Are free tour perks really free?

Filed in archive Destination: Europe , Themed travel on August 18, 2008

Being Scottish my ears pricked up when a press release entitled, "UK Travellers Receive New Free Perks in Italy" arrived in my inbox. On closer inspection the free perks offered by Italian Connection walking and cooking tours specialist, called "Smooth Arrival®", comprises of free airport transfers and a free pre-tour stay at a 4 star hotel during th month of October. When I examined the small print of the offer, I discovered that the complimentary service is limited to four travelers per tour, on a first-come first-served basis. Now as the cost of the Piedmont Vineyards and Lakes is £2285 GBP excluding flights and doesn't even include all meals, I'm not exactly bowled over by the "free" perks.


© alessandro pucci

Now perhaps for a luxury small tour it's still good value but I think that a tour company should be promoting itself by the quality of its tour itinerary, the standard of accommodation and knowledge of the guides, instead of headline grabbing "free" extras. Now if you did phone to book the tour, enticed by the free perks, how would you react if your were told that you were not eligible because the perk was only available to the first four participants who made a booking?