End of Group Tours

I've only been on one group tour- an RS tour. Is it really as unique as what I read on this forum? I wonder if it's the model that others will start following, or maybe RS will need to adapt and reinvent himself for smaller tours while the 50+ person tours copy RS.

Ready to go on a Rick Steves Tour as soon as it is safe to do so!!!!

My personal thought is that it may take a couple more years, but once there is some sort of vaccine and the infection rates drop off, things will return to something that looks a lot like it did before the virus went worldwide. People just want to travel, for whatever reason, and they will find a way to do so.

I agree with Mark, once you develop the "passion of travel" people will find a way, it may be different in some ways than before the Cover-19 outbreak but travelers (especially Rick Steves types) are a creative bunch and they will travel as long as they can afford to and are healthy enough.

RS and other group tours fill a number of needs, among them the human social nature. COVID wont change that.

For our group tours we've used Tauck for that last few years. Even before the pandemic they were moving to more of what they call "small group" sized tours which max out at 24 vs 44 for "classic" tours. There is an extra charge for this which depends on the tour location and length. For most tours they use the same buses -- you just get more room to spread out.

Our first land tour with them ended up being small group do to last minute cancellations. The second we paid the extra. Our next will be classic due to the price delta. Pros and cons to both.

I don't think group tours will go away but if you can afford it there will be smaller grouos.

"RS and other group tours fill a number of needs, among them the human social nature. COVID wont change that."

Agree.

Group tours aren't going anywhere. You have to get out of the RS thinking mode. There are many travelers out there who don't want to do any research, don't want to have to choose hotels, want their flights taken care of, and then shown what there is to see.

They call that a group tour.

We have lived in Europe as well as traveled there many times (also to all the other continents except Antartica).

We have done every kind of touring, bus tours, self driving, using the railroad or a rail tour, ocean and river cruises, and more.

In evaluating how we wish to visit places, we always prefer not to take a tour with a large group. However, cost is a factor as well. Every trip we have taken has been well worth the trip, but some we enjoyed more than others.

Prior to the internet booking hotels in a foreign country required an expensive long distance phone call or writing a letter. Your research was limited to guidebooks or references from friends. Sometimes, we would wing it and make that decision when we arrived at the city. 90% of the time that worked OK, but sometimes it was problem.

With the internet, planning a trip on your own is easy. There are so many places that can help, including these boards. The one thing you miss doing it on your own is that tour guides usually know the lay of the land better and can save you time and you won't miss the big stuff. Still, in many cities, you can still find local tours that work well.

Larger group tours are still a key option, when visiting countries like China, Russia, Egypt or places were the languages are a major issue and doing it yourself can result in touring failure. Also, safety and security is better with a group. We still opted for a smaller group with our China trip (27 people), it was fantastic. Our Russia trip included a river cruise and had three full busses full when we weren't on the river boat. Still, that tour was fantastic and well administered by the tour company.

Cruises are great to visit ports like the Greek Islands that are more difficult to visit otherwise. Also, cruises don't require changing hotels frequently. Cruises to scenic places like Norway, Alaska or Iceland are amazing. When our cruise ship entered and exited Venice, also New Your City, that was a memory to preserve.

I don't see the end of group tours, just a pause. COVID 19 will be a footnote in history in 25 years. Tours will likely be going strong by mid-2021 or 2022.

I think the bigger impact on the future of the tour industry is the economy, not health concerns. If people have the money and opportunity to travel, there will be travel, and tours will adapt, just like cruise lines will.

I think its the restrictions that are mainly holding people back. Once they are loosened up, the crowds will return. Heck, Bend Oregon has basically said, "Californians Stay Home", since we are more or less closed and Oregon is more open.

There are many travelers out there who don't want to do any research, don't want to have to choose hotels, want their flights taken care of, and then shown what there is to see.

Hate to admit it, but that was how I traveled in my younger years. Working 16 hours a day 6 days a week left no time to plan anything much beyond just throwing darts at brochures strewn across the floor and going with the one the most darts hit. So it wasn't that I didn't want to do the planning it just wasn't possible with the life I was living.

But even now when people travel by going on a fully inclusive planned to the microsecond by the tour company type of tour, at least they are getting out there. I am not going to disparage anyone's choices even if they would be completely opposite of what I would like to do. To each his own.

viva la diferencia!

Some people:
Enjoy the companionship of others while traveling
Feel more comfortable in a strange land with a support group
Are going as much for the experience of going as for what they see .. and a group adds to that for them
Are going for the first time and appreciate the learning experience a group provides

I can think of a of great reasons for traveling in a group: I did it myself in 1982.

I have also met people who only travel individually and, due to a lack of expert advice, have ended up missing some of the best parts of the trip and gained little or no historic or cultural perspective.

COVID will change none of this in the long run.

James E. nailed it- perfect answer. Are bus tours perfect for all- no but they are perfect for some- yes! Are tightly packed bus tours coming back in the future yes, but Obviously not right away. I expect RS to hopefully do so in 2022 (and his tours are not tightly packed).

I have taken 18 RS tours and the most tour members I have had was 24 and that was in a 52 passenger bus. I guess I should not feel sorry for the folks I see filling a 52 passenger bus as they may do that for the price consideration.

Allan, No, RS Tours are not unique, other companies are similar, including the small group on a large bus part - Road Scholar is one and has been around a lot longer than RS. Maybe Rick copied them. 🤓

Just my opinion. There is a tendency to assume that because most of the people one associates with, think or act one way, that that is the way most people think or act. In the case of the pandemic, the reaction of people seems to be (like most things) a bell curve. There are people on one end who are absolutely terrified of traveling ever again, and on the other end people who see no risk and have no concern. Most people fall in the spectrum in between. The people in the middle see a risk, but but are willing to take reasonable precautions and protective measures to go on about their business to varying degrees. There are likely plenty of people who will feel comfortable enough to resume tour group travel as long as there are reasonable mitigation measures in place. Distribution of a vaccine and enough confidence that people around you are taking precautions, will shift that curve.

Look at this as an opportunity!

When is safe to travel again, embrace this travel independence and set yourselves free from the tour bus. Take out Rick Steves, Fodors or whichever travel books you like from your library or buy them and have a great time! Get rid of the handcuffs that are tour buses. You won’t believe how economical it is when compared with tour companies as well as how liberating to plan your trip in which you can do the things you want to do and spend as much time or as little time as you like there. RS’ audio podcasts are a treasure trove as well for everyday travelers. They were especially helpful for me when I was traveling on my own in Vienna a few years ago.

onefastbob, my father use to love the Smithsonian tours. He got to spend a few weeks with people of his age, education and interests. He made friends he kept until his death. Not the same as traveling solo.

Some people: Enjoy the companionship of others while traveling

This was an unintended benefit of our RS tour last year-our first group tour of any kind. I'm an introvert but my wife is extremely extroverted, and having the companionship of others was a bonus. It also benefited me because I was able to wander off on my own and not worry about her as she had 26 new friends.

As well as the tour, we've cruised and done Europe on our own. We'll continue to use all three methods based on our wants and desires.

Allen, I'm pretty much the same. Its been years since Ive done a group tour, but I can picture certain group tours that I might enjoy. I almost always hire a guide these days, but its more for the conversation than the guiding. It fascinates me how different people from different cultures see things. But I will spend a month interviewing guides till I find one that seems comfortable. If I dont find that one, I do it solo.

Brushtim, Oregon has been saying”Californians stay home” since the days of Governor Tom McCall. On the flip side, Arizona loves sunbird money.
Tour will resume when people feel safe to fly and travel and that their investments/money/retirement/jobs are safe. People have short memories.

I am quite surprised at the "anti-tour" feeling expressed by some of the posters. Is it really necessary to stereotype and assume things about people because they enjoy going on a tour? Here is reality: it is great to travel in multiple ways and learn to enjoy a variety of modes.

Sometimes I travel solo. Other times I go with my sister. And yes, sometimes I go on a Rick Steves Tour. Each experience is slightly different with their own pros and cons. I have enjoyed every trip!! No need to label people or beg them to "take off their handcuffs." Conversely, I won't criticize other posters who have found one way to travel that they enjoy and stick with it.

I only hope that soon we will be able to plan our travels again, however one chooses to go. Until then, stay safe and stay kind.