speaks with Jeff Ment of Ment Law Group, a firm specializing in working with travel companies. Jeff handles tour operator clients from around the world, and in this episode he shares his insights on a wide variety of topics important to tour operators:

hiring employees vs. contractors
what's most important for early stage businesses
liability issues around accidents and guides
best practices for incorporation
how to protect your assets
intellectual property rights for your tour & photography
disclaimers and waivers
much more!

Join Tourpreneur+ for even more content

Join our free tour operator community of over 9,000 members

Three Things Some Marketing Agencies Won’t Tell You

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:12:02 -0400

Just about every operator who I come across has a horror story about working with a marketing agency. This has left them with a bitter taste in their mouth and wary of trusting another to do the job they want them to do.

Believe me, as an agency owner, this makes my job so much harder, but as an Agency owner, a lot of this ‘bad experience’ comes down to how an agency educates its customers and clearly manages expectations. In some instances, it also comes down to out-and-out lying on the part of the agency.

So many agencies out there will offer guarantees and promises they simply can’t keep because it is simply impossible for them to do so. If agencies could guarantee number one on google rankings or x10 increase in bookings then we would all be doing it, but there are so many nuances that make these promises impossible.

In this episode of Tourpreneur, I want to debunk three myths about working with a Marketing Agency and tell you some home truths, some of which you may find surprising.

Join our Community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Join Tourpreneur+:

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Women in Travel: The Highs and Lows of Changing your Career into Tours & Activities

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 07:24:44 -0400

Amanda, Carol, Zakia, Caroline and Mary all moved from jobs outside of tourism to become tour operators. they share their stories to help those thinking the same.

Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Visit our website: https://tourpreneur.com

AI in tourism is is here. You need to grasp the potential.

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 12:55:39 -0400

AI in toursim is already here but just like electricity it is in the background. The potential and threat to tour operators from this tech is high. Jonathan Elkoubi and Peter Syme discuss the threats and opportunities.

Join our community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Join Tourpreneur+:

https://tourpreneur.com/plus/

Always Be Pivoting!

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 20:40:00 -0400

In this second part of our interview with Akila McConnell of Unexpected Atlanta, Mitch Bach speaks with her on a wide range of topics, including:

how virtual tours became 75% of her business, even after the pandemic
how she's grown her experience box business to shipping 20,000+ units a year
working with corporate clients
doing a complete rebranding of a successful business
finding your "zone of genius"
understanding your business's end game, and crafting a business plan
having difficult conversations with yourself and your team
pricing and profit margins
her top tip for conducting market research

...and much more!

**Tourpreneur+ members also get an extra 40 minutes of our interview, in which she covers how she trains and maintains her guide staff, and her top software pics for running a business!

More at tourpreneur.com/plus

Facebook Ad Basics: 5 Top Tips

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 14:00:26 -0400

Chris provides some Facebook Ad Basics you must follow to make sure your ad campaigns are hitting all the right notes with your audience and your business.

Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Visit our website: https://tourpreneur.com

Visit TMA: https://tourismmarketing.agency

First Mover Advantage and Creative Tour Design

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 17:17:00 -0400

Akila McConnell of Unexpected Atlanta shares her journey from food blogger to tour operator. In this first of several episodes, Akila talks about the power of first mover advantage, finding market gaps you can creatively exploit, always iterating your tour design, why she's adopted Apple's philosophy of product lineup, plus how to use your team's strengths, how to balance the fun and difficult stories, and how to make your tour experience feel different than others.

Why We Need More Women Mentors in Travel

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 14:00:01 -0400

Amanda, Carol, Zakia, Caroline and Mary discuss those women who inspire them and why we need more female mentors in our industry.

As always, we are looking for more women to share their voices. Please do email hello@tourpreneur.com if you wish to be considered.

Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Visit our website: https://tourpreneur.com

The Changing Face of Tour Operating and Tourism

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 13:55:00 -0400

Peter brings on Tony Carne—an old industry friend with over 40 years between them—to talk how the industry has changed: the good, the bad, mistakes that have been made, and successes and opportunities ahead.

Join the Tourpreneur community

Join Tourpreneur+ membership

Join Tourpreneur+: Less burnout, more profits

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 14:00:06 -0400

We are excited to announce the lunch Tourpreneur+

Less burnout. Fewer mistakes made. More profits.

Shane Whaley had a vision for Tourpreneur, one that he entrusted Mitch Bach, Pete Syme and myself to take to the next level. Well today we are excited to share with our community the launch of Tourpreneur+.

Up until now, we have offer hundreds of hours of podcast episodes and hundreds of articles and an in-depth newsletter every week, plus a thriving Facebook community of thousands. At zero cost to you. This will not change!

But, that’s just the beginning...

When you’re ready, we think our Tourpreneur+ membership is the easiest, lowest-cost way to truly transform how you run your business, and increase your profits. We have created an unbeatable amount of learning and support to grow your business. Being a tour operator is hard, overwhelming, and often lonely. TP+ Membership helps you grow your tour business with a community of likeminded professionals eager to share and connect and become more profitable together.

Short, actionable Courses
Weekly Livestreams with industry thought leaders
Actionable Newsletter every day
In-Depth, well-researched Pulse articles and videos covering a range of topics
Private Mastermind Groups focused on your area of business
Individual business coaching sessions
Weekly Group Coaching Calls
In-Person Meetups
In-Person Business Development Retreats

And so much more.

We hope you join us on this journey. Find out more at: https://tourpreneur.com/plus/

Operator Story: Neil Lapping of Macs Adventure

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 07:34:00 -0400

Neil will share his story on how he grew the business, adapting to changes in the industry, how Brexit has affected his business and providing advice for others in the sector.

Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur
Visit our website: https://tourpreneur.com
Visit Macs Adventure: https://www.macsadventure.com

5 Social Media Marketing Tips

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 09:26:04 -0400

Chris is joined by Marica Brewster of the Von Mack Agency shares 5 top social media marketing tips on how to grow your social presence and staying true to your brand.

Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Visit our website: https://tourpreneur.com

Visit Von Mack: https://vonmackagency.com

What Makes Great Storytelling Content?

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0400

If you haven't listened to part one of this two part series, then I would recommend going back and listening first to episode 183.

Mitch is back with two guests, which are two tour guides, Jazz Dottin and Leigh Jameson.

Both of whom spent a lot of time thinking not only about the craft of storytelling, which we talked about in a great discussion last time. But also content. What kinds of information should you be looking for? How do you tell the whole story of a destination, the full, complete picture of the history of a place and how do you do it in a way that connects truly with your audience?

Throughout this episode, you'll be hearing not only from our two guests, but also from your fellow Tourpreneur community members who have submitted recordings of their thoughts about storytelling. And you'll be hearing from them throughout the episode as well.

Creating a Commission Free OTA

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Peter Syme sits down with Charles Odom of Painted Circle to discuss the ideas behind Painted Circle, and how he will make it commission free and how it will benefit operators.

Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur
Visit our website: https://tourpreneur.com
Visit Painted Circle: https://www.paintedcircle.com/

Innovation for Tour Operators

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 14:00:38 -0400

Innovation for Tour Operators

In these challenging times for tour operators innovation is more important than it ever was. Marc and Peter discuss how tour operators can innovate and also some hints and hacks to help them.

Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Visit our website: tourpreneur.com

Find out more about Marc: https://www.marcmekki.com

Operator Story: Zakia Moulaoui Guery of Invisible Cities

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 14:00:40 -0400

Operator Story: Zakia Moulaoui Guery of Invisible Cities

We take a look back at an interview Chris conducted in 2019 that has been previously unavailable on Tourpreneur.

Zakia discusses how she came up with the idea of this amazing global social enterprise, by helping homeless people become tour guides!

Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Visit our website: tourpreneur.com

https://invisible-cities.org

Chris' Five Quick SEO Dos and Don’ts

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 09:40:00 -0400

Chris offers 5 quick take-aways that you can implement, or not, to make sure your website is optimised correctly for your Google Rankings.

We cover:

Site Speed
Why you should stay clear of link farms
Content Optimisation
Why you shoud ignore SEO scoring in Yoast
Voice Search

What Makes a Great Storyteller?

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 15:21:12 -0400

Mitch Bach is joined by Leigh Jameson and Jazz Dottin in a discussion focused on storytelling.

This is the first in a two-part discussion with these guests.

Women in Travel - How Women Can Be Better Represented in Travel

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:00:43 -0400

Tourpreneur believes our industry needs more diverse voices so welcome to the first of our Women in Travel series. In this episode, the first 4 four recordings with Amanda Walkins, Zakia Moulaoui Guery, Caroline Conner and Carol El Hawary, they discuss how women can be represented in travel, from top level C-Suite positions to speaking at events. As always, we are looking for more women to share their voices. Please do email hello@tourpreneur.com if you wish to be considered. Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur Visit the website: https://tourpreneur.com

The Experience Economy in Tours and Activities with Joe Pine

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 12:07:05 -0400

The Experience Economy in Tours and Activities with Joe Pine

In this episode, Chris Torres, Mitch Bach and Pete Syme talk with author Joe Pine to discuss The Experience Economy and how this can help deliver transformational experiences in tours and activities.

We discuss...

- What the Experience Economy is

- How to design an experience

- How to deliver an experience at every stage

- Delivering transformational experiences in day tours and multi-day tours

- How the Experience Economy fits in with the digitisation of tours and activities

Join the Tourpreneur community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tourpreneur

Grab a copy of The Experience Economy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1633697975/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_MHM65SGJTGJK6TK4CF49

Launch of the New Look for Tourpreneur and Tourpreneur+

Wed, 18 May 2022 15:00:00 -0400

At Tourpreneur, it is our mission to make sure every tour operator who is a member of our Facebook group or a listener to the podcast achieves one thing, and that is to grow their profit margins. Our aim is to build upon the incredible foundation and values that were created by Shane, while adding more ways for you to learn and grow your business. The core of Tourpreneur will never change. We will continue to grow our community, producing the valued content you have all become accustomed to. If anything, between myself, Mitch And Pete, you will see even more of this free content being produced in the coming weeks and months, including a fresh new look to Tourpreneur.

This is just the start of what we are planning to bring to the Tourpreneur community and the start of a huge resource of courses and learning opportunities to help make your business more profitable. We can’t wait to show you these and more.

New Ownership Announced at Tourpreneur

Wed, 11 May 2022 11:00:00 -0400

'How lucky i am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.'

After three years, Tourpreneur's Shane Whaley announces why he is leaving the show and revealed why he is thrilled to hand over the reins of the podcast and community to three industry veterans.

Tourpreneur, the leading educational podcast and online community for tour operators around the world, will be under new ownership as of 11 May 2022, with big announcements to follow on 18 May regarding the new trajectory of the business. The new owners are travel industry veterans Mitch Bach, Co-Founder of TripSchool and Campfire; Peter Syme, founder of multiple tour operations; and Chris Torres, Founder and Director of Tourism Marketing Agency and the Digital Tourism Show.

“I’m thrilled to announce that I’m taking on a new role as Head of Community at FareHarbor,” said Shane Whaley, Founder and Publisher of Tourpreneur. “One of my concerns in accepting this role was leaving all of the Tourpreneur listeners and community members in the lurch. Over the pandemic especially, I’ve received so many messages from tour operators around the world saying that the Tourpreneur community has kept them going during these tough times. So I’m thrilled to hand over the reins of the Tourpreneur to these incredibly experienced and knowledgeable industry professionals. I know that Mitch, Peter, and Chris will take Tourpreneur forward and give our subscribers an even better chance of growing their profits from their business.”

Tourpreneur began in 2019 to connect tour operators in an otherwise often lonely professional journey. By sharing real stories and connecting through an engaged, supportive community, tourism entrepreneurs can build their businesses with the help of others, rather than in isolation.

“Taking over the Tourpreneur podcast and site is a fun challenge for all of us,” said Torres. “Tourpreneur has been such a big part of the industry that it’s an honor and a privilege to try to take this forward and keep it growing.”

The Tourpreneur podcast currently has over 250 episodes, offering a breadth and depth of helpful, actionable content for tour operators.

“It’s probably worth saying that Tourpreneur will be different going forward,” said Syme. “Shane is a media professional and, if you look at the numbers, there’s only one of Shane and there are three of us trying to take over and fill his shoes. The tone of the show will certainly be different going forward just based on our backgrounds and expertise. But the focus on community is still 100% there; it’s all about the operators.”

Going forward, tour operators around the world can look forward to more resources, more education, and more content coming from the new owners of Tourpreneur. For tour operators attending Arival in Berlin at the end of May, the new owners will be hosting Hot Seat sessions to tap into their depth of tourism industry insight and experience.

“I am very sad to be leaving because Tourpreneur is my baby,” Whaley said. “It’s definitely bittersweet but I am excited to see where Tourpreneur goes from here. The growth potential for all our subscribers who listen with these three industry veterans at the helm is massive.”

How Shifting Your Focus From ‘Educator’ to ‘Entertainer’ Can Impact the Tour Experience

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 13:48:00 -0400

Today, Sita Sargeant rejoins us to share some of the major changes that are currently happening at She Shapes History. Sita explains what it’s been like to transition from working as a duo-team tour operation to becoming a ‘team of one.’ We discuss the benefits of stepping back and taking breaks from your tour business and how it can leave you feeling recharged, renergized, and remotivated.. Sita shares her goals of expanding the She Shapes History team and how she builds her customer’s excitement and anticipation about upcoming tour events while growing her email list. We also discuss how she incorporates first-person stories in her walking tours without sacrificing ethics, the collaborations and partnerships she’s currently working on, and the value of connecting with other tour operators

How TourOpp Helps Gray Line SF Increase Sales and Reviews

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 16:09:00 -0400

In this episode, we throw the spotlight on TourOpp in a brand new series where we learn more about tech, tools and apps for tour operators.

Tourpreneur is a no sales pitch podcast so we invited a customer of TourOpp to join us and share why they chose TourOpp and how it is increasing their cross-selling, upselling, number of reviews and saving customer service hours.

We are joined by TourOpp founder, Daniel Pino and Gray Line San Francisco's Xavier Valls Pinilla.

Check out the TourOpp features to see if they are a tour operator tool that can help your tour business.

How to Staff Up Your Tour Business

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 12:49:00 -0400

Today, we share tips and advice on staffing up your tour business and explain how to identify the right time to add employees to your tour company.

Our guests, tour business owners Brian Cain (CRAWL New Orleans) and Jarrod Riddle (Spirit of Arizona Tours) share lessons from the trenches in this episode. Brian reveals how he staffed up his tour company from just himself to nine tour guides.

We walk through determining where to place new hires in the company and delve into common concerns about adding new people to a solo business.

We explore empowering employees to give an authentic experience to tour participants and detail incentives and payment packages for tour guides.

Our guests provide tips on finding the best tour guides and suggest what to include in a job ad to attract the right people.

We also share the pros and cons of hiring employees rather than independent contractors, the best ways to interview new tour guides, and how to get over the fear of handing responsibility to new hires.

The Story Behind Taste of SLO Walking Food Tour

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 20:22:00 -0400

Angee Johnson joins us today to share how she built and grew Taste of SLO Walking Food Tour.

She discusses how she researched the San Luis Obispo tourism market before starting her business and outlines how she networked and collaborated with bars and restaurants.

She talks about the point in the journey she started investing in paid advertising and reveals her secret sauce to maximizing Facebook ads.

Angee also underscores the value of maintaining a working relationship with bar and restaurant staff and highlights the importance of keeping your tours fresh.

How Liselot Built A Beer and Brewery Tour, the Story Behind BeerSecret

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 12:56:00 -0400

Liselot Caura reveals how she took her brewery tour business BeerSecret from a side hustle to a full-time business and outlines some of the challenges she faced.

Liselot joins us today to share the story behind BeerSecret. She describes her beginnings in the brewery industry and reveals what led her to switch from sales and promotion in breweries to leading beer tastings and tours.

She discusses how long it took her to take BeerSecret from a side hustle to a full-time business and outlines the challenges and lessons she learned along the way.

Liselot also provides advice on building relationships with bars and breweries as a food tour operator and underscores the value of knowing your customers.

Lessons Learned Starting a Tour Business in Paris During A Pandemic

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 13:18:00 -0400

The Tour Operator Start Up series is back, Simon Burke joins Nikki Padilla Rivera today to discuss starting a tour business, in fact, a sidecar motorcycle tour company during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He explains the hoops, logistics, and licenses when starting a tour vehicle business in Paris. He describes how Brexit and the pandemic impacted his start-up and explains how he came up with the concept of Txango Tours.

Simon also underscores the value of taking yourself out of your comfort zone and highlights the role of passion in running a tour company.

How You Can Increase Tour Bookings and Reviews with Photos

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 12:15:00 -0400

Ryan O'Grady, the founder of Fotaflo joins us today to share how we can increase tour bookings and reviews with guest photos, which he calls 'memory marketing.'

Ryan explains how tour businesses can leverage photo memories to market and create advocates for their business. He outlines the benefits of offering photo memories of the tour as a free value-add rather than a paid service.

Ryan also underscores how strategically sending previous clients photos of their experiences can maintain a connection between the brand, its customers, and the wider market.

What I Learned Running a Tour Business for Over 30 Years

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 14:14:00 -0400

Today's guest shares with us some of her lessons from 30 years of running a tour business. We cover a lot of ground including marketing tours, dealing with journalists, websites, hiring and managing tour guides and chatbots!

Lauren Hefferon joins us to discuss how she started, developed, and expanded the bike tour business Ciclismo Classico.

She explains the significance of Ciclismo Classico’s website for booking and why she is keen on talking directly with her customers before they book.

She shares how she made use of the Zoom culture to hold virtual events during the COVID pandemic.

Lauren also highlights the power of event marketing and offers advice for cultivating effective public relations.

How An Episode of Top Gear Inspired Jamie to Start His Own Tour business

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 12:44:00 -0400

Jamie Robinson joins us today, he divulges his tactics to effective, authentic marketing on a budget. He describes his journey to being a tourpreneur and explains how an episode of the show, Top Gear, inspired him to start his experiences business based around two iconic cars, a London Cab and an Indian Taxi.

He explains how to engage with a community without sounding like a pushy salesperson and discusses how he uses social media to promote his business.

Jamie also explains why Tourpreneurs shouldn’t be afraid to give away free experiences or services and underscores the importance of remembering your mission in business.

Navy Veteran Reveals How She Built a Successful Winery and Brewery Tour Business

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 12:49:00 -0400

From Navy cryptographer to successful tour business owner. Renee Ventrice of Cork and Keg Tours joins us today to discuss how she built a luxury winery and brewery tours business.

She walks us through how she created local partnerships with breweries and wineries and outlines how she designed her tour business from the ground up.

Renee also discusses why evaluating and reevaluating friction points in our tour business’s process is key to growth.

She describes how community partnerships and nonprofits could be tour businesses' best marketing allies.

Renee highlights the importance of executing detailed market research and underscores the value of differentiating and elevating yourself from other tour operators.

Arival San Diego – 9 Takeaways from 3 Tour Operators

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 19:07:50 -0400

Today we hear from 3 tour operators who attended the in-person Arival San Diego event, they share what they learned and experienced.

I was keen to hear what first-time attendees of Arival thought of the event, so today we are joined by Brian Cain of Crawl New Orleans and Jarrod Riddle of Sprit of Arizona Tours. We also invited Heather Fortes of Sactown Bites to our tour business round table discussion.

Arival San Diego is Heather's second Arival event, she shares how she had set up her Sacramento food tour business just a few weeks before attending Arival Orlando in 2019.

Our guests share three takeaways each and reveal what they are going to implement in their tour business as a result of attending Arival San Diego.

We also run the rule over the OTA and res tech sessions that are always a big draw at Arival but did they deliver what our tourpreneurs were looking for?

Brian Cain also disclosed more about working with Viator accelerate, he was a beta partner with the OTA's new program.

Tourpreneur and our guests commend the Arival team for putting on such an excellent event in trying circumstances.

We all hope to see you at Arival Las Vegas later this year and who knows, there is talk of a European Arival to be held this summer.

Thank you to our guests, Brian, Heather, and Jarrod for their candor during this episode of Tourpreneur. I look forward to digging into your story and tour business journey on a later episode.

What did you think about Arival San Diego? What did you learn that you will implement in your tour business? Let us know in our Tourpreneur Facebook Group.

Shane’s Big Hairy Audacious Instagram Reels Experiment

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 16:30:00 -0400

We are receiving more and more questions from tour operators who want to learn Instagram Reels but are unsure where to start.

These questions have inspired Shane to dig into Instagram Reels for Tour Operators starting next week where he will try an experiment at Arival San Diego to see if he can learn Instagram Reels (and overcome his camera nerves!)

Shane's plan is to record a quick Instagram Reel after every session/workshop, he will share his #1 learning from each session. Follow Tourpreneur Instagram to watch Shane's insights from Arival and feel free to give him feedback on the reels, #AlwaysBeLearning right?

In 2022 we will be bringing you lots more content and Instagram reels tips for tour operators.

11 Tour Operators Reveal the One ‘Game Changer’ Skill They Want to Focus on in 2022 to grow their business.

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 17:14:00 -0400

It's January, a time for new years resolutions and goal setting.

In today's episode, Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley asked 11 activity and tour operators what one skill or competency they are focusing on to grow their business in 2022.

If you are able to help our guests with advice on where they can master that skill or competency please share your thoughts with them and others in our online community.

Shane also shares why he made the decision to attend Arival San Diego and reveals new features coming soon to Tourpreneur.

If you enjoyed today's episode please consider giving us a rating and review on your podcast app and sharing it with your peers.

How AI Chatbots Helped This Tour Operator Earn $60k in Tour Bookings.

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 19:25:00 -0400

Should we be using AI Chatbots for our tour business? Listen to an extract of an interview with Evan Tipton of TOMIS who explains how Billy of Arkansas River Tours is taking advantage of AI Chatbots to generate over $60k in bookings. Billy also shares with us how AI Chatbot is helping his tour business to become more efficient.

Tour Operators as Conduits of History & Culture with Michael Idriss

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 15:24:00 -0400

Our guests discuss how tour operators can facilitate conversations toward understanding diverse history.

They also explore how tour operators can discuss historical issues on tours effectively and safely. They consider engaging travelers who discover an unpleasant aspect of their ancestors’ history while on a historical tour.

Or podcast guests also highlight why running tours is a distinct art form in itself and underscore how She Shapes History strives to encourage people to engage in the democratic process.

Tour Operator Round Table – What We Learned at Tourism Innovation Summit – TIS Seville

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 23:17:00 -0400

Today on Tourpreneur we hear from three listeners who attended the TIS Seville. What did they learn? And what are they going to do differently in their businesses as a result of attending? TIS is a new one for me so here is the official blurb. 'Tourism Innovation Summit is aimed to help tourism and travel industry to face all those short and long-term challenges. Seville will host again three days of disruptive masterclasses where success stories of travel are going on stage. Digitalization and innovation will be main discussion and plenty of solutions will be presented to the tourism industry to address these challenges. An event to find the right partners to evolve their digital strategies and implement them.

A wide variety of technologies will be showcased in order to help tourism businesses become more competitive and, more importantly, restart the new ways of travel. There are many buzzwords here so we thought it would be useful to get the lowdown on this event from Three tourpreneurs who attended TIS and Arival @TIS

We have two first time guests on the show today, please welcome Filipa Loule Founder at Portuguese For a Day Tours Jon French - Regional Sales Manager, Redeam.com and let's welcome back Peter Syme, Tourpreneur, adventurer, and digital transformation expert

Digital Marketing Tips for Tour Operators with TOMIS

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 20:39:00 -0400

Evan, Billy, and Amada discuss digital marketing tips for tour operators, SEO best practices, Google Ads, and customer communications. They explore how by integrating AI chatbots, SMS chat, and live chat systems tour operators can enhance the customer communication experience. They share their advice for collaborating with marketing agencies and highlight why making your website mobile user-friendly is crucial. Evan Tipton of TOMIS also explains what Google Core Vitals are and underscores why tour operators shouldn’t shortchange themselves on website hosting.

TP Roundtable: Facebook Marketing and Social Media tips for tour operators with TMA

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 20:38:00 -0400

Social media expert, Social Tonic's Shawn Teasley is joined by tourism marketing expert Chris Torres along with tour operators Alan, and Amber to discuss the fine details of Facebook marketing for tour operators. They discuss the top three things tour operators should know before working with marketing agencies and demystify the secrets behind making impactful Facebook ads for tour operators. They highlight the importance of keeping social media profiles active—especially during the pandemic. They also consider how tour operators should spend their advertising money beyond Facebook ads and underscore the role of communication in collaborating with tour marketing agencies.

Expanding Your Tour Brand through Podcasting with Danielle Desir

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:54:00 -0400

In this episode of the Tour Operator Start-Up Series, Sita, Ripley, and Danielle Desir discuss how to build a podcast to expand your brand.

They break down the basics of creating a podcast and how Tour Operators can use it to generate passive income.

They brainstorm how Sita and Ripley can go back to their brand’s roots to develop podcast content aligned with their company’s mission and values.

They also consider the different characteristics that make a great podcast and the importance of cultivating a community around content.

Blogging Part 5: SEO Tips for Tour Operators with Dorene Wharton

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 19:30:00 -0400

In part 5 of our blogging for tour operators guide, tourism marketing expert Dorene Wharton joins us to share her secrets to writing successful SEO-friendly blog posts.

She explains why Google keeps changing its algorithms. She discusses how tour operators can successfully navigate Google’s E-A-T guidelines and shares her best practices for keyword researching.

She offers advice for writing the best titles for blog posts and her favorite SEO tools.

Check out Dorene's SEO for tour operators Checklist

Dorene also highlights how bloggers can leverage external and internal links to get higher page rankings and underscores the importance of building trust and credibility in blog posts.

Overview

00:00 New marketing agency series featuring tour operators.

03:24 SEO and blogging are a balancing act.

09:33 Google provides comprehensive writing guidelines and resources.

12:24 Use multiple keywords to improve ranking on Google.

15:42 Domain authority measures likelihood of ranking on keywords.

16:42 Struggle with SEO, looking to improve.

21:26 SEMrush is robust but expensive; Keysearch recommended.

23:32 Switched from Yoast to Rank Math for speed.

27:19 Optimize website pictures for better SEO.

32:13 Choosing title: SEO vs. copywriting dilemma explained.

33:39 Steps for SEO: brainstorm titles, research, use numbers.

36:11 Write important articles for your business, despite SEO.

42:09 SEO blog checklist to guide through internal linking.

42:50 Internal linking boosts on-site SEO, website navigation.

47:46 Doreen shares SEO tips for improving ROI.

First-hand tips for buying or selling a tour business with Trish Higgins

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 15:56:00 -0400

Trish Higgins bought Cap’n Fish’s cruises in idyllic Boothbay Harbor, Maine: known for its puffins, whale-watching, and picturesque lighthouses. So what could go wrong? For starters, she signed the docs for her new tour business just days before the COVID-19 epidemic shut down most of the country, adding a totally new and unforeseen obstacle to tour operations, planning, and staff communication. But needless to say, Trish was determined to make the best of it and help the team at Cap’n Fish - a family-run business that had been around since the 1930’s - to reach their full potential. And we’re all about tackling challenges head first, and sharing those experiences when we live to tell the tale. So if you’re curious how Trish managed to help Cap’n Fish thrive, even during a pandemic, here are some of her key takeaways. She shared some first-hand tips for anyone who might consider purchasing (or selling) a tour business of their own.

How to leverage social media as marketing tools to attract attention for your tours

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 18:58:00 -0400

In this episode of the Tour Operator Start-Up Series, Sita, Ripley, and Nancy discuss how She Shapes History Tours can leverage social media as marketing tools to attract attention. They explore how Sita and Ripley can use their values and advocacy for social media to create content that will engage their demographic audience. They discuss different ways to brainstorm for social media content and how they can manage time between running digital marketing and the other aspects of She Shapes History. Sita and Ripley also describe what they learned from the success of their launch and share the next steps they plan to take for She Shapes History.

What happened leading our first test tour - The Tour Operator Start Up

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 15:49:00 -0400

How to start a tour company - our guests Sita and Ripley are back on the Tourpreneur Podcast to share their experience leading their first tour and the feedback, insights, and lessons they learned from it. They describe how the test tour did not go as smoothly as they had envisioned it and discuss one important aspect they need to include in their next test tours. They explain the most surprising comment they received after getting feedback. They also highlight the importance of long-term strategic planning in business and underscore what it means to be a “COVID-friendly” business.

Bond, Churchill, and the Royals: Growing a Bespoke Private Tour Experience

Sun, 22 Aug 2021 14:23:00 -0400

Tour Operator Tom Barclay Matchett reveals how he went about growing a bespoke private tour business and provides his insight into the creative side of engaging business and guests through storytelling.

He walks us through the genesis of The London Storyteller tour business and how he designs his different bespoke tours, with themes ranging from 007 to Winston Churchill.

He explains how his years of working in different environments came together to inform his business operations.

Tom also shares the three major lessons/value bombs he learned about growing a tour business and underscores the value of trusting your creative instinct.

Blogging Part 4: More Copywriting Tips for Tour Operators Who Blog!

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 18:59:00 -0400

In part 4 of our blogging for tour operators guide, marketing expert Dorene Wharton returns to share her favorite copywriting tips for tour operator bloggers.

Creating a booking platform and community for Bike Tour Operators with Fat Tire Bike Tours

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 18:16:00 -0400

Host Shane Whaley is joined by Fat Tire Tours and bike tour business owner Emilie to discuss Fat Tire Tours’ initiative to create a community and booking platform for bike tour operators worldwide. Our guests reveal what inspired the company to start the project and share what they learned about the bike tour industry during COVID-19. They highlight Fat Tire Tours’ strategies for helping bike tour operators grow within the community. They describe the company’s history and explain how they plan to market bike tours globally. They also discuss the core pillars of their project and underscore the importance of collaboration over competition. Our guests are grilled by Bike Tour Operator and regular contributor to Tourpreneur., Emilie Pelletier.

Starting a Tour Business with She Shapes History: Embracing Diverse Histories with Local Tourism

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 16:02:00 -0400

The Tour Operator Start-Up is back. We take you behind the scenes of a tour business start up - each month we check in with She Shapes History hosted by Nikki Padilla Rivera.

Each month you can join your host, tourism expert Nikki Padilla Rivera as we explore how Sita and Ripley went from the world of academia to building their own tourism company in Canberra, Australia.

They share why they chose to focus on female stories and the importance of exploring the diverse histories that are often not taught in school.

They discuss their partnership, the benefits of working as a team and the tools they are using to build their company. They also outline their steps for marketing and fine-tuning their tours as they approach their launch date.

Big Announcement! Two new series for tour operators

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 15:14:00 -0400

The Tourpreneur Tour Operator Podcast host Shane Whaley announces an upcoming new line up and features for Tourpreneur listeners. Tourpreneur will be back in July.

How John Coupland designed his most popular guided tour, The Crown Film Locations & Royal Secrets Tour.

Tue, 25 May 2021 16:08:00 -0400

John Coupland joins me today to share how he leveraged his previous experiences as an entrepreneur when starting his tour company and the challenges he faced as a new tour operator. We discuss how he designed his most popular guided tour, The Crown Film Locations & Royal Secrets Tour. John shares why it’s critical for tour operators to have the ability to ‘read’ their guest’s body language and how it helps you deliver outstanding tour experiences. John also reveals the three key lessons he has learned about building a successful tour operation, creating exceptional experiences, and achieving outstanding customer reviews.

Blogging Part 3: How Repurposing Content Can Help You Expand Your Audience and Reach

Tue, 18 May 2021 22:45:00 -0400

In part 3 of our blogging for tour operators guide, marketing expert Dorene Wharton returns to discuss the benefits of repurposing your content into fresh, new pieces for different platforms. We discuss what it means to repurpose content and the benefits of breathing new life into your existing content. Dorene shares her tips on breaking up your content into multiple pieces for different mediums and how thinking about ways to repurpose your content while you’re creating it can help save time and inspire new ideas. We discuss the pros and cons of releasing short videos versus long ones and how breaking your longer videos into bite-sized, shorter video clips can appeal to a broader audience. We discuss the value of creating share-worthy content and tips for encouraging your audience to share your content with others. Dorene also shares tips and strategies that tour operators can use to become more efficient with repurposing your content for multiple mediums and platforms and the tools and platforms you can use to repost your content and attract new audiences.

Why I decided to join Redeam and why it's good news for Tourpreneur

Sat, 15 May 2021 16:03:00 -0400

Tourpreneur host and founder Shane Whaley shares why he has decided to join Redeam.com as VP of Sales and why this is good news for Tourpreneur listeners.

Passionate sales leader known for implementing global business development, growth, and strategies focused on driving revenue and increasing market share joins rapidly growing travel technology company

Broomfield, CO (May 3, 2021) – Redeam, the leading and only independent global connectivity stack with digitized channel management and touchless voucher redemption/reconciliation solutions for the Experiences and Things To Do industry, today announced that highly respected, long-time travel industry veteran and Tourpreneur publisher Shane Whaley will be joining the company as VP Sales. Whaley, a personal brand unto his own right, brings a deep, nearly 20-year legacy of selling digital travel solutions, for online hotel booking and online travel agency (OTA) websites, most recently with GetYourGuide before embarking on his own entrepreneurial endeavor with Tourpreneur. Whaley, known for his success building sales teams and his personalized problem-solving approach, joins Redeam to help operators grow sales and improve operational efficiencies through Redeam’s middleware SaaS solutions. Whaley will continue to nurture and publish Tourpreneur as its own independent business.

“I love what I have built with Tourpreneur, but I miss the camaraderie of a team,” said Whaley. “What I so admire about Redeam and am excited to join is the thriving culture Redeam’s CEO Melanie Meador has built. I’ve watched Redeam’s product evolution and see the kind of industry problems they’re solving. Redeam is making a real difference in the Experiences industry, and I can’t wait to contribute directly to that.”

“I honestly could not pass up an opportunity to work more directly with Shane, whose work and spirit I so admire,” said Redeam CEO Meador. “Shane understands the struggles of small and large operators alike, the fragmented nature of our industry sector, and the value Redeam’s connectivity, distribution, and improved customer experience brings. Shane is going to achieve great things here at Redeam, and we all welcome him with open arms.”

To learn more about how tour, attraction, and activity operators rely on Redeam to easily automate their businesses so that they can sell more tickets around the world, visit the Redeam website.

Tour Operator Reveals How She Uses Instagram to Grow Her Tour Business. With Othelia Cassidy of Madison Eats Food Tours

Mon, 10 May 2021 21:14:00 -0400

Today Otehlia and I dive into the world of Instagram marketing for tour operators and strategies to help grow your tour business. Otehlia offers insights into how Instagram can work for tour operators and which tools to use to maximize your reach. She shares her personal approach to Instagram and why creating an Instagram community is integral to publicizing your tour business. We discuss the unique role that Instagram can play in marketing tours and why it shouldn’t be your main point of sale application. She also shares her process of trial and error when maneuvering algorithms in Instagram and offers a few tips for getting more views.

With her partner fighting for his life, Krystle shares how she single-handedly took over the running of the couple's water tour business

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 16:18:00 -0400

Today, we hear the inspirational journey of one woman's determination to keep her water tour business afloat after her partner got sick and was fighting for his life. In 2019, following her partner Brent’s health challenges related to a rare genetic disease, Krystle Theunissen stepped up to run their water tour business and steer the company through challenging times. She has hit the ground running, tackling a steep learning curve to become a successful tour provider operating tours through the COVID pandemic. She shares her 3 major learnings with us.

Don Littlefield shares his 3 major strategies for growing a brewery tour business.

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 13:54:00 -0400

"Over 35,000 people have been connected to Maine’s craft alcohol producers since our tours began almost 10 years ago" Don Littlefield is a legend in the brewery tour business and he shares his 3 major learnings on growing a brewery tour business with us.

Today, we take a deep dive into the work of brewery tours and how the beer tour market has changed since COVID. Don Littlefield of Maine Brews Cruise shares the essential tips he wants tourpreneurs to learn and which digital marketing strategies are most effective for his business. He reveals why the merchandise is critical and why he chose FareHarbor as his company’s preferred online booking platform. He shares how he ensures a high guest satisfaction level and the indicators that made him realize he could expand his tour offerings. Don highlights some unusual ideas he tried with his tours and why working with your competitors can be mutually beneficial. He also shares how working with an established brewery tour company can help you get started and the three craft beers he would take with him if he was stranded on a desert island.

Blogging Part 2: What Should Tour Operators Blog About?

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 19:43:00 -0400

In the second part of our Blogging for Tour Operators series, Dorene shares tips on what should tour operators blog about. Plus we discuss how tour operators can generate new ideas for content. Dorene highlights other types of content tour operators can create and why passion and conversion posts are both critical. She shares advice for blog content you can explore when you are just starting your tour business and the best keyword tools you can use to refine your posts. We explore how tour businesses can use their competitor's sites and others in their niche market to get content inspiration and how reciprocal sharing is an essential part of building your blog following. Dorene also shares how you can organize your ideas into a content strategy, how Google Analytics can help you identify what’s working on your site, and subject areas you can cover to create an engaging tour blog post.

Content for Tour Operators - Arival offers a content masterclass and Shane finds out more!

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 16:58:00 -0400

On today's episode, Tourpreneur host Shane Whaley talks content for tour operators with Arival's Director of Marketing, Jessica Gregory. Arival recently announced their content for tour operators masterclass which takes place on March 24th and 25th. Jessica and Shane discuss the content masterclass program and discuss why this is not a standard event but an actual course complete with homework and follow-up learning opportunities. This Arival Master Class looks at key trends in travel content, what today’s travelers are consuming, and provides hands-on learning for content creation (websites, blogs, emails, ads, social, text, photos, videos), dissemination, and management. Learn what to create, how to make it, where to place it, how to manage it, and how to measure whether it’s working.

Embracing Diversity & Empowering Community Through Food Tours with Blue Fern Travel

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 18:17:00 -0400

This is the Story of Blue Fern Travel, the DC Tour company which tells the history of neighborhoods through food. Blue Fern Travel focuses on supporting local businesses, specifically, women-owned and minority-owned businesses. Today, Mary and Stefan share the Blue Fern Travel ethos and how they work with organizations helping those in need in the city. They share how their food tour business started and how they gained funding for their new venture. They reveal how their community reacted to their business and why it's essential to work with staff, management, and owners when securing vendors. They explain the business skills they had to learn and the methods they use to design their food tours. They discuss why they chose their online tour booking platform and how they market their tours. They also share advice for hiring people to help promote your tour business and what tourpreneurs can do to help their communities.

Out of this world - selfies from space with the Travel Industry Mavericks

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 21:57:00 -0400

In today's episode of the Travel Industry Mavericks, Peter Syme and Christian Watts discuss Chris Newlands' unique business model and the journey that led to the creation of spelfie.com. We discuss how COVID has changed Chris’s business landscape and the challenges of bringing brands, events, and partners together. We discuss how Spelfie works, the unique benefits brands get when partnering with them at events, and how Spelfie can work for destination cities and in-destination supply partners. Chris highlights the first socially distanced event for Spelfie and how real-time opportunities can evolve the business's offering. We also discuss how satellite technology is evolving, both in terms of quality and capacity, the many possible new avenues it will give travel partners, and what Spelfie will be doing in the future.

Clubhouse for Tour Operators, Tips from Tour Operators, Tour Guides, and a Podcaster.

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 16:08:00 -0400

Is Clubhouse for Tour Operators and Tour Guides? Everyone is talking about it, but not many can categorize it. The clubhouse is the new social platform that is a part conference call and part house party. Intrigued by Clubhouse then today you can be a fly on the wall as I record an actual session for you. Today, I’m moderating a Clubhouse session called ‘Clubhouse For Operators’ with three Clubhouse regulars, Christian ‘Clubhouse’ Watts, Mitch Bach, and Nikki Padilla Rivera.In today's podcast-meets-Clubhouse session, we unpack what Clubhouse has to offer to the travel industry and discover Christian’s, Mitch’s, and Nikki’s thoughts about the new kid on the Social Block. We discuss what they find alluring about the platform and why some love it. We discuss Clubhouse etiquette tips, how a session works, and what makes it different from the now ubiquitous Zoom meeting. We also consider what the value of Clubhouse will be once the exclusive novelty aspect has worn off and how it will continue to attract high industry value speakers.

Self-Guided Tours for Tour Operators: How Does the Questo Self-Guided App Benefit Tour Operators?

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 14:00:00 -0400

Much has been written about self-guided tours for tour operators. Is it buzz? Is it hype? Are tour operators making serious revenue out of this or is self-guided yet another shiny object to tempt tour operators away from working on tour business fundamentals? I'm intrigued and I'm not ashamed to say this is a part of our industry that I don't really know much about. I experienced a self-guided tour, an audio tour several years ago in London and thoroughly enjoyed it. But I recognize that since 2018, a lot has changed with technology. And a lot of the functionality has advanced somewhat since then. So it's in that spirit that I've invited onto. today's show Alex Govoreanu the co-founder and CEO at Questo. His company offer self guided city exploration games for travelers and locals. Questo has just raised one and a half million dollars in series A fundraising. However, I didn't just want to have a chat with Alex about self-guided tours for tour operators. When I'm interviewing a guest for the show, I want to know what's in it for you, the tour operator. . So I invited onto the show, a gentleman I affectionately call Mr. Episode 8. Alan Rust! Alan is the Chief Experience Officer at America Tour Company. Alan is shopping around for a partner with self-guided technology for tours. So I thought, you know what, let's host a genuine, authentic conversation on the podcast. So in today's show, we can all learn a little bit more about what Questo offers, how Alex sees the world of self-guided tours and what questions does Alan, the tour operator has when he is looking for a partner in which to sell self-guided apps. And how does he feel Questo stacks up? Alan has spoken to quite a few self-guided providers out there, we will publish a follow up episode with Alan in a few weeks time to hear how he is getting on.shane

Blogging for Tour Operators - Essential Blogging Guide for Tour Businesses Part 1

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 14:06:00 -0400

Dorene Wharton of TravelLife Media returns to Tourpreneur today to share ideas and tips on blogging for tour operators. In part 1 of our blogging strategy for tour operators, she shares the foundational elements of creating interesting and compelling blog content. We also discuss why it’s crucial to overcome your fears and feelings of impostor syndrome when it comes to blogging. We discuss the questions you should ask yourself before starting a blog and why goal-setting and understanding your ‘why’ for your blog are critical for your success. We explain how you can use your blog posts as a jumping-off point for other marketing strategies like social media and content marketing. We discuss why it’s essential to identify your target audience and the value of discipline and consistency in producing your content. We also discuss what you should consider when troubleshooting low-performing blog posts, the importance of mentally preparing yourself for feedback and criticism from your readers, and the pros and cons of hiring a ghostwriter to write your blog content.

Travel Industry Mavericks: A Peek Into the Industry’s Future with Peek's Ruzwana Bashir & Oskar Bruening

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 17:09:00 -0400

Today Peek's CEO Ruzwana Bashir and CTO Oskar Bruening join the Travel Mavericks to discuss their forecasts for the season ahead. We discuss how you can enhance and increase your profitability and what impact the booking system you choose will have on them. Oskar explains why, although there are new small booking systems that might meet your specific needs, the big systems should also be considered due to their time in usage and what user feedback has meant in improving those systems. Ruzwana considers the problems small operators might have with scaling while coping with the uncertain future COVID-19 has presented to the industry and what she predicts will happen in the industry regarding re-platforming and other solutions to generate revenue and increase profitability. We also discuss the new virtual experiences corporates and the wider audience are now looking for and what their place in the market might be once we get to the other side of the pandemic.

Why 2021 is going to be a year of focus, plus Arival Insiders Pro and Clubhouse on Shane's Audio Journal.

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 20:07:00 -0400

Many of you have written in asking me why I no longer produce a What I Learned This Week episode on Tourpreneur. In this short episode, I reveal what I learned in 2020 and how I am trying to be laser-focused in 2021 so I can deliver you even better content. Shane is not the only one trying to be more focused, he is in good company with Airbnb's CEO Brian Chesky calling 2021 a year of focus. Also in this audio journal, I share more about how I organize my working week as a content creator and how I stay productive despite all the distractions. A big shout out to Cal Newport's book 'Deep Work.' I also share why I turned down invites to Clubhouse and my response to those who ask me what I think about the new Arival Insider Pro subscription plan. I also give you a sneak preview of a new feature on Tourpreneur that we will be piloting shortly. Bridgerton anyone?

Peter Syme on Survival. From bomb disposal to saving a tour business during the pandemic.

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 17:00:00 -0400

Peter Syme joins me today to discuss the evolving travel industry and how activity and tour businesses can survive and find success. He shares his military experiences and the lessons he’s learned from his military career. We discuss why continued education is vital and personal, and how you can research courses, and who is delivering them to ensure your time and money are spent well. Peter Syme shares what business actions to prioritize, including focusing on surviving first and adapting to provide the most effective online and offline experiences. He highlights how businesses that focus on the most difficult things and recognize that the customer is in control are the ones that succeed. He also highlights why you need to change your guest journey for the post-COVID world, the importance of understanding the interdependencies between industries, and that partnerships and outsourcing may be needed for business growth.

Meet the Restech – Historic Tours of America reveal why they picked Ventrata to power their online bookings.

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 15:36:00 -0400

Oliver CEO of Ventrata, Edwin Swift IV of Historic Tours of America, and tour operator Emilie join me today to discuss and learn more about how the Ventrata booking platform and ticketing systems work. We discuss how Ventrata differs from other Rez Tech companies and why Edwin and Historic Tours of America chose to use Ventrata. Emilie quizzes Ventrata about the reporting, customization, campaigns, waivers, and translation options offered by Ventrata. We also discuss why 2021 is an excellent time to change booking platforms and why Ventrata has become popular with hop-on/hop-off tour companies.

Travel Industry Mavericks Discuss Klook’s $200M Investment & The Challenges Facing OTAs.

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 15:06:00 -0400

The brand new Travel Industry Mavericks series kicks off with a discussion about the challenges facing OTAs. Peter Syme and Christian Watts join me today to discuss what is happening in the tourism industry and share their predictions for the future. We also discuss why we decided to create the Travel Industry Mavericks round table series on the Tourpreneur Podcast.

Content Creation Tips for Tour Operators and the importance of building a content factory with Patrick van Rosendaal

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 18:03:21 -0400

Patrick joins me today to share how content plays a crucial role in your tour business. We discuss whether you should build your business foundations before starting a podcast and reveal the strategies that will attract media attention. Patrick shares the pros and cons of Instagram Reels and Amazon Explore and how to attract an audience from Facebook. Patrick also shares how BE NY adjusted to the events of 2020.

Meet the Restech – Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours tells us why they picked RocketRez to power their online bookings.

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:50:00 -0400

RocketRez's Joe Robinson and Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours' Kim Wark join us today to share the story of RocketRez and describe what the RocketRez experience is like from the tour and attraction’s operator point of view. Joe reveals the benefits of using an all-in-one booking, inventory, and sales solution. He highlights the onboarding experience for clients and shares how the pricing model works. Kim discusses the platform's customization options and reveals what it is like to update rates, schedules, and locations. We also discuss the tour and attraction websites where you can see the RocketRez services and solutions at work.

How Buffalo Bike Tours operates in an economically depressed smaller market that is now seeing growth

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 14:41:00 -0400

Marc Moscato joins us today to share the story behind Buffalo Bike Tours. He reveals what it is really like to run a company in a smaller market that has been struggling for many years but is now seeing revitalization and pockets of growth. We discuss his experience of starting a nonprofit organization and the benefits and drawbacks of running nonprofit and for-profit models. He also reveals the OTAs and marketing methods he is using and explains how to position your tour business to attract travel writers, bloggers, and your audience.

'The big OTAs have lost their way' claims Chris Torres so he created Touriosity an OTA 'with a conscience'

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 14:33:00 -0400

“It's going to be hard against the big boys with their war chest of cash, but there is enough room to do something different.” - Chris Torres shares why he decided to build Touriosity - an OTA with a conscience. Chris joins me today to share what Touriosity is all about and how you can register your company and tours. He reveals how tour bookings are managed and the marketing plan for 2021. Chris shares some of the lessons he has learned from the soft launch of Touriosity and the improvements he’s made in handling support requests. We discuss why local tours are not advertising on Facebook and the opportunities that are currently being missed by tour operators. Chris also shares his tips for getting your business through the next twelve months, including the benefits of having a business coach, and how collaborating with your competitors can help your tour business survive the challenges of the current global economy. Plus..

How to register your tours on Touriosity and the requirements for new and existing tour operators.
How tour bookings and reservations are handled.
How Touriosity is promoting its platform and future marketing plans.
The lessons Chris has learned from Touriosity’s soft launch and the improvements they’ve made in handling support requests.
Why Chris is taking OTA advertising to Facebook instead of Google Ads.
The advantages of Facebook advertising and why it is exceptional for content targeting.
How working with your competitors can help you survive 2021.
Structuring your day and the value of having a business coach

And Much More!

How a teacher started her own tour business - The Story Behind A Wee Pedal with Leanne Farmer

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 14:57:00 -0400

Leanne joins me today to share how she started her own tour business in 2019, navigated the challenges of 2020 and COVID-19, and is entering 2021 fully booked. She discusses the business pivots she has made to focus on the local community and shares how she is making connections through social media. She discusses OTAs, insurance, and safety. Leanne also shares three key lessons all tour operators can benefit from by going on other types of tours in other cities, continuing to tweak your tours, and volunteering and giving back to your community.

Lessons learned re-opening our tour business after Lockdown

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 14:30:00 -0400

Torin and Alice join me today to share the lessons they have learned since opening their tours after lockdown. We explore the measures and policies you can put in place to run safe tours during the COVID pandemic and discuss how you can manage your team when they display symptoms or have had close contact with someone who received a positive test. Torin and Alice share how they are experiencing a rise in direct bookings and making pivots in their business to find new revenue streams. We also discuss the tour operators' role in the community and the challenges of maintaining good mental health through the pandemic.

Tour Operator COVID Survival Stories - Plus working with Amazon Explore

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:41:00 -0400

John O'Sullivan of Depot Adventures joins us today to discuss his tour operator COVID survival and working with Amazon Explore. He shares the innovation needed to survive the economic crisis caused by COVID and the opportunities to continue trading by providing video experiences and virtual tours. John reveals what it is like to work with Amazon Explore and the investment in time you need to create a worthwhile partnership. He discusses the pro and cons of high-value private tours versus mass-market low-value tours. John also shares what equipment you will need to work with Amazon Explore and his views on whether this Amazon beta project is here to stay.

The Big Pivot - How a Tour Operator turned a $3,000 investment in Facebook ads into over $138k in sales in 48-hours for her holiday boxes.

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 14:13:00 -0400

Theresa Nemetz of Milwaukee Food Tours joins us today to share her big pivot success story: offering advent gift boxes in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Theresa reveals how she sold 1,000 advent boxes in one weekend and how she turned a $3,000 investment in Facebook advertising into over $145k in revenue in 48-hours. She shares how she found success by identifying what people want and describes the challenges she faced when making a big business pivot. She also shares details of her workshop on the packaging, promotion, and pricing. Jeremiah of Blend Marketing reveals how his business made the pivot from marketing tours to marketing gift boxes and shares several tips on creating powerful Facebook Ads and marketing strategies that drive awareness and conversions.

Self reflection tips for tour operators. Day 30 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 13:24:53 -0400

Congratulations on making it to the final day of the 30 day challenge. End the challenge with a trip down memory lane. Look back at all you’ve accomplished in the last 30 days, months, years. Do this in whichever way you like. Journal. Go for a hike. Watch the waves. Paddleboard yoga. Think of it as a mindful treat-yourself day.

Self reflection tips for tour operators

Self-reflection tips

Quiet your mind
Ask yourself, “Where was I one year ago? Five? Ten?”
Read old journals or booking reports
Make a list of your proudest moments
Remember the personal, not just professional
Celebrate the quick wins, too
Frame & place somewhere obvious
Look at it every day as a reminder

Level Up Your Skills That Will Grow Your Tour Business and Save You Money! Day 29

Sun, 29 Nov 2020 14:28:41 -0400

One of Shane's favorite phrases is #AlwaysBeLearning. We wear so many different hats as a tour operator. along with running the business, you might also dabble in accounting, digital marketing, maintenance, HR, customer service, and guiding. But there’s always room to improve or diversify your skillset. Shane and Ryan discuss the importance of learning new skills when it comes to growing our business and how it can help you avoid fake experts and save you money!

Pick a Worthy Cause to support - Day 28 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 14:17:15 -0400

Make a difference in your destination by choosing a cause for your business to get behind. Donate to a non-profit organization or rally up your team for a volunteer project. Pick something that makes sense for your brand and aligns with your values. Already supporting a cause? Make it known on your About page or social media today. Don’t think of it as bragging. It shows that your company cares, helps spread the word of a charity that deserves attention, sparks real conversations about improving the lives of others and our planet, and encourages your team and guests to get involved.

Dig in to Tour Industry Insights with Arival - Day 27 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 14:49:14 -0400

Arival is not just an in-person conference for the tour operator industry, they also publish research papers, survey results, tour operator spotlights, articles, and interviews with activity and tour operator interviews. Much of this is free of charge so please do check them out if you aren't already.

Facebook Groups for Tour Operators - Day 26 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 13:55:13 -0400

Facebook Groups are great for connecting with like-minded individuals and expanding your tour operator network. Shane and Kyla discuss the treasure trove of information available to us in tour operator Facebook groups plus also why you should join Facebook groups where your customers may be interacting and posting. Shane shares some of his favorite Facebook Groups for tour operators.

Be an Undercover Guest/Secret Shopper- Day 25 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 12:47:36 -0400

Have you ever wanted to be a secret shopper? Today is your chance! Book another tour in your destination or somewhere nearby — preferably not with your direct competitor — and see how they run things from a guest perspective! Why not gather intel and have fun at the same time? Just be sure to take a mental note of everything they do. What info do you get before the tour? How do they upsell? Is check-in a breeze? Do they use paper waivers? What’s your tour guide like? How do they make the experience better? Do they ask for tips? Reviews? See if there’s anything that you do better, or can take away to improve. Sometimes, we can get so stuck in the traditional way of doing things that we neglect to see how we can be better. Comparison isn’t always bad. By witnessing how someone else operates, you can get fresh ideas to adopt & tweak or validation that you’re already a few steps ahead.

Use Time Batching to create eye catching graphics and promo materials - Day 24 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 12:40:22 -0400

Angela Heald shares her graphic design and Canva tips for tour operators. The key part of the challenge is to time batch the task and set aside two hours for it and no switching to other projects. Ever want to share more on social media? Are you unhappy with your Instagram profile’s aesthetic? Do you wish your Facebook ads didn’t make your tours look so…boring? With a bunch of promo material on hand, you’ll never run out of visual content, which means you’ll have no problem staying on top of digital marketing in the future.

How to create evergreen blog content - Day 23 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 12:50:14 -0400

Everyone’s saying that blogging is one of the best things you can do for better SEO. Well, it’s true. The more content you have on your website, the more queries you can rank for on Google. But it can be challenging to find time in your incredibly busy schedule to sit down and bust out an article, especially if writing isn’t your strong suit. Kyla and Shane share some quick tips for tour operators.

How to Boost your website SEO by adding local keywords. Day 22 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 14:17:18 -0400

In today's bonus episode, we share tips on how to give your tour operator website an extra SEO boost by adding relevant local keywords wherever possible. Day 22 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge by Checkfront. Make sure to visit tourpreneur.com/challenge to grab your free PDF with even more keyword tips for SEO

Test Your Tour Operator Website Speed - Day 21 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 13:56:36 -0400

For today's challenge, we tackle the important subject of improving your website speed and why you need to make sure all of your pages load fast on all devices. Run a test on Google’s PageSpeed Insights by entering each page URL into the Analyze bar, and then see if there are any problems you can quickly rectify today. Do this for both desktop and mobile.

Review Your Tour Photos - Day 20 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 13:55:20 -0400

Angela Heald of Checkfront and Tourpreneur's Shane Whaley discuss the importance of high-quality activity and tour photos on our websites. Angela shares some of her killer iPhone tips for tour operators.

Podcasts for Tour Operators - Day 19 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 11:00:00 -0400

Angela shares her favorite 3 episodes of the Tourpreneur Podcast and Shane suggests other podcasts for tour operators Sometimes, all you need to keep going is to hear from other tour operators on a similar journey. You’re not alone in the challenges you face. And the Tourpreneur Podcast is just the place to find out what tour operators all over the world are doing differently and learning along the way.

Ask for Google Reviews - Day 18 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 11:30:00 -0400

Tips about asking for Google Reviews. It’s no secret that reviews are a ranking factor for Google My Business listings. If you want to earn that coveted spot on the local snack pack, you’ve got to get as many recent, quality reviews as possible.

Update Your Local Listings - Day 17 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 12:29:58 -0400

How many places is your business listed? Yelp? TripAdvisor? Google My Business — of course, since you tackled that listing yesterday. What about Foursquare, Spoke, City Insider, Superpages, or Yellowbook? Take some time today to list your business on as many online directories as possible. All while making sure your name, address, and phone number (NAP data) is correct and consistent on every site. Grab the free PDF which includes a list of must claim local listings at www.tourpreneur.com/challenge

Optimize Your Google My Business Listing - Day 16 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 12:46:09 -0400

Spend today updating your Google My Business Profile. Most searchers will see whether your tour company is legit by scanning your GMB listing first. So, make a great first impression by including everything they need to know. Kyla Steeves joins us to give us some quick tips on how to optimize Google My Business - grab the free workbook at www.tourpreneur.com/challenge

Create your own local bucket list - Day 15 of the 30 day Tour Operator Challenge

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 14:21:23 -0400

Go ahead, take a break, and live like a tourist for the day. Do something you’ve always wanted to do but can never find the time for or keep putting off out of fear. We talk about how creating a local bucket list can help your activity or tour business. Learn how to surf, scuba dive, or sail. Go skydiving, bungee jumping, rock climbing, hot air ballooning, anything to get off the ground. Visit a nearby town you drive through all the time, but never stop. Take a cooking, painting, pottery, or glass blowing class. Hike to a jaw-dropping view or throw a foodie crawl with friends. Spend a day walking around a museum, art gallery, newly-built library. Whatever will refuel your love for your destination, do it. You might even discover something new to enhance your tours and create a local bucket list.

How to Identify Booking Blockers and Boost Your Conversion Rate - Day 14 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 14:38:22 -0400

When taking bookings over the phone, you can answer questions, offer reassurance, and talk up the experience. You can’t necessarily do that online, which is why the booking process needs to be as seamless as possible. You put in a lot of work to get traffic. It’d be a shame for something to get in the way when visitors are so close to booking. By knowing where people tend to change their minds, you can make small changes to boost your conversion rate by at least 5-10%. More bookings!

Create Automated Guest Emails - Day 13 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 13:57:48 -0400

You can relieve a lot of guest anxiety with a simple message. By staying in touch with guests from booking to check-out, you show them that you care about every aspect of the experience and want to make sure they have all the information they need before arrival. Grab your copy of the free workbook at www.tourpreneur.com/challenge

How to Write a FAQ Page - Day 12 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 14:00:39 -0400

On today's challenge, Checkfront's Kyla Steeves reveals some of her ninja tips for writing a FAQ page for your tour business. Not only is this an excellent resource for your customers, FAQ pages can also help with SEO. Grab the free workbook at www.tourpreneur.com/challenge

Tips for gathering guest Feedback - Day 11 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 14:13:14 -0400

If you never find out what your guests actually think of your tours, you’ll never be able to provide the best experience possible. That’s why feedback is so beneficial. Your guests can tell you precisely what you’re doing right and wrong so that you know what to do more or less of. Sure, you can ask guests at the end of the tour, “did you have a good time?” Or peruse online reviews and mentions for tidbits of insight. But the most effective approach is to contact them directly. An intentional email can invite an honest opinion because no one else is around to listen or read. It’s just you and the guest.

Buy a fellow tour operator a coffee - Day 10 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 13:54:57 -0400

On today's challenge we share tips on why and how you should work closer with local tour operators. Sometimes, the best partnerships in travel and tourism are right around the corner. Who else has the destination down pat? Like yourself, other local operators know the backroads, watering holes, hidden attractions, and reputable businesses — which means their guests also look to them for advice on where to eat, sleep, and what to do and see. Wouldn’t it be nice if they recommended your tours or activities as a must-book and vice versa? Plus, you never know what kind of brilliant ideas might ignite from a single conversation

Reply to Positive Reviews - Day 9 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 13:12:49 -0400

Tips for handling positive reviews. You ripped off the band-aid yesterday. Now, it’s time to reward yourself by replying to your glowing, rave reviews! Thank everyone for their kind words, and let them know you’re thrilled to hear they had an amazing time. Blush all you want. You earned those compliments! While you’re doing this, be on the lookout for outstanding reviews that would make great testimonials. It’s perfectly okay to say, “thank you for the wonderful review, can I share this on my website?” Most people will be happy to help you out and get featured

How To Reply to Negative Tour Reviews - Day 8 of the 30 day Tour Operator Challenge

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 14:29:07 -0400

Today we share how tour operators should deal with negative reviews. Oof, you might need a glass of wine for this one. Get comfy and dedicate a couple of hours to responding to recent negative reviews on every review platform. Go as far back as six months. Hopefully, it won’t be as scary as you think, and you can make a habit out of replying more promptly to online reviews in the future. Negative reviews can feel like the worst thing to happen to your tour company, but it’s important to remember that one’s opinion does not represent all. Every business encounters an unhappy customer from time to time. It’s how you respond that keeps your reputation intact. While you may want to ignore complaints altogether, the best thing you can do is address them head-on. In doing so, you not only let the reviewer know you care about guest satisfaction but also thousands of others who may check your reviews to decide whether or not to book.

Tune Up Your Social Media - Day 7 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 15:10:19 -0400

Hopefully, this one is quick and easy for you today! Take a look at all of your social media profiles, and see what’s missing or out of date. Improve your bio by highlighting your unique selling proposition (USP). Update your cover image with a recent photo or promo video. Pin your best content at the top of your Facebook page, or add Instagram Story Highlights with on-brand cover icons. And finally, make sure your name, address, and phone number are still correct.

Boost Your Instagram Engagement - Day 6/30 Tour Operator Challenge

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 16:55:55 -0400

On today's Tourpreneur, content marketing expert Kyla Steeves shares her tips on Instagram for tour operators. Engagement feeds engagement. By initiating interactions on Instagram, you can get your brand noticed while showing off a bit of personality. Most Instagrammers are flattered when a brand compliments them. So, the more you engage, the more visibility and followers you’ll gain

Join the challenge at www.tourpreneur.com/challenge

Go Live with a Selfie Video - Day 5 of the 30 day Tour Operator Challenge

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:45:56 -0400

On Day 5 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Things to Do Challenge, we are joined by Checkfront's Director of Marketing, Angela Heald who shares benefits of going live with a selfie video as well as tips on how and what to record.

Everything’s always about your tours, not enough about you — the person who created the tours in the first place. So, don’t be shy and say hello to your Facebook or Instagram community with a live video. Share a little bit about yourself, and watch all of the floating emojis come through!

Treat Your Tour Guides - Day 4 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 14:09:45 -0400

On Day 4 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Things to Do Challenge, we are joined by Checkfront's Director of Marketing, Angela Heald and we are talking all about Treating Your Tour Guides. Genuine employee recognition goes a long way. One simple act of appreciation can make your tour guides feel valued, boost their confidence and motivation, give them a reason to go the extra mile and keep them coming back season after season.

Research/Try a New OTA - Day 3 of the 30 day Tour Operator Challenge

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 11:30:00 -0400

On Day 3 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Things to Do Challenge, we are joined by Checkfront's Director of Marketing, Angela Heald and we are talking all about researching and maybe trying a new OTA. You’ve heard the saying, “don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.” Well, all too often, operators rely solely on the global brand names, like TripAdvisor, to “bring home the bacon,” even though there are plenty of new OTAs popping up everywhere that could also complement your distribution strategy. Who knows what opportunities you’re missing elsewhere? With another OTA, you might get more visibility, optimal real estate, a lower commission rate, and a better match for your target audience and niche. Wouldn’t you rather find out than be left wondering? W

Automate Your Daily Tasks - Day 2 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Challenge

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 12:00:00 -0400

On Day 2 of the 30 Day Tour Operator Things to Do Challenge, we are joined by Ryan Lainchbury of Checkfront's technical support team and we are talking all about how to automate your daily tour operator tasks. Grab your workbook at www.tourpreneur.com/challenge

The 30 Day Things to Do Challenge for Tour Operators - Intro and Day 1

Sun, 01 Nov 2020 12:41:00 -0400

I know many of us have been suffering overwhelm, what with all the webinars, online courses, virtual events, summits, podcasts, etc etc So now is time to put some of what we have learned into action. Starting today with our friends at Checkfront we are running a 30-day things to do tour operator challenge. Tourpreneur will be releasing a short daily episode during each day of November to discuss that day's challenge. 'We understand that life is busy, and sometimes what you intend to do never gets done. That’s why we created a 30-day challenge with small but practical tasks you can feel good about crossing off your to-do list in a few hours or less.' This is open to all tour operators and not just for Checkfront customers. (You can also complete the 30 days at a month of your choosing, should November not work for you.'

The 15 Sessions I am Excited to Attend at Arival 360

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 17:22:00 -0400

Next week I will be attending the virtual event Arival 360. In this bonus episode I share with you the 15 sessions I am most excited to attend.

Meet the Restech: Game of Thrones Tours tells us why they picked Checkfront to power their online bookings. (122)

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 20:58:00 -0400

Rob Dowling of Game of Thrones Tours shares why he chose Checkfront as his booking system on Meet the Res tech.

Julianne, Rob, and Emilie join me today to discuss Res Tech for tour operators. Rob shares why he chose Checkfront as his booking system and reveals the one thing he wishes Restechs would offer. Julianne discusses the website integration options of Checkfront and the pricing models and coronavirus support users can expect from the company. We also discuss Checkfront’s multi-language support, reports, and inventory sharing and management.

Meet the Restech: How Switching to Peek Pro Increased our Online Sales by 30%

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:16:00 -0400

Oskar Bruening, the CTO of Peek Pro, and Michelle of Miami Tour Company, and Emilie of Cyclo Services join us today to discuss tour booking software from the perspectives of the booking systems developer, tour operator, and prospective client.

Oskar shares how Peek Pro differs from other reservation software. Michelle highlights the Peek Pro features she loves, and how by switching to Peek Pro, her tour business increased its online sales by 30%

The Surprising Benefits of launching virtual experiences with Arigato Food Tours Lauren Shannon

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 16:35:45 -0400

Tour operator Lauren Shannon joins us today to share the surprising benefits of launching virtual experiences in response to the coronavirus pandemic. She shares how virtual tours can be a tool to build connections and reveals how virtual could become the new travel planning tool. We discuss the benefits of producing virtual tours, including their use in marketing. Lauren shares the methodology behind creating an online experience and how to drive engagement and overcome the obstacles you might encounter. She also reveals what it is like to become an online personality and highlights the importance of sharing your knowledge and giving back to the industry.

The Tour Operator Startup - Part 2: Leading my first tour and marketing my tours business

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 15:18:00 -0400

We continue to follow Morgan's journey on the Tour Operator Startup. Morgan shares how things are going for her tour operation startup since her previous appearance on the show. She shares how her first tour went and the results of target marketing using Facebook Ads, radiuses, and demographics. We discuss testing and adapting tour narratives using feedback and reviews and discuss ways of getting local media attention. Morgan also shares her experience with the FareHarbor booking system and the value of her business training with TripSchool.

Meet the Restech - how tour booking software Xola makes life easier for tour operators

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 11:49:00 -0400

Choosing a tour operator booking platform is one of the most important decisions we will make for our tour business. We are spoilt for choice with over 160 booking platforms offering services to tours, attractions, and activities. We decided to create the Meet the Res tech series. These conversations are unique in that you will be able to listen to a res tech, a res tech customer, and a tour operator who is in the market for a new tour operator booking platform. You will hear an authentic conversation and is about as far away from a sales pitch as you can get. We don't do the keynote, conference format exec pitch here at Tourpreneur, our goal is to deliver you a genuine conversation full of value. We hope you enjoy it!

Copywriting for Tour Operators Clinic. We review 3 Tour Operator Websites

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:31:00 -0400

We run the rule over 3 Tour Operator websites with suggestions on how to improve copy in our first ever copywriting for tour operators clinic. Veteran digital marketer Dorene Wharton joins us today to share her advice on copywriting for tour operators. We discuss creating concepts to keep your visitors reading and ultimately choose your tour. We offered listeners the chance to have their tour copy evaluated by Dorene and Shane. We selected three very different tour operators who volunteered and on this episode, you can hear/watch us provide constructive feedback. There are plenty of lessons, tips, and advice or all tour operators. We share the methods and strategies that create an aspirational and ‘ready to book’ mindset. We discuss when copy is too much and the areas where you should reduce the amount of detail. We share ways to optimize your homepage by focusing on decision factors and unique selling points. We also share how you can convince and persuade your target audience - even if you don’t have a lot of PR - and discuss why your copywriting and SEO strategies need to work hand-in-hand.

This week on Tourpreneur, the podcast for tour operators:

Why you should focus on behavior as target audiences change due to travel restrictions
Using insights to create a tagline to grab attention and explain what you are all about
Positioning your COVID-19 updates, information, calls to action, and reviews
Adding clarity and being direct by avoiding the passive voice
What 'stops' are and why you should limit their number
What you should include on your about us page and establishing a personal connection
How to encourage newsletter subscriptions
Using photos, videos, and small, bold paragraphs to maximize effect
Organizing your homepage hierarchy and structure to maximize opportunities
How to make your copywriting and SEO work together

Our Favorite Quotes:

“Focus on behaviors. Just because Americans aren't traveling, that doesn't mean that someone from Germany, who might be able to travel, doesn't have the same views and opinions of various tours.” - Dorene Wharton
“When you are direct and straight to the point, it just has more impact, and it's a little more punchier.” - Dorene Wharton
“Choose the things that are the most interesting and go into more details in the details section.” - Dorene Wharton
"The higher the price, the more copy or images are needed." - Shane Whaley

How Tour Operators Are Coping With Decision Fatigue and/or Burnout

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 19:56:00 -0400

On our Tourpreneur Facebook Group recently, a regular listener asked the following question. Tourpreneurs, help! How do you cope with decision fatigue and/or burnout, especially if you're a one-person show? I can feel it big-time right now and it's really affecting my ability to get things done, plan, and make decisions. 6 months ago today, we went into complete lockdown and I feel like I've lived in a pressure cooker since then. Some people thrive on uncertainty and pressure, but that is not me. Tell me about your (healthy) coping mechanisms! What works for you to help you keep a clear head? Shane reads out how our members responded and shares his own tips on how to beat fatigue and burnout.

How Juneau Food Tours builds relationships with restaurants and partners with cruise lines.

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 19:09:00 -0400

Midgi Moore joins me today to share the story behind Juneau Food Tours. She shares how to build relationships with restaurants and get them added to your food tour. She discusses the essential elements of a successful tour, how to create value and price your tour, and how to build your tour brand. Midgi discusses the advantages of working with travel agents, sustainability within tourism, and why she changed booking platforms. Midgi also shares how she vets tour guides, how her company is surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, and her top three tips for growing your tour business.

New Series: The Tour Operator Startup! Follow A Tour Operator as they build their tour business.

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 18:30:00 -0400

in this series, we follow a tour operator on their journey from start to, well, we don't know where. We hope it is to success, but you're going to have to listen in each month to find out what happens.

Today we feature Morgan Cantrell of HistoryWellTravelled.com. Let me introduce you to Morgan. She started her walking tour business just as the pandemic hit. Morgan shares why her dream is to build her own tour business. We also discuss some of the growing pains, she's experienced so far in starting her own tour business.

We won't be sugarcoating anything during these chats, you know me well enough over the past 113 episodes that I'm all about authentic and genuine conversations. We will discuss Morgan's' wins and her losses. I know you're going to be thrilled when you hear Morgan share with us what it was like the day she picked up her phone and read that she had her first bookings.

So today's episode is Morgan's tour operator start-up story. We will check in with Morgan monthly to discuss her wins and her challenges building her tour business.

I'm excited. Strap yourself in. Let's go.

This week on Tourpreneur:

What inspired Morgan to start a tour business
Developing a brand name, website domain, and logo
How Morgan went about designing her first historic Carrollton walking tour
Morgan's determination to create a tour in a market were none exist
How to research and build a website with a WordPress theme
How Morgan is marketing her business in her town through Facebook targeted ads
Creating awareness and experimenting with Facebook ads, including images, demographics, and keyword plugins
Why Morgan chose FareHarbor software to streamline bookings, payments, and data analysis
The emotions and excitement Morgan felt taking her first booking
Morgan's biggest frustrations on starting a tour business and how she motivates herself

Arival Phoenix Cancelled. What comes next for Arival? With Bruce Rosard (Co-Founder)

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 17:47:00 -0400

Arival, the event for the tours, activities, experiences and attractions industry has officially announced that the Arival Phoenix event is canceled. We talk with co-founder Bruce Rosard to learn what this means for those who have registered for the Phoenix event as well as what is next for Arival as it goes virtual.

Why I Admire Tour Guides Even More After the Redeam Tour Guide Throwdown

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 20:28:00 -0400

This week I was honored to be one of four judges at the first ever online tour guide throwdown hosted by Redeam. The event was a resounding success, well done Redeam and on this episode of What I Learned This Week I share with you why I admire tour guides even more following the event.

I share with you how I combated groupthink and how refreshing it was to spend two hours enjoying a virtual event that was positive and fun.

Check out the Tour Guide Throwdown Winners here.

In this episode, I reveal some of the trends I am seeing on our listener's survey and discuss new features I am scoping out for future episodes of the Tourpreneur Podcast.

I also invite a tour operator who is potentially looking for a new booking platform to join me for sessions with tour operator booking platforms on our brand new Meet the Res Tech series. I can be emailed at shane@tourpreneur.com

How A Tour Operator Increased His Bookings Working With GetYourGuide - Meet the OTA with Carlee Stellfox Loya and Marc Terrier

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 13:54:00 -0400

What's it really like to work with GetYourGuide for tour operators? Carlee and Marc join me today to discuss the relationship between OTA GetYourGuide and tour operators. Marc shares how GetYourGuide extended the reach of his tour business, giving him access to new international customers, and discusses how cooperation with GetYourGuide has improved his business growth.

How Ralph Made the Transition from Walking Tours and Teaching Travel Photography to Launching PhotoEnrichment Adventures

Sat, 22 Aug 2020 16:06:00 -0400

Ralph joins me today to share the story behind PhotoEnrichment Adventures and how he decided to switch from being a restaurateur to a tour organizer. He discusses his most popular tours and how he puts them together with local tour operators, creating a product that has seen a 42% repeat customer rate. He discusses the difference between PhotoEnrichment Adventures and Alla Campagna and how his business responds and adapts to the coronavirus crisis. Ralph also discusses the marketing tools and apps he uses and his strategies for building client-relationships and pricing.

The Story Behind Berlin Food Tour Company Fork And Walk Tours' Dov Selby.

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 18:48:00 -0400

Tour operator Dov Selby joins us today to share the story behind Berlin Food Tour Fork and Walk Tours. He discusses the hurdles that he faced to become a tourpreneur and to start his own Berlin Food Tour business. He shares how Fork and Walk Tours in Berlin and Munich create interest around its products and the roles of OTAs, organic marketing, and paid advertising. Dov reveals how he builds relationships with local business and tour guides and highlights why it is vital to create a team that is passionate about your business. Dov also discusses how his new website captures sales from the corporate market and his mindset on finding the right work/life balance.

How To Build A Multi-Day Tour that is Unique and Different - with Peter Syme and Matthew Smith

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:01:00 -0400

Tour industry veteran and adventure specialist, Peter Syme, joins us today to share his perspective and advice on Matthew Smith's multi-day tour business, SOE Expeditions. This is a unique podcast episode of Tourpreneur as Matthew is at the early stage of building this particular tour business and he goes into detail for us about how to build a multi-day tour with a difference. Matthew shares the type of clients who are booking his niche multi-day tours and the physical and mental endurance needed to complete them. We discuss how to find a balance between pricing and profit and how insurance and liability are managed for endurance tours. We also discuss marketing channels, raising awareness, the importance of testimonials, and the huge benefits people experience once they complete an endurance tour or challenge. We discuss the vitally important life skills and history of the S.O.E. executive operations.

Copywriting Tips for Tour Operators with Dorene Wharton

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 13:46:00 -0400

Dorene Wharton joins us today to share copywriting tips for tour operators. She shares how writing copy is an art and science that tour operators can learn to produce powerfully engaging copy. We discuss what has changed since Covid-19, how to establish trust, and what hasn’t changed in terms of effective copy. Dorene's copywriting tips for tour operators highlight the must-haves for your content and stresses the importance of authenticity. She also discusses why good copywriting starts with your purpose and reveals how you can find the right balance between SEO keywords and your brand’s voice.

This week on Tourpreneur - copywriting tips for tour operators:

The pre-COVID authentic, conscious consumer buying trends that are becoming more pronounced
Why consumers are becoming more skeptical with brands and their motives
How to reassure people in your copy that you have taken the necessary steps to ensure visitor and employee safety
How to conduct a deep dive into your customer's persona and uncover what they are asking for
Why your About Us page is essential and should be one of your top three visited pages
How to write your About Us page and convey your personal story
How to use descriptive words and verbs and why you should avoid adjectives
How to make your copy easier to digest through sectioning and titling
Why you should conduct keyword research before you write
Why your blog titles need to be consistent with your content
How to improve your copywriting by using authenticity, emotion, and personality
Interview questions and how to find a copywriter and determine if they will be good for your business

Our Favorite Quotes:

“People buy products that they value; that do not just make money, but they are equally focused on improving the world in some way.” - Dorene Wharton
“We want to support brands who do and say the things we believe in.” - Dorene Wharton

Resources Mentioned:

Your About Page: The Secret Weapon to Build Trust and Future Sales
Grammarly
10 Tips for Better Tourism Website Copywriting - Blog Post
Great COVID Safety Copy by Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours
Devour Tours
Impulse Travel
Taste of Thailand Food Tours
Great Benefits Copy by Rewind Dubrovnik

How Travel Curious build and sell tours via hotels with Alex Grant

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 18:39:00 -0400

Travel Curious is a leading online marketplace for booking private bespoke tours in the world's greatest cities.

They partner with large travel partners such as Marriott, Hilton, Sunday Times Travel via API or white label solution. Today we bring you the story behind Travel Curious.

Founder Alex Grant joins me today to share the story behind Travel Curious and what makes an excellent tour guide and immersive experience. Alex reveals his journey and inspiration for creating Travel Curious, his relationships with hotels, and how many hotels can generate extra revenue by learning how cruise ship operators sell tours online.

The Future of Tourpreneur and why I need your help!

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 15:22:00 -0400

In this episode of the Tourpreneur Podcast for tour operators, you can learn how you can help shape the content for future episodes. I explain why creating content for tours, activities, and experiences is challenging and ask you for your feedback on how I can create the content that will help you grow your tour business. The survey is available here - www.tourpreneur.com/survey

How attractions are re-opening in Spain and Portugal plus life working at Tiqets with Jaume Vidal

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 11:39:00 -0400

Jaume Vidal, Tiqets Regional Manager joins me today to discuss how Spain and Portugal are reopening tourist attractions amidst the coronavirus pandemic. He also shares with us what it is really like working at Tiqets. He explains how the Tiqets platform works and how it helps travelers find new attractions and events to explore. He explains why he believes Portugal fared better than Spain during the coronavirus pandemic and how the pandemic has impacted international tourist travel. He discusses how Barcelona venues are communicating their safety and security measures to reassure travelers to visit attractions and how the venues are promoting to local markets. Jaume also shares what it’s really like to work at Tiqets and explains how Tiqets is currently marketing its services to help local venues increase their bookings.

Listen in to a Local Marketing for Tour Operators Coaching Call

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:26:00 -0400

Tour Operators know the importance of local marketing for tour operators during COVID-19 but how exactly do we go about marketing our tours to locals especially when local attractions are still closed? Rob Pitingolo is a DC based tour operator who is struggling to market his local tours online, so we asked tours and activities marketing expert Jeremiah Calvino of Blend Marketing to join us in the virtual Tourpreneur studio to talk local marketing for tour operators. On today's episode, we discuss how tour operators can market and promote their tours to local consumers, despite increased shutdowns among tourist attraction sites. We discuss how remarketing campaigns and content marketing strategies can help with local marketing for tour operators and the importance of understanding your target audience and their search habits. Our guests explain why you need to identify your company’s competitive edge and value proposition and how you can use your website and landing pages to build rapport and promote the customer experience. We share strategies you can use to troubleshoot poor performing re-marketing campaigns, the average cost per lead you should expect from your campaigns, and the importance of using a nurture funnel approach to your marketing efforts to avoid ‘ad-blindness.’ We also share strategies you can use to customize your website copy and online content to attract local - and international - tourists and how to use Facebook look-alike audiences to attract new customers.

Beyond COVID 19. The Road to Recovery for Tour Operators (Round Table)

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 15:37:00 -0400

On Episode 101 of the Tourpreneur Podcast we invited 3 tourpreneurs from different parts of the world to discuss the recent Tripadvisor White Paper - Beyond COVID-19 - The Road to Recovery for Tour Operators.

Our guests share their response to the Tripadvisor white paper and if it correlates with their own tour business and what learnings they picked up from the report. In this episode you will hear:

What were some of the panel's takeaways from the report.
What correlation our tour operator panel are seeing from the Tripadvisor research and what is happening with their own tour businesses.
Why the restaurant data offered some of the most compelling insights for Lauren as a food tour operator.
Why the phases of COVID-19 recovery are important reading for tour operators.
How the panel will make changes to their tours based on the data shared by Tripadvisor.
And Much More!

From Digital Travel Executive To Popular Podcast Host - The Story Behind Tourpreneur

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 15:53:00 -0400

On this 100th episode of Tourpreneur the podcast for tour operators, Rob Pitingolo of TripHacks DC turns the tables on founder and host Shane Whaley and pulls back the curtain on Tourpreneur at we celebrate episode 100. Tourpreneur Founder Shane shares his journey, from his decade long career at Booking.com and how he played a pivotal role in what Skift called ‘travel greatest acquisition’ to leading OTA GetYourGuide in the Americas to founding and producing a podcast for tour operators.

On Episode 100 of Tourpreneur the podcast for tour operators, guest host Rob expertly quizzes Shane and asks:

What is Shane Whaley’s history in the travel industry, what makes him a ‘travel veteran?’
Why did Shane start a podcast for tour operators?
Why reaching 100 podcast episodes is not the norm? The average show runs for 7 episodes!
Was Shane nervous launching a podcast for tour operators? Did he suffer imposter syndrome? Shane reveals that launching a unique podcast is similar to launching a new tour, you ask yourself why is nobody else doing this?
Why is Shane so passionate about tours, activities, attractions and experiences?
How did he come up with the name Tourpreneur? Shane also reveals what his first name for his tour operator podcast was and why he ditched it.
Why did Shane decide to produce a podcast for tour operators rather than a YouTube channel for tour operators?
How much work goes into producing an episode of the Tourpreneur Podcast?
What are the main challenges in creating and producing a podcast for tour operators?
What is the Tourpreneur Mission?
What is the Tourpreneur business model? How is Shane monetizing the Tourpreneur Podcast?
What are some things that listeners to the podcast might not realize happen behind the scenes?
Which of the first 99 episodes is your personal favorite? (episode 32 obviously)
Where does Shane find his guests?
You probably get a lot of messages from people who want to come on the podcast to promote or sell something. How do you handle those types of inquiries? Shane reveals how he has turned down lucrative offers in affiliate commissions and pay to play.
Covid-19 has financially impacted many of us tour operators – has Tourpreneur felt similar financial pain because of Covid-19? How so?
Are there any productivity tips that you’ve implemented that you think tour operators could benefit from too?
You’re in the early stages of starting a tour company in Vermont. What can you tell us about that?
What’ is Shane’s vision for the next 100 episodes of Tourpreneur?

And Much More!

The Future of International Travel (Arival Online) with Carroll Rheem

Sun, 28 Jun 2020 16:13:00 -0400

In this episode of the Tourpreneur Podcast, we bring you the full audio of the Arival Online Session The Future of International Travel with Brand USA's Carroll Rheem.

In this in-depth discussion we’ll delve into how travelers around the world are thinking about travel, how they are planning trips and what they are looking for. We’ll discuss what operators of tours, activities, attractions and experiences should do to reach those travelers, what travel marketing will look like in the future, and what adjustments operators should make to their products.

Douglas Quinby Reveals More About The First Ever Arival Virtual Summit for Tours, Attractions and Activities

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 17:05:00 -0400

Arival CEO Douglas Quinby reveals more about 'Your Revival' a virtual one day summit which focuses on how tours, activities and attractions are reopening and reassuring nervous travelers. Douglas also explains why the summit is 'not another freakin webinar' but offers interaction such as themed roundtables and access to 1:1 meetings with Arival Experts.

Running a tour business in Hong Kong with Amy Overy (96)

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 15:35:00 -0400

Amy Overy offers private tours of Hong Kong. She shares with us how she got started, how she grew her business and how she has coped with political protests and COVID-19. This is the story of Hong Kong Greeters.

Tour Operator Check in - Catia of Lisbon Stories

Sun, 21 Jun 2020 15:59:00 -0400

In this quick call, we check in with Catia , the tour operator behind Lisbon Stories Today we have a COVID-19 to operator check-in. I might even start calling these, just tour operator check-ins. I hate writing the word COVID-19 and today we feature our first ever Portuguese tour operator on the Tourpreneur Podcast. Catia of Lisbon Stories wrote to me saying: 'I'm writing to you from Portugal and our official tourism board has launched a program called clean and safe .It requires a few hours of online education. You have to elaborate a plan for your own company, and there are random checks to make sure your businesses are following everything they should. I'm working on this right now, and I'll be glad to go on the show and talk to you about how our seal works, what it requires and what I've learned during the certification. I am a licensed tour guide and I run a very small company offering private tours in Lisbon Portugal. We offer a few walking tours, but mostly car tours, always to small private group.' So we talk about hygiene, the safety protocols for tour operators. We also then talk about how Catia is going to pivot her tour business. Catia is very motivated by showing tourists 'off the beaten track' Lisbon. So I think you will enjoy this episode and I love how international the Tourpreneur Podcast is becoming. So don't hesitate, wherever you are in the world. If you want to come on and share a story with us, about how you're growing your tour business, what you're learning during the lockdown drop me an email. And as we hopefully head into recovery, we are here. We want to feature your stories, email me at shane@tourpreneur.com

FareHarbor teams up with tour operators to launch Global Tours Connect.

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 12:59:00 -0400

Today we bring you an exclusive announcement, from two former guests of ours - two food tour operators They have teamed up with a major tour operator booking platform FareHarbor and have built a microsite Global Tours Connect, which they say, not only can deliver bookings for your tour business but will also pay you a dividend. Intrigued? I know I was. So we welcome onto the show today, Lauren McCabe Herpich of Local Food Adventures, Midgi Moore of Juneau Food Tours and first time guest on the Tourpreneur Podcast, Sabine Whitney of FareHarbor..

Major Arival news plus the beta launch of our free new resource for tour operators.

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 16:26:00 -0400

In this week's episode, I share with you: Why we pulled an episode of Tourpreneur this week. How being candid and honest as a content creator requires a thick skin. Arival announced they are moving their Phoenix event from September to November. Arival Phoenix Cancellation policies and why I credit them for their clarity around what will happen if they are forced to cancel the event due to COVID regulations. My dilemma about whether to attend Arival Phoenix or not this year The beta version of the Tourpreneur Approved Directory What is coming up on the Tourpreneur Podcast.

How Tour Operators Can Tap Into Local Markets with Checkfront's Kyla Steeves. (93)

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 17:34:00 -0400

Checkfront just released a free in-depth and highly actionable e-book on local marketing, which covers everything from optimizing your local presence online to standing out in the local community.

In this episode of the Tourpreneur podcast, Kyla Steeves who authored the local marketing guide for tour operators joins us and shares her 5 key marketing strategies.

Giving our first tour since lockdown with Via Nissa's Robert Levitt

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 11:00:00 -0400

Robert Levitt of Via Nissa Excursions joins the Tourpreneur Podcast and walks us through giving his first tour since lockdown. I'm really excited to share Robert's story because he posted photos of his tour on our Facebook. Robert's photos attracted hundreds of likes and the group was buzzing with excitement because this was the first sign we had seen of a real tour as opposed to a virtual tour. On the podcast, Robert shares with us how they adapted the business and tours to comply with the strict French regulations. He also shares how they marketed their tours to locals and discusses the different challenges when giving tours to locals rather than tourists.

Tour Operators showing resiliency but don't be fooled by the law of attraction

Sun, 31 May 2020 16:47:00 -0400

This month I have spoken with 2-3 tour operators each day. Some of those conversations you can hear on the Tourpreneur Podcast in our COVID-19 check-in. In this episode, I share why I am so inspired by tour operators optimism and resiliency. I also share why those touting the Law of Attraction (a.k.a. The Secret) across the tour operator Facebook groups are promoting a delusional type of positive thinking which could end up harming your tour business. That's not to say they are not well-intentioned but as the Arctic Monkeys' once sang 'don't believe the hype!'

5 tips on how to pivot into local marketing for tour operators

Tue, 26 May 2020 15:16:00 -0400

Today we discuss how you can pivot into local marketing for tour operators. We are joined by Marica Brewster, who runs the Von Mack Agency, a digital marketing agency that specializes in the tours and activities industry. Marica shares her beginner-friendly tips on how to pivot into local marketing for tour operators plus Marica highlights the importance of mindset.

5 Local Marketing for Tour Operator Tips

1. Perfect your message first. (Heartstring pull/ why “in your back yard” positioning is different, message foundation w seo, listings, etc)

2. Know your numbers! (Budget, GA stats, incoming visitation, search volume, projections, etc.)

3. Choose media buys that allow for quick pivots and more immediate optimization. (Time to get granular, lean to digital because of opportunity)

4. Partnerships and product development can be an “in.” (Restaurants, dmo/cvbs, etc)

5. Give back to the community. (Being an active part of a community helps w referrals, warm leads, social proof, etc)

Tour Operator COVID-19 Check-In - Undiscovered Charleston with Chef Forrest Parker

Sun, 24 May 2020 16:33:00 -0400

In this quick call, we check in with Chef Forrest Parker, the tour operator behind Underdiscovered Charleston - history, walking, and food tours! We learn how he is coping with the COVID-19 lockdown and how he plans to come back stronger. Forrest shares with us why he decided to offer food and history tours of Charleston and what he is doing to improve his tour business so he can come back stronger after the COVID-19 lockdown.

Do we need a non-profit tour operator association for smaller tour operators? Plus a tour success story

Sat, 23 May 2020 13:47:00 -0400

What I Learned This Week. First of all, I'm going to talk about, well, I'm going to ask the question, is it time that we had a nonprofit tour operator association for smaller tour operators; are the tour operator associations who are out there serving us? And secondly, I'm going to talk about a positive story that's just come in from Nice in France; someone's just led a tour. Yes. Remember those? No, not a virtual tour, ... humans getting together and going on a tour.

Tour Operator COVID-19 Check-In - Outer Banks Ghost Tours with Matt Marberry

Fri, 22 May 2020 16:40:00 -0400

In this quick call, we check in with Matt Marberry , the tour operator behind OBX Outer Banks Ghost Tours We learn how he is coping with the COVID-19 lockdown and how he plans to come back stronger. Matt shares with us how T-shirt print to demand is helping him cover his worker's comp payments during the lockdown plus what he is doing to reassure nervous travelers.

Arival Refund Policy, Tour Hygiene standards, and why now is a good time to change your tour website.

Thu, 21 May 2020 15:36:00 -0400

I discuss why we need a transparent Arival refund policy. What happens to your money if Arival is forced to cancel future events due to COVID-19? This week on the Tourpreneur Podcast, Jon Peahl revealed more about his new hygiene certification for tours, activities, and attractions. I share why I have serious misgivings about their phone-based screening for certification. Will the Sansee Shield assure nervous travelers? I am not convinced. Most of us are scared to change anything on our websites but on this episode, I share with you why now is the right time to make those changes/upgrades to your websites, copy, logos, photos, booking platforms, etc.

Tour Operator COVID-19 Check-In - Your Friend in Reykjavik

Wed, 20 May 2020 17:29:00 -0400

In this quick call, we check in with Valur Heiðar Sævarsson , the tour operator behind Your Friend In Reykjavik (Reykjavik Walking Tours) we learn how he is coping with the COVID-19 lockdown and how he plans to come back stronger.

How A Food Tour Operator is Growing Her Business During COVID-19 Pandemic

Tue, 19 May 2020 17:40:00 -0400

Food Tour Operator Theresa Nemetz of Milwaukee Food Tours joins us on the Tourpreneur Podcast. Theresa shares with us how she pivoted her food tour business during the Coronavirus pandemic to generate revenue and grow her business despite the lockdown.

I love working in the tours and activities industry because the vast majority of tour operators are willing to share not just their success story but how they achieved success, with other tour and activity providers.

My inbox blew up with Tourpreneur listeners asking me to interview Theresa on the show following a blog post she wrote titled 'Three Ways Tour Operators Can Grow During the COVID-19 Crisis.'

I wrote to Theresa and she agreed to come on the show and share more about her pivot. This is a rare success story in these tough times and I can't thank Theresa enough for coming on the show to discuss how the pivot came about and how she executed.

Tour Operator COVID-19 Check-In - Crawl New Orleans with Brian Cain

Fri, 15 May 2020 17:15:00 -0400

Brian tells Tourpreneur:

"Our revenue was growing 300% month over month up until the mandatory shut down here in New Orleans."

"Additionally, the expansion to our second market, Nashville, was finalized on March 4th with a planned launch on April 25th, which has been put on hold for an extended period of time to evaluate how tourism will come back. We have also implemented free virtual experiences to help with brand awareness and have received positive feedback.'

Tour Operator COVID-19 Check in -Boat Tours in Dubrovnik with Lukša Malohodžić

Wed, 13 May 2020 15:54:00 -0400

In this quick call, we check in with Lukša Malohodžić, the tour operator behind Rewind Dubrovnik boat tours we learn how he is coping with the COVID-19 lockdown and how he plans to come back stronger. Lukša also shares with us how he is spending his time learning on webinars and what he thinks about virtual tours.

Will Hygiene Certification For Tours and Activities Reassure Nervous Travelers? (80)

Tue, 12 May 2020 14:38:54 -0400

Jon Peahl is the Founder and President of Sansee and the company claim to have developed the first hygiene certification system built specifically for the tours and activities industry. They say that unlike the 'heavily regulated restaurant hotel and cruise ship sectors, governments don't regulate and inspect tours or attractions in the same way, leaving this highly fragmented section of the industry without any uniform sanitation guidelines. So I was curious to find out more.....

I've had enough. Let's build an independent resource for tour operators

Sun, 10 May 2020 16:34:00 -0400

I have had enough. Not a week goes by when I don't receive an email from a tour operator who paid for a service/product/tool/app/course that did not deliver. None of us can afford to be taken for a ride. So today I am asking you to help me create the 'Tourpreneur Approved' directory. This will be a free online directory of services/products/tools etc. recommended by tour operators for tour operators. My idea is that each listing will be accompanied by a genuine testimonial from a tour operator (or 2) who is open to being contacted by a fellow tour operator about that service/product. This is not a funnel because there are way too many of them out there. This information will live on the tourpreneur website. No email address needed. No PDF. Would you consider this a helpful resource for your tour business? Let me know.

What I Learned This Week - Arival's New Research on Tours, Activities and Attractions

Thu, 07 May 2020 19:36:00 -0400

On this week's installment of Tourpreneur's What I Learned This Week, I talk about the latest tours, activities, and attractions research report released by Arival. I also share what I learned on Redeam's local coalition webinar. I discuss my effort learning Canva, why I am grateful to work in the tour and activities industry and a new health hack to help me lose weight and gain energy.

Why I decided NOT to develop a virtual tour for my tour business with Jessica Hammer

Tue, 05 May 2020 15:41:29 -0400

Virtual tours, should you create one or not? Today's guest is tourpreneur, Jessica Hammer, from Taste of Toulouse food tours. Jessica also wondered whether she should be creating virtual tours, so she asked herself seven questions, reflected on her answers, and decided that no, she wasn't going to use her resources on building a virtual tour. In today's episode, she talks us through the 7 questions she asked herself. She reveals some of those answers and shares her thinking on why she decided creating virtual tours of her food tours is not right for her business. If you feel the FOMO or that you're feeling the urge to follow other tour operators and create a virtual tour, is to also ask yourself the same seven questions and really reflect on those answers, and decide for yourself whether a virtual tour is a good use of your time and resources. I know some of our listeners are enjoying success with virtual tours. I would love to invite you to the show so you can share with us how you've set your virtual tours up? What were the key components? What were the costs? How did you market it? What's the reaction been? Are you making money? How are you measuring success? And because we are an independent podcast, we are always are happy to host different opinions on these issues. Get in touch if you want to share more about your virtual tours on the podcast.

How We Can Keep our Tour Guides Engaged with Nikki Padilla Rivera

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 18:01:15 -0400

Nikki is going to share with us five ways that tour operators can keep our tour guides engaged. She shares actionable and practical tips based on years of experience at UA. Nikki was involved with tour guide commitment, employee retention, and happiness. She was responsible for tour guide quality in terms of brand consistency across experiences and also working with cultural values and creating a positive work culture. So Nikki has bags of experience when it comes to keeping tour guides happy. I also asked Nikki what makes a great tour guide.

What I Learned This Week - Webinar Fatigue and My First Virtual Tour

Sun, 26 Apr 2020 22:03:00 -0400

Hello and Welcome to Episode 76 of the Tourpreneur podcast. I hope this episode finds you and your family and your loved ones in the best of health. Today I'm kicking off a new series called What I Learned This Week. I want to share what I learned from the many tour operator webinars, summits, blogs, COVID-19 marketing guides that are being hosted and published. I hope you will join me by sharing your learning on our Monday School over at our private Facebook Group. In this short episode I talk more about: Tour Operator Webinar Fatigue. 90% of tourpreneurs on our recent poll said they felt overwhelmed with the amount of COVD-19 webinars for tour operators. My first Virtual Tour - I traveled to Pompeii with Walks. Booking platform payment models and why added booking fees may be a good thing.

Roundtable: Reservations Tech in a Post-Covid World -Arival Online

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:45:09 -0400

The rapid growth and adoption of reservation systems have made tech accessible to even the smallest operators and brought much of our industry online. Indeed, res tech has been an essential service, a utility, for our industry. What role can they play during this crisis? How can they help operators in the recovery? And how will the challenges of 2020 change the technology landscape for our industry? We’ll dive in and pull no punches as we talk tech and what it means for your business with leadership from four reservation systems. Presenters: Maria Aivalioti, COO, Travelotopos Hjalti Baldursson, CEO, Bokun Scott Zimmerman, CEO, Xola Kory Fawcett, CEO, Zaui Software Moderator: Douglas Quinby, CEO, Arival

Arival Workshop: Refresh Your Booking Tech with Christian Watts and Todd Kersey

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 18:14:59 -0400

Times may be tough, but there’s also never been a better time to review your processes and systems to make than as good as they can be. And that includes your booking tech. There has been so much new tech coming into our sector. But which system should you choose? What features do you need? Which pricing model is right for you? This workshop will help you build a plan for evaluating and implementing a technology platform to manage your tours and activities and run your business more efficiently. Who’s this for? Tour, activity and attraction operators considering new reservation technology

Tour Operator COVID-19 Check-In - Tudor Balaban of Sibiu Experience (75)

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 14:58:02 -0400

We check in with Tudor Balaban, who offers the Sibiu Experience in Transylvania, Romania via Airbnb Experiences to learn how he is coping with the COVID-19 lockdown and how he plans to come back stronger.

Tour Operator COVID-19 Check-In - Nicole Will of Asheville Wellness Tours

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 18:17:00 -0400

In this quick call, we check in with Nicole Will, the tour operator behind Asheville Wellness Tours in North Carolina to learn how she is coping with the COVID-19 lockdown and how she plans to come back stronger. Nicole shares with us why she thinks it is ok to pause and get back to basics with your tour business. We also talk about how motivating it is to see our tour industry pulling together.

Tour Operator COVID-19 Check-In – With Shutterbug Walkabouts

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 19:43:00 -0400

In this quick call, we check in with Coreena Vieth the tour operator behind Shutterbug Walkabouts of Tasmania to learn how she is coping with the COVID-19 lockdown and how she plans to come back stronger.

Tour Operator COVID-19 Check-In - Karin Risko of City Tour Detroit

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 18:27:11 -0400

In this quick call, we check in with Karin Risko, the tour operator behind City Tour Detroit to learn how she is coping with the COVID-19 lockdown and how she plans to come back stronger.

"You know, I feel like I'm starting over again for the third time. In 2012, I was getting ready, gung ho, and then I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The following year in 2013, again I'm revving up, and then my boyfriend passed away suddenly. And I really had no clue after that if I was going to go forth, because suddenly I had no passion for the business. This time it's a little bit different. I still do have passion, so I'm just kind of sitting back, I guess, sit back, breathe. Be grateful for what you do have. There's a lot of people, you know, we don't have to be on the front lines out there exposing ourself to this disease."

Tour Operator COVID-19 Check-In - Staci Giovino of Carmel Food Tours

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 15:06:00 -0400

We check in with Staci Giovino, the tourpreneur behind Carmel Food Tours to learn how they are coping with the COVID-19 lockdown

Tour Operator COVID-19 Check in with Miami Culinary Tours

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 15:16:00 -0400

In a quick call, Grace Della of Miami Culinary Tours shares with us how she is using the experience of dealing with hurricanes and Zika to build her business and bulletproof her mindset during the COVID-19 lockdown. - What are your action plans during quarantine? - What is your daily routine? How are you protecting your mental health? - How are you getting through this? What is your message to your fellow tour operators? - What are you doing to make sure your business comes out of this stronger than before? - What are you learning from peers and the online webinars that you plan on implementing in your business?

How the WFTA can help grow your food tour business with Erik Wolf

Sun, 12 Apr 2020 10:30:00 -0400

Welcome to episode 69 of the Tourpreneur Podcast. Today we discover how the WFTA can help you start or grow your food tour business. We're joined by Erik Wolf, the founder and executive director of the World Food Travel Association. The world's leading authority on food and beverage tourism. The WFTA mission is to 'preserve and promote culinary tours through hospitality and tourism' and on this episode of the Tourpreneur podcast, you will hear how they strive to achieve that.

How We Can Protect Our Mental Health During the COVID-19 Crisis

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 11:36:01 -0400

Welcome to Episode 68 of the Tourpreneur Podcast. Today's podcast is a little different from our usual format. I invited Miranda Peterson of Namaste in Nature onto the show to share mental health and wellness strategies and tips for tour operators as we all struggle through the COVID-19 crisis.

How TripSchool Can Help You Become a Better Tour Guide or Tour Director

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 11:30:00 -0400

Mitch Bach shares with us why he set up the immersive training company Tripschool and how he uses his 17 year experience to help you become a better tour guide and/or director and tour guide.

TripSchool offers immersive tour director & guide training experiences online and around the world! In this episode, we cover many topics, but this is not a sales pitch. Mitch shares with us how to build an engaging tour experience which will help to grow your tour business. I quizzed Mitch about the Tour Director Certification Course and if it would help me with my plans to set up my own brewery tour company. ( An idea that has been derailed since COVID-19 but I am still thinking about it but probably in 2021.) Mitch is not just a tour guide trainer, he also works as a tour guide and towards the end of the chat, Mitch shares with us one of his tour guide secrets that always blows the minds of his tour guests, it blew my mind as well.

Ask Me Anything: Tao Tao, Co-Founder at GetYourGuide - Arival Online

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 14:04:31 -0400

In this in-depth interview with GetYourGuide co-founder Tao Tao, discusses GetYourGuide's response to the coronavirus and the steps they are taking to support operators. Tao also goes deep on GetYourGuide's vision for its branded tour initiative GertYourGuide Originals, what does the online distribution look like in a post-coronavirus world, and what all of this means for operators of tours, activities, and attractions.

With thank to Arival Online and host Douglas Quinby.

Tour Operator Website Review and Tune-Ups with Jennifer Burke (66)

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 18:09:38 -0400

This week, digital marketing expert Jennifer Burke and Tourpreneur host Shane Whaley put two tour operator websites through the Tourpreneur Tune-Up. We review TheTourGuy.com and TypicallySwissTours.com Listen in and hear our suggestions on what we like, dislike and how these tour operators could supercharge their websites.

Arival: Pricing your tours & Marketing your tours in a Downturn with Luka Hempel

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 12:41:39 -0400

How do you price, market and push your products amid a global downturn in travel demand? When should you discount? What messaging and promotions should you use? This workshop walks through best practices and key tips to keep your marketing and pricing on track.

Should I trademark my tour business? With Attorney Gordon Firemark

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 14:40:00 -0400

In this candid and in-depth episode of Tourpreneur, we are joined by Gordon Firemark of Firemark Entertainment Law Offices, who specializes in the podcast and other entertainment copyright. I chat with him today about the ins and outs of trademark law for your tour company, when you should hire a lawyer and why you should trademark your tour company name. Registered trademarks are a concern for many Tourpreneurs, and I'm not a legal expert, so I've asked Gordon Firemark, who specializes in entertainment law and expert about trademarks in the United States. About the question of trademarking your name, Gordon says, "The short answer, I think is yes." Your brand name is what allows you to grow your business. Another person can start a company using a name that is confusingly similar to your own name, and that could really undermine your marketing and promotional efforts and slow down growth. Trademark registration is an essential way of protecting against this happening. "I would say this is near the top of the list of things to do from a legal standpoint and as you're getting a business off the ground." Trademarks are designed to protect distinctive names. Descriptive terms don't pass muster with the trademark registration folks until they've been used long enough to have acquired a secondary meaning in the mind of the consuming public. Make sure to choose your name wisely and choose a name that's distinctive so that you don't have the pushback in those early days. You really have to evaluate what your time is worth. You may spend two or three hours that the lawyer would complete under an hour and know your application is made right. What's your time worth for that when you could be either out running a tour and getting things taken care of so you have the bandwidth to do activities that are important for your business.

Arival Town Hall: Coronavirus Pulse Study and Open Discussion on How Are Operators Are Responding

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 14:42:18 -0400

Arival has been conducting a survey of the impact of coronavirus since March 8. In this Arival Online event, Arival CEO Douglas Quinby walks through key findings and discusses them with leading tour and activity operators.

How can the Tourpreneur Podcast serve you during the Coronavirus crisis?

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 17:45:35 -0400

Our industry is hurting badly right now, there is no sugar-coating this. Shane wants to know what you wantto hear on the Tourpreneur Podcast as we battle through the coronavirus crisis together. My name may be on the intro but this is your show. Tell us what you need to learn or hear going forward.

Food Tour Operators Round Table - What is Food Tour Week?

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Three Food Tour Operators or as we call them food tourpreneurs, discuss all things food tours. Including what is Food Tour Week, what booking platform they use for their food tour business and much more! We are joined by Lauren McCabe Herpich (Local Food Adventures), Midgi Moore (Juneau Food Tours) and Kevin Durkee (Culinary Adventure Company.)

How Tour Operators Can Prepare For The Impact of Coronavirus on our businesses with Peter Syme

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 18:00:05 -0400

Coronavirus is hitting the travel industry hard. On this episode we talk to tour industry veteran Peter Syme who shares actionable tips on what tour operators need to be doing in order to protect our tour businesses.

How Sean Finelli gave Wall Street up for Rome and built his own tour business from scratch. (63)

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 11:00:00 -0400

Sean Finelli walked away from a lucrative analyst job on Wall Street to move to Rome. He worked numerous bar and restaurant jobs to pay his way and then found himself selling tours on the streets of Rome. This is when his life changed. Sean worked his way up from selling tours for others outside the Colosseum to building his own successful tour business. Sean reveals he suffers from dyslexia but also shares how he has turned it into an advantage.

Tools for Tomorrow's Tour Operator | ARIVAL Orlando 2019

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 10:00:00 -0400

How travelers experience a tour, an attraction or activity and the ways in which operators can deliver those experiences are changing rapidly. In this first-time session at Arival, we feature new innovations that could change the way you do business. Then, the Arival Observation Deck, comprised of four veteran operators and investors, evaluate each presentation live on stage and ask key questions to help determine if these tools could be a part of your tomorrow. The Tools & Innovators: Alex Govoreanu, Questo - the game is the tour Christian Watts, Magpie - all of your content, everywhere Michael Weiss, Bitemojo - food tours by smartphone

The Science of Designing an Amazing Guest Experience | ARIVAL Orlando 2019

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 11:00:00 -0400

How do you begin to design a major new attraction in a destination that already has it all? In this talk, attractions industry veteran Jason Horkin walks us through the design-led approach they took to develop the Vessel and the Edge, and how New York City’s Hudson Yards tackled design and development challenges in the very busy Big Apple. Speaker: Jason Horkin, Executive Director at Related/Hudson Yards

James Blick , Devour Tours and The Joy of Growing Pains | ARIVAL Orlando 2019

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 10:30:00 -0400

Growth in most companies is hardly a straight line up, but more like an adventure course with plenty of downs as well as ups. In this operator story, James Blick shares the lessons learned from Devour’s tours and detours since its founding in 2012 to its expansion to seven cities across Europe. Speaker: James Blick, Co-Founder & COO at Devour Tours

Roundtable with Res Tech -FareHarbor, Rezdy, Checkfront and Peek | ARIVAL Orlando 2019

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 12:00:00 -0400

The rapid growth and adoption of reservation systems have made mission-critical tech accessible to even the smallest operators and brought much of our industry online. But just how different are all of these systems (Arival has identified more than 100), how do operators begin to choose, and what does it mean now that alignments are emerging between some tech systems and major online travel agencies? We’ll dive in and pull no punches as we talk tech and what it means to you with the CEOs of four reservation system companies. Res Tech Panelists: Chris Atkin, CEO of Rezdy Ruzwana Bashir, Co-Founder & CEO of Peek Jason Morehouse, Co-founder & CEO of Checkfront Max Valverde, CEO of FareHarbor

Let's Get Direct about Growth and Distribution | ARIVAL Orlando 2019

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 11:30:00 -0400

This operator roundtable delves into challenges and best practices around working with OTAs, managing distribution channels and building a direct and diversified sales strategy.

From the Champions League to Tour Operator - the Story of Typically Swiss Tours

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 12:30:00 -0400

Chris was a prominent administrator at UEFA, the football authority in Europe, and unfortunately was laid off in his mid-forties. When looking for another career job, Chris realized he had a passion and knowledge of the Swiss Countryside, decided to buy himself a van, and start his own business as a tour operator.

This is the story behind Typically Swiss Tours.

Arival Orlando - Hotels Want You with Susan DeBottis VP at Marriott

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Travelers may stay in rooms, but they seek experiences, and lodging providers can be a key point of sale for operators. In this talk, we’ll hear how the world’s biggest hotel chain is approaching the Best Part of Travel, and how you can grow your sales through hotel and accommodation partners. Speaker: Susan DeBottis, VP, Tours & Activities at Marriott International

Arival Orlando. Disruption is Universal - Frank Belzer SVP Universal Parks

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 10:00:00 -0400

No matter how large or how small, no company is immune to the disruption that technology innovation and changing traveler demands can bring. In this session, you’ll learn how Universal, one of the leading global theme park brands, approaches some of the most disruptive forces in our industry. Plus, you’ll get their take on key trends in tech, distribution and what’s next for the guest experience. Speakers: Frank Belzer, Senior Vice President - Portfolio Sales at Universal Parks and Resorts Jenna Blumenfeld, Managing Editor at Arival

Starting a Walking Tour Business from scratch with Steve Chapman

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 11:30:00 -0400

In this candid and in-depth episode of Tourpreneur, I chat with Steve Chapman of Salida Walking Tours. who walks through starting a walking tour business from scratch. Steve Chapman was a founder of his own strategic marketing consulting company and decided to sell his business in 2018. He needed a new career and turned to his hometown of Salida, which is Colorado's largest national historic district, to start a walking tour business.

Arival Orlando - Ask Me Anything: Airbnb with Riccardo Ulivi

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Experiences, the once-fledgling tours and activities initiative of the online accommodation giant, is growing up fast. Airbnb now boasts more than 30,000 experiences around the world, a new multi-day tour division and more. This candid interview will delve into how Airbnb is working operators, and we’ll ask their head North America the questions you need answered to see if you should be working with them.

Arival Orlando - A Very Visible Impact - Zakia Moulaoui of Invisible Cities

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 10:00:00 -0400

At Arival Orlando 2019, Invisible Cities’ founder shares her vision for making the invisible visible, and how tour and activity operators can have a social and local impact. Every tour operator wants their tours and experiences to have an impact. But Invisible Cities in the UK, Scotland, seeks to be transformational for its guides as well as its guests. Founded in 2016, this company trains individuals affected by homelessness to become guides and lead alternative tours – now across four cities. Invisible Cities’ founder shares her vision for making the invisible visible, and how tour and activity operators can have a social and local impact.

The Story of Walks with CEO Stephen Oddo (60)

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 12:30:00 -0400

Stephen Oddo, CEO and Co-Founder of Walks reveals why he built he started the walking tour company and shares lessons he has learned along the way.

How To Build a Social Enterprise in Tours and Activities with Zakia Moulaoui of Invisible Cities (59)

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 12:00:00 -0400

Four years ago, Zakia Moulaoui founded a tour operator business with a difference. Her tour company Invisible Cities recruits, trains and hire tour guides who have been affected by homelessness, addiction, and other tough life circumstances. In this candid and in-depth episode of Tourpreneur, the podcast for tour operators, we learn how to build a social enterprise in the tours and activities sector. This is not an interview with an academic or lecturer. In today's episode, you will hear from an inspirational tour operator who started her own social enterprise with no cash nor any previous business experience. Since she started in Edinburgh, Zakia has now expanded into 5 British cities. Zakia Moulaoui talks us through the highs and lows of starting, running and growing a social enterprise in the tour sector.

How Lauren built a Bay Area food tour business in a 'secondary' market

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 12:00:00 -0400

Building a profitable food tour business is tough. Building a food tour business in a 'secondary' destination with the foodie heaven of San Francisco right on your doorstep? Even tougher! On today's Tourpreneur, the podcast for tour operators, you will hear the story of Lauren McCabe Herpich, the tourpreneur behind Local Food Adventures in Oakland, California. In this candid conversation with Tourpreneur host Shane Whaley, Lauren McCabe Herpich shares with us the highs and lows about starting her own food tour business from scratch.

2019 in Review: OTAs, Booking Platforms - with Chris Torres

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 11:30:00 -0400

Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley and Digital Travel Show Host Chris Torress discuss the major events of 2019 for the Tours and Activities Industry. includes:

OTAs for tour operators. Good or a bad thing or both?
The changing face of the tours and activities OTA landscape.
Booking.com pulling out of the Experiences sector (for now.)
Massive changes at Expedia.
What exactly is Groupon doing in the tours and activities space?
How was Arival 2019 in Orlando for Shane and Chris? What did we learn? What did we enjoy?
We give you our opinions on that res tech debate between Peek, FareHarbor, Checkfront, and Rezdy.
Who is our Tour Operator/Tourpreneur of the Year?
And Much More...

How Nick Wilson Built a Wicked Wine and now a Weed Tour

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 15:34:00 -0400

Its the final episode of the Espresso Interviews from Arival. Nick Wilson shares with us how he leveraged his experience working at a luxury hotel to create Wicked Wine Tours and more recently the Wicked Weed Tour. Nick loves wine and always wanted to build how own business, in this espresso episode of the Tourpreneur Podcast with Shane Whaley, Nick reveals how five years ago, he started Wicked Wine tours in British Columbia and recently a Kelowna Weed Tour!

How To Start a Weed Tour Business.

Nick tells us that weed tours are similar to wine tours, there's no consumption in the vehicles. They take their guests to either a grow operation or an extraction facility, "A lot of people, maybe, have had experience with cannabis but they really don't know a heck of a lot about it. Very similar to our wine guests. "I like to drink wine but I don't know a lot about it." says Nick. He continued: "We educate them on the plant, male, females, indica, sativa, CBD, THC, all that kind of stuff. Now they're armed with a little bit of knowledge. Off we go to the dispensaries. They have private appointments with the budtenders. They can purchase their product, and many of our guests are from out of town so they don't want to fly with their cannabis which is legal in Canada, but if you're an international guest, obviously it isn't. They get to do a little shopping for their product while they're in town for a few days, and the feedback's been amazing."

What To Ask A Digital Marketing Agency before Hiring Them For Your Tour Business

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 14:15:00 -0400

Tom Kratsch of the digital marketing agency, Activities and Tours Marketing by TRK Creative Group sat down with Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley, and shares some tips from his 25 years in digital tourism marketing and highlights the importance of measuring marketing performance in your tour operator business.

Tom Kratsch's digital marketing agency Activities and Tours Marketing by TRK Creative Group focuses on the tours and activity industry.

Arival Review: Alice and Torin from Episode 1 review their second Arival

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 14:41:00 -0400

Alice and Torin (The Flying Bike Guided Bike Tours, Asheville) who appeared on Episode 1 of the Tourpreneur Podcast sat down with Shane at Arival Orlando to give us an Arival Review. Alice and Torin, are second-time attendees, they share what their favorite Arival sessions were, who inspired them, what they are going to do differently as a result of attending Arival and where Arival can improve for future events.

Tour Operator Success Strategies - Tips From My 22 Years in the Tour Business with Todd Kersey

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 15:30:00 -0400

There are a lot of inspiration and tips for tour operators in this one. Todd Kersey started his tour business, 22 years ago and now manages tours in 5 states and in 240 locations. Todd employees 280 people and he shares with us his tips for managing tour operator staff.

Talking of Success Strategies for Tour Operators, Todd reveals that 74% of all his business comes via Search Engine Optimization and less than 2% of his tours are booked via OTAs!

YourBikerGang: How This Tour Operator Help Their Guests 'Unleash Their Bad Side!"

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 11:30:00 -0400

Sweet John Muehlbauer sat down with Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley, and shares more with us about how YourBikerGang strives to help guests 'unleash their bad side.'

Sweet John walks us through YourBikerGang's pricing strategy and shares with us how they market and price a tour that, is so unique, nobody is searching for it.

Why our Multi-Day Tours are Truly Immersive with Bindlestiff Tours Robert Graff.

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 11:30:00 -0400

Robert sat down with Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley, and shares more with us about how Bindlestiff Tours create truly immersive experiences on their multi-day tours. We also talk about the major differences selling multi-day tours online, how the booking window is different and the challenge of selling multi-day tours online because of the higher price point. I also ask Robert how he reckons the tours, activities and experiences industry has changed over the years. Robert Graff speaks at many trade conferences and events, I have been lucky to see him on stage several times. He is an industry professional, a travel industry veteran that I have admired from afar, so I was delighted to spend some time with Robert, though ten minutes did not do us justice. I hope he is open to coming back on the show, maybe on one of our future round tables to discuss the state of the tours and activities industry because he has so much experience and knowledge to share with us.

Website Tips for Tour Operators with TourismTiger Founder Matthew Newton (50)

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 11:30:00 -0400

TourismTiger's Matt Newton is one of the most experienced and knowledgable people I know when it comes to marketing tours and in today's episode, he shares some top website tips for tour operators. His book Sell More Tours (2015) is crammed with online marketing and web site tips for Tour Operators, it was one of the first books I read when I made the transition from hotels to the tour industry. I was delighted to finally meet Matt at Arival in Orlando and honored that he agreed to sit down for a quick chat to share his knowledge and marketing tips for tour operators.

TV and Movie Tours in NYC with On Location Tours Founder, Georgette Blau (49)

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 11:30:00 -0400

Georgette Blau is the founder of On Location Tours offering TV and Movie Tours in NYC. From Sex in the City tours to The Sopranos Tours and now even Superhero tours. Georgette sat down with Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley, and shares with us how she got started offering TV and movie tours in NYC. Georgette's story is inspirational.

How We Moved to the Caribbean and Built a Boat Tour Business from Scratch

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 11:00:00 -0400

In this candid interview, Ellen of Breakers Boat Trips Punta Cana shares their lessons on not just setting up a tour business, but being a tour operator in a foreign country.

We also talk about boat trips marketing, how Ellen sells tours through hotels and how most of her OTA bookings for her tours are coming via Bookit.

The Story of Key West Food Tours with Founder Annalise Smith (47)

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 11:30:00 -0400

Annalise Smith is the founder of Key West Food Tours, rated #1 for food tours in Key West on Tripadvisor. Annalise sat down with Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley, and shared the origin story and mission of Key West Food Tours with us.

Key West Food Tours was founded in 2014 to offer visitors of Key West a taste of authentic local culinary experiences while providing historical anecdotes

Initially, Annalise wanted to invite people to her Cuban grandmother's home to enjoy an authentic Cuban family dining experience.

The City said no to Annalise's tour business idea because of health codes. That lead Annalise to explore the world of food tours. That was the catalyst behind Key West Food Tours. In this conversation, Annalise shares her marketing strategies with us for her food tours and she reveals how she overcame resistance from restaurants who did not see the benefit of being a part of a food tour.

Why Sixthrills Strive To Be The 'B Side' Of Tours In Their City. With Pedro Demarche (46)

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 11:30:00 -0400

What exactly is the 'B side' of tours? Pedro DeMarche, of Spanish tour operator, Sixthrills sat down with Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley, and shared more about the mission of their company.

What is the mission of Toursbylocals? With CEO Paul Melhus

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:30:00 -0400

In this inspirational episode, Paul Melhus, the founder of Toursbylocals sat down with Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley, and shared more about the mission of Toursbylocals. Paul tells us how he was inspired to start Toursbylocals following a visit to the Great Wall of China where he enjoyed a tour by locals (who then tried selling them keepsakes in exchange.)

Paul Melhus takes us on a journey from that flight home to growing a network of just over 4,000 tour guides in 923 locations in 160 countries around the world.

We also learn how Toursbylocals vet all their tour guides, how they market their tours and why they won't take on new tour guides unless they feel confident they can deliver bookings.

Digital Marketing Tips For Tour Operators with Jaden Cymbaluk

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 11:30:00 -0400

In this episode, we talk all about digital marketing tips for tour operators. At Arival Orlando. Digital Marketing expert Jaden Cymaluk of IWerx Connect sat down with Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley. Jaden generously shares digital marketing tips for tour operators including how tourpreneurs should vet a digital marketing agency, why it is always important to work with a marketing company that understands the tour industry and why a one-off Facebook post is not going to be effective. And Much More!

How We Built a Movie Tour Business with Carrie Burns (43)

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 12:00:00 -0400

Carrie Burns is a movie buff who built a tour operator business around films. She sat down with Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley and explained how Atlanta Movie Tours started, how they market their movie tours, some of the challenges they face and much more. Carries generously shares advice on how to get started creating your own movie tours in your city.

Mina Okpi's mission to get people of color into the outdoors and in nature

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 12:00:00 -0400

Mina Okpi is a tour operator on a mission. She sat down with Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley and explained why she feels the outdoors industry is not marketing to people of color and what her tour business is doing about it. 'I noticed that a lot of people of color and black people weren't outdoors and taking advantage of the healing that I thought nature was able to bring to people. And that really made me sad in a way. And so I wanted to change that and I wanted to bring that outdoors and the healing and that feeling and community to communities of color.'

Social Media Tips for Tour Operators w/ Shawn Teasley

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 12:30:00 -0400

Shawn Teasley sat down with Tourpreneur Podcast Host Shane Whaley and shared three social media tips for tour operators.

I was excited to chat with Shawn, as she is a social media expert with vast experience of working within the tours and hospitality industry. She is also very generous with her time and knowledge because she is passionate about social media and tours. In this quick chat, I asked Shawn to share with us her top three social media tips for tour operators. Shawn has kindly agreed to come back on the Tourpreneur Podcast on a future episode to answer more of your social media questions and to give us more social media tips for tour operators because 10 minutes is not enough time to learn from such an experienced social media strategist.

Sharing the best of Asheville through the lens of Wellness. Meet Nicole Will (40)

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 12:00:00 -0400

Nicole Will sat down with Tourpreneur Podcast Host Shane Whaley and shared why she decided to start her own tour business having worked as a tour guide for many years.

We also discuss some of the challenges she has faced since launching her Asheville Wellness tours business which includes working with 50+ partners. Nicole also reveals why she picked Xola as her booking software partner and we learn more about her marketing and OTA strategy.

Meet Miranda Peterson, who quit her corporate job to launch her own yoga tour company.

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 12:30:00 -0400

Miranda Peterson sat down with Tourpreneur Podcast Host Shane Whaley and told us how she gave up her corporate job, went on sabbatical around the world and came home to build a yoga tours business in Asheville.

Miranda walks us through how she tested her idea to see if there was a demand for yoga tours in Asheville. We also discuss some of the challenges she has faced since launching her yoga tours business including why she moved from FareHarbor to Peek and we learn more about her marketing and OTA strategy.

The Story of Secret Food Tours with Linda Denbrock

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 12:30:00 -0400

10 minutes with Linda Denbrock of Secret Food Tours. Secret Food Tours offers delicious food tours in over 55 cities in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Linda sat down with Tourpreneur Podcast Host Shane Whaley and revealed the mission of Secret Food Tours including how they strive to deliver an authentic, immersive experience for their food tour guests plus how they market their tours to travelers.

Why I enjoy working with Urban Adventures. With David Naczycz (37)

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 12:30:00 -0400

David Naczycz of NYC Urban Adventures sat down with Tourpreneur Podcast Host Shane Whaley and revealed how built his tour company and why he decided to work with Urban Adventures.

From free walking tour guide to building my own tour business Arnaud Azoulay, CEO of Babylon Tours (36)

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 12:00:00 -0400

10 mins with Arnaud Azoulay of Babylon Tours. Arnaud sat down with Tourpreneur Podcast Host Shane Whaley and revealed how built his tour company, Babylon Tours. He also shares with us insights and tips for other tour operators including which booking platform they work with and how they work remotely and how they hire tour guides

Meet the Tour Operator. Bryan Bou of Spotin Tours Puerto Rico (35)

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 11:30:00 -0400

10 mins with Bryan Bou of Spotin Tours. He shares with us how they moved from being an app to a tour operator. He shares with us their success strategies, insights, and tips for other tour operators including which booking platform they work with.

Special Announcement - Daily Dose of Inspiration for Tour Operators.

Sun, 17 Nov 2019 16:43:00 -0400

Shane announces a new format and series of episodes for the next month on Tourpreneur. For the next four weeks, Tourpreneur will deliver you a daily dose of inspiration as we distill tips and strategies of fellow tourpreneurs in 10 min episodes.

APAC Arival 2019: Roundtable on the Future of In-Destination in Asia

Sat, 16 Nov 2019 13:17:26 -0400

Let’s face it: The In-destination industry has been the hottest sector of travel over the past few years. Venture capital keeps pouring in, M&A is accelerating, technology is (finally) taking hold and operators across the region and around the world are investing in tech. Where does this all lead? Will OTAs own the day? Do operators have a voice? What will these changes mean to creators and sellers across the region? A leading venture investor, a corporate strategist and a startup CEO who’s seen it all explain the present and chart the future for The Best Part of Travel.

Who are Checkfront and how can they help your tour business? Round Table

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 19:13:00 -0400

On Episode 34 of Tourpreneur, the podcast for tour operators, we sat down with Checkfront who provide reservation software for tour operators, to find out more about the company and specifically how they can help tour businesses.

An important element of selecting a booking platform for your tour business is getting a feel for the company, its mission and of course its employees.

We can all take an online demo, read the publicity and the 'About' pages but will their values really align with yours? One of the main reasons we recommend Tourpreneur listeners attend events such as Arival is to meet the booking platform partners in person so you can assess if they are the right fit for your tour business

We know that it is not always possible to attend events so as part of the Tourpreneur mission to flatten the learning curve for tour operators, we will bring you interviews with the main players in the booking software for tour and activity operators.

First up, at ARIVAL Orlando, we spoke with Checkfront CEO Jason Morehouse, VP of Product Stephanie Brachat. We also invited Alan Rust of America Tour Company (here is story on Episode 8) for the tour operator perspective. Tourpreneur host Shane Whaley was armed with questions sent in by tour operators who wanted to know more about Checkfront. So sit back and hear more about them and how they feel they can help your business.

APAC Arival 2019 - Responsible Tourism as Company Culture & Habit

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 11:30:00 -0400

Raj Gyawali, Founding Director of the leading Nepal tour operator socialtours (and Asia’s first Travelife-certified brand), speaks to building a company culture with responsible practices baked into day-to-day operations. He shares how every tour and attraction operator can embed sustainable habits into the daily routine of its staff, tours and the experience of their customers.

APAC Arival 2019 - Roundtable: DMOs & the State of In-Destination in Asia

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 11:30:00 -0400

Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) play a pivotal role in driving tourism and advancing the interests of local tours, activities and attractions. This session assembles leaders from some of Asia’s most important tourism bodies to discuss key trends in travel across Asia, the role of DMOs.

Arival Orlando attendees tell us what they thought of the event (and major takeaways) 33

Sun, 03 Nov 2019 17:54:29 -0400

As Arival Orlando drew to a close, Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley hit the network lounge and lobbies to ask Arival attendees what they thought of Arival Orlando and what were some of their major take aways.

APAC Arival 2019 - CEO of I Love Asia Tour Lien Nguyen is on a mission to empower women across Vietnam

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 10:30:00 -0400

From full-time student and part-time tour guide to full-time-plus as entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of I Love Asia Tour Lien Nguyen is on a mission to empower women across Vietnam and beyond to step up, and out, as tour guides and independent entrepreneurs in their own right.

APAC Arival 2019 - So you have made a profit. What’s next? How do we grow?

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 10:30:00 -0400

Most tour and activity operators start their business with a passion. But once that passion turns into profit, every entrepreneur faces the same questions: What’s next? How do we grow? More tours? New destinations? And how do create processes and build the right team to make it all happen? In this talk, Hello! Tours founder Laura Blackhall shares her journey to answer these tough questions and build her company into a multi-destination operation.

YouTube tips for Tour Operators. How Rob generates 90% of his bookings from YouTube. (32)

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0400

YouTube for Tour Operators. We show you how Rob at TripHacks DC built a youtube channel that delivers 90% of his tour bookings. We also talk about how he got started, and how he competes in the highly competitive area of Washington DC. His tour ranks #9 out of 209 on Tripadvisor. This episode is action packed with ideas for all tour operators.

APAC Arival 2019 - The Power of Passion (Plus Some Hawker Chicken & Rice)

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0400

How in the world does an Israeli journalist arrive in Singapore and within a few short years develop one of the most talked-about food tours that’s featured by the Singapore Tourism Board? In this talk, Karni Tomer shares her passion, purpose and hunger for the street food of her adopted country and how it propelled her business forward.

APAC Arival 2019 - Is the multi-attraction pass optimized for operators in APAC?

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0400

The flexible, use-as-you-go multi-attraction pass has been on the rise around the world. But is this pass optimized for operators in the Asia Pacific region? This presentation walks through the basics of the multi-attraction pass, and explores whether it is the right choice for your business.

How do I promote my specialty tours? - Ask the Expert (31)

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 15:36:10 -0400

How do I promote my specialty tours asks an Edinburgh based tour operator? In this special Ask the Expert edition of Tourpreneur, Shane Whaley brings together tour operator, Olga the owner of Cobble Tales and a digital marketing expert and tour operator Ben Oliver of Drinking History Tours to tackle tough marketing questions. With practical and actionable advice any tourpreneur can implement, this hour is packed full of value.

APAC Arival 2019 - Why This Online Brand Delivers Offline Experiences

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 10:30:00 -0400

Most think of online travel agencies (OTAs) as simply online resellers of other operators' products. But Taiwan-based KKDay is not your typical OTA. They are getting into customer delivery with KKDay branded experiences. In this talk, the company's regional executive director explains why.

APAC Arival 2019 - Tour Operators have their say on the big challenges and trends shaping their decisions today and tomorrow.

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0400

No aspect of the travel industry is facing more challenges and change than tour operating. New technology and shifting traveler demands are compelling tour companies to change what they offer and how they offer it. This session brings leading operators from across the region to have their say on the big challenges and trends shaping their decisions today and tomorrow.

How Erik built a tour operator business from scratch (and how he sold it.)

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:45:17 -0400

San Francisco tour founder Erik Hormann started with one Volkswagen bus and built a thriving vintage van tour business. After 5 years, he sold it to new owners, bringing the business full circle. This is his story and it is packed with lessons and advice for tour operators.

APAC Arival 2019 - Understanding the Muslim Traveler

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Representing some $150 billion in spend from nearly 200 million travelers across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and beyond, the Muslim traveler marketplace is large and rapidly growing. But the needs and expectations of the segment are distinct. This session will walk through the essentials

APAC Arival 2019 -The View from Google with Eugenie Lam

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 10:00:00 -0400

From search and shop to serving and booking, the global search giant has big plans for the in-destination industry. In this talk, Google’s head of travel partnerships for APAC gives the Google view on The Best Part of Travel, and what that means for operators of tours, activities and attractions.

How Jeremy turned his passion for NYC into a tour business. (29)

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 14:06:34 -0400

After working for large tours in NYC, Jeremy knew he wanted to offer something others didn’t. His ideal tour concept was one that was customized, with fewer guests and a more personalized experience. With the ability and first-hand knowledge to take visitors to see other beautiful and culturally rich sites of New York most tours don’t cover, Jeremy knew he could do it. Confident his idea was solid, he set out to learn all he could about how to get a tour successfully launched in an already heavily saturated market. Custom NYC Tours was born.

This is his story.

APAC Arival 2019 - Roundtable: There's No Such Thing as Asia

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Unless somehow Korean, Thai, Indonesian and Australian travelers all started traveling, behaving and spending the exact same way, it’s clear there’s no single Asian market. This essential roundtable assembles leading online travel agencies (OTAs) of tours, activities and attractions to discuss the diverse trends shaping varied travel markets and traveler segments from across the region.

APAC Arival 2019 - What you need to know about the Indian traveller

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 10:00:00 -0400

It’s one of the fastest growing travel markets and India’s travelers are hungry for tour and activity experiences across Asia. This research presentation walks through the essentials of the Indian market, and explores how it’s growing, the unique values of Indian travelers and what operators need to know to win them over.

How To Build a Sustainable Tour Business with Anula Galewska

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 10:30:00 -0400

Anula Galewska, is a Tourpreneur, and a sustainable tourism expert. She helps small and big tourism businesses grow by improving their sustainability operations and marketing. Over the last decade, she has audited tour operators and hotels for sustainable tourism, so she's a real expert in this space. I wanted to talk to Anula Galewska because sustainable tourism means different things to different people. We all want to do more for the environment. We all want to do more for our local economy. We all want to build a sustainable tour business. We are all trying to make a profit, we're working hard to make a living. How can we make profits in our tour business whilst doing good? So I figured it would be good to talk to Anula about how she defines sustainable tourism and to give us some takeaways of how we can build a sustainable tour business. She has also recently launched a course. Sustainable Tourism Made Easy, it goes live on October 3, which is a simple step by step system to accelerate our tour business through sustainability. I ask her more about the course, who it is designed for and what it entails. Tourpreneur is NOT affiliated with the course but we do highly recommend Anula's work and rate her expertise.

Arival APAC 2019 - Curating Local Culinary Experiences with Cecilia Leung

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 12:00:00 -0400

“Local Experiences” are the latest buzzword, but what are they really? What does local authenticity really mean? And how do we infuse it into a traveler experience? Isn’t a tour or an activity a local experience? Here, Hong Kong-based culinary entrepreneur Cecilia Leung shares her insights on creating authentic local experiences through food, and how you can too.

APAC Arival 2019 - Are Asia's Super Apps Defining Our Future?

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 12:00:00 -0400

From WeChat and Go-Jek to Grab, LINE, Meituan and more, Asia’s rising Super Apps are just about everywhere. Theyare offering pretty much everything and are challenging every sector of both online and offline commerce. How will they change the way your customers plan and book things to do? Walking us through the state of Super Apps and what they mean to creators and sellers of tours, activities and attractions is one of the region’s long-standing experts in digital travel, Brett Henry.

How to improve guests experience on your tour with Josh Liebman (27)

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:51:18 -0400

On Episode 27 of the Tourpreneur Podcast Guest Experience Expert, Josh Liebman of the Attraction Pros podcast shares his tips on how we can improve guest experience on our tours. I ask Josh what he's learned by evaluating theme parks and attractions that we can as tour operators implement in our business to improve the guest experience.

How to improve guests experience on your tour with Josh Liebman and Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley. Welcome to Episode 27 of the Tourpreneur podcast where we flatten the learning curve to help you grow your tour business and delight your customers and delighting customers is a big part of today's episode.

Episode 27 is all about how we improve the guests experience. I got chatting with Joshua Liebman. He has more than 13 years of experience in the theme parks and attractions industry. Joshua specializes in guest experience training, guest experience feedback, mystery shopping, quality assurance consulting. So he works very closely with theme parks and attractions to go in and mystery shop then evaluates and work out how they can create an even better experience for their guests.

I ask Josh what he's learned by evaluating theme parks and attractions that we can as tour operators implement in our business to improve the guest experience.

APAC Arival - Preserving Cultures, Sustaining Locals and Making Profits

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Most online travel startups dream of big funding rounds, big profits and even bigger exits. This startup thinks about preserving Thailand’s diverse culture and supporting local communities. Achi Thamparipattra, CEO and Chief of Fun of HiveSters, sold us on her vision. In this talk, you’ll find out why.

APAC Arival - How to Use Data to Improve Your Tours with GetYourGuide's Abhinav Kumar.

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 12:00:00 -0400

Most tour and activity operators start with passion and follow their instinct and expertise to design great guest experiences. Tomorrow’s operators will use data analysis and careful customer observations to design experiences of the future. In this talk, GetYourGuide’s lead for Southeast Asia walks us through their data-driven journey to custom design a tour product with a partner in Indonesia, and provides insights on how every experience creator can use science as well as art to serve their guests.

How Free Tour Guides Get Paid and Why John Wants To Disrupt the Model. (26)

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 13:20:29 -0400

We lost some audio on episode 25. so here John talks us through how tour guides of free walking tours get paid and how he is trying to pay his tour guides a full time salary.

How I built a free walking tours business. With John O'Sullivan

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 14:08:00 -0400

I've never really understood how companies make money from a free walking tour and John kindly walks us (sorry for the pun) through it. He's a very passionate entrepreneur and in this episode, we had a great chat about how he got started with his tour business, how he promotes his tours, the business model behind free walking tours, managing tour guides, the OTA landscape, digital marketing etc

Arival APAC: AMA with AirAsia COO Aaron Sarma

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 10:30:00 -0400

Asia’s iconic low-cost carrier has been methodically, if not so quietly, plotting to win big in tours, activities and attractions. In this interview, we sit down with AirAsia.com COO to discuss the carrier's plans for the Best Part of Travel.

Arival APAC: Round Table. OTAs and Whats Next in Distribution

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Distribution dynamics in tours, activities and attractions are rapidly changing. Online travel agencies (OTAs) are growing fast, raising lots of capital, acquiring reservation systems and driving all sorts of innovations. This poses many important questions to operators of all sizes and segments. This roundtable of OTA leaders and operators will debate them all—and answer tough audience questions.

How I built City Sightseeing San Francisco and now Magpie Travel- Spotlight on Christian Watts. (23)

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 20:06:16 -0400

Christian Watts, founder of City Sightseeing San Francisco and now CEO at Magpie Travel shares his journey in the travel industry in our Tourpreneur Spotlight series. Christian Watts reveals in a candid conversation with Tourpreneur host Shane Whaley, how he moved to San Francisco and climbed the ladder in the travel industry. Christian started his career in tours and activities as a pedicab driver near Fishermans Wharf and went on to found the hop on hop off City Sightseeing bus tour company which he managed and grew for over two decades.

Arival APAC - Ask Me Anything with Klook's Wilfred Fan

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Klook has in just a few short years grown to become a leading online travel agency (OTA) for tours and activities across Asia. Now, with a $500 million war chest, they have big plans for global expansion. In this in-depth interview, get the inside scoop on one of the most talked-about companies in online travel. Learn where Klook is headed, and what it means for your tour, activity or attraction business.

Arival APAC - Douglas Quinby delivers an overview of the key trends and issues shaping The Best Part of Travel in Asia

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 10:00:00 -0400

An overview of the key trends and issues shaping The Best Part of Travel in Asia and what’s ahead for creators and sellers of tours, activities and attractions with Arival CEO Douglas Quinby

Facebook Ads for Tour Operators - tips based on a study of 1600 FB ads with Crowdriff's Amrita Gurney

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 23:48:00 -0400

On this episode, we talk best practices for Facebook Ads for Tour Operators. Today's guest is Amrita Gurney. She is the Vice President of Marketing at Crowdriff. A couple of weeks ago on the Daily Brief, which is the email I send out every day where I curate all the major news in tours and activities and digital marketing. I shared a state of the industry report that Crowdriff released all about Facebook ads. Crowdriff analyzed and visualized the data on more than 1600 Facebook ads run by state destination marketing organizations, tour operators, hotels and resorts. On this episode, Amrita Gurney and I deep dive into the data with tour operators in mind.

Spotlight on Anna Karnowski: From Idaho to the One World Observatory

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 20:19:00 -0400

On Episode 21 of Tourpreneur a podcast for tour operators and tour professionals, Anna Karnowski, Senior Sales Director at the One World Observatory in New York City shares her journey in the travel industry in our Tourpreneur Spotlight series.

Anna Karnowski reveals how she grew up in Idaho, brought up by a single Mom, moved to NYC and climbed the ladder in the travel industry.

How Jesse turned his passion for music into a thriving walking tour business

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 20:15:00 -0400

On Episode 20 of Tourpreneur a podcast for tour operators and tour professionals, Jesse Rifkin shares his journey of how he turned his passion for music and music history into a thriving tour business.

Jesse reveals in a conversation with Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley how he has built a full-time walking tour business in just eight months.

He is the tour operator behind Walk on The Wild Side Tours NYC billed as:

'NYC walking tours for music nerds - see where your favorite artists lived, performed, rehearsed, and recorded the records you love.'

NOTE: You don't have to be into this kind of music to draw a lot of inspiration from today's tourpreneur episode.

How Tony Muia Built A Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 20:13:00 -0400

Tony Muia of A Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours shares his journey of how he swapped healthcare for tourism and opened his tour business showcasing his beloved Brooklyn in 2005.

Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley digs deep into the story of Tony Muia. This interview is a cracker because, in true Brooklyn style, Tony does not hold back. He gives it to us straight from the heart, straight from the guts.

He tells us why he's concerned about OTAs. He talks about the importance of paying it forward. He shares with us how mentorship with two tour companies in New York City helped him to grow as a business.

He also takes us to that moment when he sat in his car outside his parents' home, his head in his hands because his business has run out of cash and he didn't want to go back to healthcare.

How We Attracted 3000 Guests in our first year of starting a tour business

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 20:10:00 -0400

On this episode of Tourpreneur a podcast for tour operators and tour professionals, Ben Dolgoff of Forever Vacation shares his journey of how he opened his tour business and acquired 3000 guests in his first year of business.

Ben pulls back the curtain on his online media marketing setup and generously shares his tour marketing strategy with Tourpreneur listeners.

On this episode, he reveals:

What motivated him to start a tour business.
How he promoted his tours.
How he uses Facebook to acquire customers for his tours from as little as five bucks a day.
How Instagram played a major role in their success.
Why Ben is a big fan of retargeting ads.
Why he loves OTAs
The importance of funnels in his marketing strategy.
How he finds the right tour guides for his tour business.
How Forever Vacation works with influencers.
What tools he uses to market his tour business online.
Why Forever Vacation now offers tours in Malaysia and Vietnam.
And much more!

Spotlight: How Greg Fisher built Tripshock an OTA for tours and activities.

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 20:06:00 -0400

On this episode of Tourpreneur a podcast for tour operators and tour professionals, Greg Fisher, CEO of Tripshock shares his journey with host Shane Whaley, of how he founded the company and how he has grown tours and activities OTA Tripshock over the last 10 years.

Greg Fisher reveals:

How working at a hotel led him to start up Tripshock.
How he developed the idea and executed on it.
Having no budget he could not go out and hire SEO and digital marketing experts (sound familiar?) so he shares how he went about learning the skills he needed.
Why he feels that OTAs charging 30% commission is not feasible for many smaller tour operators such as fishing boat tours and charters.
The decision he took after the Gulf Coast oil spill that almost crushed his business.
What he learned as a result of this decision.
What customers are looking for when they want to book tours and activities online.
The importance of saying no (or not yet) to some tour operators and who want to work with Tripshock.
All the Tripshock staff is remote-based.
How he builds a Tripshock work culture when all his staff is based remotely.
He has not taken any investment funds from VCs.
Why he set up TripCon.
Why he wrote to Nike's Phil Knight and why he recommends his memoirs Shoe Dog.
How he initially struggled to manage a work/life balance and why it is important for tourpreneurs to work at this.
And Much More!

How Ian turned his passion for Philadelphia and running into a full-time tour business

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 19:59:00 -0400

On Episode 16 of Tourpreneur, host Shane Whaley digs deep into the story of Ian Thomas and why he set up a running tour in Philadephia. Lace-up your running shoes, strap on your iPod as Ian reveals more about:

Why Ian left the world of International Transport Logistics to set up his own running tours of Philadelphia.
What he learned at Business School that he is applying to his business.
Why he decided to go full time after one year of being a tour operator.
Why Google Adwords doesn't make sense for his running tour business but SEO does.
His SEO tips for tour operators, including what SEO tools he uses.
Why Philadelphia is an ideal city for a running tour.
How his running tour resonates with locals as well as visitors and how he is trying to capture more of that market share.
His blog strategy.
Why he decided to build his own website, See Philly Run with Squarespace.
Why he feels See Philly Runs operates the best running tours in Philadelphia.
What challenges and obstacles he faced when he became a tour operator.
How he discovered what licensing, permits and insurance he needed to operate a running tour business.
What it was like leading a running tour with his first paying customers.
Which distribution channel gave him his first customer.
How he got knocked back twice by Airbnb Experiences and was accepted on his third attempt.
Tips on being accepted to the Airbnb Experiences program.
Why he offers five different running tours and which running tour is his most popular?
Why he decided to work with FareHarbor.
What his only hangup using Fareharbor is and what he wishes they would improve.
What tools/apps he used to run his tour business.

And Much More!

Meet the OTA: Who is TourRadar? How can they help you sell more tours?

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 14:14:00 -0400

TourRadar. Who are they and how can they help sell your tours?

On this episode of Tourpeneur, the podcast for tour operators, host Shane Whaley pulls back the curtain and reveals the inner workings of OTA TourRadar.

Tourradar specializes in multi-day tours. Even if you don't offer multi-days, I would urge you to continue listening to today's episode today because you'll get an understanding of how an OTA works.

We talk with various TourRadar department heads including:

Christian Wolters - Managing Director.
Brendan Roberts, VP Business Development.
Iris Serbanescu, Director of Partnerships.
Patrick Burke, Head of Talent
Vanessa Subramaniam, Manager of Support. North America.
Dennis Basham, Global Head of Industry Sales, On the Go Tours.

I also wanted to speak with a tourpreneur who sells their tours via TourRadar and I'll give the company a lot of credit here. They asked me to pick a supplier at will.

So a big thank you to Dennis Basham of On the Go Tours who agreed to be interviewed on the Tourpreneur Podcast, to tell us all what it's like to be a supplier and partner working with TourRadar.

So there's a lot in this episode. I hope you enjoy it, let me know which OTA you want to hear from next. And if you work for an OTA, do drop me a line and let me know if your company would be interested in being featured on the Tourpreneur podcast as part of our #MeetTheOTA series.

How America Outdoors helps its members learn, connect and grow their businesses.

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 14:05:00 -0400

On Episode 14 of the Tourpreneur Podcast, host Shane Whaley finds out more about America Outdoors, especially it's mission and how they deliver value to their members.

We chat with Executive Director Julie Kahlfeldt and longtime member Jeff Greiner of America Adventures Zipline Canopy Tours. This is no infomercial though, as we invited AO members to call in and share with us why they are AO members and how AO helps their tour/activity business

Training Tour Guides using Improv with Margaret Hicks

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 14:02:00 -0400

How to train tour guides is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive in our postbag here at Tourpreneur.

So on this episode of Tourpreneur, a podcast for tour operators and tour professionals, we asked Margaret Hicks of tour guide training company The Tour Boost to share some tips on tour guide training with us.

How we built a successful bike tour business - with Fitz and Folwell's Diego and Shea.

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 13:59:00 -0400

The Fitz and Folwell Story, how two friends started and grew a successful bike tour company. Fitz & Follwell are into their 11th season.

On this episode of Tourpreneur a podcast for tour operators and tour professionals, founders Diego, and Shea share their journey of what made them start a bike tour business and the lessons they have learned along the way.

How Bulldog Tours raises millions for historic sites and delights tourists.

Mon, 06 May 2019 13:49:00 -0400

How John LaVerne Built Bulldog Tours of Charleston. Tour Operator Owner John LaVerne talks with Tourpreneur Podcast Host Shane Whaley and pulls back the curtain on how he started Bulldog Tours from scratch.

John LaVerne of Bulldog Tours reveals:

How an internship on a carriage tour sparked his love affair with tours.
Why he approached the Old Exchange to offer ghost tours?
How he moved his business then called John's Tours from a part time hobby to a serious business.
Why he changed the name from John's Tours to Bulldug Tours
How his parents reacted when he decided to leave a well paying job in the corporate world to go 'all in' on being a tour operator.
How his mission of preserving historic Charleston sites drives him.
Bulldog Tour has raised $3.7m for historic Charleston buildings and plans to raise even more.
More about his mentors in the early days and the importance of having a business coach.
What question his coach asked him that triggered him into action to hiring a specialist role and resulted in increased revenue.
Why CPAs are so important for tour operators.
How being a tour guide for his own company was a completely different experience.
How he dealt with his competitors showing up for his first ever tour.
How he deals with criticism and turns it into a positive.
That managing expectations with Ghost Tours can be tricky.
His first hire, tour guide Franny Russell is still working at Bulldog Tours today.
His outlook and approach to managing tour guides and staff.
How he first got the word out about his tours.
His approach to working with hotels and concierges.
How he works with OTAs
How much of his business comes from OTAs.
Advice for tour operators who want to work with OTAs based on his own experience.
How he works with AirBnB Experiences.
Confesses that early on he did not think direct bookings from his website would be a success.
How he was able to convince the Magnolia Cemetery to allow him to create and operate the Spirits of Magnolia Cemetery Tour. The cemetery have not allowed any commercial activity on their grounds in over 170 years.
How a celebrity chef encouraged him to start food tours in Charleston.
And Much More!

How Alan Rust Left Retail and Built America Tour Company with $5k

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 13:47:00 -0400

On this episode, Alan Rust reveals why he left the corporate retail world to start his own tour business. He shares with us how he has grown his tour operator business on a budget of $5k.

Alan reveals:

- Why he decided to become a tour operator.

- The mission of his tour business.

- How he had to pivot because of livery regulations in Nebraska.

- How this red tape led to him creating and developing a new partnership with a limo company.

- Why he allows guests to pick the times of their tours with America Tour Company.

- Why he decided to acquire a history tour operator just 6 months in.

- Why some restaurants refused to work America Tour Company

- Shane shares some sales ideas on how to counter the main objections.

- That 44% of America Tour Company's business is corporate.

- How he works with OTAs and which ones are most profitable for him.

- Why he decided to work with [Airbnb Experiences](http://airbnb%20experiences/) in Nebraska.

- The differences between working in corporate retail and as a tour operator.

- How did Alan Rust market his tours when starting out?

- Why Google Ads and SEO were so important.

- Why America Tour Company launched self guided tours.

- Why he uses [Bookeo](https://www.bookeo.com/) for his online booking platform.

- When searching for an online booking platform what his top 3 must have features and capabilities were.

- How he achieves work/life balance

- Books, podcast and apps that help him be efficient in his business and to achieve growth.

- And Much More!

How Jeff turned his passion for donuts into a thriving tour business

Sat, 06 Apr 2019 13:42:00 -0400

Jeff Woelker is the founder of the Underground Donut Tour. He started his first donut tour in downtown Chicago four years ago and has recently expanded into NYC, Philadelphia, Portland and Seattle.

On this episode, we talk about why he decided to create a donut tour in Chicago, what led to him expanding to other cities and how he built his tour from scratch in a very niche sector.

Shane Whaley, host of the Tourpreneur Podcast pulls back the curtain on the Underground Donut Tours and reveals:

How Jeff's friends inspired him to launch a tour all about donuts.
How he overcame imposter syndrome when starting out
Which online ticketing platforms he uses for his tour business.
Why 'share of stomach' is his biggest competitor
How 1 and 2 star reviews for his Philadelphia tours helped him shape his Chicago business model into one that would work in Philly.
Without the local donut companies, Jeff did not have a business. How did he convince skeptical donut business to work with him?
Why pricing his tours was and (still is in new markets) a challenge?
What OTAs does he work?
What was the catalyst behind him opening his donut tours in Philadephia?
How does he recruit tour guide and why stand up comedians always catch his eye?
What is the essential component every ticketing platform needs to offer tourpreneurs
How he uses his digital marketing experience to promote his donut tours
The importance of listening and acting on Tripadvisor reviews and how they helped him adapt to the Philadephia market.
What still gives him a headache when dealing with OTAs?
How a Ben and Jerry's training video shaped Jeff's whole philosophy on customer service.
And Much More!

How Miranda turned her passion for Yoga into a tour business

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 13:37:00 -0400

On this episode of the Tourpreneur Podcast with Shane Whaley, Miranda Peterson reveals how she built a tour business around her passion for yoga and the outdoors. This is the story of Namaste in Nature.

How Joris turned his passion for military history into a thriving tour business.

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 09:04:00 -0400

On today's episode of the Tourpreneur Tour Podcast we talk with the tourpreneur behind The Battlefield Explorer Tours. You don't have to be into World War 2 history to enjoy today's conversation.

Dutchman Joris Nieuwint has been leading tours of the Operation Market Garden battle sites since 2012.

'Sharing what I’ve learned over the years has been my passion and becoming a tour guide has always been one of my dreams. Keeping the sacrifices of these men alive by telling their stories and showing the locations where it happened is my greatest passion.'

How Mike built a ghost tour business around his passion for ghosts and history

Fri, 08 Feb 2019 09:13:00 -0400

Mike Brown's Ghost Tour and accompanying ghost story podcast Pleasing Terrors slogan is 'Some Stories are Never Meant to be Told'. On today's episode of the Tourpreneur podcast, Mike opens up to Tourpreneur Host Shane Whaley and reveals stories about his business and ghost tours.

How Jennifer turned her passion for the outdoors into a thriving tour business.

Fri, 18 Jan 2019 09:10:00 -0400

On Episode 2 of the Tourpreneur Podcast, Host Shane Whaley discovers how Jennifer Gruhn turned her passion for nature and the outdoors into a thriving tour business.

Jennifer is the owner of Asheville Hiking Tours and today we learn more about how she got started, the challenges she overcame and how she has developed her tour business.

Tourpreneur Jennifer also shares with us how used a very well known app to measure customer demand and gather feedback before launching her tours.

Flying Bike Tours : How we bought a tour business on Craigslist and made it a successEmbedEdit

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 19:35:00 -0400

On the first ever episode of Tourpreneur, Alice and Torin Kexel talk us through how they came up with the idea for their Flying Bike tours, how they got set up and the challenges they face.

They recommend resources and deliver real life tips for fellow tourpreneurs. They also give you the low down on what it was like to attend Arival for the first time and how it helped their business.

Alice and Torin hold nothing back as they tell us how they have learned how to market their business as well as companies that have helped them along the way.