Tenon Tours strengthens its financial operations with Airwallex as a trusted partner

A travel business rooted in relationships and built on experience

Tenon Tours is a premier travel company specializing in fully customized European experiences. Unlike traditional group tours, it crafts personalized itineraries tailored to each traveler’s interests. By curating immersive journeys, Tenon Tours connects travelers to new places and cultures while delivering a smooth, stress-free adventure.

The company’s commitment to providing high-touch services extends beyond its clients to the trusted vendors and partners who make these experiences possible. Operating across 17 European destinations, Tenon Tours relies on a vast network of local partners, from boutique hotels to private guides, ensuring every trip runs seamlessly. With an expanding vendor network, optimizing financial processes has become a key opportunity to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

While its previous payment providers did the job, they charged high platform fees, had less favorable FX rates, and provided little personalized service. Over time, it became clear that there was a better way to manage international payments.

Challenges in managing international transactions

Before Airwallex, Tenon Tours faced two significant challenges. First, managing international transactions was inefficient. Payment tracking required manual approvals and workarounds, with limited login access creating unnecessary bottlenecks for internal teams. Second, foreign exchange rates weren’t competitive, leading to excessive fees on every international transaction.

Beyond cost, operational roadblocks added friction to vendor payments. Tracking and reconciling payments was cumbersome, and occasional delays led to back-and-forth communication between teams and vendors. The company needed a solution that wasn't only cost-effective but also reliable and easy to use.

Vinnie Lewis

COO, Tenon Tours

“We didn’t necessarily have major pain points before Airwallex, but when you see the opportunity to save tens of thousands of dollars annually, you have to take a closer look.”

A transparent, hands-on transition to Airwallex

For Tenon Tours, the transition to Airwallex was about trust and efficiency just as much as it was about cost savings. While many global payment providers prioritize automation over customer support, Airwallex took the time to understand Tenon Tours’ specific needs, offering transparent pricing and a tailored implementation plan. The result? A smooth transition with minimal disruptions.

According to Vinnie, “the transition was about as painless as it gets. Airwallex made sure we had everything we needed, and their transparency was a game-changer.” From clear onboarding steps to dedicated support, the process was seamless from start to finish.

One of the biggest wins was improved payment accessibility. With unlimited logins, every team member who needs payment access can have it instantly, eliminating bottlenecks and reducing manual workarounds. Also, enhanced payment tracking meant fewer delays and less back-and-forth with vendors, making the entire process more efficient.

By simplifying payments and improving visibility, Tenon Tours can focus on its core business – delivering exceptional travel experiences – without operational roadblocks.

Real-time visibility and a more efficient financial workflow

Since implementing Airwallex, Tenon Tours has gained full transparency in its payment operations, ensuring vendors are paid promptly and eliminating uncertainty around transaction statuses. Previously, a single login restriction meant employees had to request access codes from one designated account holder. With multi-user access, any team member could instantly verify payments, making day-to-day operations more agile.

Beyond usability, Airwallex took a hands-on approach to ensure a smooth transition. With hundreds of vendors relying on timely payments, manually entering each payee into a new system would have been a logistical nightmare. Instead, Airwallex developed a custom script to migrate Tenon Tours’ entire vendor list, saving countless hours and reducing the risk of data entry errors.

“We had over 400 vendors to onboard,” said Vinnie. “Airwallex didn’t just give us a platform and wish us luck – they created a custom import solution that made the transition effortless.” By streamlining onboarding and eliminating manual work, Tenon Tours could focus on running its business instead of wrestling with payment infrastructure.

These operational efficiencies have translated into significant financial benefits. By switching to Airwallex, Tenon Tours is on track to save an estimated $40,000 annually in FX fees, a number that'll grow as the business continues to scale.

A financial platform that scales with the business

Looking ahead, Tenon Tours is considering expanding into regions beyond Europe. As the company explores new opportunities, a flexible and scalable payment infrastructure is essential. Airwallex’s global coverage ensures Tenon Tours’ payment capabilities can keep up with its pace of growth.

“With every expansion, payments become more complex,” said Vinnie Lewis, COO of Tenon Tours. “Knowing that wherever we decide to grow next, Airwallex can support us – that peace of mind is invaluable.” With a platform built to scale, Tenon Tours can confidently enter new markets without worrying about financial bottlenecks

Equally important is the trust Tenon Tours has built with Airwallex. Airwallex has become a strategic partner rather than just another payment service provider. The company’s finance team knows that real people – not chatbots – can help when they need support.

Vinnie Lewis

COO, Tenon Tours

“In the payments world, most providers push everything toward tech automation, which is fine – until you need actual support. Airwallex combines cutting-edge technology with real human relationships, and that’s something we truly value.”

By choosing Airwallex, Tenon Tours has built a more cost-effective, scalable, and operationally efficient payment system that aligns with its mission of creating stress-free, unforgettable travel experiences. With fewer financial roadblocks, the company can focus on what matters most: helping travelers explore the world, one journey at a time.