How To Choose The Best Tour Operator In India?

A tour operator with expertise and knowledge of the travel industry is a boon. No online travel portal can match the level of support you can get from a certified local tour operator.

But finding the right tour operator to help you customize your travel plans based on your specific needs can take time and effort. Read this article to learn how to spot the best tour operator in India without making a hole in your wallet.

1. References can give you a sense of direction

When you start your search for tour agencies, look locally. While there are numerous online travel portals available at your disposal, local tour agencies can provide customised travel itineraries with authority. Start by asking your friends and family for recommendations. It always helps to have a trusted source help you find a tour agency they have tried and tested.

2. Do your research

Research numerous tour agencies around your location before making your choice. You can easily find all the details of an agency online through their website, online forums or social media. 

You can even find online reviews of previous customers who have used the agency to decide whether they are worth the trouble. If you already know where you want to travel, you can find tour agencies that specialise in specific locations or have customised travel packages for the exact location.

For instance, if you're looking to go on a cruise, you can find tour or travel agencies specifically designed for cruise ship packages or one with multiple cruise ship packages.

3. Get all the certifications in order

The first thing to ensure is that your tour or travel agency has all the certifications and ethically runs their business. In India, travel agencies should be trained and certified by IATA (International Air Transport Association), which is one sure-shot sign that they mean business. 

With over 30 years of experience, Skyway Tour is one of the best tour agencies in India, certified by IATA, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agent Federation of India (TAFI) and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

4. A problem-solving attitude

There is no such thing as a perfect vacation. You are bound to encounter problems while you're travelling. For instance, your flight tickets get cancelled at the last minute, your accommodation was overbooked, a particular destination is closed for temporary reasons and so on ( i.e.,right now famous Brindhavan garden in Mysore is closed temporarily because there is movement of Leopard in that area, forest department is trying to catch the same for last 7 days) In these instances, it helps to find a tour agency with enough experience dealing with various problems that can occur while travelling.

They should also be able to support you throughout the trip rather than plan your vacation and leave you in the lurch. A competent tour agency should also be able to help you with your air tickets, travel itinerary including sightseeings, hotel accommodation, visa assistance, travel insurance, among others.

5. Customised is the new norm

A standard tour agency will provide packages that cannot be customized to your travel needs. This does not help you if you want a specific airline or hotel or visit a location outside of the package offered. 

A competent tour agent should be able to offer you a variety of travel options and be able to customize your travel plan according to your schedule. If you like leisure trips that allow you to relax or packed itineraries filled with various sightseeing options, convey what you want from your trip to your tour agency so that they can design a travel plan based on your needs. 

They should have a thorough knowledge of local places to help you find unique hole-in-the-walls that can be hard to find on your own. Skyway Tour is a tour agency in India with domestic and International Tour Packages to numerous destinations across the globe. We customise your travel plans based on your travel needs, no matter where you are from and where you wish to go.

6. Be aware of the cost

Fake tour agencies may unnecessarily waste your time and money. They will also try to book cheap tickets and accommodations while still charging you a bomb. Another red flag you should look out for is when they persistently push a specific hotel or airline on you, as they may offer the agency commissions or incentives. 

A good tour agency should provide you with a complete package, pricing with clearly mentioning what is included, what is not included, terms and conditions. Tour agents should be upfront about their fees rather than handing you the bill once the entire process has been completed. If they don't mention it themselves, you should ask them about their fee before making any payments. Make sure there are no hidden charges of any sort.

7. Hassle-free travel options

Tour agents should be able to offer you car rental options as it is the easiest and most convenient mode of transportation in most places. All the top tour agencies in India offer car rental services.

If you're going to a destination where cars are not the ideal mode of transport, your tour agent should be able to guide you to a more economical and convenient transportation method. 

Skyway Tour has a 150 plus modern fleet of vehicles in South Indian cities ( Bangalore , Mangalore, Mysore, Madikeri, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin and Trivandrum) and numerous car rental options for you to choose from so that you can travel comfortably and safely.

8. On-ground support

Travelling to destinations far from home means that there could be a language barrier. A well-connected tour  agent should be able to provide you with a travel guide or, at the very least, guide you to a trusted source. 

Travelling with a guide can prevent you from getting cheated.  Skyway has 15 professional guides speaking in English, French, German and Spanish and other languages based in India. You should also be able to connect with your tour agent back home at any time in case you face issues.

Skyway provides 24 /7 support to customers. Finding a tour agency in India does not mean you should break your mind or wallet. Don't rush to pick a tour agency. Do your research and choose a trusted agency with the right qualifications. 

Skyway Tour is a trusted tour and travel agency in India with numerous packages to popular domestic and international destinations customised to your travel needs. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services, and let's find out how we can help you plan the perfect trip!