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Don’t Book a Tour Without Reading This First!

Having a destination in mind that is on your wish list and finally moving to that place, after a long process of planning and designing your ideal trip, is the job of a good tour operator.

The destination matters of course, but the journey that takes us to that place is the true essence of the journey.

Creating stories is the best thing we know how to do. After 30 years of working as a tour operator in Ecuador, we believe that this should be the greatest value of a tour operator. Travel experiences require constant research and reinvention; For this reason, we detail below a list of attributes that you should take into account when choosing a tour operator.

What should a tour operator offer?

First we want you to understand what the functions of a tour operator are, so you will know what information to ask your travel advisors.

There is constant confusion about the roles of a tour operator and a travel agency. A tour operator always has immediate access to the availability of its products and the power to operate aspects such as transportation, accommodation and excursions; while a travel agency, who functions as an intermediary, must request a product or service from a tour operator or directly from tourism service brands when a client is interested.

With this clear, there are several crucial points that a tour operator must offer:

1. Create unforgettable experiences
Many people want to go to Peru just to see Machu Picchu, or go to the Galapagos for the gigantic turtles, but a destination always has much more to offer, the design of the trip is the basis of an unforgettable experience, and it is better if those who design the experience are inhabitants of the country you will visit. So if you travel to Ecuador, it is better if you choose a tour operator from Ecuador.

The best tour operator must offer you in addition to the reason why you are traveling; impressive destinations, spectacular gastronomy, fun and learning activities and connections with the communities that live there; so that in the end, when your adventure is over you feel that you have enriched your spirit, that you have seen and learned more than you expected and that the desire to help preserve and protect the beautiful places that welcomed you has been born in you.

2. Ensure security
The main reason why a tour operator is usually chosen is because the operator is the one who will be in charge of resolving all the pending aspects of the trip, and visitors only have to comply with showing up at the agreed times; However, tourist security goes far beyond solving problems such as the delay of a flight, and the time of registration at the place of lodging.

A tour operator must guarantee visitors medical safety and good communication; Therefore, tourists should always be aware of the itinerary, the level of difficulty of the activities they are going to do, receive transparent information about the place where they will stay, the food they will eat during the trip and the schedules, as well as medical assistance. in case you need it.

3. Minimize the impact on ecosystems and maximize it on communities
The participation of mass tourism in the negative impact of the most crowded destinations is undeniable, from annoying tour operator buses that hinder the perfect photo, to the difficulty of getting to the place and having limited time to explore it due to the large number of people who are there. on hold.

Protecting the ecosystems of each destination is essential for a tour operator in Ecuador and other destinations. A tour operator must be responsible and sustainable and must ensure that the negative impact of each operation is reduced. The best way is to avoid over-visiting popular areas, choose optimal times to avoid the influx of people, respect the environmental and social conditions of each place, and promote the development, protection and regeneration of destinations from the communities that inhabit them. so as not to be invasive with the environment that welcomes us.

When to opt for a tour operator instead of traveling alone?

This is the first question that usually comes to tourists’ minds when planning a trip, and it is certainly not an easy decision, it requires a lot of research.

1. If it is your first trip abroad.
Visiting a different country is very exciting, but when you arrive doubts will fill your mind. If you do it with a local tour operator, you will always have a guide nearby who will help you throughout the course of your adventure.

2. If you don’t want to sacrifice comfort
As soon as you hire a tour operator you can stop looking for accommodation, transportation, food and planning routes and itineraries; It is the tour operator’s job to take care of every detail that will be part of your adventure.

3. When you plan a trip for a large group of people
If you are planning a trip for a school group or a work integration, it is better to detail your needs to a travel advisor so that he can organize and resolve each procedure so you will not have to worry about the hotel not having availability for the entire group, or that access to tourist places is limited.

4.If you are looking for a specialized route
If you are a bird lover and looking to photograph all the species you can, you love wine and want to learn more about its production, or you want to try all the traditional food from a specific place; You should definitely look for specialized tours, so you will be sure to go to the right places and meet more people who share your interests.

What type of tour operators and travel agencies to choose?

Now, if you have already made the decision to choose a tour operator, you are wondering which one should I choose? Actually that depends on your needs, but we recommend choosing a tour operator that offers tailor-made trips, so they will have to adapt to your needs but it is also important to choose a tour operator that is legally established and is conscious about sustainability.

What questions should I ask my tour operator?

1. What does the package include?
This is definitely the most important question, if you choose a land or cruise tour you should carefully review where your money is directed, because you do not want to miss out on a fun experience because it is not included in the tour you chose.

2. How far in advance do you have to make a reservation?
Generally it is ideal to make the reservation within a period of 4 to 5 months before the expected date of the trip, however everything will depend on the destination you choose, the availability of the services that will be contracted to meet your demands and, of course, if It is a festive date, like Christmas, we recommend you make your reservations at least a year in advance.

3. Is it possible to make modifications and cancellations to the tour?
It is always important to take into account the possibility of not fulfilling the trip, some travel agencies and tour operators allow modifications as long as it is within a specific time range before the trip, however cancellations are more complicated, since generally a The tour operator will ask you to purchase travel insurance. Don’t forget to read carefully what type of modifications are allowed and how much they will affect the final cost of making cancellations.

4. What expenses does the tour payment include?
In most cases, alcoholic beverages and some meals are not included in the packages, as are flights and entrance fees to tourist places such as National Parks and reserves. Therefore, you must make sure that the tour they offer you meets the basic services that you will need such as accommodation, transportation, food and other services that are essential for you.

5. What category of hotels should I choose?
When you receive the information about your trip, it is very important that you pay attention to the places of accommodation, do your research, ask for photographs and references, find out what amenities are included and save the list so that everything matches when you are already in your adventure Remember that hotels are generally divided into luxury (5 stars), first class (3-4 stars) and budget (2 stars) hotels depending on your travel budget.

At our Ecuador tour operator, EcoAndes Travel, we love the places we visit and the diversity of the planet. Our work is directed towards that path, to love diversity, explore it and discover it from respect for each species as part of a beautiful ecosystem. That is our greatest motivation to operate trips and sharing it with you is our greatest drive.

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