tipping the tour director

There is no hard and fast rule either way. For us it would depend on the role of the tour director and services provided. Is the tour director also doubling as tour guide? And other factors - how is the tour, total cost, etc. If the tour director went over the top and really made the tour sizzle, I might tip 10%. But there are so many variables that it is hard to give a specific answer. Let your gut be your guide - unless you are a cheapskate and don't tip anything.

If you look at your tour documents there is usually a section with suggested tips per day for your tour director and driver.

This is just a suggested amount. If you think the tour director did a great job you can always give more. If you think the tour director did a lousy job, you can give nothing or very little. (If there isn't any information about this in your tour documents, contact the tour company and ask. Every company has a different guideline.

Tips are usually given on the last day of the tour when the group says goodbye. Putting it in an envelope and handing it to the person is a nice and easy way to do so.

On some tours, one person may organize a group tip in which everyone contributes and then it's handed to the tour director. Tour directors hate this because group tips are always much lower than when they receive them individually.

The tour director does much more than just play guide. He/she is responsible for every aspect of that tour once it departs. If a problem arises, the tour director will take care of it and in most cases the passengers will never know anything happened. He/she must confirm all reservations, make news ones if necessary, change itineraries when weather or other issues arise, and be on call 24 hours a day for an emergency.

Tour directors do not make a lot of money regardless of what anyone thinks. They don't do it for the money. Every one I know did it because they love to travel, enjoyed being "on stage" and liked to have fun with groups of people.

As Frank II mentioned, the tour documents will generally indicate a suggested tip amount for the tour director and in some cases the bus driver. You can determine whether to tip more or less than the suggested amount, based on the level of service received during the tour.

One point to mention is that if you're taking a RS tour, there is NO tipping for tour director, drivers or local guides as this is all built into the tour cost.

I have worked as a Tour Director for over 20 years. While the role of Tour Director may look easy (it is not) and fun (it is) it is a vocation for me not a vacation. In addition to what the passengers see of the Tour Director they may not be aware of the hundreds of hours of research done for each and every tour. As a Tour Director I not only handle the day to day activity, confirming reservations, dealing with suppliers, teamwork with the motor coach driver, handling all emergencies (sick passenger, death, missing passenger, hotel concerns, optional excursions, financial accounting, etc.) but also the narration of the history, geography, demographics, culture, music, food, shopping tips, etc. and to present this information in an educational and entertaining manner as well as insuring its accuracy. Yes, my expenses are paid and I receive a salary as an independent contractor. I do not perform my work for expected tips but they are definitely appreciated.

As stated most companies provide the passengers with a recommended tip which can be adjusted up for a superior job and down for a poor one. Tips should be given individually or as a couple never collected as a group.
Frank Slater, CEO, International Guide Academy, Denver, CO

That grumbling in the background is me after having paid a boatload of money for a 1/2 or full day tour. If not the owner/operator, are tour directors for day-only packages underpaid?

Thanks to every Frank, Dick, Bruce, and Ken.

A person who takes you on a one day tour is a tour guide. A tour director is someone who leads a multi-day tour. Rick Steves incorrectly calls his tour directors--tour guides. This way, when he can compare his "guides" to both other companies tour guides and tour directors without making the distinction.

I've worked as both a tour director and tour guide. . As a tour director, I was paid a decent wage but appreciated the extra I received in gratuities. Sadly, in many cases, local tour guides are underpaid. They are expected to make it up in tips. Some also make it up by taking you shopping.

And while many people on this board find that repulsive, you'd be surprised how popular a shopping trip could be.

Thanks, Frank for this insight. I tip. I've learned so much from my tourguides, and Americans can be so cheap when they travel.

That's interesting, my perception is that Americans in general are very generous tippers. Often times tipping even when they shouldn't be.

So, as a tour director or tour guide and to maximize tips, which nationalities do you prefer?

Could Donna have meant that Americans are cheap when it comes to shelling out a bit of money for a tour? Many would rather than walk around with their nose in a guidebook, to save 20 €, so not about the tipping at all. Look how many people want to save a few euro by riding bus 100 around Berlin, rather than go on a tour for 12 €? Or those that want a "free" tour in Paris rather than a bike tour for 15 €. Then there are those that spend their entire trip eating from grocery stores and in train stations just to save a couple of €, rather than enjoying the food of the country they are visiting. Penny wise and pound foolish. They spend 1000's to get here, and then scrimp on the very things that would make their trip memorable. That is what I call cheap.

You can't go by nationalities as every tour is different. I've had tours with mostly Americans where the tipping is terrible. On the other hand, I've done all Aussie tours, where the culture doesn't include tipping, and they've been very generous.

It has more to do with age, quality of the tour (budget vs. high end), length of tour, and luck.

However, there are certain nationalities that are know to not tip well, if at all, but since they don't speak English, I haven''t encountered them.

Americans are not cheap,,,most err on overtipping. Wondering where that comment came from Donna.