Turn Visitors into Locals with an Explore Like a Local App

You know tourism is changing. Travellers aren’t just ticking off checklists—they’re craving connection, discovering hidden gems, and genuinely feeling like they belong. They want to explore like a local, app in hand, guiding them to authentic experiences.

As a DMO, BIA, museum, or cultural site, you understand the power of these moments—but how do you scale them? That’s where a strategic explore like a local app becomes your most powerful ally.

It’s more than recognizing local experiences’ importance. It’s about delivering them—enriching visitor journeys and fueling community prosperity.

The Shift: From Tourist Traps to Local Gems

Modern travellers prioritize authenticity. They’re drawn to unique stories, independent shops, and cultural details guidebooks often miss.

This shift means huge opportunities to:

• Boost engagement with rich, contextual info that goes deeper than a signpost

• Support the local economy by directing traffic to independent eateries, artisans, and shops

• Manage visitor flow—disperse people across lesser-known areas, easing crowds

• Preserve cultural heritage with engaging storytelling that connects past and present

Providing an immersive travel experience isn’t just good hospitality—it’s smart destination marketing.

Beyond the Brochure: What an “Explore Like a Local” App Does

This kind of digital tourism platform becomes your always-on, interactive guide:

• Self-Guided Discovery: Visitors follow curated routes—from heritage walks to culinary trails—at their own pace, creating a personal and memorable experience.

• Hidden Gems & Local Businesses: Side streets, neighborhood cafés, pop-up galleries—they emerge through rich narratives, photos, and audio.

• Visitor Flow & Distribution: Design tours to guide visitors across neighborhoods, reducing congestion in hotspots and elevating under-visited areas.

This transforms static info into a dynamic, interactive experience that benefits every stakeholder.

Real-World Impact: Driftscape in Action

Carleton Place – Hardy Boys Scavenger Hunt To breathe new life into their literary roots, Carleton Place launched a self-guided scavenger hunt inspired by the town’s connection to Charles Leslie McFarlane, ghostwriter of the Hardy Boys series. The mobile experience—built in Driftscape—turned public spaces into clue-filled scenes and sparked community-wide curiosity. Results: Over 1,300 completions in just 30 days, with high engagement from local schools. Takeaway: Interactive storytelling revives local history and drives meaningful visitor engagement—with minimal overhead.

Michigan Heroes Museum – Self-Guided Audio Tours Looking to deepen engagement and expand accessibility, the Michigan Heroes Museum used Driftscape to create multilingual, map-based audio tours. Visitors could explore the inspiring stories of regional military and space heroes at their own pace—anytime, any day.

Results: More than 3,000 exhibit interactions and 1,200 completed tours in the first year.

Takeaway: Even with small teams, self-guided tours offer museums and cultural sites a scalable, impactful way to connect with more visitors.

Choosing Your “Explore Like a Local” App: Quick-Start Checklist

Use this quick guide when evaluating a city tour app or audio tour app platform:

• Intuitive CMS: Can your team add POIs, routes, and media without developer support?

• Customization & Branding: Does the app reflect your identity?

• Analytics & Insights: Track engagement, routes, and ROI.

• Offline Access: Ensure tours work without internet.

• Scalability & Support: Will the platform grow with you?

The Future of Tourism Is Local, Digital, & Engaged

An interactive tourism app isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s quickly becoming essential. By delivering self-guided tours, rich storytelling, and access to local gems, you deepen visitor connections, drive sustainable tourism, and create passionate advocates.

Help visitors explore like locals.  [Start Your Tour with Driftscape]

FAQ: Explore Like a Local App

1. What is an “Explore Like a Local” app? It’s a city tour app designed to help users experience destinations like residents—through hidden gems, local businesses, and immersive storytelling. Unlike traditional guides, these self-guided tour apps offer curated cultural tourism at each step.

2. Why should destinations invest in a self-guided tour app? They drive deeper visitor engagement, extend stay times, disperse tourists across wider areas, and channel revenue to small businesses. Plus, the analytics help you prove ROI.

3. How does an interactive tourism app manage visitor flow? By strategically designing routes that highlight lesser-known areas, the app encourages exploration beyond major attractions — reducing congestion and supporting equitable economic impact.

4. Can the app work without internet? Yes—most platforms offer offline access. Tours, maps, audio, and content download in advance, ensuring seamless usage even with poor connectivity.

5. What metrics should we track with analytics tools? Track downloads, tour starts/completions, dwell time at points of interest (POIs), and business referrals. These metrics show engagement and economic impact.

6. How can we brand the app as our own? Choose platforms that allow full customization—your logo, color palette, naming conventions, and even push notifications ensure a cohesive visitor experience.

7. How long does it take to launch a local exploration app?

If your platform has an intuitive CMS, building a basic tour (10–15 points with audio and images) takes just a few weeks. Push live, gather feedback, and iterate for richer engagement.