Localyte Launches Local Guide Marketplace

We’ve reviewed a good number of travel social networks here at CenterNetworks. This week a new travel marketplace launched named Localyte. Localyte says they want to help you, "travel like a local".

The concept is to bring together locals and tourists where the locals can help the tourists enjoy their cities and towns. I would totally be open to providing underground tours of NYC for tourists who want to learn about the NYC subway system.

Kristen Nicole reviewed the site on launch and noted, "While this lets people like independent tour guides or surfing instructors gain visibility, the downside is it could lead to mindless spam from local business vendors trying to reach gullible travelers: Will this result in genuine advice or aggressively self-serving information?"

My concern is security and safety. If Localyte provided a verification system for the sellers on the system, it would certainly make for a stronger marketplace. When going to a foreign land that you are unfamiliar with, knowing that the person is on the level is a very, very important factor to me. I’d be hesitant to use Localyte without this verification.

It’s an interesting concept – the key as with any marketplace is getting buyers into the network. Localyte will have no trouble signing sellers but with no buyers, it won’t work.