Hi everyone! I started contributing as a Local Guide a few years back. It started with photos (mostly of food) and it was so amazing to see when they passed 1 million view. However it was when I found all the ratings and reviews of restaurants that it opened up a whole new world for me. Before it was more like hit or miss, you choose based on the looks and menu, perhaps you found some “expert” review in a magazine but that seldom tells the true story. By giving everyday guest the ability to rate and review, the power is back in their hands. By also inviting the owners to reply gives them the chance to show how they communicate.
I feel really proud for contributing to this. Combining photos and review is really useful in helping other users to choose where to go!
I personally find it especially useful when planning a trip and traveling to a new place. It can be hard as a tourist to separate the touristy spots and find the hidden local gems
