Is it cheaper to book tours in Hurghada through a travel agency or directly with the tour operator?
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 16 days ago
TL;DR
Travelers say many tours in Hurghada are sold through resellers who add a significant markup, sometimes up to 2x. Even offices with a major brand sign are often franchise agencies rather than the actual tour operator.
What the community said
When you buy an excursion from an agency, it may not be the original seller: many simply resell tours purchased from local operators and charge much more. The practical takeaway is to compare prices across several sellers, as the difference can be as much as 2x.
16 days ago markup up to 2x
A well-known sign on an office in Hurghada does not necessarily mean you are booking directly with the tour operator. According to travelers, most of these outlets work under tour-operator franchises, meaning they are standard agencies selling someone else’s product under a recognized brand.
16 days ago franchise agency offices
The difference between an agent and a tour operator is often unclear to travelers, but every layer in the chain adds its own profit. Package pricing may already include hidden margin, including exchange-rate markup, so a посредник is rarely the cheapest option.
16 days ago exchange-rate markup