Five Minutes With ... Dane Bono

Dane Bono | Senior Tour & Travel Sales Manager | New Orleans Steamboat Company & Gray Line New Orleans

Dane Bono, Senior Tour & Travel Sales Manager for New Orleans Steamboat Company & Gray Line New Orleans, got his start with the company in 2002 as a group sales team junior member, focusing on the social market and student groups. It was common to see Bono giving lectures to boy scouts in the steam engine room of the Steamboat NATCHEZ or holding a live alligator at the swamp.

A few years later, Bono traded in his steamy days and shrimp boots for suits and bow ties, with a current role that includes third party rate contracting, management of all group sales and tour series/tour operator accounts, in addition to business development via targeted industry trade shows.

As Gray Line New Orleans celebrates 100 years of showcasing the city to visitors, we caught up with Bono to learn the latest.

What has helped make Gray Line New Orleans so successful over the last 100 years?
It's a powerful combination to have the global brand awareness of Gray Line Worldwide but also be a locally owned, family-centered company. Out of our 149 full-time employees, nearly one third have been with us for 10-plus years and 23 have been with us for over 20. That kind of rare loyalty goes both ways. The tourism industry can be cyclical and also vulnerable to outside forces. Our shared experience also goes a long way in working through industry changes and working together in times of struggle.

What are some notable changes the company has experienced in recent years?
Our tour offering typically balances must-see attractions with unique, new tour concepts from our development team. The pandemic limited us to offering only the most popular tours but now that it's behind us, we've enhanced our 'Ghosts & Spirits Walking Tour' with three augmented reality experiences, commissioned by local artist Marcus Brown—a Gray Line exclusive! Our 'City & Cemetery Tour' now includes a brief stroll through the city's famed Garden District. We're always evolving based on guest and guide feedback.

What opportunities do you see for the future of Gray Line New Orleans?
We recently added new MCI motorcoaches, expanding our charter services division so we're able to provide local and over the road service.

With the help of our in-house destination company, Visit New Orleans, we produce private events and second line parades. We have an intimate working knowledge of our guides' special interests, allowing us to easily curate custom experiences focused on specific aspects of New Orleans' rich culture and history. We're truly your Local Sightseeing Experts!

Edited by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.

This article originally appeared in the Sep/Oct '24 issue of Groups Today.

Photo courtesy of Gray Line New Orleans.