Tourpreneur Tour Business Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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!'

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.