How to Build a Tourism Business That Works: Interview with Elena Lardi

How to Build a Tourism Business That Works: Interview with Elena Lardi

What does it mean to build a successful tourism business? Elena Lardi, an experienced entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience, shares her story, secrets of success and how to stay afloat in a constantly changing market. In the interview, she talks not only about her successes, but also about the difficulties she encountered along the way. These are candid and very valuable insights for anyone who is just starting their business journey.

How it all began: the first step in the tourism business

Elena started with the idea of showing Russia to foreigners from its authentic side. But starting a business was not easy. The first challenge was working with Russian regions: locals did not always understand why foreign tourists would want to visit the hinterland. Elena learned to win the trust of foreign clients, overcoming fears and cultural barriers. This period hardened her and taught her patience, and also showed how important commitment and enthusiasm are.

Attracting and Retaining Customers: Building Trust

Elena reveals that the key to a successful tourism business is trust. The first thing she builds her work on is understanding the needs of her clients. It was important not just to organize tours, but to create unforgettable and comfortable conditions for clients. Gradually, her company began to attract more and more guests, and her team, initially consisting of enthusiasts with minimal experience, grew into real professionals.

Tips for Beginners: Be Persistent and Flexible

What advice does Elena give to beginners? She is sure that business will not work if you do it without joy and involvement. In addition, it is important not to be afraid of mistakes: the path to success lies through constant trials and honing of strategy. Another valuable piece of advice is to maintain balance. Elena says that for her and her husband, who is also involved in business, it is essential not to carry work problems into their personal lives. She believes that quality work requires distance from problems and regular rest.

Tourism trends: from standard routes to unique offers

Tourism has changed: if people used to travel in large groups along standard routes, today more and more tourists are looking for special and personal experiences. Classic tours are being replaced by signature routes, travel “for the insiders”, retreats and eco-tourism. Uniqueness also plays an important role: for example, organizing a tour with a photo against the backdrop of bears in a Russian village is no longer a joke, but a popular offer for tourists from Asia.

CODEV: a project to support beginners

In conclusion of the interview, Elena spoke about the CODEV project – a place where entrepreneurs can find support, knowledge and inspiration for developing their business. If you want to start your journey or take your business to the next level, sign up for the CODEV group, where you will find useful advice, professional strategies and a community of like-minded people.

Full interview with Elena Lardi

And sign up for the CODEV group via whatsappto get practical support for starting and growing your business.