Company Profile
Boston Duck Tours
Company History
Contrary to local belief, the unique idea of a Duck Tour did not originate in Boston. Duck operations have been in existence in the Midwest for decades, and in fact, continue to thrive. What we did, however, is take a unique product and improve and enhance it, while at the same time bringing it to a major metropolitan city. Although this sounds simple, the process from start to finish took nearly two years, “100 halls of government” and fierce determination by an ex-banker who felt that there was more to life than the standard 9-5, corporate world. Opening in Boston required approximately 30 permits from various regulatory agencies. The permits were difficult to obtain partly due to the infamous bureaucratic red tape, but also because most people had never heard of Ducks and simply thought the idea of a land/water tour in Boston was crazy. At one point, Andy Wilson, Founder, was told that it would be easier to build a skyscraper in the center of the Boston Public Garden! What began as a four-Duck, 15-employee business on October 4, 1994, has grown to a 28-Duck, 125-employee powerhouse in the Boston tourism market. Since inception, Boston Duck Tours was voted by Boston Magazine as “Best of Boston” in the city tour category, and voted Boston.com’s “Best City Tour”. The company also was honored by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce at their Small Business of the Year Luncheon, Andy was named Small Businessperson of the Year for Massachusetts, and Andy also received a Spirit of Enterprise Award from the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. On a busy day in 1994, we carried 600 passengers, compared to 4,500 during our peak season today. The growth of Boston Duck Tours has been extremely important. However, we firmly believe that growth at the expense of quality is unacceptable. We continuously strive to improve upon the quality of the Ducks, the tour and our employees and not grow to the point where we become intrusive on the local community. We remain committed to strengthening the mutually beneficial relationship we have worked so hard to establish with the city of Boston. In 2000, Andy Wilson left Boston Duck Tours to pursue other projects. His management team took over the company and has continued to build upon its foundation
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Quack-Quack Give Back!
Boston Duck Tours is grateful for our success in Boston. We make a sincere effort to share our good fortune with the community in which we live and work. Our charitable focus is on “Clean Water”, “Education”, and “Veterans”. You can help – if you’d like to round your bill up to the next dollar, your change will help support five very worthy causes: Charles River Clean Up Boat Their mission is to remove the floating trash from the Charles River. Boston Public Library Youth Programs Their mission is to preserve and provide free access to the historical record of our society while serving the cultural, educational and informational needs of the people of City and the Commonwealth. Community Boating Their mission is the advancement of sailing for all by minimizing economic and physical obstacles to sailing. The Charles River Watershed Association Their mission is to improve the water quality and recreational potential of the Charles River. The Bostonian Society Their mission is to study and preserve Boston’s uniquely important history. The First Corps of Cadets Museum After the Civil War veterans of the the First Corps of Cadets, ICC, decided to start a museum to store the collection of uniforms, artifacts and papers gathered by members of the Corps since it’s inception. In 1876 The Veteran Association of the First Corps of Cadets, VAFCC, was founded. Boston Duck Tours will match 100% donated by our valued guests at the end of our season. Over the past 7 years, Boston Duck Tours has raised over $151,000, ultimately raising $302,000 for these local charities after our 100% match.
Clean Water
Because we operate in the Charles River, Boston Duck Tours is a major supporter of the Charles River Watershed Association, a non-profit organization that works with government agencies and other non-profit groups to improve the water quality and recreational potential of the Charles River. In 2004, Boston Duck Tours became the first major financial supporter of a new volunteer organization, the Charles River Clean Up Boat. Volunteers use the boat to clean the river and riverbanks of floating trash. In addition to our financial support, several Boston Duck Tours employees have volunteered to work on the boat. A new joint effort with the The Esplanade Association, although in its beginning stages, should prove to be a beneficial partnership.
Education
Every year, Boston Duck Tours visits numerous area schools to present educational programs on Boston’s history, as well as entrepreneurship. Special presentations are offered to veterans, business groups, and senior citizens. We have also served as mentors to students interested in pursuing a career in the travel industry. Every year, hundreds of school children learn to sail on the Charles River at Community Boating, the nation’s oldest public boating program, and a cause that we have supported for many years. We are also charter members of the Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA) and the SYTA Youth Foundation that raises money for youth travel scholarships. Boston Duck Tours is active in supporting local teachers through the Massachusetts Teachers Association and in honoring the Boston Teachers of the Year.
Veterans
Our original Ducks (DUKWs) were built in the 1940s to be used in WWII. DUKWs played a crucial role in the allied invasions in Sicily, the Pacific, and the biggest invasion of all, D-Day. Each day we run our amphibious tours, we honor the women who built them and the men who drove them in combat. Our Veterans hold a special place in our company and we strive to pay tribute to them in every way we can. We offer discounted rates for Military personnel and their spouses. Each year we offer free rides to all Veterans during the week of Veteran’s Day. Any time a WWII Vet wants to take a tour, it’s on us. New in 2011, we are a major sponsor of the Run to Home Base – the Home Base Program (created and supported by the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital) will help to ensure that local veterans who served our country receive the clinical treatment they need for combat stress and/or traumatic brain injury, and that their families get the guidance and support they need. Not only will we support them with our dollars and marketing outreach, but we also have a group of dedicated employees raising money and running the 9K race. In 2013 we added the First Corps of Cadets Museum to our program. The First Corps of Cadets Museum houses priceless historic holdings including the first Confederate Flag captured in the Civil War, the weapons fired at Lexington and Concord, the pike from the Mayflower, the best US Army Weapons Collection in the world, a painting of John Hancock’s home on a panel from his front door, military uniforms from the Revolutionary War to present, etc. We are proud to support the Corps and their mission to preserve this great nation’s history.
Assistance Dogs for Veterans
Boston Duck Tours has partnered with NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans to help raise money for their Assistance Dogs for Veterans* program. This program pairs highly trained NEADS dogs with qualified veterans of our armed services who could benefit from canine assistance. NEADS has matched 92 Service Dogs with veterans since 2006, when the program began. Since it was established in 1976, NEADS has placed over 1,500 Assistance Dogs with people who are Deaf or have a disability. For more information about NEADS, visit the site here! NEADS Assistance Dogs for Veterans: Help with the transition to prosthetics Retrieve and carry objects Press buttons and pull open doors Turn lights on and off Accompany the veteran in public places Assist with tasks for veterans in a wheelchair Respond to sounds for veterans who have hearing loss Offer valuable social interaction … and much more! *formerly referred to as Canines for Combat Veterans (CCV)
Contrary to local belief, the unique idea of a Duck Tour did not originate in Boston. Duck operations have been in existence in the Midwest for decades, and in fact, continue to thrive. What we did, however, is take a unique product and improve and enhance it, while at the same time bringing it to a major metropolitan city. Although this sounds simple, the process from start to finish took nearly two years, “100 halls of government” and fierce determination by an ex-banker who felt that there was more to life than the standard 9-5, corporate world. Opening in Boston required approximately 30 permits from various regulatory agencies. The permits were difficult to obtain partly due to the infamous bureaucratic red tape, but also because most people had never heard of Ducks and simply thought the idea of a land/water tour in Boston was crazy. At one point, Andy Wilson, Founder, was told that it would be easier to build a skyscraper in the center of the Boston Public Garden! What began as a four-Duck, 15-employee business on October 4, 1994, has grown to a 28-Duck, 125-employee powerhouse in the Boston tourism market. Since inception, Boston Duck Tours was voted by Boston Magazine as “Best of Boston” in the city tour category, and voted Boston.com’s “Best City Tour”. The company also was honored by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce at their Small Business of the Year Luncheon, Andy was named Small Businessperson of the Year for Massachusetts, and Andy also received a Spirit of Enterprise Award from the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. On a busy day in 1994, we carried 600 passengers, compared to 4,500 during our peak season today. The growth of Boston Duck Tours has been extremely important. However, we firmly believe that growth at the expense of quality is unacceptable. We continuously strive to improve upon the quality of the Ducks, the tour and our employees and not grow to the point where we become intrusive on the local community. We remain committed to strengthening the mutually beneficial relationship we have worked so hard to establish with the city of Boston. In 2000, Andy Wilson left Boston Duck Tours to pursue other projects. His management team took over the company and has continued to build upon its foundation
Benefits
BDT Provides:
· Competitive base compensation/bonus potential
· Comprehensive Medical and Dental coverage
· Long-term disability coverage and Life Insurance
· Company sponsored 401k plan with company match
· Comprehensive PTO program and sick leave
· Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
· Casual dress
· Extensive industry and company perks
BDT is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diversity in the workplace.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
No third party recruiters please.