Joe Gunnels began his career in the tour business in July of 1978. Joe was hired as a local tour guide and tour bus driver in Eureka Springs, and fell in love with it right away. He knew it was where he was meant to be. After working for a few different local tour companies for 10 year, in 1988 he started Joe Gunnels Tours. The VIP sightseeing tours in Branson was started in 2016.
Almost immediately after starting the tour guide service he had groups asking him to help them with reservations for lodging, meals, shows, the Passion Play, etc. Then, less than a year later he had people asking him to help them in Branson, also. So, in 1989 he started Joe Gunnels Tours of Branson. Within 5 years the company had grown from $15,000 in sales the first year (1988) to $1.8 million at the end of 1993.
Joe Gunnels Tours is also in business in one of the fastest growing tourism markets in the country right now, Bentonville, Arkansas. Home to not only Walmart World Headquarters, but also Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Cooper Chapel, Walmart Museum and many great hotels, restaurants and retail shopping options.
In February of 2016, Joe, stopped by to visit with longtime friend, Bob Nichols, in Branson at Bob’s office. During their conversation they talked about the idea of doing a very high quality local tour that would be different than any other local Branson sightseeing tour before. That conversation lead to the birth of a new business, VIP Tours of Branson. And with a business with VIP in the name, they knew the tour vehicle was going to be a big part of it. So tour guests will be riding in a brand new, custom built, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter luxury coach!
Joe and Laurie purchased Bob’s part of the business in August of 2018, and are now sole owners. Bob and his wife Lana are excited to be building their dream house overlooking beautiful Table Rock Lake.
Joe and his wife, Laurie, live in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Located just an hour south of Branson. They have four children, 6 grandchildren and are active members in the communities they do business in, as well as active members of the music ministry at their church.