As a solo traveller from Pakistan, it was a little tough planning holidays as there is a lot to consider; budget, safety, feasible transport etc. Reading reviews from other guides has helped me travel across countries I only dreamt of exploring.
I come from a really conservative society where young women travelling alone is frowned upon, this is a stereotype I really want to break. Since becoming a local guide I wanted others to be inspired and take a leap of faith. I want my pictures, post and reviews on Google Maps to be the confidence of others and I want people to know they can be riding a gondola in Venice or dine in that famous eatery in France with the help of Google Maps.
From this I have learnt providing an honest feedback is ought to do, there is no margin of posting biased reviews even though you slept through that two-hour play!
I remember people raving about an eatery in London, but their service and quality was noway near the branch in New York city. This not only helps customers about their orders, it will also help the business look into what they can do to be better.
Submitting reviews and posting those perfect-gram-pictures always helps small and thriving businesses, whether it’s that small souvenir shop or a quirky furniture studio. Its always a pleasure to let others know about new and exciting places.
Bringing me to my next point, decisions. Its hard to finalise your plans from sitting at home. Information about places and routes can be so helpful to others, from telephone numbers to whether the place is wheelchair accessible or if there is an elevator system in the building.
With all my travelling I have learned the hardest choices are in planning. Being a local guide , I have posted more than 4000 pictures, many more to come. I just think it makes decisions so much easier when you can watch a mini clip or read reviews.
Going solo, budgeting and being time oriented were some key targets I had to add in my travels, so many other local guides who I believe are experts in those areas have really helped me roam around London to Belfast via Edinburgh. From helping me take money worthing tours across East Coast of America till my journey in west and east of Europe, I could only do this through my fellow local guides.
Taking all this in account, I not only enjoy planning ahead of time through Google Maps, but also love being a local guide so others can plan ahead just like me!