The local travel movement is one of the newest sustainable travel sub-categories to surface. Local travel has the same set of values as sustainable travel. Local travel aims to respect and positively impact the local people, culture, environment, and economy. According to the Local Travel Movement website, this movement “was started by a coalition of people from companies founded on a passion for Local Travel and commitment to Local Travel values.” The aim is to connect the local supplier, experts and practitioners so that more of the economic benefits of tourism will stay in the local economy.

There are many websites already aligned with this local travel movement. Some websites allow you to ask questions about a destination, and then locals answer them: Travellr, Localyte, Trazzler, and Heading There. Other websites will match your interests with unique tours and programs offered by locals: Kumuri, and WHL Group.

Traveling like a local is also much more fun than traveling like a tourist. Don’t waste money on guidebooks. When you make friends with locals, they can share with you more about the culture and current trends of a destination. Locals know where the best restaurants are, the best entertainment venues, and museums. Plus, local information is always up to date, and in the local perspective. Stop by on of the local travel websites to get involved, and start traveling like a local!

This was originally posted on the Travel Worldwide 4 Less blog