In this episode, we'll explore the unique approach Carol takes to build experiences for Mr. And Mrs. Carol shares her insights into the challenges and rewards of running a tour company in Egypt, and how they select and train their guides to prioritise storytelling over mere information delivery.

We'll delve into Carol's marketing strategies, particularly for niche tours such as those targeted at women and solo traveller's, and her upcoming tour, "Queens and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt," set for January 2025.

Join host Mat in an engaging conversation with James Wilcox, founder of Untamed Borders, as they delve into the world of adventure travel in high-risk destinations. From pioneering ski trips in Afghanistan and Iraq to exploring the complexities of tourism in conflict zones, James shares his experiences, the challenges of ensuring safety, and the unexpected beauty found in some of the world's most dangerous places.

In this episode, we explore the "oozes" that slow down processes and aggravate customers - things like unnecessary waiting times and muddiness in team communication. We'll reveal how Leatherback Travel counters these issues with effective strategies like a supplier portal and standardisation of processes.

Natalia underscores the importance of having a clear financial and management structure, while Mat shares his insights on how errors lead to more customer service calls and hinder efficiency. Together, we'll discuss the "Pac Man" approach to actively chomping down errors and the implementation of Poka Yoke visual controls to minimize mistakes.

Expect to learn how setting quarterly themes, such as "gardening" and "rowing together", can unify a team and combat the chaos of micromanagement. You'll also hear about the significance of prioritising major projects, referred to as "rocks", and how these can clarify and enhance both individual and collective team focus.

In this episode, our host Mat Newton is joined by Steven Dillon, the founder, CEO, and head of Other Way Round Travel. Steven shares the story of how he transitioned from a corporate career in London to become a successful travel entrepreneur catering to solo travelers aged 25-45. From using Facebook ads to expand his customer base to the challenges and successes of working with destination management companies (DMCs), Steven provides valuable insights into the inner workings of his travel business. Join us as we delve into the strategies, lessons, and experiences that have shaped Steven's journey, and discover the keys to success in the multi-day travel industry.

00:00 Concept of starting a travel company from experience.

03:41 New demographic seeking non-traditional lifestyles and travel.

08:10 Acquired first customers through Facebook ads, transparency.

12:46 Facebook ads, plan, and patience are key.

15:41 Facebook ads need many eyeballs, not niche targeting.

19:44 Photographer for group trips: best investment. Capture casual moments, limit posed photos.

22:53 Use every advantage, use generic stock photos.

25:59 Independent travel is rewarding, DMCs help efficiency.

29:21 Researching efficiently and directly resulted in success.

31:16 Compare DMC quotes to find best value.

36:03 DMCs use freelance tour leaders; clients seek best.

36:38 Brief guides on brand, flexibility in itinerary.

39:56 Specs reviewed, prioritize popular places, maintain independence.

43:58 Structured trips, WhatsApp group for interaction.

47:38 Company realizes need for hotel contracting experience.

Matthew Barker from Horizon Guides has built an entire business out of generating SEO traffic from high quality content. In this episode, he comes on to share some tips about how he does it all. What does good content look like? How does one find a good writer? If you're interested in Horizon Guides and perhaps partnering with them, this is the perfect episode for you.

Mariellen Ward is an award wining travel writer who fell in love with India. Her blogs, full of practical travel information for those considering an India trip, opened an opportunity for her to start operating trips in India herself.

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