Buongiorno travelers! Traveling is not just about the destinations; it’s about the journey and the experiences that stay with you. If you want to SAVE MONEY on your Italy trip, this blog may help.
With the rise of third-party platforms, things can get pretty confusing and expensive. If you find yourself searching through third-party platforms like TripAdvisor /Viator or GetYourGuide, consider the impact of your booking choices:
- Should you book via a third-party platform like Viator/TripAdvisor and GetYourGuide?
- Or should you book directly with local companies (the actual providers off third-party websites)?
Your choice will significantly shape the quality, expenses, and personalization of your adventure. If you wish to save money on your trip to Italy read on!
If you wish to SAVE MONEY on your trip to Italy, avoid third-party platforms and book directly with local providers. This is a savvy choice for discerning and cost-conscious travelers seeking unparalleled experiences.
Here are 7 Reasons to AVOID Third-Party Platforms and Book directly with Local Providers:
1. Save Money on your trip to Italy by booking directly with the local provider
This is a no-brainer: SAVE MONEY on your trip to Italy by booking directly with the local provider. Third-party platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide add commissions of upwards to 28% Commission Fee inflating the overall cost of a tour or transfer by 20-30%.
For example, Viator has different commission rates ranging from 20% to 28% or so depending on the “product” featured on their website. GetYourGuide adds around 25% or so in commissions. You would never know this because they don’t publish this information on their websites. And of course, they don’t want you to know – but those in the business DO know!
By booking through third-party platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide you are paying MORE than you need to for the same experience! Third-party platforms are middlemen. You end up paying more because the middleman makes a good profit.
Booking directly with the local provider and skipping third-party websites ensures transparent pricing, and NO additional commissions or hidden fees. This allows you to enjoy the full value of your travel budget without unnecessary markups driven by steep commission fees. Naturally, you will save money – around 20-30% which is no small thing.
Financial Comparison: Direct vs. Third-Party Booking:
- Direct Booking with a local provider: Transparent pricing ensures that the amount you see is the amount you pay. No hidden fees or commissions mean you get the most value for your budget. This means that you will save money on your trip to Italy.
- Third-Party Booking: Commissions and any additional undisclosed fees, sometimes amounting to up to 30% or so of the total cost. This can significantly raise the price you ultimately pay for your tour.
Unlocking Maximum Value and Save Money on your Italy trip:
- Direct Booking with the local provider: Your entire budget goes towards the quality of your experience, ensuring you get the best value for your money.
- Third-Party Booking: A substantial portion of your budget is diverted to commissions and fees, diminishing the overall value of your travel investment.
Again, it’s a no-brainer: WHY pay MORE when you don’t need to?
2. Local Providers Offer Transparent Pricing without Hidden Fees
Again, navigate transparent pricing without worrying about hidden fees. Booking directly through the local provider’s website ensures a clear understanding of the total cost, avoiding any surprises.
Neither Viator / TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, or similar are transparent with how much commission they TAKE from the providers. Local providers need to increase the prices of their products on these platforms to cover the high commission fees..
We can’t blame the local providers (often small family-owned or independent businesses) for the higher prices of their products published on these platforms. Not raising prices to make up for the commissions and fees would put local providers out of business. Profit margins for many tour and transfer providers are often LESS than the commissions Viator / Trip Advisor and GetYourGuide charge, therefore raising prices on 3rd party platforms is a necessity.
In the end, YOU, the traveler who books through third-party platforms are paying a lot out of pocket. Your hard-earned money will further enrich corporations when you can pay LESS by simply booking with the local provider directly. Bypassing these unnecessary expensive “middlemen” means you save money.
Lack of Transparency on TripAdvisor
The lack of transparency exceeds even prices on websites such as TripAdvisor. Years ago, travelers could trust TripAdvisor’s ranking system of companies listed to ensure that they book a reliable company. Since TripAdvisor bought Viator, it dramatically shifted its focus from generating travel advice to selling “products”.
Since TripAdvisor got into the business of being “Viator”, out the window went honest ranking systems. Nowadays, the default setting is “Travelers’ Choice” which translates to “TripAdvisor Choice to Boost those selling the most products” even if they have low star ratings and rife with complaints. This is evident when even companies or listings with poor star ratings make it to the TOP of the “travelers’ choice” simply because TripAdvisor / Viator makes the most profit from them.
You have to go out of your way to find the companies based on “Traveler Ranking” to discover the truly stellar companies. But even THEN, you can’t fully trust the results.
Before TripAdvisor bought Viator, travelers could trust that companies or establishments listed on TripAdvisor were rated based on merit. Ratings were considered based on the frequency of reviews, the number of positive ratings, the amount of content in reviews, photos, or other similar factors.
Now, you see companies that have a fraction of the number of positive reviews rank TOP largely because they sell more products on TripAdvisor/Viator. You will frequently see listings with 900 reviews (99% of them positive) outrank listings with 5,000 reviews. This happens even when both listings have the same 99% positive equivalent simply based on the number of products sold.
So it’s NOT a matter of how good, reputable and highly rated a company is… what also influences their ranking is how much money TripAdvisor/Viator makes from them and are rewarded accordingly with a boost in ranking.
So, TripAdvisor went from “get the truth and go” to “buy the product and go”. OUT with the truth, IN with the profit. But I regress….
3. Exclusive Offers and Discounts by Local Providers = save money on your Italy trip
While we are still on the topic of prices, let’s also mention exclusive offers and discounts that you can expect when booking directly with local providers.
When booking directly with a local provider, you may receive exclusive promotions and discounts that are often available only when booking directly. This is because “products” sold on 3rd party platforms have “fixed prices” built into the product.
Sure, providers can offer “specials” on their products featured on 3rd party platforms during slow periods or if they need to generate more sales. However, these special prices are also fixed and rigid without flexibility for travel outside of the scheduled special offers.
Suppose you book several tours and/or transfers and inquire about a bulk discount. This is possible when booking directly with the local provider via their website (away from 3rd party platforms) due to the greater flexibility of price adjustments that private companies have. This is generally not an option on 3rd party platforms because the product price is fixed for everyone.
So, capitalize on special deals from local providers that might not be accessible through third-party platforms.
4. Support Local Businesses instead of Big Multinational Corporations and save money on your Italy trip
In the spirit of unlocking travel excellence, consider the advantages of booking directly with the local provider for your next adventure.
You will be dealing directly with the company owners and their knowledgeable expert staff based in the country and city you will be visiting. This is a marked improvement from dealing with a generic platform with representatives in another foreign country.
Unfortunately, we all know how common it is for corporations seeking to maximize profits while paying little wages. They routinely hire online support from third-world countries where wages are as minimal. Most of these representatives have no knowledge or experience of the city or country you will travel to.
Whether it’s the personal touch, exclusive offers, or the satisfaction of supporting local businesses, the choice is yours, and the journey awaits. Seize the opportunity to craft a travel experience that goes beyond the ordinary, creating memories that linger long after the adventure concludes. When you book directly with a local provider you support local businesses. The local service-oriented staff they employ provide you with superior service to a profit-oriented multinational booking platform.
It’s important to remember this:
* When you book with a local company directly, they provide a service and you support local businesses.
* When you book via a third-party corporation, they sell you a “product” and you support corporate investors.
5. Book Directly with Local Providers for Personal Touch and enhanced customer support
Booking directly ensures a direct line of communication with the tour provider. This personal touch facilitates clear communication, allowing for custom requests and a seamless exchange of information.
When you book with the provider directly and browse through their website you get to know the company better to make a more informed choice. You don’t have this benefit on Viator or GetYourGuide which dramatically limits the number of characters a provider can use when describing their “product”.
Further, when booking via a third-party platform you have to log into their system or require a representative to assist with booking issues. These additional steps can take longer than necessary making the process more complicated than necessary.
Booking directly with the provider ensures that your inquiries or concerns are addressed promptly and comprehensively. You avoid delays in communication and gain the flexibility to adapt your plans effortlessly.
6. Unique Tours and Packages offered by Local Companies
It is true that most providers only offer a limited number of “products” on 3rd party platforms. This is due, in part, to the challenges of publishing and managing products on third-party platforms. However, it’s mostly because providers smartly keep the best and most exciting experiences on their own website for exclusivity;
To enhance your trip with unique experiences not be found on third-party platforms, consider looking at the provider’s website for more enticing and new offerings. You can discover exclusive tours, packages, or add-ons that are available only when booking directly.
If you don’t find what you are looking for on the provider’s website, contact them directly and inquire about a customized service. This is not an option when purchasing a “product” on a third-party platform.
7. Benefit from Local Expertise for Tailored Customization
When you book through a third-party platform you purchase a “product” that is fixed in inclusions, exclusions, and price. For example, if you book a transfer from Rome to Florence on Viator or GetYourGuide, you can’t ask the provider to also add sightseeing stops along the way. This is because it would change the scope and the price of the product you had booked.
When booking directly with the provider away from 3rd party platforms, you enjoy more opportunities for customization. If you have specific preferences or requests, booking directly allows for a smoother process of tailoring the experience to your liking.
Tap into the local expertise of the tour operators. Gain valuable insights, recommendations, and the opportunity to customize your experience based on firsthand knowledge and customize your perfect tour or transfer.
INSIDER TIP: Leverage 3rd party platforms to your advantage
You can easily leverage 3rd party platforms to search for tours or transfers in Italy that you may need for your trip. Check the provider’s online reputation by checking out their general reviews.
Then, go directly to the provider’s own website (you can find it easily on Google). Book with the provider directly if they offer the type of tour or transfer you need during your trip to Italy. Otherwise, contact them via email for customized services and price quotes.
Skip the 3rd party middleman, and go straight to the source for superior service and better rates and make the most of your next trip to Italy!
NOW you know the truth…. and go!