Meet Stephen Belcastro of New England Trips in Faneuil Hall

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Belcastro.

Stephen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was an independent delivery driver that happened to be in the right place at the right time. In the process of making a medical delivery to a Boston hotel, I overheard a conversation between a hotel guest and a concierge regarding taking a trip to Martha’s Vineyard. The guest was interested in a day trip and the hotel employee’s response peeked my interest. The response of “they had no service to MV and the only way was to take a public bus and then the ferry” seemed disheartening to the guest. That evening and for the next couple days my wife and I called numerous hotels acting as future incoming guests and inquired about a Martha’s Vineyard day trip.

The response of no service was unanimous. At that point I put together some numbers, thought it would work and bought my first bus. New England Trips Inc. was born.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was a difficult journey to get to where New England Trips Inc. is today. The first couple summers were rough. With great respect to all of the hardworking hotel concierge, it can be difficult to gain their trust in your product. When you are an unknown and your product has yet to be tested amongst their clients they can be hesitant (with good reason) to recommend you. If I was in their shoes I would be the same way. You are taking a gamble by referring a guest that you and your company value to an unknown such as I was. I believe that the product was so good and the idea was so original that in time most of them almost had to try it. Remember, I had no experience at all in the tourism industry so everything I did was by trial and error. All I had to go on was my own research of the industry.

New England Trips Inc. – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our first summer was the summer of 2011. We specialize in upscale day trips for Boston tourists, though locals are more than welcome as well. I am most proud of the fact that we offer “Boston’s Original Martha’s Vineyard day trip”. When we began the trip we were the only company offering a trip to MV. As time has gone on there have been a few other companies that have offered a similar product. There is a popular quote that reads “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. I believe that the way we run our trip can’t be duplicated because no one else has the personnel that I have. My guides are all great at what they do and take great pride in the service that they provide. Our trips are made in smaller vehicles so the personal attention each guest is provided is magnified. I want our guests to feel that they are taking a trip with 15 or 20 of their closest friends and our guide helps bring that feeling to fruition.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I still remember driving the bus on my first trip in June of 2011. I think I was most proud (also shocked) seeing that first reservation come through our website. That first trip with just me and my 2 guests from the Lenox Hotel was a great experience and one that gave me the inclination that this could really work. This is my proudest business moment. My proudest personal moments are getting my wife to give me her phone number and the birth of my 3 boys.

Pricing:

• $99 roundtrip Boston to Martha’s Vineyard including the ferry ride and Boston hotel pickup. (additional optional island tour is available)
• $99 Newport Mansions trip from Boston ncludes admission to 2 mansions and a narrated tour of Newport
• $99 day trip to Plymouth and Cape Cod includes admission to both Plimoth Plantation and the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich

Contact Info:

• Address: New England Trips Inc.
  8 Faneuil Hall Marketplace
  Third Floor
  Boston, MA 02109
• Website: NewEnglandTripsInc.com
• Phone: 617-515-3405
• Email: contact@newenglandtripsinc.com
• Facebook: New England Trips Inc.
• Twitter: @TripsNewEngland
• Yelp: New England Trips Inc.
• Other: TRIP ADVISOR New England Trips Inc.

Image Credit:
Onne Van Der Wal