Read the Fine Print

So, you have decided where you want to go, how long you want to stay, and even chosen a group tour package you like. What do you do now? How do you make sure the company you have chosen is reputable or that those who have gone on a particular tour before got what they expected?

Ask The Experts

The most generic answer to these questions is to check with the local Better Business Bureau (BBB) where the tour operator is located. Perhaps better yet is to also call the local chamber of commerce. Where the BBB might tell you that a company has had no complaints filed against it, a friendly person at the chamber might have more insight or another suggestion of which company to choose.

If seeking more specialized information, there are a number of local, regional and national group travel trade organizations. It is in the interests of these groups to present as good a face as possible to the public, so they are not likely to steer you in the wrong direction. While they might not be too willing to recommend one of their members over another, they might be more candid when it comes to a company with a bad reputation.

Travel agents also are a reliable resource. Not only can they find and book a group tour for you, they also are more likely to know which companies to trust and which ones to avoid.

Know the Facts

Actually, with a little research, travelers can do a lot of the evaluating on their own if they know what to look for. The rule of thumb here is that any deal that sounds too good to be true usually is. You can determine what is “too good” by comparing offers and prices of competitors.

Another good indicator of a group tour company’s reliability is the tour offer itself. Does it claim to be able to get you in places other tour can’t? Does the schedule sound reasonable? This is of special importance for international travel. The last thing a tour group needs is to arrive in another country and find no one there to meet them or no hotel with their reservations. If a tour company claims to have a relationship with a certain hotel or tourist attraction, give those places a call to see what they say about the tour company.

Private Group Tours

Travelers can avoid all the hassles of dealing with commercial tour companies by joining a group from a private organization or civic association. While there always is the chance that the organization could be hooked with a non-reputable tour provider, it is more likely that these groups have made these trips before and know what they are doing.