Welcome! Today we are talking with Russel Astle-Coates and Simon Steel, the co-owners of TourismTiger…
How did you get involved in TourismTiger?
Russ – I’m originally from the UK where I built years of experience in tech sales and coaching. In 2017 looking for a new challenge, I moved to Chile where I discovered TourismTiger. I was impressed with their business model, company morals, and vision. Starting off as Head of Sales, I progressed within the company and have since become the co-owner and Director of Business Development.
Simon – Initially I was only in Santiago on holiday. I’d just left my job in Gibraltar and was visiting friends for a few weeks. One of those friends was working at TourismTiger and through her I met Mat Newton, one of TT’s co-founders. Mat can be a very convincing man and he sold me his vision for the company and what he thought it could be. I came onboard originally as the Marketing Manager, and then, when Mat and Rebeca decided they were moving back to Melbourne and handing over the day-to-day running of TT, I stepped into the Head of Operations role that I’m still in now.
And who is TourismTiger?
Russ – At TourismTiger, we pride ourselves on specializing in website design and development tailored specifically for tour and activity operators. Our dedicated team understands the unique needs of the tourism industry, and our mission is to help businesses increase their bookings with effective website design, functionality, and an exceptional user experience.
Simon – We’ve noticed that many generic website solutions fall short when addressing the specific challenges and opportunities in the tourism sector. That’s why, at TourismTiger, we’ve honed our focus on this industry, ensuring that we deliver the most effective solutions for our valued clients.
How is TT different from other web design firms?
Russ – Our websites are designed and built specifically to sell tours! We have a team of developers, integral designers, and content writers to take care of all aspects of the website build. Our combined experience in the tourism website industry sets us apart from the rest.
Simon – Plus, once your site launches, the TigerCare team will take care of your site, handling maintenance, hosting, proactive updates, and any additional content changes you request. This delegation really benefits tour operators and means that your website continues to grow along with your business.
What’s new at TT?
Russ – We’re excited about our recently launched brand new packages.
Simon – We noticed that there was an increasing gap between clients who wanted a straightforward trusted design, and those who wanted more bespoke elements.
Russ – We feel that our Essentials, Enhanced, and Premium options solve those issues, and mean that we’re able to cater to each clients’ specific needs.
I already have a site. Why do I need a new one?
Russ – Nearly everyone who signs up with TourismTiger already has a website.
Simon –They sign up for two big reasons: they want to increase their bookings, or their current web team is letting them down.
Do I own my site?
Russ – Yes, you own your website and your domain.
Simon – But, don’t forget that with Tiger Care we deal with all the dirty work such as website maintenance, updates, hosting, etc.
How long does it take to build a website?
Russ – Though it varies a bit from site to site, we generally estimate between 5 weeks to 3 months to build your new site. When you sign up with us, we will give you a timeline with your projected launch date.
What sort of contracts are involved?
Russ – There’s really only one contract. The Website Build contract. It is short and to the point, and details topics such as the project price schedule, launch date, and ownership rights.
Simon – While we endeavor to ensure each and every client is happy, we don’t lock anyone in with any long-term post-launch contracts. For TigerCare, the monthly support service, should you wish to opt-out at any point we ask for 30 days notice. From there, you can migrate your site over to your own hosting platform.
Let’s talk about post-launch flexibility. Can I edit the website myself? Can you edit my website after it’s launched?
Russ – Yes and yes.
Simon – Yes, and we can train you on how to enter the back-end of your site to make any simple changes. With TigerCare, we can make these changes for you, add any new pages you might require and handle other upgrades you might want.
Do your websites have mobile versions?
Simon – Yes, all of our websites are responsive to adapt to mobile devices, tablets and desktop computers.
Can you integrate my email marketing software (such as MailChimp, ActiveCampaign, etc.)? What about my booking software?
Simon – Yes, we can link your site to your email marketing account at any point. All we need are your details! Booking software is also a standard integration for any website build.
Russ – The same goes for live chat, and most other software. Just let your TT rep know what you’re interested in and they’ll be able to advise you.
Great! Thanks for the behind-the-scenes look at TourismTiger, guys!
