Hey ConvenienceBigs,
While many independent travelers tend to shun organized tours, they are often hard to avoid.
Many destinations are hard to do without them
Today, I want to talk about how to pick the perfect tour company.
Though usually identified with big buses, camera-clicking, and Bermuda-shorts-wearing tourists, most tour companies aren't like that at all.
Tours can give people both time to adjust to the travel lifestyle and the courage to break out of their comfort zone.
And anything that helps get people on the road is something that I support.
There are many bad tour companies out there, ones that don't pay guides well, destroy the environment, don't help the local economy, and just take you from one spot to the other for photo-ops.
1. Look on the Internet to read about a company's reputation. It might not always be what they claim, and it's important to find out the truth before you book. One disgruntled customer's bad experience doesn't mean the company should be avoided, but if there is a pattern, try to stay away.
2. Look at cost. With tour companies, you don't always get what you pay for. Many tour companies overcharge customers, while others are great at giving value for your money. Find out how your money is spent to see if you are getting the best value. Is your money funding activities and guides? Or corporate overhead?
Make sure you ask if there are fees to pay when you arrive, or at specific sites along the way. These on-the-ground costs can make your initially cheap tour suddenly very expensive.
3. Learn about the guides, since they make or break a tour. You're with them your whole trip, and it's their information and help that gets you through your holiday. Make sure the company uses knowledgeable, local guides who speak the language, have prior travel experience, and know life-saving techniques. I've been on tours where the guide was a walking encyclopedia, and on others where the guide was a glorified timekeeper.
Ask about the guides before you book. If it's just some traveler hired to chauffeur me around, I don't take the tour.
4. What's the environmental impact? Ecotourism is foremost about helping the environment. That means avoiding big buses, large resorts and hotels, and flying. It means staying in places that conserve energy. It means taking part in environmental programs, or at least providing information on the local habitat. It means only leaving behind footprints — not waste.
I want to make sure I'm not helping to destroy the places I came so far to see.
5. Find out your group size. Larger groups tend to have a much higher environmental impact and require larger buses, bigger ships, and more resources. Tour companies that have smaller groups tend to be much more mindful of the environment and the impact they are leaving. They also tend to be a lot more personal and fun.
6. Follow the money. What local companies does the operator use? Are they using local companies or businesses owned by large corporations? Are you being shuttled from hotel to hotel in a big bus? Are you staying at the Marriott, or staying at a variety of smaller, locally owned hotels and using other local services? Ask the tour company where its money goes and what providers it uses. A good company keeps the money local.
If you choose to take a larger, multi-week tour, my favorite company to go with is Intrepid Travel. It has inexpensive small group tours. It's the company I use whenever I book a tour, and it's one I think you should book with too.
If you have any questions about any of these companies or taking a tour in general, ask away. I'm here to help you travel better and assuage your fears. It's what I love to do.
P.S. - Leaving soon? Use the links below to book your trip:
- Get your flight with Momondo or Skyscanner (Between them, you'll never miss a cheap flight)
- Get your hostel with Hostelworld
- Get your accommodation with Booking.com
- Get your travel insurance with World Nomads (under 70) or Insure My Trip (over 70)
- Need a new rewards card? Here are my current favs! (U.S. only)
- Book a tour with Intrepid Travel
- Need something else? Check out my list of favorite companies on my resources page.
I personally use all these companies listed (here or on the resource page) in my own travels and, by booking through these links, the small commission we earn helps us keep the content up to date, run events, create guides, and keep the website community supported.
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