Adventure Tours

4 Adventure Tours Success Stories [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 10th, 2024

Seeing the world from a new perspective is the allure of starting an adventure tours business. By offering guided tours that meld physical excitement with natural beauty, you'll cater to thrill-seekers looking for unique experiences.

Your role involves crafting itineraries, securing permits, and ensuring customer safety. You'll work with local guides, partner with equipment suppliers, and market your offering through digital platforms and local tourism offices.

This business is perfect for those who enjoy outdoor activities and have strong organizational skills. It requires on-ground knowledge of terrains, weather conditions, and seasonal risks.

Adventure tourism is a rewarding venture where you can directly see the impact of your work as customers revel in their experiences. It's a niche market with growing demand, offering the chance to blend business with passion for the great outdoors. If you're up for the challenge, this could be your calling.

In this list, you'll find real-world adventure tours success stories and very profitable examples of starting a adventure tours that makes money.

1. Let’s Buy an Island ($300K/year)

Marshall Mayer, Gareth Johnson, and Jodie Joyce came up with the idea for Let's Buy an Island after a few drinks and a conversation about owning a private island. They reached out to friends and family, created a website, and convinced over 140 people to invest in their dream. They were able to buy an island in Belize and are now in the process of developing it into a boutique resort.

How much money it makes: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500K
How many people on the team: 7

The First Crowdfunded Private Island: How We Convinced 140 People To Invest In Our Island [Belize]

A group of founding partners have crowdfunded enough money to purchase a private island in Belize, which will soon develop into a boutique resort and is expected to open in 2023, following a successful launch through social media and press releases.

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2. Travel Mamas ($180K/year)

traditional methods of promotion like passing out postcards, handing out business cards, and sending press releases to traditional media outlets. However, I quickly realized that these tactics were not effective for growing an online business. Through trial and error, I learned the importance of SEO and how to optimize my content to rank higher in search engine results. I also discovered the power of social media in attracting and engaging with readers. Over time, I became more proficient in using these digital marketing strategies to grow my audience and generate revenue. Another valuable lesson I learned is the importance of persistence and perseverance. Building a successful blog takes time and consistent effort. It's easy to get discouraged in the early stages when you're not seeing immediate results, but I stuck with it and continued to create valuable content that resonated with my audience. This dedication has paid off as Travel Mamas has grown into one of the most popular travel blogs in the world. Overall, starting and growing my own business has been a tremendous learning experience. I’ve gained valuable skills in digital marketing, content creation, and business management. I've also developed a deep understanding of my audience and what they are looking for. These lessons and insights will continue to be advantageous as I navigate the future of my business and adapt to changing industry trends.

How much money it makes: $180K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.5K
How many people on the team: 1

How I Started A $15K/Month Family Travel Blog

TravelMamas.com founder Colleen Lanin shares how she turned a family travel blog into a business that generates $15K in monthly revenue through ad network sales, affiliate sales, sponsored posts, book sales, public speaking appearances, and media campaigns.

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3. Arara Tour ($132K/year)

Nune Tatunts, the founder of Arara Tour, started her travel company in Armenia in 2014. Through hard work and dedication, Arara Tour has become one of the leading tour operators in Armenia, with branch offices in Georgia and Uzbekistan. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 in 2020, the company was on track to double its revenue from the previous year, showcasing their success in the tourism industry.

How much money it makes: $132K/year
How much did it cost to start: $7K
How many people on the team: 8

How We Started A $22K/Month Travel Company Selling Tours Around Armenia, Caucasus And Central Asia

Araratour, led by Nune Tatunts, experienced impressive revenue growth, doubling its 2018 revenue to bring in $13,000 a month in 2019, offering combined tours around the Caucasus and Central Asia, and now has an office in three countries.

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4. Heaven Himalaya ($120K/year)

Sanjib Adhikari, co-founder of Heaven Himalaya, was inspired by his childhood fascination with the Himalayas and a desire to promote the region's beauty. With no prior experience in the tourism business, Sanjib and his brother launched the company during the COVID pandemic, focusing on designing trekking and tour packages to Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and India. They are now looking to expand their offerings and partnerships while optimizing their online presence through SEO and social media channels.

How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
How many people on the team: 6

We Started A $120K/Year Mt. Everest Hiking Business

Heaven Himalaya, a tourism business that specializes in trekking and peak climbing tours, has managed to drive traffic to their website through SEO and social media channels, and has learned to stay calm and composed while waiting for the results.

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Read by 3,174 founders