MANILA, Philippines – Sagada is among the top destinations in Mountain Province. While people are willing to pay extra to visit this destination, one tourist allegedly got ‘robbed’ by a tour coordinator! The group was charged with overpriced fees for stuff that they thought were already included in the tour package…
In a post that has gone viral on Facebook, the tourist (name withheld for privacy reasons) shared her experience with a certain tour company.
According to the tourist, this isn’t the first time that she went on a trip - and she has always made sure to book a tour package for less hassle. However, it was the first time that she traveled solo as a ‘joiner’ to a group tour - and also the first time she got ‘robbed’ by a tour coordinator.
While the places they visited were absolutely breathtaking and beautiful, the trip itself stressed her out.
 |
| Posing with the beautiful view. Image credit: Original uploader on Akyat Bundok Facebook page |
As a tourist who frequently books tour packages, she wrote that it was the first time she experienced getting charged for stuff that were posted on the itinerary. She explained that she and the other tourists in the group tour were shocked to learn that they had to pay for these items even if they were clearly posted on the tour package they availed of.
While they were aware that entrance fees to attractions were not included in the tour package, they were furious to learn that the coordinator collected more than the actual price. For example, in a stopover at the Northern Blossom in Atok, Benguet, the registration fee was just Php 250 but the tour coordinator charged them Php300 each.
Also, they were charged an additional fee of Php 2,000 each for activities already posted on the itinerary, including visiting the hanging coffins, Marlboro Hills, Sumaguing Cave, Bomod-ok Falls, etc.
Since they’re already near the vicinity, they decided to simply pay these extra amounts or else they’d have wasted their time traveling there if they can’t see the attractions they were supposed to visit.
She wrote, “So wala naman kmeng magawa kse kung di mo iaavail eh tatanga ka lang sa kwarto or ikot ikot ka lang sa Sagada at di mo mapupuntahan ung mga tourist spots nila kaya sayang naman di ba.”
When confronted about the hidden charges, the tour coordinator alleged that it was part of their marketing strategy to attract tourists with ‘cheaper’ tour packages. Of course, the tourist and the rest of the group were furious, believing that they were scammed instead.
She also explained that there were other things that made them furious about the trip, but she didn’t detail them anymore because her post would be too long.
The tourist clarified that booking with the tour company was a breeze. After the issue blew up, the company actually apologized, offered compensation for the extra fees they paid, and promised to investigate the matter involving this particular tour coordinator. So, the tourist wrote in an update to the post that she will likely book a trip with the company again in the future.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
