We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jean Dondy Cidelca a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jean Dondy, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for the tour company came about doing my graduate thesis project. The process of design led me to realize that I can give back to people and my community with through education. I had to create a platform to educate people through history, culture, and architecture. In 2016 I started doing tours professionally and two years later in 2018 started my own tour company Tap Tap Tours & Transportation, LLC.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Cidelca, your local tour guide. I am fluent in both Haitian Kreyòl, English and French. Upon completion of my academic career in Architecture, the process of design has steered my interest in the field of tourism to exchange knowledge with people. As a Multicultural Tourism Ambassador, I have met people from all over the world. The opportunity to meet people of various cultures every week provides the motivation to facilitate the experiences.
From 2016 to the present, Tap Tap Tours has conducted approximately 1, 000 tours to individuals, families, private groups, schools, businesses and friends. Tap Tap Tour’s core principle is based on education. We aim to inform people of their roots and exposure to other traditional cultural practices. These tours are led based on questions that are being asked, which allows the learning process to be fun, spontaneous, and refreshing for visitors. Guests can contextualize their understanding of a particular neighborhood through the lens of history, culture and architecture.
In addition to the tours the company host Tropical Art Fair every three months in March, June, September, and December.
ARC Delight is a series of architecture lectures that exemplifies the craft’s very essence, encompassing every detail of the design. The core principles of architecture consist of 2 main approaches. The physical component is based on place, people, and design, while the technical aspect incorporates space, form, and order. The ARC delight tour analyzes the architectural precedent of both man-made and natural influential factors. You won’t want to miss out on this exclusive opportunity. Each month, we will unearth a brand-new, extraordinary architectural design. Channel your inner architect today!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Through 2020 which was Covid year, the tours never stop. I kept the tours going by doing private tours for individuals and family, A that time most of the big tour companies shut down because it was not profitable for them to do tours with just one person. It did not bother me because my tours were always small and personal even before the pandemic.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Words of mouth is the best way to built a reputation specially through reviews. Reviews are personal experience which tends to be true giving people that are interested in idea of the type of experience they may have for the same tour experience. An image or short video is definitely a booster to show approval of tour experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: taptaptours.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taptaptoursllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toursarc?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tap-tap-tours-transportation-llc-6307a21b4/recent-activity/all
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@taptaptours