I’m an excellent tipper and I like to reward great service. I did a bike tour in Maui a few years ago and tipped our 20 dollars. They did a lot for us like helping set up and putting away our bikes in addition to leading us. That being said, a lot of these bus tours are now demanding tips. We recently went on a 3 hours (which ended up being a 5 hour) bus tour. The guy did nothing but drive us around. We paid $95 for this tour which was quite expensive to begin with. The driver then had the nerve to ask for a tip and suggested we tip him what we would tip a waiter.
We have traveled in Europe and Asia and none of the tour guides have ever asked or indirectly sought a tip. I’ve noticed in the United States, the tour guides are shamelessly asking for tips now. I can’t believe the greed and lack of etiquette these tour guides and travel companies have become. This has become a recent trend in this country and tour guides never used to ask for tips like this in the past.
Since When Did Tipping Tour Guides Become Protocol?
Sep - 22 | By: AHT | 5 comments.
Filed under : Travel Guide
5 Responses to “Since When Did Tipping Tour Guides Become Protocol?”
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I have always tipped (good) tour guides in my nearly 35 years of travelling around…except when they seem to caging for a tip at which times I stiff ‘em. Tipping is like true love- it’s gotta come from the heart and not something that can or should be given on demand.
Fairly recently, Last year I went on a horseback riding trip (like an hour) in TN, and after it was over we were told to tip the guide. I’ve been on many horseback riding tours over the last few years, and it’s never happened then.
I’m not sure exactly if there is any ONE set price that’s commonly accepted, but I’ve often heard 10% of the tour price is acceptable. When this came to be, though, I’m not sure.
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Here is the official answer regarding tipping tour guides and in fact it is now customary…however only for good service, just like in a restaurant if the service is not up to par neither is the tip…
Tour guides
Check ahead. If the tip is not already included, give 10-15% of the tour price. No less than $1-2 for a half-day tour, $3-4 for a full-day tour, and $5-10 for a week-long tour. This is a per-person rate. Tip private tour guides more. If the bus driver is particularly helpful with bags, then tip $1-2 per bag.
Boat trip – If the trip is over 3 hours, tip $10-$75 depending upon the cost of the excursion and the quality of service.
Outdoor guides (fly fishing, horseback riding, river rafting, etc.) – 15% of the cost of the service. Some companies have a no-tipping policy. Check when you book the trip.
Private Yacht Charter – Tip the crew 10-20% of the charter fee based upon the quality of service. Hand the gratuity to the Captain for distribution to the crew.
For more on rpoper tipping see the link below…http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquett…