By: Ayeshah ‘Ice’ Somani
Before Dan Perry became the co-owner of Toto Tours, he was a performer. He spent years in music and theater, learning how to read a room, guide an ensemble, and deliver something unforgettable without upstaging the moment.
“Performance teaches you timing, empathy, and how to read a room,” he says. “Travel is the same: it’s about rhythm and emotional connection. My background helps me create experiences that feel orchestrated but never staged. Whether I’m curating an itinerary or guiding a conversation, I approach it like composing a moment people will remember.”
That sensitivity doesn’t live in a vacuum. Dan’s story is also shaped by the person standing beside him: his husband, Michael Serapiglia. Michael shares the same performer-to-travel path but brings his own voice, experience, and creative instincts into the company. He’s also stepping in as Vice President, joining Dan in running Toto Tours day-to-day and hosting trips together. Their partnership, both personal and professional, is part of what gives this next era its grounding. The company’s transition isn’t just about new leadership; it’s about a shared vision built by two people who chose to build love and community, with intention.
It’s this sensibility, emotional, intentional, attuned, that’s now guiding Toto Tours into its next era. After 35 years under founder Dan Ware, the company is undergoing its first ownership transition, and Perry isn’t here to radically rebrand. He’s here to continue a legacy that’s already touched thousands of travelers, and to expand who gets to be part of it.
“My approach is rooted in stewardship and collaboration,” he says. “I see myself not as replacing Dan Ware but carrying his vision forward, blending his legacy of care and connection with a renewed focus on inclusivity and modernization. I lead with empathy, curiosity, and creativity, always inviting dialogue and shared ownership among my team and travelers alike.”
For Perry, the company’s core has always been emotional before commercial. “Safety and inclusivity remain non-negotiable, but so does growth. Every decision I make weighs legacy and longevity; we’re protecting a 35-year reputation while opening the door to new generations. That means updating how we communicate, creating more accessible experiences, and broadening ‘community’ to include allies, families, and anyone who values connection through travel.”
This isn’t a founder exit with a hard break. It’s a handoff that prioritizes continuity, of care, of values, of community. And like all good conductors, Perry knows how to hold the silence and trust the rhythm.
“I stay grounded by remembering why we do this, to help people feel safe being themselves anywhere in the world. Travel will always have uncertainty, but community turns uncertainty into a shared experience. I lead by example: staying positive, transparent, and reminding our team and guests that adventure and adaptability go hand in hand.”
The Practice of Presence
One of the most consistent pieces of feedback from Toto travelers is that trips feel like family. That isn’t by accident. “Connection is built through presence,” Perry says. “Our trips are intentionally small, 25 people or fewer, so we can really know our travelers. Michael and I personally host and share experiences with our guests, and that human connection naturally builds family. We want everyone who travels with Toto to feel like they’re part of something lasting.”
The intimacy of these journeys is by design. But Perry also knows that intimacy doesn’t mean inertia. “I’m most eager to grow as a leader who balances heart with strategy. For now, it’s just the two of us building the next chapter of Toto Tours, so I want to strengthen how we collaborate, make decisions, and set a foundation for future growth. As the company expands, I hope to cultivate a team of tour hosts who share our passion for community and adventure. Above all, I want to lead with curiosity, empathy, and courage, the same spirit that makes travel transformative.”
That spirit is embedded in every itinerary Perry and Serapiglia touch. But growth isn’t about volume or scale. It’s about trust. “Our vision is to evolve Toto into the most trusted name in inclusive adventure travel. Over the next decade, I see us expanding our itineraries, hosting up to two trips per month, and building a network of trained hosts who embody our ethos of care, curiosity, and community. We’ll stay true to our roots by keeping groups small and experiences deeply personal.”
Toto’s loyal base of return travelers has historically skewed older, but Perry is thinking about generational bridge-building, not replacement. “By designing experiences that appeal to shared values rather than age. Today’s younger travelers seek authenticity, culture, and meaning, exactly what our long-time guests already love. We’re simply modernizing the way we present it: refreshed branding, social media engagement, and itineraries that blend relaxation with deeper cultural exchange.”
Upcoming trips reflect that balance, Portugal, the Azores, Peru, and Lapland, all destinations that blend beauty, culture, and room for reflection. “We’re preparing new itineraries in Portugal, the Azores, Peru, and Lapland, destinations that blend adventure with natural beauty and cultural immersion. Personally, I’m excited by experiences that go beyond the typical travel circuit to places that challenge and inspire us.”
The thread running through all of Perry’s answers isn’t travel. It’s people. It’s identity. It’s what happens when a space is safe enough to let people show up fully.
“Toto has always been about more than travel; it’s about connection,” he says. “I want to build on that by creating experiences that respect local cultures, support small communities, and welcome travelers of every background and identity. True inclusion in travel means everyone feels seen, safe, and inspired. Whether they’re a guest or a host. If we can lead by example in how we treat people and the places we visit, we’ll help move the industry toward something more human and responsible.”
He believes LGBTQ+ travelers bring more than presence to the places they visit, they bring empathy. “I hope Toto continues to prove that LGBTQ+ travelers are ambassadors of empathy and respect, not outsiders, but bridge-builders. Every trip should leave both our guests and our hosts with a deeper sense of connection and mutual understanding.”
It’s a calling that feels personal. As a performer, Perry spent years working in harmony with others. As a traveler, he now leads others into the unknown. But the role isn’t so different.
“I have been shaped mostly by my years in performance and the arts. Theater and music taught me how to bring people together toward a shared vision and common goal, while still leaving room for individuality. Every journey is an ensemble effort. I try to lead like a conductor. I set the tempo and guide the ensemble but still let them shine.”
Music remains his anchor, and the metaphor still fits. “I still perform with regional and national ensembles and am in talks of starting an LGBTQ+ symphonic and marching band here in the Detroit Metro area. I love connecting with other musicians and artists who come together to make something magical. It’s an incredible escape.”
And then he offers a moment of brilliance that captures it all: “One thing I am very proud of is my ability to sightread. When you are playing or singing a piece of music for the first time, you are hyper-aware, paying very close attention to what’s on the page. You are seeing this musical line for the first time and taking in everything all at once. Traveling to a new destination is much the same. You never see a place the same way you did your first time. That first time always heightens your senses. It’s an amazing feeling.”
That’s the feeling he wants to leave behind, for future travelers, future leaders, and future storytellers.
“I hope they inherit a world where traveling as their authentic selves is effortless. Where ‘safe travel’ for our community is no longer a special consideration but a given.”
And to those who want to build something like it?
“Know WHY you are doing it, and hold on to that ‘why’ when things get hard. This industry takes heart, patience, and a deep respect for people and places. Stay curious and be open, listen more than you speak, and let authenticity guide every decision.”
