There is a belief that has quietly settled into modern travel culture. It sounds reasonable and even progressive at first glance. The idea is simple. If someone is local, they are automatically the best person to show you around. They know the city, the streets, the shortcuts, the secret spots. What could go wrong?
But the reality is different. Being local is not enough.
A person can live in a place for decades and still not share your perspective. They may know every building, every alley, every restaurant, but if their way of seeing the world does not align with yours, the experience might feel empty or mismatched. Not because they are bad at what they do, but because your expectations and their approach do not intersect in the right way.
You might be someone who travels slowly, who likes to reflect, who prefers depth over pace. They might be someone who thrives on fast schedules, movement, and constant conversation. Or the opposite. You might want stories, context, nuance. They might offer practical logistics and efficient routes. Neither of you is wrong. But the connection does not click.
Travel is not just about being shown a place. It is about being seen within it. That is something no map can give you.
When travelers look for someone to guide them, they are not only seeking knowledge. They are looking for someone whose way of understanding the place resonates with their own inner logic. Someone who gets what they are really hoping to feel and experience. That is not about proximity. That is about perspective.
The problem is that the travel industry keeps repeating the same message. Locals are good. More local is better. But that only works if we assume that all locals are the same. Which, obviously, they are not. People are different. Their interests, values, personalities, rhythms, all vary. So it is only natural that not every local will be a good fit for every traveler.
And that is perfectly fine.
The real solution is not to give up on local knowledge. It is to match people based on how they think, feel, and explore. When there is alignment, even the simplest walk through a neighborhood becomes a meaningful experience. When there is none, even the most beautiful place feels flat and distant.
So here is a new principle. When choosing a guide, do not ask only where they live. Ask what they love. Ask how they see the world. Ask if the way they travel matches the way you want to feel.
Because at the end of the day, you are not looking for information. You are looking for resonance. You are looking for someone who turns a place into a personal story. Not a list of locations, but a shared moment of meaning.
That is what makes the right guide unforgettable.