What does the Local Guides program mean to you? : I’m contributing “usefulness” to information

I am fairly new to the Local Guides program and so far for me, this program has been a source of information about the places I’ve been interested in. In my experience it has provided details I have wanted to and needed to know about a location I have intend to visit.

As a person that likes to be prepared for everything, I like to know as much as possible about a place I want to visit before I travel there. I have discovered in some of my travels that the information I have found about a place (from various sources) has not always been accurate or up to date. This has at times led to a very frustrating or disheartening experience which could have been avoided with a few accurate and meaningful words. I am happy that I have found a way to contribute to changing that.

I really like that the Local Guides program is giving people like me the opportunity to provide or update information about a place so that everyone can get access to key information that is helpful when visiting a place. Wouldn’t it be good to know that you might need to bring cash with you to a particular show or that there is no public transport to a particular location? It’s the details that you wish you knew before you bought that ticket or got to the location.

Some of the key details I like to include in my reviews and lists are things such as:

  • When is the best time to go to the location (dates and times)
  • What’s the best and easiest way to get there?
  • Do I need to bring anything with me? Cash? Warm clothes? Food/drink? Wet weather gear? Etc.
  • What are the costs/expenses to visit?
  • Are there any unexpected/additional costs?
  • Are there any things I might encounter that I would not expect (good or bad)? E.g. Opportunities to participate in a show, meeting celebrities, security measures, restrictions on entry).
  • If it’s a tour or show – how long is the show or tour? Are there breaks?
  • What’s available at the location? Amenities, food/drink, souvenirs, photo opportunities?

I will continue to refine this list as I experience and write more reviews but for now, I think it has helped provide useful information.

I am aware that my reviews are my own opinion that there are many differing options out there. Everyone’s opinion is right. In most of my reviews I recommend that people go experience the particular place of interest for themselves. I’ll just try to help people be as prepared as they can be.

My motivation is to help travelling to and visiting places as easy and enjoyable as it can be for everyone. When travelling goes smoothly for me, it makes my experience so much more fun and I want to enable that for everyone. After all, the more people that are happy in this world, the better it will be!

I am looking forward to contributing more to the Local Guides program and seeing how the world can change for the better.

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It’s very interesting your description because I feel identify with provide or update information about many places and people get access to reviews and advices about experiences there. Don’t stop with your contributions.