While traveling, we did our best to research local travel agents, operators, guides and drivers to put our money directly into the local economy.

Although they sometimes lack the polish (and convenience) of home-country tour operators, there are some tremendous benefits of using in-country travel providers to book your next travel experience.

• It is often a better experience for you, the independent traveler. In-country providers know your destination like only locals can and will make recommendations for more authentic experiences; further, they can often provide services at more attractive price levels.

• Your travel dollars have full impact on the local economy. If you book directly with a local provider, all of your travel dollars go into the local economy, rather than splitting the funds with tour operators in another country.

David, Jennifer and our driver, Ram - Holi Festival in India

Given our experience with using local tour operators, guides, and drivers, we have historically run into two problems (both of which we are trying to remedy with our newly-launched service):

• It is difficult and time-consuming to find and contact local travel providers, many of whom lack an internet presence.

AG Solution: Approach Guides now offers a list of in-country providers recommended by other travelers (many of who whom will serve as contactable references).

• It is difficult to be sure that the services you will receive will meet your high expectations.

AG Solution: Approach Guides screens all recommendations to assure that we only list authentic recommendations from real travelers.

Have you had a great tour operator, guide, or driver while traveling abroad?  Let other travelers share the same experience!

• Leave a recommendation. If you have had a guide, outfitter or driver that has performed well for you during your travels, submit his or her contact information and Approach Guides will post it on the “Local Operators” page of the Approach Guides website, along with your information.

Recommend a local tour operator, guide, or driver

Approach Guides has just launched this free and totally independent resource for the best local, in-country tour operator, guide, and driver recommendations.

• Find a reliable in-country tour operator, guide or driver.  If you are looking for an local, in-country outfitter or guide, simply peruse the listings and rest assured that you are being provided with an unbiased listing of providers, recommended by other travelers.

Review a listing of recommended local, in-country tour operators, guides and drivers