19 Apr 2024
We have done private guides in over three dozen countries. We had one excellent guide (among the best we have experienced) and one guide among the weakest we have had.
We had done a private tour for three days in and around Taipei with an excellent private guide. He went above and beyond, gave good descriptions, carried a tablet that he he had prepared historical pictures of the sites we visited and museum highlights.
Our 6 day tour outside of Taipei had a well organized itinerary, however the "English Speaking Guide"/ driver, had very limited English skills, although he was a very proficient driver. We had to work very hard to understand what he was trying to tell us. He was even less skilled at understanding questions we had. We eventually gave up posing questions as he often answered information about something other than what we asked. He seemed to be always watching the time making us feel rushed.
On the last day I sent the agency a review. They shared the review with our guide before making our parting with our guide very uncomfortable, with our guide telling us we had ended his career.
What most upset me was that "My Taiwan Tours", put all the blame on the guide. I tried to point out that they had hired him, putting him in a position he was not qualified for, advertising him as an "English Speaking guide" and it was their communication with the guide before the tour was over (without our consent) that resulted in such a uncomfortable parting. I gave them several opportunities to take responsibility for their role, before writing a review and they only said the would review the processes the agency uses.