What Is A Typical Percentage Fee For A Concierge Service For Excursions

I've just wrapped up an incredible two days in Kazakhstan, and managed to tour both Almaty and Astana for a bit, despite the limited time I had. I decided to adjust tours through the hotels in both cities in advance, since I wanted to be sure the experience was as seamless as possible given my limited time.

Both tours were great. I loved 1 of the cities, while the other city was just "meh" (I'll share my thoughts on the ii cities in a follow-up post).

I don't want to throw the hotel or tour guide under the coach, simply there was something that came up that surprised me. The more I recollect nigh it, the more I'one thousand conflicted almost how to feel.

When you volume a tour through a hotel, practise you look the hotel to accept a committee? I can come across both sides:

On one hand the concierge should be viewed as a service, so I tend to think that by paying for a room at a hotel yous're paying for admission to a helpful and knowledgable concierge
On the other mitt, I realize many people piece of work on a commission (heck, I'm no exception), so I don't fault them for taking a cut

almaty

In general I'd prefer if their cut comes on the back end, much similar with travel agents. For instance, as an industry standard, when travel agents book hotels they're getting a 10% commission, though consumers are paying the same regardless of whether or non they book through a travel agent.

I gauge information technology's likewise not unreasonable if the concierge charges some sort of a fee. At least I wouldn't think twice nearly information technology, since I value the convenience.

However, during one of the tours I took, the topic of hotel commissions inadvertently came up. Towards the cease of the tour I said "How much is information technology, and tin I charge this to the room, or do I pay you in cash?"

She said greenbacks would be bully, and then said she'd pay the hotel their portion. She apologized for how expensive the tour was, saying that the hotel takes a big cut. I could immediately tell she regretted saying that and she apologized for bringing it up.

But naturally I was curious. She gave me her business menu, and as a way of figuring out just how much of a cut the hotel was taking, I said that I'd be sure to tell whatsoever friends who visit to use her, and asked how much she'd accuse directly for such a tour.

She said "nearly 1 third of the cost."

I was a fleck taken aback. When she said she'd pay the hotel their cut I figured it was maybe 10-xx%. Merely the hotel is basically inflating prices and charging me about triple the cost of a bout? That seems a scrap ridiculous.

Priced in USD it was still very reasonably priced (given how weak the currency here is), but at the aforementioned time something doesn't feel correct nigh the hotel taking two thirds of the money that I paid for an outside tour.

astana

Where do you stand on this — is it okay for hotels to charge undisclosed add-on fees/big commissions for tours they suit, and if so, how much is besides much?