Nationwide Ghost Tour Company Accused of Stealing Local Stories
UPDATE: Local tour operators in Durango, Colorado, are sounding the alarm over allegations that the nationwide ghost tour company, US Ghost Adventures, is stealing original content from their businesses. The controversy is intensifying as Laine Johnson, owner of Horsefly History Tours, claims her unique ghost stories, crafted from hours of local research, are being used without permission.
The accusations surfaced after Johnson revealed that US Ghost Adventures, which operates locally as Durango Ghosts, has not only incorporated her material but also content from her competitor, Durango Ghost Walk, founded by Joe Nelson. The situation escalated when Johnson attempted to have her original virtual tour content removed from the platform Junket, founded by Lance Zaal, who is also behind US Ghost Adventures. Despite her requests, no action has been taken.
“This is about more than just business; it’s about respect for our community’s history,” Johnson stated. She emphasized that her tours are not only unique but also feature unpublished anecdotes gathered from family interviews and rare historical texts.
Johnson alleges that US Ghost Adventures is engaging in unethical practices, including posting fake positive reviews and manipulating search engine optimization to overshadow local businesses in Google search results. Nelson echoed her sentiments, referring to US Ghost Adventures as “the cliché bad guys in a formulaic B movie,” adding that their tactics include “review bombing” smaller competitors.
A records request revealed that US Ghost Adventures obtained its business license on August 19, 2023. Critics have noted that their expansion into ghost tours in Maui following the devastating wildfires last year reflects poorly on their business ethics. “Opening a ghost tour just two years after such a tragedy is completely disrespectful,” said local ghost storyteller Lopaka Kapanui.
In a response to the backlash, Zaal defended his company, claiming the criticisms are part of a smear campaign. “We have done nothing illegal or unethical,” he stated in an email, asserting that other companies do not own history and have no control over how stories are told. However, Johnson’s attorney, Jesse Blopp, has labeled Zaal’s remarks as “predictable” and indicative of a broader pattern of unethical behavior by US Ghost Adventures.
Blopp argues that the resemblance between Johnson’s tour and US Ghost Adventures’ offerings is striking, with similarities in route, number, and order of stories. “US Ghost Adventures is unlawfully copying Horsefly History Tours’ artistic and literary expression of ideas on Durango’s history,” he stated.
The controversy has not only affected local businesses but has also united them against a common adversary. Johnson expressed hope that her tours would help educate visitors about Durango’s rich history while underscoring the disrespect shown by US Ghost Adventures.
As the situation develops, local tour operators are urging the community to support authentic experiences that honor Durango’s legacy. Johnson concluded, “It’s not just about us; it’s about respecting the spirits of Durango and the stories that deserve to be told in a meaningful way.”
Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding story as the local ghost tour community rallies for their rights and the authenticity of their narratives.
