Going on a Tour of Tibet During Fall 2015? Travel Agency TCTS Advises Travelers on Local Tipping Customs
Lhasa, Tibet (PRWEB) August 04, 2015 -- Now that summer is half over, travelers around world are preparing for a tour of Tibet during fall 2015. From the scenery to the culture and food, Tibet is unique among travel destinations. Despite travelers’ best efforts to prepare for the differences, one of the most commonly overlooked items is tipping customs. Tibet Ctrip Travel Service-TCTS (http://www.tibetctrip.com) releases a new tip sheet about who to tip and how much is appropriate.
• In Tibet, there is no explicit obligation to tip. However, local custom does dictate that good service deserves a good tip. Many Tibet tour industry workers depend on a few months of income to last the whole year so rewarding those who go the extra mile to make a visit more memorable is encouraged. While no one expects travelers to stretch their budget too thin, please remember that a few RMB means a lot more to most locals than it does the average traveler.
• Quality guides and drivers are the cornerstone of any adventure. They take it upon themselves to ensure travelers get to from place to place safely and leave Tibet with valuable knowledge of its culture and history. About 70-80 RMB per day is a good tip for the guide and 50-60 RMB for the driver. It’s best to give the tip the day before heading to the airport; sometimes they can be booked one client right after the other.
• Tips for hotel staff are also customary in Tibet. A typical tip for a porter carrying luggage up to a room is about 10-20 RMB. For the maid, about 20 RMB over a 2-3 day stay is appropriate. Also, some trekking tours require hiring a yak to carry gear; 200 RMB for the trip is a good tip for the yak person.
Following these tipping guidelines goes a long way in supporting the Tibetan community and letting Tibetans know that visitors respect their way of life. While all the tips can add up, bear in mind that Tibetans work very hard and genuinely wish for travelers to enjoy their visit. If the travel group enjoys good service, a good tip can go a long way. Now that the 2015 Tibet travel season is reaching its second half, it’s time to start planning a tour!
Tony, Tibet Ctrip Travel Service, Local travel agency-Fair Price, http://www.TibetCtrip.com, 86-136-2899-9610, [email protected]
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