We chat to the CEO of Joe Banana Limos & Travel - Giovanni Guida (aka Joe Banana!)

In our many years of planning weddings in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, we have had the privilege of developing a very special relationship with industry peers and service providers who have taken great care of our clients.

“Giovanni was introduced to me via a close friend and I knew from the moment I met him that he, and JBL as a whole, was a perfect fit for looking after our special couples and their families” comments Victoria. “It’s the little things that can make such a difference, I remember some clients telling me that one of the drivers stopped off to buy some particular cakes that they loved, on the way back to the airport, as they had forgotten to pick some up. One of JBL’s incredible drivers also waited with a bride and groom for over 3 hours and helped them tackle the difficult situation of having lost luggage at Naples Airport. I am always so grateful to anyone who goes over and beyond service wise, as this is the exact approach we take here at Sophisticated Weddings and JBL most definitely have the same values.”

Here we chat to Giovanni Guida (aka Joe Banana) and ask him many questions including where he gets his famous nickname from!

Giovanni : Firstly, I wish to thank Victoria for featuring us in her blog today.

Tell us a little bit about you and how Joe Banana Limos started?

As a brief background, I started as a driver/guide in 1998, driving clients all around Italy, and in 2010 I opened up my own company Joe Banana Limos.

And of course we love the company name ... where does the name come from?

Seems very funny but it’s true, my grandfather used to sell fresh fruit from a three-wheel minivan and in the Southern part of Italy, nicknames are very popular (they are sort of mandatory for each family). I used to go with him in the afternoon after school, selling fruit, sitting on the back trailer, and then the famous day happened. I was eating a banana and friends saw me and called me Banana (which is very true by the way) and from that moment the name stuck. So here I am Joe Banana.

Obviously 2020 has been a horrendous year for all of us in the industry but what positives (if any!) do you think we can gain from navigating our way through this global pandemic?

As a company, and drivers, we have always had full respect for our guests (tourists) coming from all around the world and an appreciation that they are the reason we are in business. Because of this pandemic, we have actually realised even more how precious our clients are and our appreciation is even greater than before. Prior to the pandemic, our goal was always to provide top level services to our guests, but since this now, we are eager to do even better.

What’s been one of the highlights of your career to date?

I think one of the most beautiful moments for me was when I was at a Travel Convention in Los Angeles and a man approached our booth and said “Oh! Joe Banana Limos, I used your services when I was in Italy. One of your drivers drove us from Florence to the Amalfi Coast. It was an excellent service and the ride was so spectacular.” This happened in 2013 and our company quadrupled its business the following year, so this has been a big highlight for my career.

What do you love most about your job?

First, it is meeting the people from all around the world, knowing their culture, understanding even the different types of lifestyles we have in the world. Second is traveling all around Italy, taking people from place to place and discovering all of the beauty of this country.

What makes JBL so successful, with the most incredible client reviews?

There is only one secret to being successful in this business and it is truly taking care of your clients. Besides literally taking care of them, it also includes many objectives such as: being honest, being respectful, maintaining business integrity, exhibiting patience and showing them the country through your eyes.

What, would you say, is one of your favourite experiences available via JBL? (if you had to pick one!)

We offer many, many experiences. Personally, one of my favourite experiences in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, is doing the gastronomic tour because on that tour you actually show the guests the real culture of the area. Your true expertise and cultural knowledge shines through as the driver/guides find themselves having to translate and show, on many levels, what the local experts are sharing with the guests.

Tell us also a bit about some of your special luxury experiences available?

We pride ourselves in offering services that are available to anyone, but for those guests who desire a bit more luxury, we offer private yacht rentals, private helicopter transfers and tours, private villas, and luxury chauffeur services. In our Luxury services section, we have also had the honour of adding Victoria’s exclusive wedding planner services.

What are you most looking forward to most once this pandemic is over?

There is only one thing, the opening of the borders and the returning of our guests. In response to the pandemic, we have even designed private tour packages of Italy, specifically for guests who wish to avoid the Big Bus Tours and the risks potentially associated with them. We want to see tourism safely alive again in Italy.

Victoria : Thank you so much Giovanni for taking the time to answer our questions and most importantly for taking such good care of our brides and grooms.

Sophisticated Weddings clients receive a special discount code for services with JBL - contact us for further information and details.

Check out all of their incredible services/tours and transfers here : www.joebananalimos.net

1-1 with Luxury Travel Service Providers - Joe Banana Limos & Travel