Today's guest is Stephen Oddo, the founder of Walks, and he joins us to talk about how he started his exclusive tour company and the exciting services they offer. Walks is one of the biggest independent tour companies in the world, focusing on unique and intimate experiences in what is now 14 cities around the globe and counting. Before hearing from Stephen, we kick the show off as usual with some listener questions and travel news, getting into tips for travelers with canceled flights, experiences with foreign food, and the effects that the Delta variant of COVID is having on travel restrictions around the world. Next up, we dive into our interview with Stephen hearing firstly about how his time as a tour guide in Rome inspired him to start Walks. Stephen gets into the founding vision behind his company and his aim to curate experiences that go far beyond what you would expect from its competition, so be sure to tune in and hear all about it!
Today on On Arrival:
• Stephen’s parents’ careers and how he got his start in the travel industry.
• What Stephen took away from his experience working for big hotels and as a tour guide.
• How Stephen’s occupation as a tour guide in Rome grew into his founding Walks.
• Stephen’s aim to incorporate technology as a way of building a new kind of tour operation.
• The accessibility and culture in Rome and what Stephen loves about the city.
• Insights into the Walks business model and how it urged the company to expand.
• Political unrest in Turkey and how it affected the Walks business there.
• Going beyond simple walking tours; the scope of experiences that Walks offers.
• A brand new, super-exclusive tour of the Sistine Chapel that Walks is offering.
• Stephen’s recommendations for the Italian city people should visit if they could only go to one.
• The incredible and exclusive tours that are offered by Walks in Venice.
Visit TakeWalks.com to learn more about Walks and the tours they offer.
Follow Walks on Instagram (You'll thank us!).
Get in touch and connect with Stephen on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Do you have a burning travel question? Visit www.onarrival.com to submit your question for KT & Jordan to answer on the next show!
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