Tourpreneur was founded in 2019 by Shane Whaley, to—in his own words—”flatten the learning curve for tour operators.” With that mission, Shane started what has become the most popular travel business owner-focused podcast out there, listened to in 180 countries and by thousands on each episode. As if that’s not enough, he created the Tourpreneur Tour Operator Facebook Community now with almost 12,000 members and an 85% engagement rate, as well as the Tourpreneur newsletter, reaching tens of thousands of readers.
Building on this foundation of peer-based learning, Shane will now become Head of Strategic Partnerships, focusing on our efforts to partner with organizations across the travel industry interested in connecting with our tour operator community. This includes travel technology companies, DMOs, associations, service providers ranging from payments and marketing to insurance and waivers, and any other organization looking to connect with tour operators, and leveraging the insights of the Tourpreneur team.
Shane writes:
I am thrilled to announce my return to Tourpreneur, stepping into the role of Head of Strategic Partnerships. My journey in the travel industry has always been driven by a singular mission: to empower operators to not only achieve but also significantly grow their profits. It is this passion that has guided my career and now leads me back to where I believe I can make the most impact.
Under the stewardship of Chris Torres, Mitch Bach, and Peter Syme, Tourpreneur has flourished, becoming the most engaged community for tour and activity operators. Their dedication to the industry, through everything from business coaching based on their real-life industry experience to their impactful in-person CONNECT events and regional meetups, has directly contributed to the financial success of countless operators.
Initially, I had planned to take a year out, watch football, and travel. However, the ambitious and exciting plans laid out by the Tourpreneur team have reignited my enthusiasm and commitment to our industry. The opportunity to contribute to Tourpreneur’s mission, to help shape the future of the tour and activity sector, was simply too compelling to pass up.
As I step into this role, my focus will be on forging strategic partnerships that not only align with our core mission but also enhance our ability to serve our community. Together with the Tourpreneur team, I am committed to ensuring our operators are not just participants but profitable businesses in this dynamic industry.
I am eager to embark on this next chapter with Tourpreneur, and I look forward to the profound impact we will achieve together. To our community of operators, partners, and industry colleagues: the future is bright, and it is an honor to be navigating it alongside you.
-Shane Whaley
This is the beginning of the next generation of Tourpreneur, taking our efforts to a whole new level all with the aim of making tour operators more profitable, making pursuing their passion and purpose sustainable.