C R E AT I N G A T O U R B U S I N E S S F R O M Y O U R B L O G

A M A N D A M O U T TA K I & I A N O R D

• Description: One often overlooked form of revenue is to launch a traditional business from a successful website (instead of the other way around). For those travellers who have a home base and are looking to capitalize on the audience and experience they have built, opening a tour business in their niche can prove to be highly successful.

• Takeaways: Understanding the process of identifying and pinpointing tour opportunities within your market. The reality of creating a tour business, without losing the number one asset to your new business – your blog! Tangible next steps to launch your own tour business from your blog.

• Skill Level: Advanced. This is a niche session for experienced bloggers interested in starting a tour business that complements their blog.

M O N E T I Z AT I O N

B L O G G E R L E A D T O U R S

Amanda Mouttaki

Amanda is a curious, world traveling mom of two boys, living in Marrakech, Morocco, with her husband and children. She obtained a university degree in project management and her passion is entrepreneurship on a global scale. In 2007 she began blogging as a hobby (Maroc Mama), transitioning it to a career during the economic crisis, and eventually launching a traditional business from her website in 2013 when she moved to Morocco.

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M A R R A K E C H F O O D T O U R S :

• 2007: Marocmama website launched

• 2014: started offering unique food tours by leveraging a popular blog post on Marocmama

Ian Ord

Having spent more than half his life on the road, Ian has developed an insatiable thirst for travel. His love for the road less travelled is complimented by his passion the planet, its people, and the place tourism will responsibly fit within that realm. Travel blogger for Where Sidewalks End & Founder of the boutique positive impact travel company: WSE Travel Inc. He plays a very active role in helping bring global awareness, education and experience to those looking to travel responsibly.

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W S E T R AV E L :

• 2011: started as a travel blog

• 2013: grew to include travel mini-guide books

• opened an online shop

• 2014: started offering unique experiences

• focused on responsible & positive impact tourism

E X P E R I E N C E SS H A R I N G U N I Q U E

M A R R A K E C H F O O D T O U R S : But How? Filling a void in the heavy tourism market

➢English speaking guides ➢Need for unique activities in Marrakech ➢Niche market

You Can Do it Too!

As a traveller you already have many skills that can help do this: • You know what it’s like to be a tourist • You’re familiar with different cultures • Technical skills • Specialty Topics and subjects • Network of travelers at your fingertips • An already captive audience! • Stories!

G L O B A L T R AV E L V S . L O C AT I O N B A S E D

W H Y R U N A L O C AT I O N B A S E D T O U R ?

Being location based can be a BIG help! - You have an intimate knowledge of the

area - May have foreign language skills that are

needed - You understand the local culture

L O C AT I O N B A S E D T O U R S

You ARE a local destination expert – own it! - Every location has intimidating

factors - You can help bridge the gap !

Understand the local marketplace in a way that others may not.

N E W S I T E V S . Y O U R B L O G

M A I N TA I N I N G T R U S T I N Y O U R A U D I E N C E

M A R K E T I N G B E Y O N D Y O U R B L O G

• Traditional marketing : flyers, magazine, newspapers • Press trips • Other blogger’s • Affiliate marketing • OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) • Trip Advisor • Word of Mouth

L O C A L L AW S T O C O N F O R M W I T H I N• Registering: can you, as a foreigner, fully register or do you

need a local partner? • Local banking and accounting • Do you need local guides? • Do you need a tourism license? • Do you have insurance? • Do your clients need insurance?

O T H E R O B S TA C L E S

• Over-stretching your availability and boundaries • Saturation - Too much competition to be unique • Pricing – Too high? Too Low? • Technology - reservation software/booking management

C O N S I D E R AT I O N S

• What are your strengths? What are you known for? • What are some natural transitions from your blog to a business? • What is missing from the marketplace in your area? • What is your budget for your start-up? • What are your costs going to be for each tour? • Formula: per person price + tax burden + other admin costs • Test your idea. Invite a few friends along on trial tours and be

open and receptive to their feedback.

TA K E - AWAY S F R O M T O D AY• Know your niche and the focus of interest your audience has • Determine if you are a local expert or a generalist for global tours • If you are a generalist - use local operators and experts • Understand/research local laws in the destination(s) of your tours • Create a legitimate business plan • Test run your tour with some friends before taking it public • Make sure you balance your business focus with your blog upkeep • Have fun! This is an exciting adventure connecting with your

audience in a totally new way!

C O N TA C T I N F O R M AT I O N

ian@wheresidewalksend.comamanda@marocmama.com

@marocmama @WSEtravel @globe_trottah

http://marrakechfoodtours.com http://wheresidewalksend.com