ToursByLocals Launches New Website to Link Travelers with Local People

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (PRWEB) November 12, 2008 -- A new website launched this week lets independent travelers who want to do more than just 'see the sights' connect with a local person for an authentic, local experience.

The concept has benefits for both the traveler and the local residents who provide the tours. As company President, Paul Melhus puts it, "It's a much better travel experience when you see the reality of a place through the eyes of a local. It's also great to know that you're benefiting the community you visit. Travelers who purchase tours through ToursByLocals know that the money they spend goes directly into the pocket of the tour guide.

The website offers a convenient way for local tour guides to promote their travel services and for travelers to search for tours that interest them and check out how other travelers rated them. Through the website, travelers book tours directly with the guides, while ToursByLocals provides customer service, payment processing and forwarding of money onto the tour guide, once the tour is complete. The company is also there in case of problems.

Tour guides are encouraged to set up unusual tours that reflect their interests and passions. Tours are priced per tour, not per person and travelers are encouraged to rate their tour once it is complete.

In its initial launch, ToursByLocals features tours in Vancouver, Canada, Saint Petersburg, Russia and Moscow, Russia. Travelers will find a variety of private tours, from sightseeing city tours with their own local guide, to such things as dinner with a local family or a hike in the mountains.

As the business develops, the company will expand to other areas of the world.

For more information, visit http://www.ToursByLocals.com.

About ToursByLocals

Launched in 2008, ToursByLocals.com helps travelers get a better travel experience while directly benefiting the people who provide those travel experiences. Our traveler customers want to do unique things, experience the reality of a place and its culture through the eyes of a local person. They have a sense of adventure, are socially conscious and want to see their travel spending directly benefit the people who live in the communities they visit.

Our tours guides want to earn income by providing the experiences travelers are seeking. They are entrepreneurial, passionate people who are proud of the place they live. We serve those already in the travel industry as well as people who may not have been able to participate before.

We provide these services through ToursByLocals.com. The website offers a convenient way for tour guides to promote their travel services and availability and for travelers to search for suitable tours and find out how other travelers rated them. We handle the marketing of the tours, booking process, customer service, payment processing and forwarding of money onto the tour guide.

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