About Merve: My Journey from Corporate Burnout to Tourist Guiding Freedom
The Breaking Point
At 47, I’d had enough. Twenty-five years in corporate middle management had given me a comfortable salary and a responsible title – but it had also given me mounting frustration, family tension, and a soul-crushing sense of being trapped.
Criticized from below, ignored from above, stuck in the “no man’s land” of middle management – I knew something had to change.
The Leap
When a voluntary retrenchment offer came through, I took it. My wife was reluctant, but she agreed – for the sake of our marriage and family harmony.
Going back to another corporate job? Never even considered it.
Self-employment beckoned. But doing what?
The Discovery
Living in South Africa just as apartheid ended, I saw tourism exploding with opportunity. I qualified as a Tourist Guide, learned the industry inside out, made connections, and got my hands dirty with real Guiding work.
It was a steep learning curve – mastering destinations, managing visitors, solving problems on the fly, thinking on my feet. Every day brought new challenges and lessons.
Building the Business
From freelance Guide to business owner was a natural progression. I developed two tour operating businesses serving different markets, and began mentoring new Guides entering the industry.
For 25 years, I lived the life I’d craved at 47 – independence, variety, fulfillment, and yes, plenty of character-building challenges along the way.
Why I’m Here
COVID shut tourism down overnight. But it gave me time to reflect on what I’d learned over a quarter-century in this industry.
Now, I’m building something new: helping aspiring Tourist Guides and tourism business owners navigate the journey I’ve already traveled. From your first qualification to building a profitable operation, I’ve been there – and I can help you avoid the pitfalls and accelerate your success.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
If you’re stuck in a soul-crushing job, craving independence, or dreaming of a career that combines travel, people, and freedom – Tourist Guiding might be your answer, just as it was mine.