In February our founder, Chris Anderson was invited to write a piece for "Guidelines", the internal monthly Magazine for members of the Association of Professional Tourist Guides (APTG) www.guidelondon.org.uk. An extract from the magazine can be found below for guides working across the UK and Europe.
I'm Chris, the creator of Tipd, a cashless tipping app built in Manchester. The idea for Tipd was inspired by my passion for travel and tours—having explored 74 countries and counting—and the realization that I rarely carry cash anymore. I wanted to create a simple, free app that allows guides and service industry workers to accept cashless tips directly. And so, Tipd was born.
In today's increasingly cashless society, UK tour guides face the challenge of adapting to modern payment preferences while ensuring they receive well-deserved gratuities. Whether they are leading private tours for high-net-worth individuals, managing large group tours, or delivering tailored experiences for international visitors, ‘cash-only’ is now falling short. As more tourists rely on digital transactions, guides risk missing out on the tips that significantly supplement their income. To address this, apps like Tipd are emerging, offering seamless digital tipping tailored for the unique needs of tour guides.
Unlike traditional payment systems that rely on card readers, Tipd eliminates the need for costly hardware and the associated challenges such as connectivity issues and battery life. For guides using tap-to-pay features on their phones, payments are processed one at a time,often leading to awkward interactions where customers must state how much they wish to tip. Tipd makes tipping fast and comfortable as multiple customers can tip at the same time. They choose to enter the amount they wish to tip on their own device, ensuring privacy and convenience. They can also leave a personalized thank-you message and even a review on the guide’s preferred platform, further enhancing the guest experience and supporting the guide’s reputation.
For guides working alongside drivers, cruise crews, or large group managers, Tipd introduces a unique feature: team tipping. This allows customers to tip an entire team with a single transaction. The system automatically splits tips evenly among all team members, ensuring fair distribution without the need for manual calculations or follow-up discussions.
Using Tipd is simple and flexible. Guides can display their QR code from the Tipd app or print it onto badges, clipboards, or visible signs for customers to scan. For added convenience, NFC tags can be used,allowing customers to tap their phone and access the tipping page instantly.Guests tip directly from their phones without needing to download an app making the process quick and hassle-free.
Seamless Transactions: Tourists can tip using their own smart phones, eliminating the need for cash or card readers.
Customer-Centric Experience: Guests feel empowered to set their tipping amount and leave a note or review without awkward exchanges.
Team Tipping: A single transaction can reward an entire team, with tips automatically distributed among members.
International Compatibility: Tipd accepts both domestic and international payments via debit / credit card as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay for speed; ideal for guides with global clientele.
Cost-Effective: With no upfront costs, deductions or ongoing subscriptions, Tipd is accessible during off-peak seasons.
Extended Tipping Opportunities: Guides can share their Tipd links in follow-up emails or on social media, allowing satisfied tourists to tip later.
Compliant: If working in a team or your business need stakes tips on behalf of employees, you’ll need to be aware of the new UK law changes from 1st October 2024, the Employment (Allocation of Tips)Act 2023 with which Tipd ensures 100% compliance.
By adopting Tipd, UK tour guides can embrace the rise of a cashless society whilst keeping the process quick and simple for their customers. This enables guides to focus on creating unforgettable experiences,knowing they’ll be rewarded for their exceptional efforts. For more information or to download the app and join over 100 other tour guides using Tipd, visit tip.co.
