Onuralp Kalleci

Born in Aksaray as the third son of parents who were both French teachers, his life journey—shaped from early childhood by discipline, learning, and a spirit of discovery—led him first to Kuleli Military High School and then to the Turkish Air Force Academy. However, during his third year, he decided to leave his studies and carve out a different path for himself. He began working as a guide and operations coordinator at a yacht agency in Bodrum. Following these formative years immersed in the sea, tourism, and people, he set his sights on the United States and studied Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of California. After graduating, he returned to Turkey, working as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor at the travel agency and diving center he established. In doing so, he brought together his professional life and his passion for the sea under one roof. Returning to the United States some time later, Onuralp founded Laranaz USA Travel Agency in California alongside Hakan Aksungur and Murat Özgül, providing destination management services across America for numerous tour operators based in Turkey. For many years, guiding and driving guests arriving from Turkey across every corner of the United States, he did not merely offer a travel experience; he devoted himself to ensuring his guests felt safe, comfortable, and truly at home. In 2021, he returned to Turkey and brought the Tour To America brand to life together with Hakan Aksungur and Murat Özgül. Today, based at the Suadiye office, he continues to contribute to various stages of operations as a field expert, channelling the wealth of experience gained over the years into new journeys. An accomplished swimmer, sports and healthy living are not a passing interest for Onuralp, but a natural part of daily life. For this reason, the idea of retirement feels rather foreign to him; to him, working, creating, connecting with people, and contributing to the seamless flow of a journey are inextricably intertwined with life itself. As his business partners put it, one of Onuralp’s most defining traits is his ability to blend his character with his ethos of service. His approach of making people’s lives easier, instilling trust and peace of mind, combined with his genuine passion for helping and serving others, makes him a truly privileged companion to work alongside.