ToursByLocals - Detailed Review
Travel Tools
ToursByLocals - Product Overview
Introduction to ToursByLocals
ToursByLocals is an online marketplace that connects travelers with local guides to provide unique and personalized travel experiences. Here’s a breakdown of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
ToursByLocals acts as a matchmaking service, linking travelers with top-caliber local guides who can offer private tours in over 170 countries. The platform ensures that guides are thoroughly vetted, allowing travelers to book reliable and authentic local experiences.
Target Audience
The target audience for ToursByLocals includes travelers who enjoy the planning aspect of their trips and are looking for more intimate and customized travel experiences. These travelers often appreciate the local perspective and are willing to invest in high-quality, personalized tours. This includes first-time visitors to popular destinations as well as those seeking alternative experiences, such as art historians leading museum tours.
Key Features
Customizable Tours
Travelers can choose from a variety of tour itineraries that are flexible and customizable to their needs. Guides can adjust the tours to fit the travelers’ interests and preferences.
Local Guides
ToursByLocals partners exclusively with local guides who have deep knowledge of their areas. These guides create their own tour itineraries and set their prices, ensuring they are fairly paid for their services.
User-Friendly Platform
The website allows travelers to easily search for guides, read reviews, view full tour itineraries, and communicate with guides before booking. Payments can be made securely online via credit card.
Global Coverage
With over 5,000 experienced guides, ToursByLocals offers tours in large cities, small towns, ports of call, and remote destinations across six continents.
Technology Integration
The company has recently modernized its tech platform, incorporating artificial intelligence to make administrative processes more efficient and enhance the overall user experience. This includes improving the matching process between travelers and guides.
Customer Support
ToursByLocals has a customer support team available 24/7, spanning four continents, to assist travelers with any queries or issues.
By focusing on connecting travelers with local experts, ToursByLocals provides a unique and enriching way to explore destinations, ensuring travelers have authentic and memorable experiences.
ToursByLocals - User Interface and Experience
User Interface
The website of ToursByLocals is structured to be user-friendly, allowing travelers to easily find and book customized, private tours. Here are some notable features:
Search and Booking
Users can search for tours by location, and the platform provides a list of available tours along with details about each tour, including the itinerary, price, and the guide’s profile.
Guide Profiles
Each tour guide has a profile that includes their bio, reviews from previous clients, and the tours they offer. This helps users make informed decisions about their tour choices.
Payment and Security
The website ensures safe and secure credit card payments via PayPal, with payments held in trust until the completion of the tour to ensure customer satisfaction.
Ease of Use
Clear Navigation
The website is organized in a way that makes it easy for users to find what they are looking for. Users can filter tours by location, type, and other criteria.
Customer Support
ToursByLocals offers a 24/7 Customer Service team to help with any issues, including processing refunds, ensuring tour quality, and monitoring guide communication.
Overall User Experience
Customization
The platform allows users to book personalized, private tours that cater to their specific interests and needs. This is particularly beneficial for those seeking unique experiences that general tours may not offer.
Communication
Users can keep in touch with their guides via the ToursByLocals website, which helps in coordinating the tour details and any special requests.
Customer Satisfaction
The majority of customers report being very satisfied with their tours, which encourages repeat use of the website for future bookings.
Potential Issues
While the overall user experience is generally positive, there have been some reported issues:
Customer Service Response
Some users have experienced difficulties in getting prompt responses from the customer service team, particularly in urgent situations. This includes issues with the phone system and lack of callbacks.
Guide Issues
There have been reports from guides about poor treatment by the company, including harassment over negative reviews and sudden account lockouts. However, these issues are more related to the guides’ experience rather than the users’.
In summary, the user interface of ToursByLocals is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, facilitating easy search and booking of customized tours. However, there are some areas where the user experience could be improved, particularly in terms of customer service response times and guide management.
ToursByLocals - Key Features and Functionality
Overview
ToursByLocals, a platform connecting travelers with local guides, has incorporated several key features and functionalities, particularly with the integration of AI, to enhance the travel experience. Here are the main features and how they work:Integration of AI for Efficiency
ToursByLocals has recently integrated AI to improve efficiency while maintaining a human touch in the travel experience. This integration helps in automating routine tasks, such as data collection and analysis, which can reduce manual effort and potential errors.Travel Planning and Booking
AI is used to streamline the booking process. For instance, AI can help in building and pricing new trip itineraries, and it can provide travelers with hyper-personalized search results. This makes it easier for travelers to find and book the right experiences without spending a lot of time searching through numerous options.Personalized Recommendations
AI algorithms analyze historical data and customer behavior to make predictions about future trends, booking patterns, and customer preferences. This allows ToursByLocals to offer personalized recommendations to travelers, helping them find experiences that align with their interests and preferences.Customer Service
ChatGPT-like technology can be used to gather frequently asked questions and respond to them, improving customer satisfaction and reducing response times. This automated customer service can handle routine inquiries, freeing up human resources for more complex issues.Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
AI automates the collection of data from various sources, including booking systems, customer feedback, social media, and website interactions. This data is then analyzed to provide real-time insights and key performance indicators (KPIs), helping the company make better-informed decisions about their offerings and operations.New Tools for Travel Agents
ToursByLocals is planning to introduce new tools for travel agents, which will likely include AI-driven features to help agents manage bookings and recommend experiences more efficiently. These tools aim to streamline the booking process and enhance the overall experience for both agents and travelers.Shopping Cart Feature
The company is also implementing a shopping cart feature that will allow travelers to book multiple experiences in a single transaction, making the booking process more convenient and user-friendly.Curated Local Guides
While AI enhances the operational side, ToursByLocals remains committed to providing authentic, localized travel experiences through its curated network of local guides. These guides are experienced, insightful, and entertaining individuals who share their knowledge of the local culture, history, and hidden gems.Conclusion
In summary, ToursByLocals leverages AI to automate tasks, provide personalized recommendations, enhance customer service, and analyze data, all while maintaining a strong focus on delivering authentic, human-led travel experiences. ToursByLocals - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating the Performance and Accuracy of ToursByLocals
Evaluating the performance and accuracy of ToursByLocals involves considering several aspects, including user experiences, business practices, and customer service.
Pricing and Transparency
There are mixed opinions on the pricing of ToursByLocals. Some users find the service expensive, criticizing that the company adds a significant markup to the guides’ prices, often over 20%. However, a professional tour guide defended the pricing model, arguing that ToursByLocals lists the final cost of the tour without gimmicks, and that the customized and private nature of the tours justifies the prices. This guide also mentioned offering discounts on certain components of the tour when booked through ToursByLocals.
Guide Quality and Licensing
There are concerns about the quality and licensing of the guides listed on ToursByLocals. Some users believe that many guides seem to be beginners or unlicensed, and that the platform makes them appear more legitimate than they actually are. On the other hand, a licensed and experienced tour guide countered that not all guides are subpar and that some, like himself, are highly qualified and choose to list their tours on the platform.
Customer Service and Refund Policies
Customer service is another area of concern. Some users have reported difficulties in reaching customer service and dissatisfaction with refund policies. For instance, a guide complained about ToursByLocals easily refunding customers for minor issues, which affected the guide’s earnings significantly. Additionally, customers have experienced issues with tour cancellations and the inability to get timely responses from customer service, highlighting problems with communication channels.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Customer Service
The company needs to improve its customer service, particularly in terms of responsiveness and empowerment of customer service representatives to resolve issues efficiently.
Guide Quality Control
There is a need for more stringent quality control measures to ensure that all listed guides meet certain standards of expertise and licensing.
Transparency in Reviews
Some users have raised concerns about the moderation of reviews, suggesting that the ratings may not be entirely trustworthy due to potential bias in how reviews are managed.
Engagement and Factual Accuracy
Engagement with customers and factual accuracy in tour descriptions and guide credentials are crucial. Users should be able to trust that the information provided about tours and guides is accurate and reliable. Ensuring clear communication about what each tour entails and the qualifications of the guides can help build trust and improve overall satisfaction.
In summary, while ToursByLocals offers a platform for customized and private tours, it faces challenges related to pricing transparency, guide quality, customer service, and the accuracy of reviews. Addressing these areas could significantly improve the user experience and the overall performance of the service.
ToursByLocals - Pricing and Plans
The Pricing Structure of ToursByLocals
The pricing structure of ToursByLocals is primarily centered around the services provided to both tourists and local tour guides. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:
Fees for Tourists
- Booking Fee: Tourists are charged a one-time booking fee and a small payment processing fee when they book a tour.
- Cancellation Policy: There are two cancellation options:
- Standard Cancellation Policy: Free coverage that allows a full refund if the tour is cancelled up to 15 days before the tour date. No refund is given for cancellations after this period, unless due to unforeseeable events like government travel restrictions, natural disasters, etc.
- Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage: This optional coverage allows cancellation for any reason up until the tour starts and provides a full refund. It costs 15% of the tour value. If the tour is taken as planned, the policy value is returned as a promo code for future bookings.
Fees for Tour Guides
- Commission: ToursByLocals charges tour guides a commission on each sale, which ranges between 20% to 25% of the tour price.
- Monthly Fee: While the primary revenue for ToursByLocals comes from the customer booking fees, tour operators (guides) are also charged a monthly fee. This fee covers services such as demand generation, customer support, scheduling, booking functionality, messaging systems, and payment processing.
Features and Plans
- Guide Autonomy: Tour guides set their own availability and pricing for the tours they offer. They also have the flexibility to communicate directly with customers to provide custom prices and itinerary details.
- Customer Support: ToursByLocals provides a Customer Service team to handle administrative, logistical, and payment-related queries, allowing tour guides to focus on itinerary design and tour delivery.
- No Subscription Fee for Customers: There is no subscription fee for customers to access tour listings on the platform.
Free Options
- There are no free plans or tiers for using the core services of ToursByLocals. However, the platform does offer free Standard Cancellation Coverage with every booking.
In summary, ToursByLocals operates on a commission-based model for tour guides and a booking fee model for tourists, with additional optional coverage for cancellations. The platform does not offer subscription-based access to its services.
ToursByLocals - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with AI Tools
ToursByLocals is actively integrating AI to enhance its operations. The company, under the leadership of CEO Lisa Chen, is working on incorporating AI to improve efficiency while maintaining a human touch in the travel experience. This includes using AI for tasks such as travel planning, customer service, and streamlining booking processes.
Tools for Travel Agents and Booking Features
ToursByLocals plans to introduce new tools for travel agents and a shopping cart feature to facilitate booking multiple experiences. This indicates that the platform is being enhanced to work seamlessly with various stakeholders, including travel agents, and to provide a more streamlined user experience for customers.
Compatibility with Digital Assistants
While specific details on device compatibility are not provided, the integration of AI suggests that ToursByLocals could be compatible with various digital assistants and chatbots, similar to those used by other travel companies. For example, AI-powered chatbots can be used on social media platforms like Facebook Messenger and Instagram to provide 24/7 customer support, which aligns with the broader trend in the travel industry.
Platform Services
ToursByLocals operates as a two-sided marketplace, connecting tourists with local guides. The platform provides services such as safe and secure credit card payments via PayPal, 24/7 customer service, and a system for guides to manage their schedules and bookings. This suggests a well-integrated platform that can handle various aspects of tour booking and management.
Future Enhancements
The company’s recent rebranding and technological overhaul, backed by a $33 million investment, indicate a commitment to improving and expanding its services. This includes potential enhancements to make the platform more user-friendly and compatible across different devices, although specific details on device compatibility are not provided.
Conclusion
In summary, while detailed information on device-specific compatibility is limited, ToursByLocals is clearly investing in AI integration and platform enhancements to improve user experience and streamline operations. These efforts suggest a strong potential for compatibility and integration with various tools and platforms.
ToursByLocals - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
ToursByLocals offers a comprehensive array of customer support options and additional resources to ensure a smooth and satisfying experience for its users.
24/7 Customer Support
ToursByLocals provides 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, including phone, LiveChat, and email. This ensures that customers can get assistance at any time, addressing any questions or concerns they might have.
Direct Communication with Local Guides
Travel agents and customers can communicate directly with local guides to request bespoke itineraries. This feature allows for personalized and flexible tour planning, ensuring that the tours meet the specific needs and interests of the travelers.
Online Resource Centre
ToursByLocals has an easy-to-use online resource centre that includes agent-focused handbooks and tutorial videos. This resource is particularly helpful for travel agents, providing them with the tools and information they need to efficiently manage their clients’ bookings and maximize their sales.
Streamlined Search and Booking Process
The website features refined search filters that allow users to search for tours based on transportation options, price range, or traveler interests. The layout is streamlined, making it easier to scan information, and larger images are provided to enhance the user experience. Additionally, a shore excursion planner helps agents view all available shore excursions at each port of call by entering the client’s cruise line, ship name, and sailing date.
Commissionable Links and Cancellation Policies
Agents can earn commissions by sharing unique commissionable links with clients, and they can also benefit from the “Any Reason Cancellation” option. This option allows clients to cancel tours for any reason up to the moment of tour delivery, and agents receive the cost of this policy back in ToursByLocals credit if it is not used.
Dedicated Partnership Marketing Manager
ToursByLocals has a dedicated Partnership Marketing Manager who is available to help agents grow their business. This manager holds virtual office hours, providing additional support and guidance to agents.
Future Considerations
While ToursByLocals does not explicitly integrate AI-driven tools into their customer support as described, they do offer a highly efficient and supportive system to ensure customer satisfaction and ease of use. However, the broader travel industry is seeing the integration of AI for customer service, such as chatbots and virtual assistants, which could potentially be adopted in the future.
ToursByLocals - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Local Experiences
ToursByLocals offers personalized, private tours led by local guides who provide unique and authentic experiences. These guides are often highly knowledgeable about the local history, culture, and hidden gems that you might not find on a standard group tour.
Customized Tours
The platform allows for customized tours, which can be tailored to your specific interests, needs, and preferences. This flexibility makes the tours more enjoyable and relevant to your travel goals.
Wide Range of Destinations
ToursByLocals operates in many destinations around the globe, including cities and cruise ports, offering a broad range of tour options no matter where you are traveling.
Safe and Secure Payments
The platform ensures safe and secure credit card payments through PayPal, holding the payment in trust until the tour is completed to ensure customer satisfaction.
24/7 Customer Service
ToursByLocals provides a 24/7 customer service team that helps with refunds, ensures tour quality, and monitors guide communication, adding an extra layer of support for customers.
Virtual Tours
For those who cannot travel physically, ToursByLocals also offers virtual tours, which can be a great way to experience a destination remotely. Additionally, the cost of these virtual tours can be redeemed as a voucher for future in-person tours.
Disadvantages
Variable Quality of Guides
While many guides receive high praise, the quality of tours can vary significantly depending on the guide. Some guides may be more experienced or knowledgeable than others, which can impact the overall tour experience.
Expensive
Private tours through ToursByLocals can be quite expensive, as guides set their own prices. This can make the service less accessible to budget-conscious travelers.
Cancellation and Refund Issues
There have been reports of difficulties with cancellations and refunds, particularly if a guide needs to cancel at short notice. This can lead to inconvenience and potential financial loss for customers.
Guide Reliability
Since guides are independent operators, there is a risk that a guide might cancel or not meet expectations. Finding a replacement guide for a highly customized tour can be challenging, which may affect the continuity of the service.
Quality Control
Some users have raised concerns about the quality control of guides, suggesting that not all guides are licensed or experienced. This can lead to inconsistent experiences for customers.
In summary, while ToursByLocals offers unique, personalized, and often highly satisfying tour experiences, it is important to be aware of the potential variability in guide quality and the higher costs associated with private tours.
ToursByLocals - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of ToursByLocals
- ToursByLocals specializes in providing private tours with a focus on customizable travel experiences. The platform connects travelers with local guides who offer personalized itineraries, allowing for a more authentic and immersive experience in various destinations.
- The company ensures that all tours are led by local experts, which can provide deeper insights and a more genuine connection to the places visited.
Competitors and Alternatives
ViaVii
- ViaVii is another platform that offers personalized travel experiences. It allows travelers to create custom-tailored travel plans based on their budget and interests and connects them with local people passionate about sharing their culture and activities. ViaVii operates similarly to ToursByLocals but has a broader focus on connecting travelers with local experiences beyond just tours.
Travel Curious
- Travel Curious is a travel technology company that specializes in private sightseeing tours and cultural experiences. Like ToursByLocals, it offers bespoke local tours crafted by experts, but it may have a more limited geographical scope compared to ToursByLocals.
Withlocals
- Withlocals is a competitor that also offers personalized, unscripted private walking tours in over 60 cities with expert local guides. It is certified as a B Corp and provides audio guides and lectures, which can be an attractive feature for those looking for a more educational experience.
GetYourGuide
- GetYourGuide is a larger Online Travel Agency (OTA) that specializes in tours and activities. While it does not focus solely on private tours, it offers a wide range of activities across many destinations. GetYourGuide has a more extensive inventory and user base but may lack the personalized touch that ToursByLocals provides.
LocalBini
- LocalBini provides a platform for experiential traveling, sustainable tourism, and e-travel experiences created by locals. It shares similarities with ToursByLocals in offering authentic local experiences but may have a stronger emphasis on sustainability and community engagement.
Engagement and User Experience
- ToursByLocals stands out for its high level of customization and the expertise of its local guides. This can lead to a more engaging and memorable travel experience for users.
- Competitors like ViaVii and Travel Curious also offer personalized experiences, but the depth and breadth of local knowledge may vary.
Market Presence
- ToursByLocals has a significant presence in the market, with a high volume of monthly visits (769.3K visits in January 2025), making it one of the leading platforms for private tours.
Conclusion
In summary, while ToursByLocals offers a unique blend of personalized and expert-led tours, alternatives like ViaVii, Travel Curious, and Withlocals provide similar experiences with slightly different focuses. GetYourGuide and LocalBini offer broader ranges of activities and experiences but may not match the level of personalization that ToursByLocals provides.
ToursByLocals - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about ToursByLocals
What is ToursByLocals?
ToursByLocals is a marketplace that connects independent tour guides with travelers who are looking to book private tours. The platform allows local guides to create, price, and offer their own unique tours to visitors.How does ToursByLocals work?
To become a guide on ToursByLocals, you need to fill out an application that includes information about your experience, licensing, and the area you operate in. If your application is accepted, you sign a guide agreement and list your profile and tours on the site. You set the prices for your tours, and the site handles booking and payment, taking a commission of 20-25% on each sale.What are the requirements to become a tour guide on ToursByLocals?
To become a tour guide on ToursByLocals, you must be at least 18 years old, able to enter into a legally binding contract, pass a phone interview, and undergo background and reference checks. You also need to submit documents establishing your tour guiding credentials, if any.Are the tour guides on ToursByLocals licensed and experienced?
While ToursByLocals does ask for information to back your capacities as a guide, not all guides are necessarily professional, licensed, or experienced. However, some guides are highly experienced and licensed, as noted by several guides who have shared their positive experiences with the platform.How much do tours on ToursByLocals cost?
The cost of tours on ToursByLocals varies widely depending on the guide, the length of the tour, and the activities included. Some users have noted that the prices can be higher compared to other tour booking sites, but this is often because the tours are private and customized. Guides set their own prices, which can include discounts for certain components of the tour.Is ToursByLocals expensive?
The perception of ToursByLocals being expensive is subjective. While some users find the prices high, others argue that the customized and private nature of the tours justifies the cost. It’s also noted that other booking sites may list lower initial prices that increase based on the number of participants, whereas ToursByLocals lists the final cost upfront.What kind of tours can I find on ToursByLocals?
ToursByLocals offers a wide range of tours, including food tours, hiking explorations, historic tours, and more. Guides can design unique tours based on their interests and skills, ensuring a diverse selection of experiences for travelers.Can I find the same guides listed on ToursByLocals elsewhere?
Some users have pointed out that the same guides listed on ToursByLocals can often be found online through other means, potentially at lower prices. However, using ToursByLocals provides the convenience of booking through a single platform and the assurance of a customer-friendly policy.How is the quality of the tours ensured?
While ToursByLocals does not guarantee the quality of every tour, the platform has a customer-friendly policy that often favors customer complaints. Guides are encouraged to communicate clearly what will be delivered in writing to avoid any issues. Over 90% of reviews on the platform are five-star ratings, indicating a high level of satisfaction among travelers.Can I book tours in any location through ToursByLocals?
ToursByLocals arranges tours by local guides only, meaning you can only book tours in areas where the guides live and work. This ensures that the tours are led by individuals with deep local knowledge.How does ToursByLocals handle cancellations and changes?
If a guide needs to cancel a tour, they are expected to find a replacement guide or notify the customer in advance. ToursByLocals has policies in place to handle such situations, though the specifics can vary depending on the circumstances. ToursByLocals - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of ToursByLocals
ToursByLocals is a standout platform in the travel industry, particularly for those seeking authentic, personalized, and culturally immersive experiences. Here’s a comprehensive overview of who would benefit most from using this service and an overall recommendation.
Who Would Benefit Most
- Travelers Seeking Authentic Experiences: ToursByLocals is ideal for travelers who want to delve deeper into the local culture, history, and daily life of their destination. The platform connects you with local guides who are passionate about their communities, providing insights that go beyond typical tourist attractions.
- Families and Couples: The private tour format, which can accommodate up to six people, makes it an excellent option for families or couples looking for a more intimate and flexible tour experience.
- Cruise Passengers: For those on a cruise, ToursByLocals offers a great way to make the most of port stops with customized day tours that reflect your interests.
- Socially Conscious Travelers: Travelers who value sustainable and responsible tourism will appreciate that ToursByLocals supports local economies and promotes community growth by connecting travelers directly with local guides.
Key Features and Benefits
- Personalization: ToursByLocals allows for significant customization of tours, ensuring that each experience is unique and aligned with the traveler’s specific interests.
- Quality and Safety: The platform is known for its rigorous guide selection and review process, ensuring high-quality tours. Payments are secure, and the company holds funds in trust until the tour is completed to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Global Reach: With tours available in 160 countries, travelers can find local guides almost anywhere they travel.
- Customer Support: The platform offers 24/7 customer service, which is crucial for addressing any issues or concerns that may arise during the booking or tour process.
Recommendation
ToursByLocals is highly recommended for anyone looking to experience the authentic heart of their travel destination. Here are a few key points to consider:
- Authenticity and Personalization: If you value unique, culturally rich experiences and the ability to customize your tours, ToursByLocals is an excellent choice.
- Quality Assurance: The strict vetting process for guides ensures that you will receive a high-quality tour experience.
- Support for Local Communities: By choosing ToursByLocals, you are supporting local economies and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
In summary, ToursByLocals offers a unique blend of authenticity, personalization, and social responsibility, making it an excellent option for travelers seeking more than just a standard tour experience.