How to Start a Tour Business

Why should I do this?
Instead of waiting for a company to hire you, creating your own day-tour or multi-day tour company allows you to deliver the kinds of travel experiences you want to share with others.

Starting your own tour company gives you the power to grow an income that’s not dependent on struggling larger companies offering you work.

In this course, you’ll get the information, resources and advice in weeks that we’ve spent over 20 years amassing!

 

Is this for me?
Have you dreamed of owning your own business, but felt overwhelmed with the steps you need to take, or never had the time?

Do you have a passion for creating your own travel experiences, but want to develop the business in a group workshop, to receive feedback and support?

 

Give me a brief overview!
We’ve developed an intense “tour business incubator” program that guides you through the entire process of developing a tour company, from creating a product, brand, and website to sales, marketing, and all the messy legal and logistical hurdles.

You’ll be taught and encouraged by the TripSchool team, and a variety of real-world expert instructors, like tax attorneys, MBAs and of course tour operators who have been down your road and can share their stories and advice.

 

Tourpreneur Approved.
Since its inception we have been huge fans of the Tourpreneur Podcast and vibrant Facebook community founded by Shane Whaley. Shane took the course, and wrote the following review.

“I have often said on the podcast that you can’t go to school to learn how to build a tour business. I now believe the Start a Tour Business online course designed and taught by Mitch Bach and Alan Armijo has proved me wrong. I signed up to this course (and yes I paid full price) because I have a great idea for tour business but unsure if it has legs. Also as the host of Tourpreneur I am always looking to learn more about the process of building a tour from idea to execution. This course was intense, several hours a day online for 3 weeks but the payoff is well worth the time and money invested. They teach topics such as how to build and design your tour, the business of tour operating, how to market your tour, how to brand it and much more. I especially enjoyed how Mitch and Alan brought in other tour operators to talk to us students through real-life situations. There was no sugar coating here, the speakers were all brutally honest about the struggles they have faced in getting off the ground and sustaining their tour businesses. Many of you know that I have zero tolerance for ’empty suits’ and savvy information marketeers with their funnels and promises of riches. So I was smiling when in the 10th minute of module 1, Mitch warned us that ‘if you are in this for the money, find a new job. This had better be a passion play or this is going to fizzle.’ Honest and authentic. I rarely endorse courses and products so when I do, you know it is the real deal.”

Course Outline

60 Days to Running Your Tour Business…
Week 1 Understand the Industry and Where You Fit
If you come from other areas of the travel industry, or from another career altogether, we’ll break down very clearly how this particular segment of the travel industry works, and explain the varieties of ways to run a business in this space. We’ll address the challenges and opportunities for the industry by looking at new guidelines and research on how travel has changed.

Week 2 Design a Phenomenal Experience
This is the fun part! We’ll give you a variety of tools for crafting the perfect tour experience, and guide you through creating an experience that works. The actual tour experience is absolutely everything. Your product is nothing without top-notch delivery, and this is what TripSchool is known for: helping you deliver a knock-out travel experience using our special blend of storytelling, technology and wow moments.

Week 3 Set Up a Proper Business
To do this right you have to establish a true business entity. We will help you to figure out the correct business structure for your new company. Also, advice on setting up a business bank account, state and/or local business registration, and tour operator insurance. Don’t forget about keeping good books and paying the taxes!

Week 4 Brand Yourself to Stand Out
So you have some ideas on how you are going to transform your guests’ lives. That’s great, but what will be the brand story you wish to convey? Logos, color, fonts, tone, and consistency all go into how your company will be perceived and understood. You also will learn about truly defining your target customer or group. This gives you the vision for exactly who you have developed your concept for.

Week 5 Create a Compelling Website
Having an well-designed tour business website is absolutely crucial to your success as an operator. Your website is your company’s digital storefront. It’s where people will go for information, get to know you better, and understand who you are as a provider. Also, where they go to give you money for your experience! Converting those casual eyeballs into booked guests is how you will see revenue come into your business.

Week 6 How to Price & Sell Your Tour
Before you know what numbers will come after the dollar sign, you have to figure out your expense costs and anticipated profit margin. That means contracting and vendor relationships will need to be completed. Part of your sales distribution strategy may also include discounting, referral fees, and commissions to local resellers and partners, as well as to large international companies that can deliver you guests.

Week 7 Craft a Digital Marketing Plan
OK, you’ve built it…but how will they come? Your digital marketing plan includes social media, of course. But it also should include paid ads through search and programmatic ads that display based on traveler intent during the research phase. What about building contact lists and sending email campaigns? Let’s not forget public relations, and good ole’ press releases that also help to get the job done.

Week 8 Test & Launch Your Business
All of the pieces are now in place, and you are ready to try out your first tour! Have a control group of friends and family go through the entire booking process on your website, and provide feedback on what worked well and what might need more work. While on tour, pictures and videos can now be captured for use in your marketing plan. And at the end, their honest feedback on the tour design and execution will be very helpful to you, and their post-tour reviews on public websites will help to prove your tour is more than worth the cost.

In two months, you’ll have a tour business.

This course is part self-paced, and part expertly led by Don Littlefield, a longtime tour operator who specializes in getting businesses up and running. He is there along the way to guide and support you.

There’s never been a better time to get going. We’ll be there to turn your tour business dreams into a success.

What do you get?
30+ hours of recorded materials + regular live sessions with Don Littlefield, Mitch Bach, Alan Armijo, and a range of special invited Guest Experts

Real, practical learning with industry leaders, both recorded and live

One-On-One consulting sessions about your particular project

Class recordings can also be viewed any time at your convenience, even after the 2 month period.

PDF workbooks with our tour development frameworks and helpful schemas to guide you along the process

The TripSchool “Secret Sauce” of methods for creating unforgettable tour experiences

A supportive, encouraging and dynamic TripSchool Entrepreneurs Facebook forum

Lifelong access to all online materials

A new business for $997.