Tourpreneur Tour Business Podcast

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. contractorswhat's most important for early stage businessesliability issues around accidents and guidesbest practices for incorporationhow to protect your assets intellectual property rights for your tour & photographydisclaimers and waiversmuch more!Join Tourpreneur+ for even more contentJoin our free tour operator community of over 9,000 members

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+: https://tourpreneur.com/plus/  

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

In this insightful conversation, Jonathan Elkoubi, a travel and entertainment expert specializing in AI applications in tourism, delves into how AI is transforming the industry. He discusses the critical role of chatbots in customer service and addressing staffing challenges through automation. The dialogue also explores the delicate balance between leveraging AI for efficiency while maintaining the human touch in tourism experiences. Additionally, they highlight the importance of sustainability and innovative practices in adapting to the evolving market.

Akila McConnell, founder of Unexpected Atlanta, discusses her impactful business pivots, revealing how virtual tours now make up 75% of her revenue. She shares her journey of creating experience boxes, shipping over 20,000 units annually. Akila dives into the importance of clear branding, strategic planning, and understanding market dynamics. Insights on navigating tough conversations within her team, defining a business’s end game, and conducting effective market research shed light on her entrepreneurial philosophy.

Chris, an expert in Facebook ad strategies, shares essential tips for successful advertising in the travel industry. He emphasizes the importance of precise audience targeting to ensure ads reach the right people. The discussion also covers the significance of creative ad design and how it impacts engagement. Chris highlights ways to effectively track ad performance, enabling businesses to refine their strategies for better results. Listeners gain valuable insights to boost their tour-focused advertising efforts.

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.

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

Tony Carne, a seasoned tourism expert with over 40 years of experience, shares invaluable insights into the tourism industry's evolution. He discusses the post-pandemic landscape, highlighting personal anecdotes and the challenges tour operators face. The conversation delves into sustainability issues and the impact of Airbnb on local dynamics in Edinburgh. Carne emphasizes the importance of authentic travel experiences and the shift towards multi-day tours. He also touches upon the critical role of technology for small operators in adapting to modern demands.

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/