Is booking local tours through Instagram pages safe?

Trip Planning Tips
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Okay this might be a dumb question but I keep finding amazing looking tours and experiences on Instagram that aren’t on Viator or GetYourGuide. Small operators in places like Bali, Colombia, Morocco. The photos look incredible and the prices are way better.

But every time I’m about to DM someone and send money via PayPal or Wise, I get paranoid. How do you know it’s legit? Has anyone actually booked through IG and had a good experience? Or a terrible one? I want to support small local operators but also don’t want to lose $200 to a ghost account.

2 Likes
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Maybe decide on where you’re going first.

I wouldn’t communicate through DMs on Instagram, wherever you decide to go.

If the small operators are serious, they should have a web presence of their own, linked to from their Instagram profile page.

:globe_showing_europe_africa: Michel.

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Beware before making a payment. Always pay in corporate bank account instead of making payment in any personal account.

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I honestly always try to check on google first whether they have an actual website set up of the trips with detailed itineraries or any verified reviews available. You can try to check whether they’re featured on TourRadar because that would mean they would’ve gone through some sort of verification/security screening! Tbh your photos will look the same as long as you are visiting the same places / locations no matter where you book. Better safe than sorry! :slight_smile:

What was the destination of the tour that almost convinced you to go through with the ad?