Making Memories Tours

What Making Memories Tours does

Making Memories Tours is a privately-held, faith-based group travel company founded in 2009 by Jerry and Angie Varner in Washburn, Missouri. The company operates as a full-service tour operator, organizing motorcoach tours, air-and-cruise packages, and custom group itineraries across more than 300 built itineraries spanning domestic U.S. destinations and international locations including Kenya, Iceland, Scandinavia, the Baltics, New Zealand, Italy, Israel, and Costa Rica. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from approximately $1,709 per person for domestic motorcoach trips to $11,379 per person for international multi-country tours, with deposits of $100-$250 per passenger.

The underlying technology stack is conventional for the industry: the company runs a WordPress-based website for catalog browsing and bookings, uses a toll-free phone line for direct sales, and relies on industry-standard relationships with hotels, attractions, and cruise lines. There is no proprietary technology platform, API, or AI/ML capability; the business is service-led and relationship-led rather than software-led. Distribution combines phone sales, website self-service booking, in-person travel expos across Missouri and Arkansas, regional pickup locations in five cities, and partnerships with Travel Alliance Partners (TAP), Norwegian Cruise Line, Rocky Mountaineer, and Sports Travel and Tours.

The customer base spans nine segments, with faith-based organizations and senior activity centers as primary verticals, and bank travel clubs, independent living communities, military/veterans groups, educational institutions, friend groups, and fundraising organizations as secondary verticals. The company operates with 1-10 employees, no external funding, and no M&A history. Revenue is generated through one-time tour package sales, gift certificates, referral-driven repeat bookings, and free catalog distribution that functions as a lead-generation tool. The More Memories loyalty program and Refer-a-Friend rewards ($75 per person) provide modest retention mechanics, and group leaders serve as a distribution multiplier within their organizations.

Name

Making Memories Tours

Legal name

Making Memories Tours, LLC

Website

https://makingmemoriestours.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Making Memories Tours is a privately-held, faith-based group travel company operating motorcoach tours, custom group trips, and air/cruise packages for faith-based, senior, military, school, and community group segments across the U.S. and international destinations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Group Travel Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Charter Bus Industry (4855), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Escorted Coach & Bus Package Tour Operators (THAKADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group & Small-Group Custom Itinerary Planning (THAKAOAF), Tour & Sightseeing Coach Charters (THAIAIAB), Charter & Tour Coach Operators (TLAFAFAB), Guided Tours & Interpretive Services (Ranger-Led, Naturalist, Cultural Interpretation) (THAAAGAB), Cultural Heritage & Historic District Tours (THAJAAAB)

Keywords

• Group travel tours
• Motorcoach tour packages
• Faith-based travel
• Custom group itineraries
• Senior group travel

Headquarters

HQ city

Washburn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tour Package Sales: Primary revenue from selling tour packages at per-person pricing with single, double, triple, and quad seat options. Tour prices range from approximately $1,709-$11,379 depending on destination, duration, and included amenities. Deposits required: $100 per person for motorcoach tours, $250 per person for airfare/cruise tours.
2. Gift Certificates: Sale of gift certificates in $50, $100, and $250 increments through the website shop.
3. Free Catalog Distribution: Free catalog distribution to generate leads. Customers can request free physical catalogs by mail through a form on the website.
4. Referral Rewards: Referral rewards program where existing customers receive $75 per person certificates toward future tours when they refer new clients who complete trips.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Making Memories Tours is a full-service group travel company that sells escorted motorcoach tours, air and cruise tour packages, and custom group travel itineraries. Its offerings bundle deluxe motorcoach transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, baggage handling, entrance fees, and a professional tour director into a single per-person-priced tour product with single, double, triple, and quad seat options. The company tailors trips for faith-based groups, seniors, military/veterans, schools, bank travel clubs, and friend groups.

Product overview

Making Memories Tours is a faith-based, family owned and operated full service group travel company offering a comprehensive portfolio of tour services. The core offering consists of motorcoach tours (with over 300 built itineraries), custom group travel planning, and air/cruise combinations. The company serves diverse market segments including faith-based groups, bank travel clubs, senior activity centers, independent living communities, military/veterans organizations, educational groups, and general friend groups. Specialty offerings include European River Cruises, pre/post hotel programs, gift certificates, and a referral rewards program. All tours include professional tour directors, deluxe transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, baggage handling, and activity-level ratings. The company partners with Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) for guaranteed departures worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Motorcoach Tours Full-service group travel tours using deluxe motorcoach transportation with professional tour directors, hotel accommodations, meals, baggage handling, and entrance fees included. Tours span domestic and international destinations and offer per-person pricing with single, double, triple, and quad seat options.
• Custom Group Travel Tailor-made tour packages customized to fit specific group travel needs for organizations such as faith-based groups, banks, senior centers, schools, and military groups. Includes dedicated group travel request forms and a group leader questionnaire tool, with a minimum group size of 24 passengers.
• Air and Cruise Tours Tour packages that combine air travel with ocean or river cruises, including destinations like Alaska, Kenya, Iceland, Scandinavia, and European river cruises. Air and cruise tours carry a $250 per person deposit.
• Faith-Based Travel Group tours designed for church families and believers, including trips to The Ark Encounter, Israel, Italy, Great Passion Play, and the National Quartet Convention. Includes mission trips and faith-themed itineraries.
• Bank Travel Clubs

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google based on 41 reviews
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Tour Association (NTA)coreOthersMaking Memories Tours is a member of the National Tour Association, participating in annual travel shows and conferences to connect with vendors representing hotels and attractions. This membership provides access to thousands of travel suppliers.
• Faith Travel AssociationcoreOthersIndustry association membership supporting faith-based travel organizations and professionals.
• Missouri Travel CouncilminorOthersRegional travel industry association supporting Missouri tourism businesses.
• Travel Alliance Partnership (TAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaking Memories Tours is a member of TAP, a partnership of Premier Tour Operators throughout the United States and Canada. TAP membership provides exclusive 'Guaranteed Departures' of tours worldwide and access to regional experts with unique itineraries.
• Sports Travel and ToursminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Sports Travel and Tours (STAT) enables customers to access baseball road trips, spring training packages, Hall of Fame Enshrinements, major sporting events, and Flexible Independent Travel (FIT) vacations.
• Norwegian Cruise LinecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for Alaska Land & Cruise tours aboard the Norwegian Jade cruise ship. Tours include 7-night Inside Passage cruises with various cabin categories.
• Rocky MountaineercoreTechnology or IntegrationExclusive partnership offering Canadian Rockies by Rail tours aboard the Rocky Mountaineer scenic train with SilverLeaf view car seating, gourmet breakfasts and lunches.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CIE Tours International: Escorted motorcoach tour operator specializing in Ireland, Britain, and Europe with strong US outbound customer base. Directly comparable business model — escorted coach tours with driver-guides, bundled pricing, and group-leader-friendly configuration.
• Globus Family of Brands (Globus / Cosmos): Major escorted tour operator with multiple brands covering premium (Globus) and value (Cosmos) escorted motorcoach and air-inclusive tours worldwide. Closely comparable in product (escorted multi-day packages), distribution (catalog and website), and target customer (groups, seniors, faith communities).
• Insight Vacations: Premium escorted tour operator offering guided multi-day trips across Europe, North America, and beyond with luxury coach configurations. Comparable in escorted-tour product format, bundled pricing, and senior-skewing customer base.
• Trafalgar Tours: Globus-owned premium escorted tour brand offering guided multi-day tours across all seven continents with strong North American customer base. Directly comparable product format (escorted coach tours with tour directors), customer demographic, and bundled pricing structure.
• Tauck: Premium escorted tour and cruise operator serving North American travelers with multi-country guided itineraries. Comparable in escorted tour format and customer demographic, though positioned upmarket with higher per-trip pricing.
• Caravan Tours: US-based escorted motorcoach tour operator offering fully-guided multi-day tours across North and Central America. Directly comparable in core product (motorcoach escorted tours), customer demographic (seniors and group travelers), and bundled pricing model.
• Mayflower Cruises & Tours: US-based escorted tour and river cruise operator marketing primarily to group leaders and faith-based organizations. Closely comparable customer targeting (faith-based, seniors, group leaders), product mix (motorcoach tours plus river cruises), and distribution model.
• Collette Tours: One of the largest escorted tour operators in North America, offering motorcoach and air-inclusive guided tours to domestic and international destinations. Directly comparable business model — bundled tour packages with tour directors, similar customer demographics (seniors, faith-based, group travel), and similar asset-light supplier model.

Emerging players

• Premier World Discovery: Smaller escorted tour operator offering domestic and international motorcoach tours, with similar reliance on group leaders and senior travelers. Comparable in product type and customer demographic, though operating at smaller scale than Collette or Globus.
• Country Travel Discoveries: Smaller US escorted tour operator focusing on North American destinations with an emphasis on small-group and themed itineraries. Comparable in tour-operator model and senior-oriented customer base, though smaller in scale and more domestically concentrated.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCp0AECZ8d0LTzl3oMFG3pzA
• Facebookfacebook.com/makingmemoriestours

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Making Memories Tours