55 min
Crafting Culinary Experiences with Theresa Nemetz Gather and Go with Brian Jewell
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- Places & Travel
What is the secret to the perfect culinary tour?
If anybody knows the answer, it's Theresa Nemetz. After founding Milwaukee Food Tours 17 years ago, she has gone on to build a culinary travel empire that takes people on delicious adventures throughout the United States and around the world. She joins this episode of the podcast to discuss how she uses food as a gateway to authentic and inspiring travel experiences.
Theresa shares how she builds relationships on the ground to uncover memorable culinary opportunities and the great lengths she goes to in search of fantastic tour guides. Plus, we have news about states mandating green practices for hotels; a road tip about the power of pocket itineraries; and a Hot Minute about the role governments should and shouldn't play in regulating travel businesses.
Insights from Theresa Nemetz
On what people really want from food tours:
"They didn’t want the history lesson — they wanted to know about the neighborhood. They wanted to know about the people behind the stories. We make the food the attraction, but we focus on the stories of the people behind that food…. Travelers want a super-authentic experience.”
On hiring top talent:
“The secret to the secret sauce has been to pay people really well. That has been our No. 1 motivator. And to pay people really well, we have to charge our clients a really appropriate price.... In the last couple years, I have realized that the tour guide is the star of the show. I need to be able to recruit and retain those individuals.”
On emerging tour companies:
“I’m seeing an increase in the number of people who were doing day trips and now they’re converting over and they’re offering multiday opportunities. Because as a next generation of tour operators, we’re all gaining experience, and we’re all growing and learning and taking it up a notch.
“It’s bringing something new to the industry. You’re seeing higher-priced trips and action-packed itineraries that are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I see people building that into their itineraries. And I see that next-generation tour operator figuring it out. And we’re all lifting each other up, and we’re going to make the next generation of travel really a fun experience.”
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Learn more about Travel Deliciously at traveldeliciously.com.
Learn more about Milwaukee Food and City Tours at milwaukeefoodtours.com.
Learn more about Chicago Food and City Tours at chicagofoodtours.com.
Learn more about Great Lakes Shore Excursions at tourthegreatlakes.com.
Learn more about our OnSite familirization tours a href="https://grouptravelleader.
What is the secret to the perfect culinary tour?
If anybody knows the answer, it's Theresa Nemetz. After founding Milwaukee Food Tours 17 years ago, she has gone on to build a culinary travel empire that takes people on delicious adventures throughout the United States and around the world. She joins this episode of the podcast to discuss how she uses food as a gateway to authentic and inspiring travel experiences.
Theresa shares how she builds relationships on the ground to uncover memorable culinary opportunities and the great lengths she goes to in search of fantastic tour guides. Plus, we have news about states mandating green practices for hotels; a road tip about the power of pocket itineraries; and a Hot Minute about the role governments should and shouldn't play in regulating travel businesses.
Insights from Theresa Nemetz
On what people really want from food tours:
"They didn’t want the history lesson — they wanted to know about the neighborhood. They wanted to know about the people behind the stories. We make the food the attraction, but we focus on the stories of the people behind that food…. Travelers want a super-authentic experience.”
On hiring top talent:
“The secret to the secret sauce has been to pay people really well. That has been our No. 1 motivator. And to pay people really well, we have to charge our clients a really appropriate price.... In the last couple years, I have realized that the tour guide is the star of the show. I need to be able to recruit and retain those individuals.”
On emerging tour companies:
“I’m seeing an increase in the number of people who were doing day trips and now they’re converting over and they’re offering multiday opportunities. Because as a next generation of tour operators, we’re all gaining experience, and we’re all growing and learning and taking it up a notch.
“It’s bringing something new to the industry. You’re seeing higher-priced trips and action-packed itineraries that are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I see people building that into their itineraries. And I see that next-generation tour operator figuring it out. And we’re all lifting each other up, and we’re going to make the next generation of travel really a fun experience.”
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Learn more about Travel Deliciously at traveldeliciously.com.
Learn more about Milwaukee Food and City Tours at milwaukeefoodtours.com.
Learn more about Chicago Food and City Tours at chicagofoodtours.com.
Learn more about Great Lakes Shore Excursions at tourthegreatlakes.com.
Learn more about our OnSite familirization tours a href="https://grouptravelleader.
55 min