Before you book a tour package, READ THIS - Joiners and Private/Exclusive Tours

Ahhh! You just woke up to a beautiful day. The kind of morning that makes you want to relax and enjoy life, but instead, you’re facing another workday. I totally get it. You drag yourself out of bed, feeling tired even if you do like your job. Let’s be honest—most of us don’t always feel excited about the daily grind, right?

As you sip your coffee, your mind starts wandering to that vacation you’ve been dreaming about for ages. You’ve been planning this trip for months, maybe even years. It’s been the light at the end of the tunnel during those long workweeks.

And....finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for arrives! — your PTO is approved! Hooray!

You can almost feel the excitement building. You’ve imagined this trip so many times: the relaxation, the adventure, the break from everyday stress.

So, you dive into tour packages, scrolling through endless options on websites and social media. The deals look amazing—wow! so many cheap prices and glowing reviews. You’re so thrilled and so without hesitation you have finally availed a tour package! Yes!! Your tour package is booked, and you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

FAST FORWARD...

The day of your tour arrives, and reality starts to set in. A lot of things starts to unfold. Instead of the peaceful escape you envisioned, things start to go wrong. Maybe the tour isn’t what you expected, the guide isn’t as friendly as you hoped, or the experience falls short of what you imagined.

Before you know it, you eventually found yourself in the same boat as everyone else.

My God, it’s like a nightmare, right? Those reviews you read? They’re not just stories—I’ve read it firsthand. Go and check some reviews online ANDDD this time, make sure to focus on the negative reviews.

I didn’t make those up. Those are real experiences from people just like you. They saved up, had high hopes for their trip, and were counting on it to be amazing.

Some of them are average folks like us, working hard and saving every penny. Others are small business owners who’ve poured their heart into their work and just wanted to enjoy some well-deserved time off. And yet, they ended up facing the same letdowns and frustrations.

It’s heartbreaking to see so many people end up disappointed after putting in so much effort and dreaming of a perfect getaway. I feel your pain. It’s tough when your trip doesn’t match up to the expectations you had and the hard-earned money you spent. We all deserve better, and it's really sad when the experience doesn’t turn out the way we hoped.

Here’s more!

What's my point? Why am I telling you this?

Is the Cheapest Option Really Worth It?

I get it—finding the cheapest deal can be really tempting. But here’s the thing: just because something is the lowest price doesn’t mean it’s the best choice. Sometimes, spending a bit more can actually get you a way better experience. I’ve been there, and I know it’s frustrating to think you’re saving money only to end up with something that doesn’t live up to expectations.

BUT on the other hand... Higher Price Doesn’t Always Mean Better Quality

Trust me, I’ve fallen for the “more expensive must be better” trap before. It’s easy to assume that higher prices come with higher quality, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, you’re just paying for a fancy label. It’s worth checking out what you’re actually getting for the price and seeing if it’s really worth the extra cash.

How to Read Reviews the Right Way

I know how overwhelming it can be to sift through reviews. It’s tempting to only focus on the glowing ones, but you’ve got to dig deeper. Look at the overall picture—how many people are complaining compared to those who are happy? I’ve spent hours reading reviews and know how important it is to get a balanced view before making a decision.

What’s Really Included in Your Tour Package?

Tour packages can be super vague, and I totally get how frustrating that can be. You work hard for your money, and it’s only fair to know exactly what you’re paying for. I’ve been in your shoes, wanting to see a detailed breakdown so I know exactly where my money is going. It helps you see if you're getting a good deal or if there’s a bit of price padding going on. It’s about getting the transparency you deserve.

Fair Pay for Local Guides

I’ve wondered the same thing: Are the local tour guides really getting a fair share of what I’m paying? It’s tough to see so much money going to these agencies when you know the local guides are the ones who make your trip special. They work hard and deserve fair pay, so it’s important to support them properly.

Watch Out for Misleading Ads

We’ve all seen those ads that promise the world but don’t deliver. It’s frustrating to feel tricked into thinking you’re getting something amazing, only to find out it’s not as great as it seemed. I’ve been there too and it’s a real letdown. Always double-check the fine print and make sure you’re getting exactly what’s promised.

And get this—those are just a few out of hundreds, maybe even thousands, of similar experiences. That doesn’t even count the negative reviews that might have been deleted from the agencies' Facebook pages. It’s frustrating to think about how many people have been let down and how their voices might not even be heard.

I’m not saying that all tour agencies are bad nor dishonest—there are definitely some good ones out there. What I’m trying to highlight is that while it’s up to us as travelers to do our research, businesses also need to be responsible for the services they offer. We, travelers are spending our hard-earned money, and we deserve to be treated fairly.

To all the tour agencies out there, remember this: it’s not just about how cheap or expensive your service is. What really matters is how your guests feel during their experience. You’re the face of the place, and how you handle your guests impacts the reputation of the whole destination. So, don’t let your service fall short and damage the reputation of a great tourist spot.

I know you’re probably thinking right now that you need to start researching all over again to make sure your next trip is better than the last. Well, worry no more! I’ve prepared something for you. Check this out!

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Mabuhay! My name is Rhea and I’m a proud Filipina, born and raised in the beautiful country, The Philippines. It always saddens me to see tourists leave with a bad taste in their mouths after spending their hard-earned money on travel agencies that don’t live up to expectations. It’s especially heartbreaking when I read reviews about travelers saying how amazing my country is, but those experiences are tainted by poor service.

Founder of Travel Companion Philippines

About the Author

That’s why I started Travel Companion Philippines—to make sure every traveler gets the exceptional travel experience they deserve while also ensuring our local tour guides are fairly compensated. My goal is to highlight the true beauty of The Philippines and ensure that everyone has a fantastic trip.

Aside from managing this business, I also run an international digital marketing agency that supports small businesses and local charities.

See you here in The Philippines!

Meet Rhea

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