Organized group trips are becoming increasingly popular among tourists and world travelers. This is because it can be difficult to create itineraries on your own, and the convenience they offer significantly cuts the amount of planning necessary. A group tour operator organizes most aspects of your trip such as destinations, sites, routes, and accommodations. This makes choosing a tour operator an important decision, as they may largely determine the success of your trip.
Once you have identified the places or sites you want to visit, you'll need to clarify several priorities before you start looking for a group tour operator. For example, are you traveling with a group of close friends or family and therefore want a custom trip just for your group? Are you comfortable traveling with a group of people you don’t know? What level of amenities do you want? These are some of the questions that will help narrow down the kind of tour operator to look for.
Start by asking family, friends, and colleagues for their recommendations. Ask your contacts to tell you about tour operators they might have used before and their experience. Other sources to explore include websites and travel magazines. Targeted online searches can help you find specific details about tour operators that specialize in the area you intend to visit or activities you are interested in. Search online for travel associations such as the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), whose members are vetted by the association for their reliability and quality of service.
Next, make sure the physical demands of the group tour match your capacity and preference. For example, if you prefer exploring areas by foot during most of the day, you may not enjoy a trip where the majority of the time is spent sightseeing from a bus. Are you physically ready for a hill-climbing excursion? Do you want to have some free time when you can wander around on your own, or do you want everything planned down to the hour by the tour operator? Most group itineraries are fairly clear on what you can expect, but verify these details to avoid disappointment.
Research the costs charged by the group tour operator. How transparent is the company? For instance, make sure that the accommodations are commensurate with the rates of the package. Are there any additional fees when you arrive at your destination for sites such as parks or museums or is the package inclusive? Remember, that seemingly inexpensive group tour may end up costing much more if you have to meet many extra costs on the trip.
To really get to know a place, you need to spend time with the local people. Working with local guides is almost certain to create a better experience. Choose a tour company whose guides understand the local culture, speak the language, and can share the region's history with you.
Your tour operator choice can also impact a destination. Today, there’s a growing trend among environmentally conscious travelers called ecotourism. This is more responsible travel, and goes beyond concern about the environment to also focus on the people living there and how they are affected by the presences of vacationers. Ideally, this means using local services, guides, and hotels, and reducing your carbon footprint in the area.
