Local guides play a key role in group tours by offering insider knowledge and access to hidden spots not typically found by tourists. Photo / Getty Images
What makes the perfect guided group holiday? The industry experts are here to help.
For anyone considering a touring holiday, we’ve put four specialists to the test with tough questions – gathering their insider tips for a smooth, seamless and stress-free experience.
Angela Webber, General Manager NZ, Globus family of brands
The big question: What do people often misunderstand about guided group tours?
One of the biggest misconceptions about guided group tours is that they’re overly rigid and restrictive. What often surprises people is how much freedom comes from having the fundamentals taken care of.
Travellers come to know what to expect from guided tours: established itineraries, straightforward pricing, and value that doesn’t rely on cutting corners. By organising transport, accommodation and key experiences, you remove much of the uncertainty that can weigh down a holiday, allowing travellers to focus on where they are rather than what comes next.
Guests often expect convenience, but not the balance between structure and independence. The result is doing less of the logistics and still seeing more, without being left to manage it alone.
The curly question: How do you address those who don’t like the idea of a guided tour? In particular, concerns around large group sizes, waiting for others and personality clashes?
We understand that guided tours aren’t everyone’s first-choice holiday, particularly those who picture large groups, lots of waiting and clashing personalities. For travellers considering a Globus itinerary, this is often an early concern and a great opportunity to challenge outdated perceptions.
Groups are intentionally kept to manageable sizes but whatever the group size, pace is carefully managed, so you’re not constantly waiting on others or feeling rushed. A great guide makes a world of difference, and it’s important to set expectations early and create a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere.
Michelle Mickan (VP marketing APAC) at Abercrombie & Kent
The big question: For those who consider themselves independent travellers, what kind of tour holiday would suit them best?
For independent travellers who value freedom and flexibility, look for bespoke itineraries that offer all the benefits of a seamlessly organised tour while giving you complete control – your interests, your pace, your adventure. Find a flexible tour that allows you to customise your journey; use it simply as a starting point designed to inspire, and ensure it’s entirely customisable to reflect what matters most to you.
Think about where you want to go, who you’re travelling with, and what sparks your curiosity. Whether it’s immersive cultural discovery, exhilarating wilderness adventure, or an unforgettable celebration with family and friends, guided tours can be filled with exclusive, once‑in‑a‑lifetime experiences, designed and personalised in a way that feels authentically and uniquely yours.
The curly question: We’ve all seen the group holiday-goers following a red flag. What would you say to travellers who fear they’ll feel herded?
The classic tour with groups trailing behind a raised umbrella is a thing of the past. Today’s small‑group touring looks very different. Travellers are increasingly choosing more intimate, experience‑rich journeys. Look for tours created and led by destination experts with small group numbers. A&K’s Small Group Journeys average 14 guests, allowing for deeper access and richer connections.
Travelling in a small group opens doors that simply don’t open for independent travellers: private galleries, hidden chapels, even normally off‑limits historic residences. And while everything is seamlessly taken care of – from luggage to logistics – there’s still ample unscheduled time for personal exploration. It’s not about being herded. It’s about unlocking more of the world, effortlessly.
Scott Mehrtens – Chief Executive Officer – Leisure Time Group
The big question: What experiences on a guided group tour would be hard to arrange independently?
Some of the most memorable travel experiences are those that happen behind the scenes, and these are often the hardest to arrange independently. Guided group tours can unlock access to places, people and experiences that aren’t easily available to the general traveller. This might include private visits to heritage sites, special after‑hours access, local experts joining the group for commentary, or carefully timed experiences that fit seamlessly into a well‑planned itinerary.
In New Zealand, it can mean navigating remote regions, co-ordinating transport, accommodation and attractions that operate on limited schedules, or accessing small communities where local knowledge really matters. Overseas, escorted tours simplify the logistics of multiple countries, languages and transport systems. With everything organised in advance, travellers can focus on enjoying the experience rather than managing the details.
The curly question: How do guided group tours compare to a DIY holiday? Some would argue an independent holiday costs less and offers greater freedom?
Independent travel certainly appeals to some, particularly those who enjoy planning and navigating every detail themselves. However, guided group tours offer a different kind of freedom ... freedom from decision‑making, logistics and unexpected stress. Accommodation, transport, sightseeing and many meals are arranged in advance, with a professional tour leader on hand to manage the journey and solve problems if they arise.
While a DIY holiday may appear cheaper at first glance, costs can quickly add up once transport, accommodation, activities and contingencies are factored in. Group tours benefit from economies of scale and clear upfront pricing, offering strong value for money. For many travellers, especially those wanting a relaxed, social and well‑paced experience, a guided tour provides confidence, comfort and the chance to simply enjoy the journey.
Brett Mitchell – Managing Director ANZ – Intrepid
The big question: What is it about group touring that allows for deeper experiences and genuine, immersive encounters?
Trips that are led by local leaders take travellers beyond the main tourist spots. The leaders introduce travellers to hidden food spots, create opportunities to connect with local communities, and share their countries’ history and traditions through lived experience.
Group tours often dig deeper and go beyond the surface of a destination, whether that’s staying in a local home in Costa Rica, connecting with Maasai communities in Kenya, or sharing a meal with a family in Marrakech. With all logistics taken care of, travellers can be fully present and truly immerse themselves in each destination.
The curly question: How do you avoid experiences feeling staged for tourists?
Intrepid trips are about more than good views and great times, they’re about connecting to the places you go, the people you meet along the way and the communities at the heart of every experience.
Trips focus on authentic experiences, from sharing meals with local families to participating in community activities, and learning traditions directly from people who live them. Travelling in small groups is key, staying in locally run accommodations, and prioritising local experiences over tourist traps.