Figuring out whether you’ve found a great tour company isn’t always straightforward. Websites often look great, but the experience on the ground can sometimes leave a lot to be desired.
That’s where this post comes in handy. We run through some of the signs you’ve found a great tour guide so you can avoid disappointment later on.
No Hidden Fees
Top of the list of priorities should be no hidden fees. You don’t want a tour guide who keeps on trying to charge you extra for everything, says https://www.lonelyplanet.com/.
Most tours should be upfront about what they include on their websites. Some are literally just sightseeing, while others include activities, meals and accommodation. What you get should be a part of the tour so you aren’t left wondering with confusion.
Knowledgeable And Passionate Tour Guides
You also want knowledgeable and passionate tour guides. The people behind the tour should be genuinely interested in the areas they cover and what they show you.
Sites like https://geshertours.co.il/ are a great example of this. The local people have a vested interest in preserving their surroundings.
Well-Planned Itineraries
You’d think that well-planned itineraries would be central to what tour companies do, but you’d be surprised. Many don’t actually have great schedules and often follow simple routes that they know.
Therefore, you want a tour company with off-the-beaten track experiences. It should know how to help you access these with minimal friction.
Small Group Sizes
We also like looking for tour guides with small group sizes. These more intimate settings can be a great way to meet people and take in more information while listening carefully to what the tour guide has to offer.
Large tours, by contrast, can sometimes feel impersonal. The people running them might be great and really understand what they’re doing, but if the size is extreme, then that can get in the way.
Commitment To Sustainable Travel
Another thing we look out for is a commitment to sustainable travel. This approach is one of the most important because it means that there are more partnerships with local businesses and communities. Tour guides are often members of these settings themselves, which is why they work so hard to protect them when they can.
Positive Reviews
If a tour company has positive reviews, that’s also a sign of encouragement. Travelers who went on the tours before usually have great experiences, and that means that they want to share them with others whenever they get the opportunity.
If that sounds familiar, then you’re in luck. Any tour guide with consistently good reviews is often worth using, even if you don’t know much about them or haven’t been to the country before.
High Safety Standards
Finally, all the top tour guides have high safety standards. They never take chances.
Safety standards aren’t just about keeping you safe while traveling (although that’s important). It also shows that the tour operator has a high level of care and professionalism that runs throughout everything they do.
