Tour Package Tipping?


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valkyrie

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Aug 23, 2004
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Just like to find out is it mandatory to give tips according to the tipping guide distributed out by tour agency despite whether u like the tour guide/tour leader service or not? :embrass:
 

It forms part of the tour guide salary, u should think of it as part of the cost of the tour. (similar to the 10% service charge in Singapore restaurants)
 

Just like to find out is it mandatory to give tips according to the tipping guide distributed out by tour agency despite whether u like the tour guide/tour leader service or not? :embrass:

'Tips' by itself is not mandatory. The information given by the tour agency serves as a 'guideline' only. I do not see it as something that is mandatory, as it goes into the pocket of the guide.

If you are happy with the service, it will be a very nice gesture to leave something for the guide.

Service charge in Singapore is different, it is in the bill/invoice and is collected by the Management first. The distribution (or non-distribution) of the service charge is up to the Management. Tips, on the other hand, goes straight into the pocket of the staff.
 

'Tips' by itself is not mandatory. The information given by the tour agency serves as a 'guideline' only. I do not see it as something that is mandatory, as it goes into the pocket of the guide.

Unfortunately that is not the case.

On a recent tour to Korea, we will told by the Sgp Tour agency, tipping is manadatory.
On the last day, when the tips were collected, they were counting the money to check if the amount collect from each family is correct. :bsmilie:
 

just treat the tipping as part of the tour cost. since most of the time they give a recommended amount to give to the tour guide. if u happy, then give more, else just give the minimum.
 

On my recent trip to Taiwan it was mandatory to tip 600NT per person (total 24 pax). And guess what, 50% of the tips collected went to the agency for sharing amongst the staff who arranged the itinerary, the other 50% went to the guide.
 

Whether its mandatory or not is not a matter of law, but a matter of contract. If the tipping was not told to you at the time of offer and acceptance of the contract, it will not form part of the contract and will therefore not be "mandatory".

Of course, you have to balance this with the risk of being "sabo-ed" in a foreign land if some disgrunted tour guide takes offence at your refusal to tip.
 

Depends where you are traveling to.
In USA tipping is the norm.
We used the USD1 per person per day as a guide.
When we took day tour buses, airport shuttle buses, we tipped the drivers too.

There was even once when someone on the day tour bus didnt tip the driver at the end of the day when the driver sent us back to our hotels one by one, the driver got down from the bus & asked for his tips. "Tipping is not included in the fares" he said.

In UK/Europe when we took a Contiki tour, we tipped the guide/driver as well. It was told upfront to tip if we liked the service, if not "keep it for your own beer". We liked the tour/services & tipped them.
 

Unfortunately that is not the case.

On a recent tour to Korea, we will told by the Sgp Tour agency, tipping is manadatory.
On the last day, when the tips were collected, they were counting the money to check if the amount collect from each family is correct. :bsmilie:
They only tell Singaporeans tipping is mandatory... :)


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Dis is precisely why I'll rather spend more/'suffer' more going F&E den to follow package
 

Just like to find out is it mandatory to give tips according to the tipping guide distributed out by tour agency despite whether u like the tour guide/tour leader service or not? :embrass:

it depends on the company's policy, actually.

as far as my experiences have extended, it is never mandatory, not once. entirely optional but it is only polite unless they have seriously displeased you.

in any case, i do prefer f&e, nothing to do with tipping or not.. somehow most package tours irk me by doing too much in too short a time.. with too much trinket-sightseeing (stuff like silly expeditions to leather factories, local good factories, diamond factories, blah blah blah, which i'm not interested in) which is in my view, unnecessary and a waste of time which could be better done doing other stuff.
 

If you travel, do give tips to the service provider be it tour guides or ...


tips is consider NORMAL in most country but for singaporean [I am], appears that a token tips is a big big amount to most travellers???

They deserve the tips if provide reasonable service to you.

Right ?
 

Tipping is mandatory not by law but these service providers survive on tips. Their basic pay is very low despite the 'glamour' attached to the industry. Long hours, low pay and so tipping is quite a must to these service providers and thats why tour agencies will ask you to tip them.

If you dun like their service, give less, if not give more if their service satisfy you.
 

You're on holiday, and have already spent a bomb on the travel cost..
So what is a few more dollars? At most buy cheaper liquor when u returning thru' DFS lorh.. :bsmilie:

I always tip when I'm on holiday.. Be it the bell-hop, waiter, driver or tour guide..
Usually if a particular staff gave good service, then write a short thank-you note and slip it into a named envelope or better still an ang-pow.. :)

Alternatively, you can bring along a few postcards frm Sgp, write your thanks on it, then when giving it to the driver/guide/agent, slip your 'token' under it.. They'll usually accept it without issue or question.. ;)

Enjoy your travels!
 

whatever u do, pls don't try to tip the immigration officer that stamps your passport.. :sweat:



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whatever u do, pls don't try to tip the immigration officer that stamps your passport.. :sweat:



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LOL! I don't know about tipping at the immigration, but I know a funny incident that happened at Australian immigration. A jolly ol' Indian gentleman, a little tipsy from guzzling on the flight was questioned by the Australian immigration officer.

Australian Immigration Officer: "Sir, have you been convicted in the court of law before?".
Jolly Ol' Indian: "Is this a prerequisite to enter this country?"
Australian Immigration Officer: "Sir, please answer the question!"
Jolly Ol' Indian: *After an amusing laugh to himself* "You don't get my joke, do you? But no lah, haven't been convicted before, ya!"

OT aside, at least for US tours, the guideline is 15% if you're satisfied with the service, and more if it blew your mind! Even if you're quite cheesed with the tour guide, a 10% tip is still expected, but he/she will get the message that you're not pleased. If you don't tip, prepare yourself for a uncomfortable confrontation.
 

LOL! I don't know about tipping at the immigration, but I know a funny incident that happened at Australian immigration. A jolly ol' Indian gentleman, a little tipsy from guzzling on the flight was questioned by the Australian immigration officer.

Australian Immigration Officer: "Sir, have you been convicted in the court of law before?".
Jolly Ol' Indian: "Is this a prerequisite to enter this country?"
Australian Immigration Officer: "Sir, please answer the question!"
Jolly Ol' Indian: *After an amusing laugh to himself* "You don't get my joke, do you? But no lah, haven't been convicted before, ya!"


Muahahaha...
I get the joke... this 1 is damn funny.:bsmilie:


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OT aside, at least for US tours, the guideline is 15% if you're satisfied with the service, and more if it blew your mind! Even if you're quite cheesed with the tour guide, a 10% tip is still expected, but he/she will get the message that you're not pleased. If you don't tip, prepare yourself for a uncomfortable confrontation.
Tat reminds me the time I went to Canada, stayed in 5 star hotel and ordered room service dinner (too cold outside), the waiter actually delivered the dinner to my room, stood there for a few minutes, until I realized he was waiting for the tip so he would leave.
 

I remember taking a coach from my hotel in Orange County, California to San Diego Seaworld some years ago. Beside the driver was a tipping box with a sign above it that says "Tipping is not a place in China".

I guess it was a subtle message to oriental folks who had never tip before to give him a tip for his driving.
 

My sister was telling me the last Korea trip she went, the tour group were FORCE to tip....

1. Singapore Guide (Did nothing but accompany the group from Airport to Korea)
2. Korea Local Guide (Did all the speaking, planning and booking)
3. Korea Driver
4. Photographer assigned for the package. (Help u take photos and sell you the photos)

To be fair, i think the korea local guide and the driver who did their service deserve the tipping. The other 2 can just ignore. Anyone got similiar experience?
 

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