I have had three answers from three different Imaginative Traveller Reps as to what the local payment will cover. Can you explain it? I really hate carrying all this cash with me. I there any way to handle the Local Payment another way?
Local Payment
Local Payment
Hello
Unfortunately the Local Payment is not something that can be paid in advance, as it really is something that needs to be provided to the guide at the very start of the trip.
I would recommend that if you are really worried that you use a moneybelt and wear it under your clothing. In fact, this is something I would recommend to all travellers for all of their money.
Sorry if this is not ideal advice. But if you are just travelling for a short time you are unlikely to encounter any real problems.
____________________
Regards,
Tristan Smith
Travel Consultant
•Email: tristan@imtrav.net
•Tel: (44) 01473 - 667337 (Direct Sales)
•Tel: (44) 01473 - 667333 (Agency Sales)
•The Imaginative Traveller Online
The Imaginative Travelle
Local Payment
Having travelled with ImTrav three times before, I can tell you what the local payment is for and why it is needed on day one of the tour. The guide uses this to tip porters, hotel staff, tour guides that are required in certain countries or cities and the driver. The guide does not take any of the local payment for their services as a guide.
A money belt (silk for your waist) is a must especially if you are concerned about carrying lots of money. Remember, if you aren't in the big cities that using credit cards and ATMs can be an issue. Your money should be in small denominations -- I wouldn't expect that at home you would carry only 50's or 100's so try for 5's, 10's, or 20's. Hotels can exchange money for you but not at great rates -- we found even train stations gave better rates.
Thieves tend to rip off backpacks, purses on little old ladies and your luggage so keeping all valuables with you on your body is the answer. They are looking for a quick getaway and therefore don't take time to do a body search.
Don't worry, have a great vacation. Perhaps one day ImTrav will do away with the local payment as has other tour companies such as Explore and increase their "land" prices to include the local payment so you can compare apples with apples.
Local Payment
I would agree that adding the local payment to the cost of the trip would be best for the customer.
I'm sure ImTrav has means of transferring the money to the guide so that they can pick it up at the start of each trip.
Why inconvenience the customer by making them carry US cash with them and it is an inconvenience.
Local Payment
I've taken several Imtrav tours and in each case a tipping kitty separate from and in addition to the local payment was established. At $1000 per passenger, the Local Payment fund runs some $15,000 per tour. Thats a lot for tipping! Can Tristan tell us what else is it used for?
Local Payment
Hello Ritchpat
Thanks so much for getting in touch.
I appreciate your concern regarding the Local Payment. We are in fact going to be advertising the overall cost of the tour to include the Local Payment from 2009.
Unfortunately there are no plans at this time to stop our policy of the tour participant producing the Local Payment on arrival. Often the decision of which of our tour leaders is to lead one of our tours is not actually confirmed until fairly close to the tour departure. For this reason it would be nearly impossible for the tour leaders to obtain from us the Local Payment in advance.
If carrying this amount of money in such large amounts leading up to the tour is a problem for you, I would strongly suggest using travellers cheques or definately a money belt to increase your security.
____________________
Regards,
Tristan Smith
Travel Consultant
•Email: tristan@imtrav.net
•Tel: (44) 01473 - 667337 (Direct Sales)
•Tel: (44) 01473 - 667333 (Agency Sales)
•The Imaginative Traveller Online
The Imaginative Travelle