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Find your tourEpisode 12: Meet the CEO behind Boat Bike Tours
How does a small Dutch company grow into an international travel brand without losing its personal touch? In this episode, CEO Laurens Winkel shares the story behind Boat Bike Tours, from his childhood on traditional sailing ships to the values that still guide the company today. He talks about the passion that drives him, the choices he’s proud of, and why quality and care sit at the heart of every journey.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
- How Laurens’ youth on classic sailing vessels shaped his love for travel
- What the company looked like in the early days, and why five of the original six team members still work here
- How e-bikes and fully-guided tours opened the door to overseas guests
- Why the strategic decision to focus on quality changed everything
- What the merger with Island Hopping means for guests today
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© 2026 Boat Bike Tours B.V. All information on this website is subject to change. Any typographical and/or graphical errors are unintentional but cannot be excluded; only your travel confirmation is legally binding. Our General Traveller Terms and Conditions for package tours apply to all trips, programs, offers and travel confirmations.
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