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Why Competition Is Bad for Travel Businesses — Especially When It Becomes a Price Game
Why competition is bad for travel businesses and how price wars force agencies to lower quality, margins, and brand value instead of standing out.
Ray Gudrups
Feb 33 min read


Key Market Insights for Mexico Travel: Unlocking Opportunities in a Vibrant Sector
Let’s dive into some of the most important trends shaping Mexico’s travel sector today. These insights will help you stay ahead of the curve and design packages that resonate with modern travelers.
Ray Gudrups
Jan 283 min read


🌮 Mexico City Crowned Best Street Food Scene in the World — And Why Tour Operators Should Care
Why food tours like “Eat like a local” should be part of your travel offerings. Explore the Mexico City street food scene — from Michelin-recognized tacos to local staples.
Ray Gudrups
Jan 214 min read


17 New Flight Routes to Cancun: What This Expansion Means for Travel Operators
Seventeen new flight routes to Cancun will boost connectivity, demand, and competition. Here’s why this matters for tour operators and agencies
Ray Gudrups
Jan 154 min read


From Google to TikTok: Tour Marketing Strategies That Bring Real Bookings
The travel industry doesn’t have a visibility problem.
It has a conversion problem.
Tour operators today are everywhere—ranking on Google, posting on Instagram, experimenting with TikTok—yet many still ask the same question:
“Why do we get attention, but not consistent bookings?”
Ray Gudrups
Jan 143 min read


How to Build a Travel Brand That Feels Local — Even If You’re Not Based in Mexico
Learn how travel operators can build a local travel brand Mexico trusts—without being based there—using partnerships, storytelling, and operational credibility
Ray Gudrups
Jan 124 min read


Success Story: Experiential Travel Agency Success Story — From Destinations to Access
When travel signs point everywhere, most agencies sell destinations. But the real winners sell access — experiences you can’t find on the map. Discover how one agency turned locations into stories and became a leader in experiential travel
Ray Gudrups
Jan 64 min read


Maya Train Tourism Mexico: Why Tour Operators Aren’t Using It (Yet)
Why Maya Train Tourism in Mexico Hasn’t Been Adopted by Tour Operators and how to solve it
Ray Gudrups
Dec 17, 20254 min read


The Most Dangerous Mistake Travel Agencies Make: Choosing Local Partners by Lowest Price
In the travel industry, margins matter — we all know that. But there is one decision that consistently destroys those margins, damages client trust, and creates long-term reputational problems:
Choosing local travel partners based solely on the lowest price.
It’s the quiet mistake that many small and medium-sized travel agencies make, especially when expanding into new destinations. And the consequences can be far more expensive than the savings.
Ray Gudrups
Dec 15, 20253 min read


Preservation Over Pictures: Why Protecting Heritage Sites Matters More Than Ever
🇲🇽 Latest Update — Nohoch Mul pyramid at Cobá archaeological site Reopened (But With Mixed Emotions). As I read the announcement, I felt conflicting emotions. On one hand, yes, it’s incredible to offer travelers the chance to climb and admire a jungle-covered pyramid from the top. On the other hand, these monuments were never built as tourist attractions.
Ray Gudrups
Dec 11, 20255 min read


The Travel Industry Has a Quality Problem. Nobody Wants to Admit It
The travel industry has a quality problem — and it’s getting worse. Not because people don’t care. Not because agencies aren’t trying.
But because so many operators are building products on foundations that are weak, generic, or unverified.
And the pressure to keep up with trends, compete on price, and produce itineraries quickly is only making the problem louder.
Ray Gudrups
Dec 9, 20254 min read


Why 2026–2035 Could Be the Golden Era for Niche Travel Agencies
“Everything-for-everyone” agencies are being overtaken by leaner, more specialized competitors.
But one segment is entering its most powerful decade yet:
Niche travel agencies.Small to medium operators with specific expertise, cultural depth, and hyper-relevant offers.
And the data is clear: 2026–2035 is shaping up to be a golden era for niche travel agencies. Here is why.
Ray Gudrups
Dec 3, 20254 min read


5 Mexico Tour Planning Mistakes Agencies Make (And How to Avoid Them)
consulting, and helping agencies build itineraries across dozens of Mexican regions, I see the same mistakes repeated again and again—especially by small and medium-size travel companies expanding internationally.
Here are the five biggest “Mexico tour planning mistakes” agencies make
Ray Gudrups
Dec 2, 20253 min read


Could Machu Picchu Lose Its Status? Why It is at Risk — And What It Means for Global Tourism
UNESCO has repeatedly warned Peru that Machu Picchu risks being added to the “World Heritage in Danger” list — the final step before losing its protected status.
The question is no longer if the site is at risk. The question is how close we are to crossing the line.
Let’s break down why this is happening, what could come next, and what Machu Picchu tells us about the future of global tourism.
Ray Gudrups
Nov 27, 20253 min read


Mexico local tourism costs: Why Remote Travel Is Pricier—But Worth It
After years of guiding travelers through Mexico—both the polished, world-famous hotspots and the hidden, rural corners—I've learned one truth: running tours in Tulum or Cancún is one thing. Running tours in remote, local communities is an entirely different operation.
And the difference isn’t just about vibe or atmosphere—it’s about cost, logistics, responsibility, and the kind of travel you want to provide.
Let me explain from firsthand experience.
Ray Gudrups
Nov 18, 20253 min read


Black Friday for Tour Operators: How to Create Irresistible Offers That Don't Hurt Your Margins
For travel brands—agencies, operators, guides—it's a golden opportunity to boost bookings, raise visibility, and lock in clients early. But mismanaged, it can erode margins, attract bargain hunters, and devalue your product. Here’s how to run strong Black Friday tour offers that sell smart—not cheap.
Ray Gudrups
Oct 16, 20254 min read


Case Study: How International Agencies Use Local Guides Partnership Scaled by Partnering with Local Mexican Guides
In Mexico’s competitive travel market, the difference between a tour and an unforgettable experience often comes down to one thing—local insight. Two international agencies, Viajero Mexico and Rutopía, have demonstrated how working hand-in-hand with local Mexican guides can become a long-term growth engine, driving both business scale and cultural authenticity.
Their success stories highlight what many B2B travel entrepreneurs still underestimate: partnering with local exper
Ray Gudrups
Oct 16, 20253 min read


Finding Reliable Local Partners: A Consultant’s Guide to Mexico’s Regional Networks
Why Reliable Local Partners Are Vital for Mexico Tour Operators
If you're building or scaling tour offerings in Mexico, especially outside the coastal hotspots, nothing matters more than solid local partners. They’re the bridges to logistics, culture, authenticity, and sustainable operations. Without them, tours can fall apart — delays, misunderstandings, and reputational hits are very real risks.
Ray Gudrups
Oct 16, 20255 min read
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