Hi, my name is Toyea Youngblood and I am the owner of Beeline Tours. My earliest memories of Branson is visiting here as a young child with my family.  My parents would make the 5 hour round trip drive to Branson - just to see a show.  During those short visits, I fell in love with the neon lights of this town.   We didn't have much neon on the Dairy farm where we lived in Mid-Missouri!   After high school, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the School of the Ozarks, where I majored in Elementary Education.  Like so many other S of O students, I worked part time at a local theater or hotel.  It was during my part time job, that I learned the most.  I learned that my heart was in tourism.    Along about the same time, I met a wonderfully charming & interesting young man that had lived here in Branson his entire life.  He stole my heart.     

Way back then, there was no Ozark Mountain Christmas.... so when the season ended this charming young man & I married.   As "kids" often times do, I decided to quit school and went to work for a local travel company, Beeline Travel Tours.   My job description was pretty simple - answer the phone & take messages.  Nothing more.   (HA!   We all know how that goes, now don't we!)   As time passed, I was able to develop wonderful relationships with our customers, to listen to them, and to learn what Groups need, really need.  I graduated to Tour Planner, then Tour Manager, and several years later, to company Operations Manager.    

Working my way up in the company gave me the opportunity to truly learn what needs to be done at each level, from answering the first phone call to the group's arrival at their destination.   And it helped groom me for my greatest challenge yet; becoming the owner of Beeline Tours.    

That was in 2001.    And, I still answer the phone and I still listen to my customers.   I've learned over the years that each group is different.  Each has similar needs, but to be able to customize a complete itinerary for each specific group is wonderful.   I don't like "cookie cutter" tours, and I don't sell "cookie cutter" itineraries.   I seek to find all the lesser known gems along our route as we travel to the chosen destination.    And, I've learned, that it's those little unique stops that sometimes mean to most to folks.    

Most of my business is repeat customers, or referrals from long time clients to new group leaders.   Beeline Tours is a smaller company, doing only about 100 tours each year.   And I like it that way.    I want to know my customers, and I want them to know that they are not just a name on a file.   Most all travel companies tout that they strive for great customer service,   it's not a goal for Beeline Tours, it's a promise.  

When not working on those unique itineraries, I do have three hobbies, my beautiful teenage daughter, my amazing rascally little boy, and my wonderful husband.   

I am truly blessed.