Travelling with a local guide in Laos. Photo by Leslie Koch

I remember the first time I saw ‘local travel’ mentioned in writing. I don’t recall the actual article, but I must have been thinking about food; I read ‘local’ as ‘lo-cal’ travel (i.e. travel on a low-calorie diet). My confusion didn’t last long, but it made for some welcome chuckles while I pondered the possibilities.

These days, I continue to be entertained by discussions about local travel. As a vocal advocate for this growing travel niche, I wonder about the slow but steady drip of travel bloggers who remain unconvinced of its value. Some lament how difficult it is to meet locals, while others snipe about whether the advice given by locals is reliable.

They are missing the point. “Local travel” is a descriptive term, not prescriptive. It’s a set of overarching values that help guide one’s journey and result in a far more personal, meaningful and respectful experience.

Keep reading for my top tips to help you happily, successfully and responsibly go local the next time you hit the road.

For the top tips, continue reading this article on the Downtown Traveler