Today’s travelers crave deep cultural immersion. They want to do more than just see a destination and check the major attractions off their bucket list. They want an intimate look at life beyond the main tourist sites, such as learning the art of calligraphy from a celebrated Taiwanese artist; scavenging for truffles in Istria, Croatia; learning to salsa in Cartagena, Colombia; or meeting with artists in Havana, Cuba, among many other “live like a local” experiences. Indeed, they want to add meaningful and memorable components to their vacations.

USTOA tour operator members offer limitless opportunities that allow guests to forge deeper cultural connections to the people, traditions and customs of the places they are visiting, along with the peace of mind that each program has been developed by knowledgeable and experienced tour professionals.

Since the presidents of our tour operator members are seasoned travelers, we asked a few of them for their advice on how to best “live like a local” in destinations across the globe. So here, in their words, are a few tips that might be helpful for your clients as well:

Elizabeth Crabill, president of Travel Bound: “Two things mean ‘local’ to me when I travel: food and language. For food, a knowledgeable travel agent is a great resource to find unique local dining experiences. Many keep up to date on unique restaurants and attractions throughout the year so they can share special tips with clients. An agent also can book private FIT sightseeing focused on cuisine, market tours or other culinary events that give an insider view of a city via food.

As for language, learning only a little can make a traveler feel attached to a place. A fun service to try is ‘Meet2Talk,’ a free online network that matches you with a native speaker in your destination, to meet to exchange conversation, first in one language then in the other. Both people improve their language skills and the traveler gets connected to a local. It’s a win-win.”

Paul Wiseman, president of Trafalgar & Brendan Vacations: “As president of Trafalgar for 15 years, I have to say I am so spoiled when I travel. Everything we do on our Trafalgar trips, from business meetings to personal travel, involves our travel directors, and that means I have a friend in the destination to show me around and give me all the insider tips. What I have learned along the way is: First, if you don’t want to be targeted as a tourist, don’t look like one. Find out what the locals wear and (within reason) blend in. Cameras, backpacks and money belts hanging everywhere with maps at the ready are a surefire catch. Using local transport is a great way to learn the way of the locals. Second, locals don’t eat or hang out in tourist spots. Find out where their hangouts are, often outside of the city in the suburbs, and go there!”

Carol Dimopoulos, president of Perillo Tours Global Brands: “Educational immersions are a great way for travelers to learn and experience the true essence of a culture. Travelers can learn about the evolution of culture through interactive educational experiences with local people. For example, our travelers to Italy can learn about secret family recipes of specific regions during a cooking immersion and how food unites both families and the local communities. Learning a language in France helps bridge the gap in communication, while a photography and wildlife immersion in Costa Rica helps travelers capture visions and perspectives to share with the world. Learning Journeys takes travelers on a path of self-improvement, returning home with life-changing skills and a better understanding of how local communities live and thrive together.”

Cyndi Zesk, president of Intrepid Group North America: “To travel like a local, you need to walk in the footsteps of local people. Using local public transport — trains, buses and rickshaws — provides a whole new perspective on a city. Eat with local families in locally run, small restaurants, or better still, in bustling night markets. Try out local supermarkets for great local produce. Pick up a local paper or street press, check out some local bands. Most importantly, talk to locals, ask where they like to eat and shop, and get a little insight into their lives.”

And how do I live like a local while traveling? I follow my passion in the local art scene. Artists know the off-the-beaten-path places and insider finds that tourists typically don’t frequent and are proud to share and show off another side of their home. From artists in Nepal who make Tibetan singing bowls to Cuban performance artists, I’ve never been steered wrong when asking for advice on what to do, see and eat.

While traveling, take advantage of the local artist ‘hotline,’ or if art isn’t your clients’ interest, recommend that they find people who share similar passions and can provide insights into the heart of local life.

For more information, about tours and packaged vacations, please visit www.ustoa.com.