First, they are great for people who are new to travel or just don’t feel comfortable traveling solo.
When you don’t speak the language, or don’t have much experience, or are just worried about safety in a new place, you aren’t always willing to just grab your backpack and go.
Tours allow you to get your feet wet and conquer that fear.
Also, some travelers prefer tours when exploring a new region for the first time. Sure, you might have made your way through Europe or Australia, but the thought of doing the same in Central America or the Middle East might feel a little too far out of your comfort zone.
Second, tours are good if you’re a solo traveler looking for company.
When you’re on a tour, though, you have automatic travel friends. Tours are designed so you have a group of people to talk to, explore with, eat with, and spend time with. You won’t be alone, which takes a lot of the pressure off.
More often than not, you’ll create stronger bonds than you’d ever expect with your tour mates because of all of your shared travel experiences.
Third, tours are good if you don’t have a lot of time. Could I have seen Jordan, Morocco, or Madagascar my own?
When you are limited in your travel time, tours are the perfect way to easily take in the highlights. They have unique experiences baked right in, so no matter how quick the tour is, you’ll feel like you saw something aside from the must-see attractions (at least on a good one).
Fourth, tours are great for busy people. It seems like these days, so many are juggling a million things to do, so planning out all the logistics of a trip to a foreign country might not hit the top of the priority list. And if this is your life, I’m guessing you need a vacation. After all, everyone needs a vacation every once in a while.
Joining a group tour is a great way to have a satisfying experience without having to lift a finger to plan. It’s very convenient. Just show up and participate. Let someone else handle the research, planning… and improvising when something goes wrong.
Fifth, some destinations are logistically challenging and best visited on a tour. Just try going to the Galápagos, on safari, around India, or through a few African countries on your own. Sure, you can do it, but it’s not always easy and most people don’t have the time or energy to put that kind of trip together. Multi-day hikes up Mount Kilimanjaro or around Patagonia are easier and safer with a group. The same goes for trips through deserts, rain forests, jungles, and other areas that are not as easy to navigate on your own.
Finally, tours can give you access to experiences you couldn’t access on your own. This is especially true of smaller, boutique tour companies (like us!). By leveraging their insider knowledge and connections, you can get access to people, places, and activities you wouldn’t otherwise have.
