I was introduced to local guide program in Google Map several years ago. At that time I was not a regular user of Google Map. Well the reason is very simple actually. I was a university student and my routes were limited to Home to university and university to home. That’s it! So you can see, i didn’t have that much use of google map. But situation changed when I completed my studies and joined in an audit firm. In the audit firm, I had to visit different client premises both within my city and around the country. That’s the time I became heavily dependent of Google Map. I need client address and location to plan my journey. I needed affordable hotel and restaurant information around my client location. I also needed travel options to visit the client premises. Sometimes I found what I needed but most of the time I couldn’t find the desired information. That’s because most of the business, hotels and restaurants were not in the google map. I was thinking if I had the option to update these information in google map, it could help me in future and others as well. With little bit of research, I found out that I have the option to add places, update information. That was the start!
Since than, I have visited 5 countries and many areas within my country. I have added places of popular business and tourist spots which helped visitors in making the plan. I also added information from remote locations which helped them boosting their business.
being a foodie, I visit local street side restaurants to luxurious restaurants. I stayed in many average and high class hotels. I have uploaded photos and added views which helped the customers. From my reviews, business management came to know about their improving areas. Several times they thanked me for identifying the weakness which they can take care. Also I have indicated the good customer service of many business which is Critical Success Factor which helped these business to maintain their customer service. Based on the photos I have uploaded in google map,users can see whether the business offerings are valid or not.
As a human, it is our nature to help others. If someone asks us direction, we show them directions. But this get but difficult when people become digital. People are now heavily dependent on the information available in the internet. As a local guide, I can help people in getting updated information by addition places, giving real reviews and uploading actual photos. People are not being fooled by fancy marketing ad campaign. For local guides like me, people can get authentic information and can decide where to go with their nearest and dearest ones.
Apart from this, being local guides enables me to share the interesting things, places, culture, tradition with the people from around the world. It helps in the tourism industry and helps in economic growth of the country. May be my individual contribution is not that much but together we make a big difference.