Support local travel: real connections for a better experience for all

The ‘buy local’ movement has retained its popularity over the last few years – we all love supporting small businesses and feeling proud of local independents. They become our go-to places and their owners become our friends. That very same reason is why we support local travel.

While it’s simple enough to visit a local coffee shop or buy fairtrade foods, it’s tougher to know how to buy responsibly in the travel industry. One of the most effective ways is by working with local companies in your country of choice – but how do you know who to trust? And is your money safe? TravelLocal brings the best local travel companies onto a single platform, allowing you to work with a locally based operator to craft your bespoke itinerary.

While the benefits are huge, it’s not always easy to pinpoint the positive impact of the buy local movement. With this in mind, we thought we’d chat to some of our local operators about what the model does for them and for their customers…

Why you should support local travel

Authenticity

This is definitely something that applies to buying local no matter where you are. No-one knows a place better than the people who live there and, whether it’s where to get coffee or how to see a city’s highlights, going direct to the people on-the-ground means access to more up-to-date and in-depth knowledge of the local area. When traveling with a local company, you can be more confident to venture away from the average tourist path. Their knowledge and understanding can help you get to know the culture and way of life. From touring villages with local authors to creative rural retreats, unforgettable local experiences can take your itinerary to the next level.

Value

It’s easy to think that buying local, at home or abroad, raises costs. In general though, for the savvy traveler, it can actually save you money while also giving you a better experience. Local companies know the best restaurants, excursions and accommodation options (and how to secure them at the best rate). They can give you incredible, unique experiences, a million miles from the average itinerary, and not break the bank in the process. Plus, dodging the traditional middlemen cuts down costs and means that more money ends up in the destination. Profits fuel local economies and help our operators to flourish and grow.

Making a real connection

Moving away from big faceless companies means real conversations and connections. When you get to personally meet the people behind a business, you enjoy a connection you would not otherwise have. Independent business owners love what they do and love to share it with people. In terms of travel experiences, all of our operators agreed that travelers want more from destinations than the classic highlights. They are passionate about sharing their country with you and giving you a snapshot into their cultures. There is always room for engagement and interaction; whether it’s a tearoom in Vietnam or a market stall in bustling Marrakech.

Doing good

Buying local, and supporting independent businesses, is also (to put it simply) a good thing to do. When you buy local, more of that money stays in the community rather than being funneled through various pipelines. Local travel business owners, and the profits they make, support their surrounding community and contribute to local projects. They have a personal interest and involvement which is not seen in larger businesses, as well as a genuine love for the destinations they represent. Locally-sourced travel can be a real opportunity to help local economies – especially in far-flung or less developed destinations.

Buying local is not the norm in the travel industry and that’s something we would like to change! Local operators understand their destinations and can create unique and unforgettable itineraries. From Ugandan street art to Guatemalan chocolate, there are so many incredible experiences on offer.

How to support local on your travels

Choosing to travel with a local operator is a big part of traveling sustainably and supporting the local environment, community and economy. But what about the small actions you can take once you arrive in a destination? If you’re a proponent of the buy local movement at home, then it’s quite simple. All you need to do is take your home turf buying habits with you on your trip. Here are a few ideas to get you started…

Choose independents when eating out

If you can, choose independent cafes, restaurants and food trucks, rather than larger chains. Buying your coffee from an independent has a much more positive impact than heading straight to a familiar and convenient chain. We all know this, so make the effort to walk a little further, head around the next corner and find that quirky independent with the passionate barista who’ll talk you into trying their new house blend.

Seek out new businesses

If you hear about or notice a new business in town, then head on in and support them with a purchase. Starting out is always nerve-wracking and these grassroots local entrepreneurs will likely have risked a lot to get their business off the ground. Any support means so much at these times.

Instead of stocking up on snacks from a convenient supermarket, ask around and head to the local market instead. Markets offer a window into local life and are always fun and vibrant places to visit. Wandering from stall to stall you’ll likely have several conversations, enjoy a taster or two along the way and emerge with a bag of delicious seasonal fruit or locally-made snacks. Rather than something wrapped in plastic and flown in from far away, you’ll have something grown or made locally – win-win.

Boutique shopping is best

When it comes to buying keepsakes and gifts to take home, take some time to consider where you shop. Instead of mass-produced, generic keepsakes from the airport gift shop, opt for something quirky and handmade instead. Pick up some artisanal snacks or olive oil, some genuinely handmade local crafts or something unusual from a new designer.

Make it happen

Make buying local a part of your travel plans. Your money will go further, you’ll get a better experience and you’ll be supporting the local economy. With these combined efforts, we can move towards a fairer and more sustainable kind of tourism – appreciating and recognizing the companies that make it possible.