Check online reviews first!\ 7 tips to help you choose a good travel agency for group tours

▲ Travel (Photo / Darby / Illustration)

By Rita

Although more and more people are traveling independently these days, due to habit, the model of group travel still persists. For first-time travelers abroad who have no idea where to start, those who don’t have time to plan an itinerary, or for large family or employee trips, travel agencies still hold a certain market. In fact, there are many advantages to purchasing a tour package through an agency — after all, they are experienced, and their long-term partnerships with vendors may mean better prices. Of course, necessary service fees are included in the package.

With scams happening frequently, knowing how to choose a good travel agency is extremely, vitally important. After all, if something goes wrong abroad, a good agency can help minimize the damage. Here'show US media outlet nomadicmatt teaches you to find a good travel agency!

1. Check online reviews
\ Start by looking at reviews on the travel agency’s official website, social media pages, bloggers’ posts, etc. Of course, some of the information may be fake, so look at multiple sources to find the truth. The biggest and most expensive agency isn’t necessarily the best — sometimes you’ll find small companies with amazing reviews.

2. Ask about services included
\ There are plenty of shady businesses out there looking to rip you off. To avoid being scammed, you need to ask the agency what your money is actually paying for and whether there are any additional costs. Many super-cheap tour packages often end up costing you a lot more once you’re actually on the ground.

3. Research market positioning
\ Start by looking online at which demographics different travel agencies cater to — seniors, children, young adults, families? Don’t join the wrong group. If the agency specializes in college graduation trips and you prefer a quiet journey, that could turn into a disaster.

4. Tour guide
\ Ask about the background and professionalism of the guides the agency works with. Ideally, they should be locals or have lived there for a while. They must speak the local language, have travel experience, and know how to handle emergencies. A good guide makes a huge difference.

5. Safety
\ Make sure the safety services provided by the agency are reliable.

6. Itinerary
\ Check what itinerary they offer and whether it's followed as planned.

7. Group size
\ Smaller groups are generally better — around 12 people is better than 60, and it’s easier to get to know others in the group.

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