# Virtual Travel Guide Apps ViaHero Connects Travelers with Local Experts By Ell Smith | Published 2018-04-19 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/viahero References: [psfk](https://www.psfk.com/2018/04/viahero-travelers-local-experts-authentic-experiences.html) ViaHero is a new virtual service which is connecting tourists with [local travel experts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audio-guide-it) who offer [custom itineraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/travely), advice and safety tips for those looking to experience a more authentic visit. The app matches the pair together prior to the travelers visit, and together the two establish a timeline and budget. The local guide will then create a [custom schedule](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-travel-planner-by-planify) based around this information that ensures the traveler makes the most of the trip, without falling victim to common scams, or wasting time visiting something the locals consider to be overrated. The traveler's guide can be contacted throughout the duration of one's trip. Currently, ViaHero is available in Japan, Colombia, Cuba and Iceland. Image Credit: Viahero ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 30% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Travel](https://www.trendhunter.com/travel) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Virtual Travel Experts:** The trend of virtual travel guides providing customized itineraries and local expertise presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the travel industry through the use of AI and machine learning. - **Localized Travel Planning:** Localized travel planning has the potential to disrupt traditional travel planning methods, as it offers travelers a unique, customized experience that traditional travel agents cannot provide. - **Real-time Itinerary Adjustments:** Real-time itinerary adjustments by local travel experts using virtual travel guide apps presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the travel industry and adds greater flexibility for travelers. ### Who This Affects Most - **Travel:** The travel industry can take advantage of virtual travel guide apps to provide a more personalized and authentic experience for travelers while increasing revenue by tapping into the expertise of local travel guides. - **Technology:** As virtual travel guide apps become more prevalent, the technology industry can disrupt traditional travel planning and booking methods by developing more advanced AI and machine learning tools to provide even more customized travel experiences. - **Tourism:** The tourism industry can leverage virtual travel guide apps to offer unique, off-the-beaten-path itineraries and curated travel experiences, attracting more visitors and boosting local economies. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Personalized AI Travel Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-travel-guide.md) - [AI-Powered Storytelling Travel Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/journi.md) - [Enlightening Travel Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/herodot-ai.md) - [AI-Powered Trip Planners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aipowered-trip-planners.md) - [Travel-Focused Audio Guide Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/catalogue-of-audio-guides.md) - [Real-Time App-Based City Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-welcome-app.md) - [Food-Focused Travel Guide Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foodietrip.md) - [AI Travel Guide Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/docentpro.md) - [Personalized Guided Audio Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wegotrip.md)