Tourpreneur

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.

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 customerwhat goes into a great guide profilethe rise of video, and social commercewhat it takes to build trust between travelers, guides and a platformhow guides need to adopt a 'marketing mindset', beyond delivering a great tourwhat they think of Airbnb Experiences' new rebootDon'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!

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

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.comJoin our 20,000 member Facebook group!Our annual conference, TourWeek 2025 is open for registrations!Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Tour Optima01:37 Understanding Communication in Tourism03:05 Streamlining Operations for Multi-Day Tours05:54 Enhancing Guest Experience Through Communication09:10 The Balance of Communication and Engagement10:15 Simplifying the Customer Journey12:46 Real-World Communication Challenges16:54 Ideal Communication Map for Tours20:26 Integrating Technology in Tour Operations26:20 Optimizing Customer Communication in Tours30:31 Enhancing Pre-Booking Communication Strategies32:05 Balancing Customer and Operational Journeys34:19 Streamlining Vendor Communication for Tours35:35 Leveraging Data for Marketing and Customer Insights40:05 Understanding Customer Booking Behavior44:12 The Future of Technology in Tour Operations

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 meansbuilding a community-driven brandHow to build a brand when you're smallthe 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.Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to El Camino Travel01:50 - Katalina's Journey to Founding El Camino06:50 - Reinventing Group Travel Experiences11:39 - Building Unique Travel Experiences17:33 - Community Engagement and Co-Creation23:54 - The Importance of DMC Relationships32:12 - Defining Brand and Community in Travel35:40 - Defining Your Customer Avatar38:36 - Building a Strong Brand Identity40:59 - The Role of the Founder in Brand Success44:58 - Creating a Community Around Travel50:18 - The Future of Travel and Community57:43 - Navigating Conflict and Kindness in Travel

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 ReportGetYourGuide's Spring 2025 Unlocked Release for SuppliersJoin GetYourGuide as a supplierAnna Cashman on LinkedIn

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.

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 PortugalIs Walking Mentorship a tour company?2. Joao's Personal Journey and Spark for Walking Mentorship [00:01:16]The first Camino de Santiago in 1993The impact of the walk and self-discoveryRealization of a calling to this work3. Founding and Early Development of Walking Mentorship [00:04:23]Corporate career delay and returning to the ideaEmail to “fools, friends, and family,” and pilot programsEarly feedback and attempts to give up on the idea4. The Nature of Walking Journeys as Transformational Experiences [00:07:14]Layers of experience: curiosity, physicality, purpose, self-understanding, spirituality, cultureDoors in a room analogy for guiding participant journeys5. Participant Freedom, Responsibility, and Structure [00:12:06]Emphasis on total freedom and responsibilityRare participant withdrawal and the ethos behind the program6. Difference Between Typical Travel and Mentorship Walking Journeys [00:13:10]Critique of traditional, structured, checklist-driven toursDeprogramming guests and creating space for transformation7. Risk, Challenge, and Your Personal “Everest” [00:17:26]Meaning of risk (internal vs. external threats)The “wolves” participants face within themselvesEnsuring physical and psychological safety8. Common Motivations and Unique Outcomes [00:19:55]The universal quest or search among participantsEvery individual's unique journey and needs“There is no replay” principle9. The Mentorship Structure and Methodology [00:22:20]Mentor's responsibilities and boundariesPreparing participants for returning homeStructured support with eventual independence10. Designing for Difficulty and Personal Growth [00:26:53]Backpack packing as a life metaphorBalancing physical challenge with adaptabilityReading the group and tailoring the journey11. Practical Aspects and Device Usage [00:32:22]Approach to phone/device use on programsFostering mindful interaction with technology12. Lessons for Day Tour Operators and Short-Form Experiences [00:35:16]Applying listening, eye contact, and personalization even to short toursOffering small but impactful experiences13. The Art of Listening and Asking Questions [00:40:04]Listening as a crucial guiding skillAsking questions through...

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!

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

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 AgencyTrikon GroupRead the full Press ReleaseTakeawaysChris 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.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Chris Torres and His Journey01:24 Chris Torres Announces Business Sale03:48 The Importance of Marketing in Today's World07:46 The Evolving Role of Marketing Agencies11:06 What Tour Operators Should Look for in Agencies13:30 When to Move On from an Agency18:04 Day Tours vs. Multi-Day Tours Marketing Strategies19:53 Standing Out in a Crowded Market26:02 The Role of Print Marketing27:34 Looking Ahead: Chris's Future Plans

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 operatorThe 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.comJoin our 17,000-strong Facebook Community

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 spacestrategies tour operators can use to creatively connect with property managerstech challenges in connecting properties to tours & activitiesworking with OTAs like Airbnb vs. direct relationships with propertieshow Explorabout and Nextpax are thinking about channel management andthe opportunity for designing tours in partnership with property managersopportunities in remote workersShow notes and more available at tourpreneur.com

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 insightsTourpreneur'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 FacebookGet our free Tour Business Toolkit by joining our Community Hub

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 operatorswhat kinds of tours GetYourGuide is really looking for, and what sells welhow to handle late booking windows, and how customers are discovering tours much earlier in the customer journeythorny supplier issues like commissions, late bookings, cancellation cut-off times, and morehow to balance customers' evolving needs with the needs of supplierswhy there is polarization in the industry regarding the opinion of OTAshow an experience marketplace is different than other travel OTAshow a brand like GetYourGuide can inspire customer loyaltypricing: how do you create a marketplace that doesn't just compete on pricehow to make sure you have enough tours to serve a variety of customers, but enough curation to ensure qualitythoughts on how AI is and will be used behind the scenes and in front of customers in the future to discover and experience travelmulti-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 strategiesMarch 3, 2025: Free Pre-ITB Tourpreneur Business Workshop at GetYourGuide HeadquartersView our whole global calendar of meetups and conferences

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 workshopsfinding new sales partnerslooking at your financesa system for figuring out what's working and what's notAnd 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 podcastsAttend one of dozens of global meetups in 2025

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

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 Surfinghow he participates in and hosts FAM trips with agents to promote his business and countryhow to challenge and change global stereotypes about Colombiahis approach to the “co-creation” process as a DMC working with tour operatorsthe surprising lessons learned from his experience with Booking.com's Booking Booster accelerator programwhat 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 narrativeshow Impulse takes travelers' assumptions about what they want to do (see Pablo Escobar sights) and changes those intentions into something positivehow 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 GetYourGuideTourpreneurCONNECT:NYC sales & operations conference in FebruaryTourpreneur Shindigs — global small group meetups in dozens of countries around the worldVisit our global events calendar here.

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.

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!

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

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 successHow to build authenticity and develop your own unique styleBatch creation and other tips to streamline the creation processHow to engage with your audience (and handle negative comments)Their experience with the Creator Fund and its monetization potentialWhether and how to develop brand partnershipsCollaborating with content creatorsShould you show up as a brand or an individual?How they measure success on the platformIf 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!

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 strategiesAI: 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 NYCThe EU's new cookie law and its privacy implications for operatorsconnecting with short term rental owners and other B2B strategiesPeter speaking at WeTravel's travel tech innovation summit next weekSeptember 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.comMentioned in this episode:Sponsored by Google 'Things to do'Want more direct bookings and greater exposure on Google? Then go check out Tourpreneur's free course on using Google 'Things to do', a new program offering tour operators a chance to display their tours across new Google locations. Learn more here: tourpreneur.com/google

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 TakeawaysCreating 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.ResourcesShow Notes on Tourpreneur.comSudden Journeys websiteA 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 wayMentioned in this episode:Join us for our TourpreneurCONNECT conferences!November 18-20 we're hosting CONNECT:Multiday in Marrakesh, Morocco, focused on learning and partnership building for multi-day tour businesses. And from February 17-19 we're hosting CONNECT:Profit in New York City for all tour operators looking for the latest sales and marketing skills to grow your business. Visit tourpreneur.com for more information.

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.Overview00:00 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.

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, Leah 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.TakeawaysAuthenticity, 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 toursUse keyword research tools to optimize content and improve SEOCreate lead magnets to incentivize email sign-ups and use automated sequences to target customers at different stages of the buying cycleChoose tech tools that are user-friendly and meet your specific needsScaling a business comes with challenges, such as scheduling and finding the right balanceEstablish trust and authenticity through storytelling to build credibility with customers00:00 — Introduction and Background04:42 — Leah's Journey from Blogging to Content Marketing08:17 — Monetization Strategy: Ad Revenue and Affiliate Marketing11:48 — Partnerships with Tour Operators and Bloggers16:33 — Developing a Blogging Strategy for Tour Operators23:12 — Selecting the Right Content Creators for Partnerships26:38 — Utilizing Booking Software and Automating Processes29:28 — Differentiating Between Bloggers and Social Media Creators33:05 — Optimizing SEO with Keyword Research35:19 — Effective Email Marketing Strategies38:15 — Choosing User-Friendly Tech Tools45:14 — Challenges and Strategies for Scaling a Food Tour Business53:25 — Building Trust and Credibility through StorytellingMentioned in this episode:Join us for our TourpreneurCONNECT conferences!November...

With AirBNB removing many tour operator experiences out the blue, Peter, Mitch and Chris explore the recently turbulent landscape of AirBNB Experiences and what it means for operators depending on digital platforms.Mentioned in this episode:Sponsored by Google 'Things to do'Want more direct bookings and greater exposure on Google? Then go check out Tourpreneur's free course on using Google 'Things to do', a new program offering tour operators a chance to display their tours across new Google locations. Learn more here: tourpreneur.com/google

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.Mentioned in this episode:Sponsored by Google 'Things to do'Want more direct bookings and greater exposure on Google? Then go check out Tourpreneur's free course on using Google 'Things to do', a new program offering tour operators a chance to display their tours across new Google locations. Learn more here: tourpreneur.com/google

In this episode, our host Peter Syme dives deep into the intricate world of tour operations with our guests, Sean from Taylor Made Tours in Ireland, Luksa from Rewind Dubrovnik and Edin from Meet Bosnia Tours.Today, we're exploring the unique challenges and opportunities that come with expanding tour operations, integrating technology, and adapting to market demands in the dynamic travel industry.Mentioned in this episode:Sponsored by Google 'Things to do'Want more direct bookings and greater exposure on Google? Then go check out Tourpreneur's free course on using Google 'Things to do', a new program offering tour operators a chance to display their tours across new Google locations. Learn more here: tourpreneur.com/google

Peter McGovern, a seasoned entrepreneur with a passion for international education gives us his forward-thinking approach to building successful teams.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.Mentioned in this episode:Sponsored by Google 'Things to do'Want more direct bookings and greater exposure on Google? Then go check out Tourpreneur's free course on using Google 'Things to do', a new program offering tour operators a chance to display their tours across new Google locations. Learn more here: tourpreneur.com/google

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.Show notesVisit Group Travel LeaderBrian on LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Sponsored by Google 'Things to do'Want more direct bookings and greater exposure on Google? Then go check out Tourpreneur's free course on using Google 'Things to do', a new program offering tour operators a chance to display their tours across new Google locations. Learn more here: tourpreneur.com/google

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.Mentioned in this episode:Sponsored by Google 'Things to do'Want more direct bookings and greater exposure on Google? Then go check out Tourpreneur's free course on using Google 'Things to do', a new program offering tour operators a chance to display their tours across new Google locations. Learn more here: tourpreneur.com/google

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.Mentioned in this episode:Sponsored by Google 'Things to do'Want more direct bookings and greater exposure on Google? Then go check out Tourpreneur's free course on using Google 'Things to do', a new program offering tour operators a chance to display their tours across new Google locations. Learn more here: tourpreneur.com/google

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 pageEpisode show notesWe talk about:the design thinking behind crafting self-guided tourswhy the element of surprise is so crucial to the experienceher experience working with content creatorshow B2C trade shows have worked out for her trying to sell her productwhy she decided to ditch multi-day surprise tripsthe importance of collecting email addresses at trade showsfinding the right market for the trips, and why big cities don't workworking with local vendors to support themMentioned in this episode:Sponsored by Google 'Things to do'Want more direct bookings and greater exposure on Google? Then go check out Tourpreneur's free course on using Google 'Things to do', a new program offering tour operators a chance to display their tours across new Google locations. Learn more here: tourpreneur.com/google

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-commerceThis 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!View the show notes hereExplore Tourpreneur.com's resourcesVisit Guess Where Trips home pageWe talk about:the design thinking behind crafting self-guided tourswhy the element of surprise is so crucial to the experienceher experience working with content creatorshow B2C trade shows have worked out for her trying to sell her productwhy she decided to ditch multi-day surprise tripsthe importance of collecting email addresses at trade showsfinding the right market for the trips, and why big cities don't workworking with local vendors to support themMentioned in this episode:Sponsored by Google 'Things to do'Want more direct bookings and greater exposure on Google? Then go check out Tourpreneur's free course on using Google 'Things to do', a new program offering tour operators a chance to display their tours across new Google locations. Learn more here: tourpreneur.com/google

Welcome to Tourpreneur, where we delve into the world of tour and activity providers and explore the latest trends, challenges, and success stories in the travel industry.Today, in our call-in episode, join hosts Chris, Mitch, and Peter as they tackle key topics around Al, attracting cruise ship agents and marketing to cruise customers, as well as questions around purchasing an existing business.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.Mentioned in this episode:Thank you to our sponsor, GoogleGoogle is graciously sponsoring Tourpreneur, keeping this podcast free for you. Please go and check out a course that we've developed with them, helping you understand the power for their 'Things to do' program to deliver more direct bookings for your tour & activity business. tourpreneur.com/google

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.Mentioned in this episode:Thank you to our sponsor, GoogleGoogle is graciously sponsoring Tourpreneur, keeping this podcast free for you. Please go and check out a course that we've developed with them, helping you understand the power for their 'Things to do' program to deliver more direct bookings for your tour & activity business. tourpreneur.com/google

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.Overview00:00 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.

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 EpisodeIncrease in conversions and high demand for student travelTop three conversion channels: email marketing, organic search, and affiliatesPaid search not recommended for specialised experiential group travelEffectiveness of email newsletters in building relationships and trust with customersCustomer preferences for unique experiences and smaller brandsJen Fein's background and journey in the travel industryYouLi's role as a sponsor for the first civil conference and its product integration with Nikki's conference websitePositive experience at the Women in Travel Summit and potential future partnershipsImportance of networking and crowd size at conferencesYouLi's mission to provide personalised travel itineraries through templates and customisationYouLi's provision of personalised portals and schedules for TourpreneurConnect attendeesImportance of repeat customers and their impact on content creation and customer valueChallenges and risks in the travel tech industry, including funding issuesYouLi's focus on niche experiences and its categorisation as B2B SaaSYouLi's growth model and emphasis on loyal customers aligned with valuesImportance of understanding the business problem and goals before automation implementationRise in demand for unique group travel experiences with a merger of events and travelValue of group travel in dividing costs among participantsMarket differences for event tours compared to traditional tour operatorsCompetitor analysis, including events and potential activitiesImportance of intimacy in large group travel experiences04:19 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.

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 collaborationhow experiences ranging from grief to nature can unlock awethinking about encounters of vastness and mystery during travelchanging guests' perception through story, silence, and intentional seeingthe importance of slow observation and slow looking to connect with the vastness of the worldthe value of religious and spiritual texts and figures in understanding awehow storytelling creates awecreating travel experiences that rely on emotion and "wow moments" rather than informationhow traveling in groups can create shared awe momentsKeltner's "8 wonders" of lifeAs always, you'll find much more at tourpreneur.com.Dacher's BioWhy do we feel awe? a good follow-up articleJoin 10,000 tour operators in our Facebook CommunityRunning 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.

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 BrandsBrand strategy, customer need, culture, stories, and customer knowledge are key to a successful brand.(0:11:37) - Tourism Success Through Personal BrandingWe 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 ContentCreate 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 OpportunitiesCatherine Warrilow emphasises authentic content, team building, unique messaging, and social media strategies for successful branding.

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.

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 informationCome to Vienna, Austria for our Tour Leader & Guide Event Oct 18-19Come to London for a meetup on Oct 12!Visit Joe's company, Uplevel TourismIn 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.

Conversation with Martin Alcock of the Travel Trade Consultancy on how the regulatory environment is impacting on tour operators and on the wide range of options on how operators can protect their business and customers money.

The Rise and Rise of Sports Tourism with Daniel Alejandro Velásquez González As discussion with Daniel Founder and COO of Homefans a sports experience marketplace, where avid travellers can book unique sports experiences anywhere in the world, hosted by fully-vetted local hosts. https://homefans.net/

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.

This episode is a snippet of a Guest Coaching session, available for Tourpreneur+ 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

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

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/  

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.

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. 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.