OurExplorer - Global Tour Guide Online
OurExplorer.com seeks to link you the traveler with your very own native tour guide so you enjoy the unique experience of some in-depth local wisdom. Imagine that, actually meet and interact with a real local while overseas. Experience the knowledge of an insiders guide on places to eat, drink, relax or party in the city where they reside.
What do you remember most fondly after traveling, the objects you saw or the people you met along the way? “Travel for many people is about the personal friendships. OurExplorer facilitates this in the safe environment of dependable licensed tour guides from the four corners of the world”, Dave Cunningham - Chief Exploring Officer of OurExplorer.
But there is more, much more to this new venture. A story of social responsibility, helping to break down cultural misperceptions and even finding love in the most unlikely of places.
Social Responsibility
The IMF concluded in early 2007 that direct support of independent local businesses when you travel has the most positive results on local economy. OurExplorer has helped tour guides from poorer countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Bolivia and Cambodia to increase their monthly income via internet bookings of their tour services. The client pays the tour guide in cash on the tour day as many of the tour guides who need help the most do not have bank accounts.
Multi cultural awareness
“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry but it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends”, Mahatma Gandhi.
There seems to be a lot of pre conceived ideas in the world about the culture and beliefs of people in certain countries. With less than 9.7% of overseas travelers interacting in meaningful discussion with a local, according to the Tourism 2020 Vision reported by WTO, OurExplorer wanted to be a catalyst of change.
OurExplorer has now dependable tour guides in over 109 countries including South Africa, Libya, Pakistan, Columbia, Iran and Israel. This facilitates travelers to interact with a local from these countries and discuss their political, religious or social beliefs.
“The most rewarding part of my job as a tour guide in Pakistan is when I can clarify some queries foreign travelers have about my people and our culture”, Muhammad Usman Mardanvi .
Helping to find love
In a rare example the friendship developed between previous strangers, traveler and tour guide, has blossomed into sometime deeper.
“As an independent traveler I initially booked a tour guide in Bolivia for some friendship and local cultural insights. I never even dreamed I would seven months later be engaged to that very same guide” Anne McDonnell – New Zealand.
“See the world through the eyes of a local” is the mantra of this socially aware organization. Perhaps not assured of a better afterlife but OurExplorer is certainly making a difference to travelers and local communities across the globe.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
