Area/Topic
Western United States, Tourism Business, Career

Melissa Chiella
Director of Operations
Bindlestiff Tours

Melissa hails from the great state of New York. Growing up in Long Island & NYC she quickly developed an edge & pursued a Corporate Legal Career – thinking this was the path for her. However, in 2010 after an 8-year stint in law, she left the big apple in search of different dreams after a solo backpacking trip to Puerto Rico that shifted her direction in life.

Melissa fell in love with the Adventure Travel sector, leading her to find a passion driven career and exploring the globe – trekking the jungles of Africa to see the Gorillas to walking hundreds of miles across Spain on a pilgrimage to searching for the tastiest ceviche in South America.

She has never stopped pushing her limits since. For 12 years she was a front and back-country guide expanding her experience in over 25 of Canada's & America’s National Parks. She was also lead trainer and General Manager for an outdoor travel brand in California. Eventually, her heart was stolen by Alaska’s rising peaks, crisp mountain air, and creamy blue glacial pools, while guiding wilderness backpacking and packaneering for 5 years.

In the fall of 2020, during the Pandemic, she took her car with her bike in tow across the country and explored 16 new states on two wheels, while writing about mountain bike travel for her sponsors at Marin Bikes. She is a freelance travel & adventure writer, tying in all the things she has learned and loved over the years.

Melissa now calls the West Coast home, splitting her time between beautiful Lake Tahoe and the bright lights of Las Vegas. With decades of travel experience, hiking adventures, cultural exposure, and professional guiding – she looks forward to sharing her colorful experiences with guests and her staff.

Melissa is a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR), California Naturalist, Swift Water 1 Rescue, Avalanche 2 Rescue (AIARE) and Lifeguard. 

"I can’t chase the American dream trading life for Money” – author unknown

http://www.bindlestifftours.com/

Summary

Melissa Chiella, Director of Operations with Bindelstiff Tours, discusses the challenges and rewards of working in the tourism industry. She shares insights into the day-to-day operations of a tour company and the demands of the job. Melissa also highlights the importance of shared experiences and the sense of community among adventure travel professionals. She discusses the impact of social media on tourism and the considerations for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the industry. Melissa also explains the concept of public itineraries and white labeling in the tourism business. In this conversation, Melissa discusses the role of tour operators and the value they bring to the travel industry. She emphasizes the importance of partnerships and leveraging the strengths of different companies. She encourages people to reach out and connect for partnerships and job opportunities. Finally, Melissa shares information about Bindlestiff's new trips and an upcoming solar eclipse tour in Texas.

Takeaways

• Working in the tourism industry can be mentally, physically, and emotionally demanding, but it offers unique and rewarding experiences.
• Tourism professionals need to be comfortable with uncertainty, long hours, and managing various responsibilities in real-time.
• Shared experiences and a sense of community are important aspects of working in adventure travel.
• Social med

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