CO-VENTURES: WHY A JOINER’S TOUR JUST MIGHT WORK FOR YOU
This is for the reluctant first timers paralyzed by overthinking
This is for that someone who wants to travel but whose budget says, “just stay home”.
This is for the traveler who just can’t be bothered with all the logistics and itinerary building.
But wait—just what is a ‘joiner’s tour’ anyway?
In the travel scene, a joiner’s tour is a shared travel package where solo travelers pool their resources. The setup allows the splitting of costs in terms of accommodations, transportation, and guides. It’s the ultimate life hack for first-time travelers and busy young professionals.
Is a Joiner’s Tour the Right Fit?
Read through this checklist. If you find yourself agreeing, then it’s time to book:
- You’re on a budget: sharing expenses lightens the burden on your wallet. Who knows, you might even get to save up enough for pasalubong.
- You don’t want to stress yourself out with planning: it’s all packaged for your convenience—transport, itinerary and permits. Talk about convenience.
- You hate traveling alone: tired of waiting for friends to confirm? You’ll have your travel buddies to keep you company.
- Safety is a priority for you: since the agency plans everything, you don’t have to worry about getting into tourist traps or sketchy setups.
What Can You Expect from a Joiner’s Tour?
- Schedule is King: Forget about Filipino time. Think specific call times and shared rides from one destination to another. The itinerary is planned in such a way that some stops will be for deep dives, and the others will be for the “viewing” sessions, just enough for those aesthetic IG shots. So, check the agency’s package to see if the pace matches your style.
- Shared accommodations: Unless you pay for a solo room, expect a sleepover type of setup where you share rooms or whole Airbnb’s (depends on your package budget) with a group. They may be strangers to you on your first call time, but share some stories over your food crawl, and you just might end up with a new travel squad. Regardless, bring a whole lot of pakikisama and an open mind.
Pro-Tips for that First Joiner’s Adventure
Review everything in the package. Examine the inclusions. There are packages that are “all-in” but there are also others that exclude some stuff like meals or environmental fees. Know your package inside-out to avoid inconveniences and surprises later on.
Don’t be ‘that’ person. You’re in a group. Punctuality and consideration are everything. Don’t be the reason for everyone ending up in traffic because you wanted 10 more minutes of sleep.
Don’t sweat it, introverts are welcome. Many joiners are just there for the logistics, after all. You don’t have to be a social butterfly, 24.7. Let’s just say that making friends is just a bonus, not a requirement.
Think of a joiner’s tour as some sort of a trade-off. You give up a bit of your “me time” for flexibility, savings and a stress-free trip (no more DIY planning, no more scrambling for transportation rentals or hotel bookings). If you’re thinking of a birthday treat for yourself or just a long weekend escape from the mundane, then a joiner’s tour may just be the thing for you.
Pro-Pro-Tip: Keep your trip scam-free by sticking with reputable and DOT-accredited agencies. You can easily verify this on the DOT Accreditation Portal or look for the quality seal on agencies’ social media pages and websites.
