We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tommy Cavigliano a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tommy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

Many of the properties are leaning too much on AI. The casino and travel business is more complicated than that and clients crave for service. That is what I provide and have since I’ve done this.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started my casino career in 1997 when I finished up at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. I took a agent job in Atlantic City at Trump Marina. I landed my first casino host job a year and a half later at Bally’s in Atlantic City. After four years of dealing with the cold weather I thought I should get back to the coast and warmer weather. I still live on the coast in Gulf Shores. When I returned, I took a job at IP Biloxi as a executive casino host, then I moved to Grand Casino Biloxi. Hurricane Katrina changed a lot for all of us on the coast and at that time I knew I had to branch off and become a independent rep. I started out with two properties in Biloxi (Hard Rock and Harrah’s Biloxi), I now work with over 100 locations for my clients and all of the major cruise lines. I look for the right kind of client and not volume, serious gamblers who have the time and funds to travel and play. 25 years later in this gig, I know I made the right choice. I’m also adding online gaming (in available states) and retail options for my guests for that continued personal touch for their travel. We have traveled/sailed with groups in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Europe, Nevada, Colorado, New Jersey, Mississippi and Louisiana over the years and it has been a blast!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being strait forward and honest with my guests as painful as it sometimes can be. Selling something that doesn’t exist will catch up with you in time.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Direct referrals from my clients. Gamblers often travel together so I can simplify some of that stress for all of them!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tommysviptours.com
• Instagram: tommysviptours
• Facebook: Tommy’s VIP Tours
• Linkedin: Tommy Cavigliano
• Twitter: Tommy Cavigliano