Jeff Lewis - Chief Nerd

Jeff Lewis

Chief Nerd

Home base: Sydney

Years in the travel industry: 14

What does the Chief Nerd of TourismSolved do one might ask? When he’s not building infrastructure and connecting the company up to reservation systems and other content management systems, as an early member of TourismSolved, Jeff is helping get the company up and running, and having some fun while he’s at it. He’s no stranger to these sort of operations: For the last two decades, Jeff has been a founder of Chiizu as well as ZIVO — a company that went on to become a leading digital agency in Australia and New Zealand — before spending his last 13 years at Viator and Tripadvisor as the VP of Engineering and then VP of Technology. 

Jeff has traveled the globe solo and with his family, and mentions that Italy and Antarctica are among his favorite places, noting the the latter as the “most unique place I have been.” 

Learn more about Jeff

What’s a favorite memory of a tour experience you’ve taken?

When my son took over a bicycle rickshaw in Hanoi and the driver enjoyed the ride in the back (through the worst traffic imaginable).

What is it about working in the travel industry that you love the most?  

Guiding people to life changing and memorable experiences.

What motivates you to stay in the travel industry? 

My love of travel itself.

What’s been a big learning moment in your career? 

Small business owners are more passionate than corporate folks!

What’s one of your proudest accomplishments in your career? 

Managing the creation and global adoption of a real-time Supplier API for tours and attractions. It made internet booking (and especially last minute, in-destination) viable for this sector.

How do you see travel changing over time? What’s exciting about these potential changes?

It’s going to be less mainstream and more niche, due to the power of discovery on the internet and need for less crowds due to Covid-19.

What is the top thing that every tour operator can do to make their experience more enjoyable for travelers?

Create a personal connection with your travelers. They want to know you care about them and they want to learn about your culture. Start the tour as a guide, end it as a friend.

When you’re not working, where can we find you?

Sailing on Sydney Harbour or out the heads hunting for whales (with a camera!)

What's something surprising people might not know about you? 

I would like to make artisan furniture one day.