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How to Select the Right Tour Company
When you're sorting through a variety of operators all offering adventure tours in the same destination, how do you know which operator is going to be the best for you? There are a number of factors which contribute to a successful, enjoyable, hassle-free and educational holiday, and we hope this list will assist you in making your choice.
- How many years has the company been operating?
Experience speaks volumes, and any established, reputable adventure tour company uses clients' comments and criticisms to create a tour that really works for their participants. Additionally, the longer the company is in business the longer the list of happy clients. Happy clients are repeat clients and refer the company to their friends.
WoWCuba/MacQueen's has been operating tours of PEI for over 20 years, pioneered the bicycle tour business in Cuba in 1994 and expanded to Sicily in 1998. We have a long list of satisfied clients.
- How does the company develop its itineraries?
There are operators who think that it is acceptable to make use of the itineraries of established tour companies as a short-cut to tour delivery. However, without investing in adequate research and testing, they cannot possibly deliver a comparable tour.
WoWCuba/MacQueen's is flattered, being the most copied tour company in Cuba! That's because we thoroughly investigate our destinations. We are not only in Cuba 12 months a year, but we also rely on local companies for their insight and their experience which provides you with a more authentic experience. On Prince Edward Island, we are the locals! We live on PEI and we'll show you the real PEI and not just the "tourist areas" so often frequented by tours "from away".
- Has the company invested in its own quality equipment?
Reputable specialty tour companies invest in their own equipment rather than chancing quality and availability by renting from a third party. A company that offers a bicycle tour, but hasn't invested in their own fleet of high quality bicycles is probably not a bicycle tour specialist.
WoWCuba/MacQueen's maintains fleets of high quality bikes in both Sicily and Cuba. In PEI, we have an entire store full!
- Has the company run the tour you're considering with paying clients, and if so can they provide references?
If the tour hasn't been run before, then there are most likely snags to be worked out, regardless of the theoretical background research that might have gone into its preparation. If you are paying for an un-tested tour, then you should be getting a nice discount for being a guinea pig!
WoWCuba/MacQueen's inaugural tours are priced accordingly and we don't need a support group to readily admit there are always snags with new destinations and routes.
- How long has the tour staff been working with the company?
A guide team can make or break your holiday. They should know their destination and be familiar with the travel industry as well as the workings of a cycle tour. At WoWCuba/MacQueen's we not only use highly experienced local guides on all our group tours, but we also send a company representative on all our group bicycle tours to provide expert outfitting, full time mechanical attention and gratuities to all hotels and restaurants. Our guides and representatives ensure that your holiday is everything you expected and more. Our tour leaders apprentice on all trips before being offered the opportunity to run them individually. We have found that this formula makes for a hassle-free tour for our clients. Best of all, the local people we have come to know and regularly visit on our travels, will make for a more memorable holiday experience.
WoWCuba/MacQueen's staff consists mostly of family members, daughters Kristen and Kelley and son, Danny. They've been working for their dad for more years than he'd like to admit. As for myself, a family friend since the 70's, I've been here since 2000, more years than I'd like to admit.
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