How Does ToursByLocals Find The Best Guides?

At ToursByLocals, the guides are the heart and soul of what we do. With over 5000 passionate locals in 175 countries (and counting!), they bring knowledge, expertise, and charm to every tour. Each guide has their own unique blend of passion, warmth, and joie de vivre that makes every journey unforgettable. They’re the reason ToursByLocals is so special.

So of course one of the most important projects we dedicate ourselves to is choosing the right people to join our global network of guides. We want every traveller who books a tour with ToursByLocals to be so delighted with their guide that they return again and again – until booking a ToursByLocals tour becomes an essential part of every trip.

So, how does ToursByLocals find the best guides for our site? It’s a question we’re often asked! We have a global team dedicated to sleuthing out the right guides in the places we need them most, then putting them through a rigorous screening process, involving the following steps:

1. The first step is to submit an online application, including details of relevant guiding experience. Many times guide are referred to us by long-time travellers or other guides, and we love these introductions!

2. They then complete a detailed online questionnaire to determine whether they're the right fit for ToursByLocals, and whether ToursByLocals is the right fit for them. We especially love to bring on guides that have a unique area of expertise, and passion for creating one of a kind experiences.

3. The next step is to take part in an hour-long video interview with one of our recruiters to assess their guiding experience, language skills (guides often speak multiple languages, but all speak English) personal qualities, and overall fit for ToursByLocals.

4. If it's a good match, we then begin the thorough on-boarding process, which generally takes 3-4 weeks. Guides are walked through the process of creating their profile and tours, responding to travellers questions, and designing custom itineraries.

We’re picky, and historically only around 1 in 9 applicants who apply to go through this process are accepted. Once they’re “in”, the new guides are supported every step of the way, and receive one-on-one support from ToursByLocals support staff until the day they get their first 5-star review for a tour. Our support staff continue to keep an eye on reviews that come in for every guide, and provide constructive feedback along the way.

Fun fact: we read every single review submitted! It adds up to tens of thousands every year.

Our processes ensure that the guides on ToursByLocals are truly outstanding at what they do. It’s their goal - and ours - that their tour become the highlight of your vacation, every time.