Company:ToursByLocals
| File:ToursByLocals Logo.jpg | |
| Type | Tour Operator |
|---|---|
| Industry | Tourism |
| Founded | 2008 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Founder | Paul Melhus (Co-Founder), Dave Vincent (Co-Founder) |
| Headquarters | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
Key people | Lisa Chen (President and CEO) |
| Products | Private tours, local travel experiences |
| Services | private guided tours, shore excursions |
Number of employees | 165 (approximately)[1] (January 2025) |
| Website | toursbylocals |
ToursByLocals is a Canadian-based, international private tour provider. Headquartered in Vancouver, the company connects travelers with more than 5,000 private tour guides in over 175 countries.[2]
It provides services like shore excursions for cruise ship passengers.
History
ToursByLocals was founded in 2008 by Paul Melhus and Dave Vincent.[3]
The company had operated without outside investment for approximately twelve years prior to the 2020 funding round, relying on revenue to fund its growth.[3][4]
In January 2020, ToursByLocals announced US$33 million (approximately C$43 million) in series A funding with Austin, Texas-based growth capital fund Tritium Partners.[5][6][7]
The planned technology and brand overhaul funded by the Series A was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which began approximately two months after the funding closed. During the pandemic period, ToursByLocals focused on providing virtual tours and domestic tours as an alternative to in-person international travel.[8][9]
By 2024, the company completed the rebranding and a full re-platforming of its technology infrastructure.[9][1]
Operations
ToursByLocals operates as an online marketplace connecting travellers with independent local tour guides. The company provides private tours, with bookings from separate parties not combined into shared groups. It also provides services for cruise ship passengers.[3][10]
Leadership
Paul Melhus was chief executive officer from the company's founding until October 2023. Dave Vincent was CTO and co-founded the company alongside Melhus in 2008. In October 2023, Lisa Chen was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, and Melhus assumed the role of Executive Chairman.[11][12]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "CEO Spotlight: Lisa Chen of ToursByLocals" (in en). https://www.phocuswire.com/ceo-spotlight-lisa-chen-toursbylocals.
- ↑ Schaal, Dennis (10 June 2025). "Airbnb Accused of Poaching Tour Guides From Rival Platforms to Grow Experiences". https://skift.com/2025/06/10/airbnb-accused-of-poaching-tour-guides-from-rival-platforms-to-grow-experiences/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "ToursByLocals snaps up its first funding, C$33M, to link sightseers with guides globally" (in en-US). 13 January 2020. https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/13/toursbylocals-snaps-up-its-first-funding-33m-to-link-sightseers-with-guides-globally/.
- ↑ "How I Got Here, episode 50 - Paul Melhus of ToursByLocals" (in en). https://www.phocuswire.com/How-I-Got-Here-Paul-Melhus.
- ↑ "Vancouver couple’s online travel venture hits $100-million valuation with private equity financing" (in en-CA). 13 January 2020. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-vancouver-based-toursbylocals-inc-announces-new-private-33-million/.
- ↑ "Vancouver’s ToursByLocals lands $33m investment" (in en). 13 January 2020. https://www.biv.com/news/hospitality-marketing-tourism/vancouvers-toursbylocals-lands-33m-investment-8258620.
- ↑ Kirkwood, Isabelle (13 January 2020). "Vancouver-based ToursByLocals raises $43 million CAD in first round of financing | BetaKit" (in en-CA). https://betakit.com/vancouver-based-toursbylocals-raises-43-million-cad-in-first-round-of-financing/.
- ↑ Pitrelli, Monica (24 December 2020). "Live virtual tours let travelers see the world from home this Christmas" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/23/how-to-travel-this-christmas-through-live-virtual-tours.html.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Chase-Lubitz, Jesse (30 July 2024). "ToursByLocals CEO on Brand Transformation and Rising Demand for Authentic Experiences". https://skift.com/2024/07/30/toursbylocals-ceo-on-brand-transformation-and-rising-demand-for-authentic-experiences/.
- ↑ Pitrelli, Monica (2 February 2023). "Not a fan of cruising? The hack that could change your mind" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/02/private-shore-excursions-how-to-get-away-from-cruise-ship-crowds.html.
- ↑ Brophy, Selene (12 October 2023). "ToursByLocals Appoints Lisa Chen as New CEO". https://skift.com/2023/10/12/toursbylocals-appoints-lisa-chen-as-new-ceo/.
- ↑ "ToursByLocals names new CEO as founder steps down" (in en). https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/ToursByLocals-names-new-CEO.
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