Spotlight on GANYC Guide: Cindy Ladopoulos
Introducing GANYC guide Cindy Ladopoulos of her own company: NY Cindy Tours!
Website: NY Cindy Tours
Phone: 646-709-8165
Email
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How long have you been a tour guide?
I've been licensed for NYC for 5 years and for DC for 3 years.
What types of tours do you offer?
Depending on the request/client need , I can either just be a Tour Guide for a few hours conducting a walking or bus tour, or I can service as a Tour Manager where I spend many days with the guests. Sometimes I even travel with the group and we visit several cities.
Do you offer Niche Tours?
I do several neighborhood tours (like my most popular West Harlem tour) as well as several themed tours. Since I am bilingual and part of my business involves servicing Greek and Cypriot guests, I design several tours that highlight the Greek influence on several buildings' architecture both in NY and in DC. I also conduct several Art tours in some of the NY museums and galleries. Since my first career was Market Research, it is very easy for me to customize my tours to consider the client's interests so I can enhance their experience.
What time of year would you consider your busy season?
I do not seem to have one season consistently busier than another. While student tours keep me busy in the Spring and Fall, family tours are busy in the Summer and then the cruise crowd/seniors kick into late summer and into fall. Incentive groups (that are usually booked though DMCs) seem to not have a particular season and when there is a reason to celebrate with a trip (i.e. a product launch, successful sales year, company buy out etc), I am happy to assist with the celebration!
Have you or your company received any awards?
No. I'm just happy pleasing clients and therefore, getting paid for my efforts.
Have you or your company been featured in print, broadcast (tv or radio) or online media?
Although I have been written up in several blogs, printed articles and 2 radio shows, I have never been interviewed on TV.
What drove you to become a tour guide or tour operator or create this company/organization?
Years ago, when I was in advertising, I would watch the Double Decker buses go by and think how much fun it would be to be a Tour Guide. Years later, I decided to start my Tour Guide career as a Tour Guide on the Double Decker buses.
Starting out at Grayline, allowed me to polish my scripts, network with other very helpful Tour Guides, learn the bus routes and eventually start my own company.
What is the most gratifying part of your work?
Knowing that I succeed in enhancing the guest's NY adventure and that I help make their trip fun and memorable.
What celebrities (if any) have patronized your business or organization? Any fun stories about when they visit your business?
I once was set up (from a concierge) with a celebrity who I immediately recognized but I knew I was supposed to just call him "Joe" (which I realized was not his real name). He was accompanied by a very nicely dressed woman. "Joe" had given me a $100 bill as a tip before we had started the tour and while we were waiting for his friends, another couple, to meet us (at a museum). He had explained that he was tipping me upfront as they would be rushed in the end ...
At the end of the tour, when the other man (i.e. Joe's friend) tried to tip me , I thanked him and told him that his friend had already tipped me. He insisted on tipping me anyway stating"you're really good". For a 2.5 hr art tour, I ended up making $200 in tip alone. Anytime I see "Joe" on TV, I smile and wish I had more guests like "Joe " and his friends.
How long have you been a member of GANYC?
Since 2012.
How has GANYC helped you and your business?
Attending the FAM tours and mentoring some members has empowered me and helped me gain confidence in my knowledge and skills. Networking with GANYC members has helped me gain more business as well as allowed me to share projects when my direct client needed more than 1 Tour Guide/Tour Manager or asked for a refferal (on those rare occasions when I was already scheduled elsewhere). I only refer people I have worked with and most of them are GANYC members.
What's your advice or Tour Guide tip you love to share to people visiting New York?
Do not be afraid to ask for directions as New York residents are just regular people and if you are respectful of them, they will respond in kind.
(For more info or to book a tour with Cindy check out her GANYC profile by clicking here)