Exploring Local Communities Through Showaround: An Evaluation
In the ever-evolving world of travel, one company is making waves by connecting travellers with local guides in a unique way. Showaround, a tour company founded by Linas Sablovskis in June 2015, operates like Airbnb for tours, offering an authentic and local experience.
With over 2000 locals in approximately a thousand cities worldwide, Showaround provides a platform for travellers to gain insider knowledge and recommendations from locals. As of 2025, there is a membership fee to contact locals directly, starting from £10 a month. However, the exact fee structure for joining Showaround as a member or guide may have varied over time, and for the most accurate and detailed information, it is best to check Showaround's official website or contact their customer support directly.
Booking a tour with Showaround is easy. Simply search for the city, select a local guide, and send a request. Communication with locals and arrangements for the tour are made through the site's messaging system. If the first local can't accommodate the user's needs, it's recommended to send multiple requests.
Take the user's experience in Bangkok, for instance. They were met by local guide Jantakarn, also known as Mind, who responded quickly to messages and met the user at their hostel. Mind and her friend, who was also a student, showed the user around Bangkok, including Wang Lang Market and some temples.
At Wang Lang Market, the user tried Thai sweets made from soy bean paste and sugar. The highlight of the tour was participating in a Buddhist ritual at a temple, where they lit a candle and some incense before placing a piece of gold leaf onto a statue of Buddha. The user also had lunch at Krua Apsorn, where they were introduced to local dishes by the local guides.
Showaround aims to make travelling more authentic and local, providing travellers with a genuine insight into the culture and lifestyle of the cities they visit. With its growing community of local guides and its commitment to authenticity, Showaround is a promising choice for travellers seeking a unique and memorable travel experience.
- Travellers can gain valuable insights into the local food-and-drink scene by booking tours with Showaround, as shown by a user's experience in Bangkok where they tried Thai sweets and had lunch at Krua Apsorn.
- Reviews from travellers suggest that Showaround's local guides offer an impressive travel experience, with one user's encounter with local guide Jantakarn resulting in visits to Wang Lang Market, temples, and participating in a Buddhist ritual.
- As the travel industry continues to evolve, lifestyle magazines and travel blogs have featured Showaround as a top choice for travellers seeking authentic local experiences, emphasizing its connection with tour guides in over 1000 cities worldwide.
