What to Ask in Selecting a Tour CompanyPosted by Sahin Mendez on May 13th, 2021 In an industry where there's no such thing as 'try before you buy', it could be difficult to know the place to start in finding a tour company that may deliver the experience you need and make the most of your hard-earned vacation dollar. Here are some key questions to ask in helping you make your decision. 1. How long gets the tour company experienced business? Tourism can be quite a mercurial business, at the mercy of the whims of economic downturn, international incident, pandemic scares, and, seemingly, the cost of milk. Choose a company with a history you can trust-one that has shown the ability to ride the wave of global circumstance. Tour companies with longevity also have a deep knowledge well to draw from, have negotiating clout making use of their providers, and have had the experience to fine-tune their systems and deliver their product efficiently. 2. Where will be the tour company and its guides based? There's nothing as an adventure travel company that thinks globally, but is situated locally in the country you are likely to visit. By using a company based locally, with local guides, you're more likely to tap into a provider which has its finger on the pulse of what's new and interesting and that actively engages with the culture. Having a worldwide presence, aswell, with staff or agents based in your home country, helps to ensure that the company is aware of your customer service expectations and its guides can provide interpretation for the inevitable cultural nuances that arise. 3. What is website ? Tour size impacts your ability to engage authentically in the culture of the united states where you're travelling. While people's travel preferences vary, in the adventure travel arena small group tours are perfect for those who like the sense of freedom, adventure and discretion that independent travel offers with the advantages of leaving the logistics to someone else. Particularly in less populated countries like New Zealand, tour accommodation in a few of the best locations is available to small sets of twelve or less, leaving larger groups to choose itineraries based on logistics instead of optimum experience. 4. Does the tour company run its tours or subcontract to another person? Unbeknownst to many, it is not uncommon for tour companies to outsource the running of their trips to subcontractors. A lot of planning and communication is necessary in running a quality trip in fact it is important to know who is responsible for your experience. We've all played the whispers game and know it generally does not take long before the original message gets well lost in translation. Select a company that is in control of administering your trip from start to finish. 5. What support systems come in place? From confirmation of your deposit to packing lists to the guide's medical and driver training, find out what systems the company has set up to ensure smooth handling of your tour. Ensure you have a primary contact person at the tour company who knows your trip as well as your needs. 6. What is the business culture? This can be a hard thing to define, but what makes a tour company great are occasionally those undefinables-the things that infuse a vacation with fun and a feeling of group identity. One of the better ways to get a sense of company culture is to ask for references of these who've been on tour. Web-based travel forums like those on TripAdvisor.com and Frommers.com can also provide insight, but it pays to also seek advice first hand to ascertain whether the person offering opinions has similar priorities to your personal. 7. How does the company build up against others in the value-for-money stakes? Here, the key word is value. Don't select a tour company based on the cheapest trip available, nor assume that more costly means, well, more. Concentrate on the quality of the experience on offer. How much 'fun factor' is built in to the cost of the trip-which advertised activities are contained in the price and which are in fact optional add-ons? What is the quality of the tour accommodation? You might prefer to put your cash right into a five-star bed, or you might only want a clean, comfortable place to lay your head among adventures. What meals are included and how are they delivered-a la carte? Set menu? Cardboard box? When comparing companies, choose based on what's most important for you and on the potential take-home value of the knowledge. In the end, the expense of a life-enriching, quality travel experience is priceless.Like it? Share it! More by this author |