Tipping tour guide
Jun 19th, 2019 | 02:31 PM
#5
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,084
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We’ve been using private tour guides on our trips for years. Almost all of them have been independent contractors that either we hired directly or were hired by the travel consultant who put together the itinerary for us.
In in all cases we always paid the requested fee and added a gratuity, the amount of which was based on the length of the tour and how good the guide was.
To us, it is no different than giving the taxi driver who takes you from the airport to your hotel a tip or tipping the person who cuts your hair.
In in all cases we always paid the requested fee and added a gratuity, the amount of which was based on the length of the tour and how good the guide was.
To us, it is no different than giving the taxi driver who takes you from the airport to your hotel a tip or tipping the person who cuts your hair.
Jun 19th, 2019 | 03:06 PM
#6
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,081
Likes: 50
From another thread it seems the OP is on an extensive trip to South Africa -- if that is what she is asking about, then yes, one would absolutely tip game drive guides and drivers.
But maybe she is asking about someplace else.
But maybe she is asking about someplace else.
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Jun 22nd, 2019 | 09:03 AM
#8
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,084
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You don’t “need” to tip anyone, especially if it It someone you are never going to see again.
Now, tipping a tour guide, is something many people will do if they enjoyed the tour and/or had a good rapport with the guide regardless whether or not the guide was an employee of the tour company or it’s owner. A tour guide will always appreciate a gratuity whether it is customary to give one or not. It is really up to you.
Now, tipping a tour guide, is something many people will do if they enjoyed the tour and/or had a good rapport with the guide regardless whether or not the guide was an employee of the tour company or it’s owner. A tour guide will always appreciate a gratuity whether it is customary to give one or not. It is really up to you.
Jun 22nd, 2019 | 09:59 AM
#9
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,081
Likes: 50
Even with that qualifier -- it depends on the local customs so we do need to know where the OP is traveling and wat sort of tour it is. If it is for the African trip/safari the answers could be different.
Jun 27th, 2019 | 12:29 PM
#13
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,597
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It isn't unusual for tour companies to respond to inquiries about suggested tip amounts. Often you will find that in the contracts or if not, email them in advance. You can then "verify" the suggested amount as a standard. Tips are really your choice. My experience is that one doesn't tip company owners.
Last edited by Moderator3; Jun 27th, 2019 at 07:53 PM.
Jun 27th, 2019 | 09:16 PM
#14
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 9,773
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I see the moderators post responding to mine #13 above has been removed! For the sake of clarity, I was responding to post #11.
The fact still remains that the original question was about tipping business owners. I really don’t think the location or country or tipping culture has any bearing on this. Owners set there own prices and presumably achieve the profit margins they are happy with. Why would anyone want to pay more?
The fact still remains that the original question was about tipping business owners. I really don’t think the location or country or tipping culture has any bearing on this. Owners set there own prices and presumably achieve the profit margins they are happy with. Why would anyone want to pay more?
Jun 28th, 2019 | 03:34 PM
#16
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 16,547
Likes: 4
+1 for Crellston.
The question was, “do you need to tip a tour guide IF THEY OWN THE BUSINESS? (Caps mine).
The answer is, No. Owners set their own prices. There is no requirement/need/compulsion to tip them over & above that.
The question was, “do you need to tip a tour guide IF THEY OWN THE BUSINESS? (Caps mine).
The answer is, No. Owners set their own prices. There is no requirement/need/compulsion to tip them over & above that.
Jun 28th, 2019 | 04:42 PM
#17
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,084
Likes: 0
