In times of economic downturn, travelers planning trips abroad can’t help but be tempted to cut corners by “freelancing” trip arrangements, so to speak, instead of joining a group tour with a company like Educational Opportunities (EO), with which this writer has worked on numerous occasions.

Tempting though it may be, there are much better ways to cut corners, particularly when traveling to lands where English-speakers are not readily found and pockets of crime or poor security are not uncommon.

Here are the top ten reasons to use a travel agent or tour company in such cases:

1. Advance preparations. It is a great help to have an organizational partner to make sure details are taken care of, before AND during the trip.

2. Unforeseen changes. When flights are delayed or connections are missed, it is helpful to have a company hotline number (and someone who speaks your language) to call. Sometimes a travel agent or tour company can be arranging alternate plans while you are in the air.  

3. Guides. Engaging a guide once you are in country (for a specific destination or for an ongoing itinerary) is almost always possible, of course, but you never know what you're going to get. Generally speaking, the good tour companies have already engaged the cream of the crop.  

4. Transitions. Every time you land at a new airport or cross a border, things can go wrong. A tour company will typically have someone there to greet and shepherd you through the maze of lines, checks, and inspections—sometimes even circumventing the worst parts of a long process.

5. Accommodations. The quality of accommodations and expectations differs widely from one country to another. Booking rooms online entails a good deal of uncertainty. A good tour company will keep a trip affordable while providing more-than-adequate (sometimes luxurious) accommodations.

6. Food. In some countries, a tour company will keep you healthy, not only letting you know places to eat (or not) that are reasonable in cost....and safe for the ol' tum-tum.

7. Luggage. Lose a piece of luggage in some destinations, and you may never see it again…unless a travel company is looking out for you. They can even arrange to deliver a lost piece to you later in your itinerary, which can turn a major catastrophe into a minor irritation.

8. Transportation. In some cities (such as Cairo, Egypt), attempting to navigate unknown roads with signs in a foreign language amid worse traffic than you’ve ever experienced is a disaster just waiting to happen. Traveling with a group that hires accomplished drivers can turn out to be priceless.

9. Peace of mind. Is this the right train? Is this where we get off? How early should we leave for the airport? Why are the police pulling us over? Many stressful questions and situations fade when a guide or company representative are available to help. This peace of mind also operates when choosing vendors, shops, rickshaw drivers, etc.

10. Bonuses. Often, a highlight of a trip is something that was provided by request, that might not have been possible (or even known) without the aid of a tour company.

Adventure can be a good thing or a bad thing when traveling. One great advantage of engaging a tour company is keeping the adventure….intentional.