A freelance opportunity to grow is to offer guided tours. If you’re in a popular travel destination, you may be able to make money by showing tourists local hot spots and lesser-known locations.
Pat Althezer from Photo Safari Yosemite LLC stopped by today to share how he supplements his retirement income with guided photo tours of one of America’s most popular national parks.
Tell us about yourself. What was your motivation for starting a tour guide business?
As most of us “baby boomers” are starting to age and think about what we want to do when we grow up, I faced the same thought about 6 years ago. In March 2009, I found myself choosing to retire from my career job in commercial banking or wait a few more years for full Social Security benefits. At 64, I decided to take 80% SS and look for a new life outside the corporate world to earn income.
Being close to one of the world’s most famous destinations, Yosemite National Park, and having a previous career in commercial photography, I considered becoming a Yosemite photographer. However, in the analysis, the competition to produce and sell images of royal sites and scenes was not a viable business model for potential success. Ansel Adams beat me to 100 or so other working professionals. So I looked further into what issues Yosemite needs to be addressed for visitors and photographers.
With nearly 4 million annual visitors to the park and at least one camera per vehicle, it occurs to me that most visitors have little time and knowledge of where to go and when to see the best pictures. After researching National Park Service guide requirements and submitting paperwork including CPR and First Aid Certs, CPUC and DMV permits, we were officially and legally ready for business on January 2, 2010. Photo Safari Yosemite LLC was born with the motto. Right place, right time”!
What was your first step to getting started? How have tours by locals and sites like Trip Advisor helped grow your business?
Starting with a website and then Facebook on the Internet, I contacted local tourism visitor centers, hotels, lodges, B&Bs and other “partners” who introduced us to new businesses. Some local visitor services and hospitality providers have contracts with customer bookings for a 15% commission. Some offer hospitality packages with tie-ins to photo safaris with room deals. Another was Alaskan Airlines’ promotional package for their vacationers. Over time, several online travel concierge sites have joined our business Tours by locals And Trip Advisor. We’ve found it’s best to connect with Yosemite visitors and book their tours before they arrive!
What can a new tour guide expect?
In the first year, fees were intentionally set lower than other providers of “private” guided tours. This was done to start the name and reputation in the market. At the end of the year, we made 25 payments and lost money (we had about $10,000 in expenses to begin with). In 2011 the fee was doubled and in line with what other tours were charging and we did about 40 tours but did not get enough revenue to turn a profit and recover the initial investment. During 2012, we increased fees and promoted the “private and personal” aspects while expanding the service to provide an e-photo album for each client and ended the year with about 50 full tours and breakeven on our cost/revenue. . Since 2013 and we have continued to market in online channels, expanded the service to include transportation from the airport with a small group of 7 or less and site-seeing and hiking as client preferred. The fees charged have now met some price resistance and we have reduced fees and costs to reflect an average of $650 per party for approximately 8 hour days in the park. We ended 2014 with 70 paid photo safaris.
If there’s one thing you can go back and do What will it be?
In review, my only regret is that the guide business was not started sooner. I could only work weekends and be on the market much earlier and probably earn better today. Now that I’m turning 70 next week, I’m looking for ways to capitalize on a “passive” income earning guide business. Franchising or licensing the national park photo safari guide business to others is an area of business avenues under consideration at this time that could prove a win-win for me and others!
In short, I not only provided an income for my family, but also improved my health and found a way of life fulfillment through helping others. Recently, a milestone of 250 clients was reached. With almost 65% of clients from outside the country, although different, all share the same language and love of photography! We are proud to share that Photo Safari has no less than 5 star Trip Advisor reviews and received a Trip Advisor Excellence Award last year.
You can learn more about Pat’s business here www.photosafariyosemite.com. Do you offer local guided tours? Please share your experience in the comments.
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