2026 Next Gen: Danielle Weigel
Danielle Weigel is one of the 2026 Next Gens, as nominated by Groups Today readers for making a difference in the industry with their fresh, progressive perspective.
Danielle Weigel is co-owner of Florida-based World Famous Boat Tours—a women-owned, family-operated eco tour company that’s all about unforgettable experiences and exceptional service. She loves connecting guests with Florida’s wildlife and coastal ecosystems, partnering with local agencies and city committees to inspire awareness and responsible adventure.
“I love bringing people together through experiences they’ll remember forever. The group travel industry lets me do that while sharing my passion for wildlife and coastal conservation,” Weigel shared. “Seeing guests connect with nature in a meaningful way and leave inspired to care for it is incredibly rewarding. I have learned and experienced many different things in my life, and the love of the water, how it can heal and bring people to their inner peace, is something special. It's why I do what I do.”
Through hands-on tours, education, and community outreach, Weigel helps people of all ages connect with, appreciate, and protect the incredible wildlife around them—and have a little fun along the way.
“I’m fascinated by how the industry is moving toward more sustainable, educational experiences. Travelers today want to engage responsibly with destinations and wildlife, which fits perfectly with what we do—mixing adventure, learning, and conservation,” Weigel said. “I was always told one person cannot make a difference, and I believe otherwise and strive to prove that every day.
“A person can see a dolphin look them in the eyes, or a bird with their young, or looking at a seemingly plain tree and learn it supports the entire ecosystem … these times make a difference, one by one. I still believe that one person can make a difference.”
One of Weigel’s proudest accomplishments in her career so far is building their women-owned, family-operated eco tour company into a place where people of all ages can learn about and connect with wildlife.
“Sharing my love of the water with my husband and kids, and watching them develop the same values, has been so rewarding. I love inspiring guests, young and old, to appreciate and protect our coastal ecosystems,” she shared. “We are just getting started; my entire family wants to be a part of this, and will be. The stories we have that we can share just thus far, can change the world. We only want that, to change the world, for the better, by power in knowledge and action in the right direction.”
Weigel believes we can all make a difference together, and is proud that her family stands beside this belief and the drive to succeed in their venture.
“Working alongside your spouse and children and seeing how we all grow every day, and the ideas and innovations that come about, is more than I could have ever imagined or hoped for,” Weigel said. “That alone is something special.”
Looking toward the future, Weigel is inspired to build a nonprofit that blends new ideas with respect for traditional conservation methods.
“We want to educate and raise awareness about coastal ecosystems, helping future generations develop the same love and responsibility for our waterways that we do,” she explained. “Ultimately, I hope to create programs that empower communities, connect people with nature, and ensure our passion for wildlife is passed on. We want to come in with fresh eyes and make a team of success and diligence that we owe to where we live, and in hopes that we can make a blueprint for other areas to use and establish to improve their own communities, as well.
“My youngest wants to be a marine biologist, my other a boat captain, one in mechanics, and another in boat reconstruction—not to mention the oldest two, very established captains making their own paths within our shared love of the water and this life.”
Weigel is proud that her and her family’s goals have shaped their children in ways they could never have imagined.
“That is something in itself we are so proud of. We have a saying, ‘to the moon and back’ … and we will continue to live that in all ways.”
Danielle Weigel is one of the 2026 Next Gens, as nominated by Groups Today readers for making a difference in the industry with their fresh, progressive perspective. Read the full feature here.
Photos courtesy of Danielle Weigel.
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.
