I was just wondering when people ask about who the tour manager is and how many people are on the tour and their ages if the answer given would actually make you re-think the holiday?

Ciao

Debbie

For me, it doesn't make any difference when I ask, it's just for information. To help me get ready for the tour, it's nice to know the TM's name in advance and whether it'll be a small or big group. I ask the ages out of curiosity to see whether I'll be the youngest or not, but it wouldn't make me re-think. I book the holiday to see the places on the itinerary - the fellow travellers are holiday companions along the journey. Sometimes I keep in touch with one or two afterwards, but it doesn't bother me if I don't really click with anyone in particular.

Best wishes,

Bob

I wouldn’t have thought so until I had a rather unsavoury experience with one on my first JY tour last year which really merited being reported but I didn’t bother at the time as it seemed relatively trivial and, I am quite sure, very rare.

But it was enough for me to enquire who my Tour Manager was this year before I booked my second long-haul trip, just to make sure I didn’t encounter him again. I did finish up describing my experience over the telephone with the JY rep just to get an expert company opinion and he agreed that I would’ve been fully justified in reporting the incident.

I don’t think the group size nor age range would deter me though either.

of one the couple of incompetent ones I have met comes up. Saves me time worrying about another bad performance.

Good question to be honest most probably not. I have been onmany JY tours ideally I like about 30-35 people gives you plenty of people to get to know, if it was a very small group then I don't think I would enjoy it as much but no it wouldn't put me off.I have had a couple of dodgy tour managers now that would put me off I think. Now I don't bother asking about who is the manager as I have asked in the past and the name given HASNT been who I end up with also if it's been a bad one previously then dread would kick in before I have even left, not ideal to a good holiday. I must say that on the 10 tours I have never had the same manager twice. My holidays do vary.

Cindy

Certainly i wouldn't have any objections to any of the tour managers i've had on JY holidays although there are 2 or 3 i'd definately like to meet again (well we all have favorites,lol).

Must add there is one TM had with a rival company that i would not want again, all I'll say is he was very unproffesional and its the only time I've not tipped at the end of the holiday.

Numbers arn't a problem to me unless its too small, again with a rival company was in a group of only 7 and had little in common with most of them. Think 12 is the smallest group i'd consider going with, never been that low with JY.

Not a problem to me but believe age range may effect some peoples decision although i like to see a good mix which usually happens.

Mick

Avocet

It would not make me cancel a holiday. Having done so many JY tours (13 I think!), I like to know the name of the TM in case I have had them before. There has only been one TM who I have had twice - he was so bad the first time that I didn't tip him (!) but he improved on the second trip! It is always useful to know the name of the TM beforehand, especially if they are travelling with you from Heathrow/Gatwick, and in case anything goes wrong between the UK and your destination.

I also like to know the numbers - I actually prefer a smaller party as you get to know their names, hopefully, by the end of the trip, and the gender split is for information only.

Cheers,

Hils

For me too it does not make any difference and I am not bothered about ages of people or how many on the trip. I only ask out of interest. Having said that, I would not like a very large group as it makes it difficult to talk to everyone plus I am sure a very large group is not easy to manage by the tour manager. To date, I have never asked about the tour manager and have not been disappointed yet.

Jaya

Thanks for the replies 🙂 I will wait with breath baited as to who the TM is for china at Christmas and how big the group will be, funnily enough I have a feeling it isn't going to be very large.....no idea why.:-/

(put' s on best Kermit voice) only 12 more sleeps till China 🙂

Ciao

Debbie

I like to see a range of ages, but not really an issue. Having had a couple of poor TMs and would hope to avoid but as TMs can be changed right up to departure I don't really ask who the TM is.

We only had 16 of us on the first Slovenia trip last May and I personally enjoyed that so much as everyone gelled so well. I think 20-25 is a fair number.

I wouldn't cancel a holiday if there was a TM that I had come across before that I didn't like, thought was unprofessional, because I haven't had that problem really. On the trips that I have been on they have all been good and indeed 3 have been excellent in my opinion.

This was a great question, made me think. I do like to know how many in the group and who we are travelling with. Just been on my 5th holiday and I think 35 people. Steven Rodaway was both funny and professional. Who could forget that he called Gumbo and Jambalaya, peasant food in New Orleans, checked our coins as he was collecting the picture quarters and the fridge magnet about good girls go to heaven, bad girls go to Beale Street (Memphis) that I had bought raised a few laughs.

I have only had good experiences with TMs, except one annoying incident with a lady with head injuries that I missed a trip on a glass bottom boat at Aqaba to view the coral. As a nurse I was worried about her, the TM was nowhere to be seen!

Jan

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies 🙂 I will wait with breath baited as to who the TM is for china at Christmas and how big the group will be, funnily enough I have a feeling it isn't going to be very large.....no idea why.:-/

(put' s on best Kermit voice) only 12 more sleeps till China 🙂

Ciao

Debbie

Hi Debbie

What an exciting way to spend Christmas. Whoever the TM, however big the group or their age, have a great time and a Happy Christmas in China.

Avocet

I asked about group numbers to China next week (wow, next week!!). There will be 10 of us and I'm the youngest. I didn't ask about the TM as a name wouldn't mean anything to me as this is my first JY trip.

I only asked out of interest and nosiness and I knew JY would tell me.

So looking forward to meeting you and the rest of the team 🙂

Emma.