I have looked through a past thread on this and found a very useful reply, but I wondered, does JY have a policy on tipping tour managers, tour guides (if they are different) coach drivers, hotel staff, etc.? Or does the individuality of each tour make this difficult.

Thanks

Sylvia

Thank you for getting in touch; tipping is covered in our customer documentation that is sent out around 15 weeks prior to travel.

Kindest,

Ben

Good morning Sylvia,

Thank you for getting in touch; tipping is covered in our customer documentation that is sent out around 15 weeks prior to travel.

Kindest,

Ben

Hi Ben,

Didn't think I'd missed it but all I got, tour ref SKCDOW, dated 21 January was a three page letter with flight details, information on pre-bookable excursions, terms and conditions about these (no mention of tipping here), and what to expect about 14 days before departure. This was probably just a slip up, so any info. you can provide will be welcome.

Regards, and thanks

Sylvia

It might be helpful for a quick summary of my experiences - as Ben says, there is some info in the holiday pack that arrives before you travel but I don't think it says anything specific about how much to tip the tour manager. On many tours, especially the long haul ones where it is common to have a number of drivers and local guides, the tour manager will usually give guidance on how much to tip and sometimes will even send an envelope around the bus to collect it.

Regarding the tour manager themselves, I think they deserve the largest tip of all - they have huge responsibility to ensure that everything runs smoothly and they often have a lot of hassle to deal with from one or two people on the tour. They also go to huge lengths to ensure that everyone is well and happy and are brilliant whenever there has been a health problem or other crisis. I remember on one holiday, there was a lady who complained about virtually everything and liked to stir up trouble. She remarked loudly that she wouldn't be tipping the tour manager as she felt she didn't deserve it - well, if there was one person who should have tipped (and tipped more than anyone else) it was that lady! The tour managers actually don't earn very much for doing these tours and are dependent on tips for a very large portion of their income. On a long haul tour of 2 weeks or more, I usually give $50 and maybe $30 for a week long tour. Some possibly give more than this, I know from previous conversations quite a lot of people give less. I do however feel very strongly that the tour manager deserves more than the local guide or bus driver. But this is just my opinion!

Hope this helps,

Bob

Hi Sylvia,

It might be helpful for a quick summary of my experiences - as Ben says, there is some info in the holiday pack that arrives before you travel but I don't think it says anything specific about how much to tip the tour manager. On many tours, especially the long haul ones where it is common to have a number of drivers and local guides, the tour manager will usually give guidance on how much to tip and sometimes will even send an envelope around the bus to collect it.

Regarding the tour manager themselves, I think they deserve the largest tip of all - they have huge responsibility to ensure that everything runs smoothly and they often have a lot of hassle to deal with from one or two people on the tour. They also go to huge lengths to ensure that everyone is well and happy and are brilliant whenever there has been a health problem or other crisis. I remember on one holiday, there was a lady who complained about virtually everything and liked to stir up trouble. She remarked loudly that she wouldn't be tipping the tour manager as she felt she didn't deserve it - well, if there was one person who should have tipped (and tipped more than anyone else) it was that lady! The tour managers actually don't earn very much for doing these tours and are dependent on tips for a very large portion of their income. On a long haul tour of 2 weeks or more, I usually give $50 and maybe $30 for a week long tour. Some possibly give more than this, I know from previous conversations quite a lot of people give less. I do however feel very strongly that the tour manager deserves more than the local guide or bus driver. But this is just my opinion!

Hope this helps,

Bob

Thanks Bob,

That's a great help. I think some things may have been missing from my info pack, because I only got flight and excursion information in a letter. No doubt things will sort themselves out. I was just trying to work out cash/card ratio which was what made me think of it. But never having been with JY, or any other tour company for that matter, I didn't know what to expect.

Thanks again,

Regards

Sylvia

I agree with all you say.....having got my 9th tour booked people do look to me for guidance...:exclamation:

I personally normally take a couple of blank thank you card so I can write a personal note of thanks and include my tip in that, I am on a similar amount to you. I have also been asked to go round on a few tours within envelope for people to put in their amounts as in a job lot, I am not a lover of this and always give mine over myself.

:thumbup:

I think they do a fantastic job, I have only been let down once on Nashville and Memphis music tour the rep had absolutely no interest in the music side so felt let down a bit there.

:huh:

On the USA tours you could have the same driver and the NZ tour he was the same one all the time so he got a very generous tip for keeping me safe and his knowledge that he gave.:D

Tipping for just a half day local guide can be minimal to me. :s

I tip for good service and for being looked and cared for while I am away as well as humour knowledge etc...and the reps sure need humour at times :exclamation:

Cindy ....I am away in Gran Caneria soaking up some sunshine :angel:

Bob

I have to take a break from the intense heat:huh: and cool down so checking in will I cool off LOL:cool:

Cindy :angel:

Regards

Jaya

Ann

Jaya

Cheers,

Hils

Cheers,

Bob

I agree with both of you. Obviously there are some mean people out there! But as Sookie says, it also depends on people's financial situation. I always allow budget for tipping and will go without if I have to as long as I can leave a decent tip - again, this is my personal choice as I think people who provide a good service deserves a good tip.

Regards

Jaya