Building a recession-resistant tour operation isn’t about dramatic pivots or complete business overhauls—it’s about proactive steps taken while you still have breathing room.
While some tour businesses hit pause during volatile times, the most experienced operators in our community are taking a different approach. They’re planning for flexibility, not perfection.
More importantly, I want to highlight what they did so you can leverage these best practices during any period of uncertainty or disruption, whether from economic recession fears, climate challenges, regional conflicts, or political tensions.
A five-star review and a one-star review can describe the exact same tour experience. The difference often has nothing to do with what actually happened—but everything to do with what guests expected to happen.
When guests feel personally seen and acknowledged, they become your most powerful marketing force—turning casual visitors into enthusiastic advocates who can’t wait to share their experience.
Here, we’re stepping back to assemble all the building blocks of a truly memorable tour, from those crucial first impressions to the final moments that leave guests applauding.