For people uncomfortable meeting others on their own, tours provide an easy environment in which to make friends right away.
Reasons tours aren't lame: instant friends —
For people uncomfortable meeting others on their own, tours provide an easy environment in which to make friends right away.
JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP/Getty Images
Intrepid travelers might be able to do this on their own -- why look down on others for needing help to get there?
Guides create meaningful experiences —
Intrepid travelers might be able to do this on their own -- why look down on others for needing help to get there?
WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images
The Louvre is a beautiful place ... for scam artists. Tour guides can help you spot them. Hmm. That guy look kind of sketchy to you?
Tours teach you how to travel —
The Louvre is a beautiful place ... for scam artists. Tour guides can help you spot them. Hmm. That guy look kind of sketchy to you?
THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images
Traveling alone can be a scary proposition, particularly when you haven't done it before or don't speak a local language. A tour provides a support system that allows travelers -- even experienced ones -- to feel comfortable taking a chance on new experiences.
They ease worries —
Traveling alone can be a scary proposition, particularly when you haven't done it before or don't speak a local language. A tour provides a support system that allows travelers -- even experienced ones -- to feel comfortable taking a chance on new experiences.
ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images
While independent travel is great, many places in the world can't be accessed by solo travelers due to license and government restrictions. Many big destinations, such the Galapagos (pictured) and Antarctica, need to be explored as part of organized trips.
And get you places you can't get yourself —
While independent travel is great, many places in the world can't be accessed by solo travelers due to license and government restrictions. Many big destinations, such the Galapagos (pictured) and Antarctica, need to be explored as part of organized trips.
Joel Sartore/National Geographic/Getty Images
In places like the Solomon Islands -- where this World War II Japanese patrol boat wreck is located -- lack of infrastructure and travel services make solo travel too expensive for many travelers.
Tours can be cheaper than solo travel —
In places like the Solomon Islands -- where this World War II Japanese patrol boat wreck is located -- lack of infrastructure and travel services make solo travel too expensive for many travelers.
WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images
By traveling with a group, you have safety in numbers and don't have to venture into unknown places without a companion.
Tours provide safety —
By traveling with a group, you have safety in numbers and don't have to venture into unknown places without a companion.
Shawn Baldwin/Bloomberg via Getty Images