There are many questions and concerns regarding the price structures of tours. In this post, I will help break down how guides determine the price and value of their tours. I’ll use a tour in the Douro Valley, one of the most popular tours in Porto, as an example to break down the price structures of tours.
Group or Private Tour
The easiest price difference is whether the tour is done in a group or if it’s private. In a group tour (even small groups), travelers follow a pre-established itinerary, which can only altered with each person’s agreement. A private tour’s itinerary is tailored based on client input and can often be adjusted during the journey. Group tours usually follow obvious itineraries whereas private tours are more flexible and progress at the client’s pace.
Activity Prices
The second factor relies on the wineries (activity) travelers visit and the type of wine offered at each location. Here prices can range from 7,50€ to 150€, or higher, per person 😱.
Amenities, Knowledge & Skill
Other factors include the type of vehicle used, comfort and amenities provided, the guide’s knowledge, skills, and attention to clients. All of these significantly impact the mandatory costs of tours, including licensing, insurance, car maintenance, and professional training, etc.
Planning & Paperwork
Last but not least, in private custom tours, prices also take into account the time needed for all the back office tasks such as planning and scheduling as well as the process of Q&A between guide and travelers. Understanding the travelers’ needs and desires and coming up with a plan that meets their expectations is hard work, especially when you have no guarantee that they will book with you in the end. Regardless of whether you book with a guide or not, it is important to appreciate guides who are available to answer questions.
Also remember that tour guides, a bit like ants, have to work harder and save money during the high season to make ends meet all year around.
When a traveler posts a message asking if a given price is a fair value for a tour without considering all the factors, it can be disheartening. Let’s recognize the guides’ efforts that go towards helping you have a memorable trip.
In my opinion, posts like this tend to have some perverse effects. Comparing tours based solely on price might lead to misunderstanding the value offered. This could contribute to a decline in overall tour quality as they become more economically competitive. Paradoxically, it may also result in higher prices for basic tours as guides compete in the same market. All this is nonsense when there are more than enough tour guides and clients to accommodate all price ranges.
How should travelers deal with all the offers and wide price ranges?
There’s no easy answer, but feedback from other travelers is a good starting point.
Direct interaction with the guide is also a good indicator of what you are getting for your money. Education, transparency, feedback to your queries and being responsive to your needs and interests are all good indicators of what you will get for your money. Also, the best guides will advise you based on your budget and/or your interests. For example, a history fan and a wine enthusiast will want different features in a tour.
If travelers suspect that they are being overcharged, I would suggest sharing what tour you’re looking for and the dates to the Travel Portugal group. That way you can receive proposals and decide which best suits your needs and budget. That being said, I don’t think we should turn a group for exchanging experiences and mutual help into an auction page. Regarding individuals who take advantage of these kinds of posts, publicly making counter proposals or attempting to set market prices, it leads me to conclude they are either inexperienced or overly profit-driven, potentially harming the profession’s reputation.
Thank you for the time taken to read my thoughts about the matter.
José Right
Portugal By Heart
Link to Original Post.
