Question

Mass tourism, a term used in the travel industry, describes the type of tourism that caters to many people who visit the same destinations at roughly the same time. People who wish to travel with a tour group can often get discounts on hotels, restaurants, and popular attractions near beaches, theme parks, and other destinations. These kinds of vacations can be fun for people who want to see the most popular "main" attractions, but the trips can also be impersonal and standard. They encourage stereotypes: visitors go to Washington, D.C., to see the Jefferson Memorial, to Yellowstone National Park to see geysers, and to Tampa to ride roller coasters. Everyone sees the same things, and everyone buys the same t-shirt.

A New Way to See the World

56 Entrepreneur Gloria Molins was determined to create a new way to experience travel. She enjoyed being on the road, and even more, she enjoyed meeting new people. She came up with the goal of linking travelers to local people for a unique experience. Her dream became reality in 2012, when she launched her company, Trip4real.

57 Her business offered peer-to-peer travel. A local resident would set up a profile and describe the activities and sites they could introduce to interested travelers. Travelers could then choose the local people who would guide them as they explored or learned about an experience or place. These personalized excursions cost less than similar services offered by professional tour guides and other providers, but the quality remained the same. While locals might not have earned a lot of money, they enjoyed how they spent their time. Some locals became successful enough with Trip4real to quit their regular jobs and share their passions and interests with visitors full-time. Other locals participated in these experiences sporadically.

Changing Vacations Forever

58 In just a short period of time, Trip4real found locals interested in the program in cities across Europe. Travelers from the United States and other countries enthusiastically signed up to experience the authentic lifestyle and culture of European communities. Whether the foreign visitors to Europe were interested in standing where ancient philosophers and composers once stood in Rome, or shopping for groceries to cook an authentic Greek meal in Athens, they could.

59 In 2016, travel website Airbnb® purchased Molins’s company. Molins was excited about the change. She once said in an interview that Airbnb was her “inspiration since day one.” By acquiring Trip4real, Airbnb expanded its offerings to beyond only in-home accommodations and added local experiences to its mix. Molins says that the two companies shared a vision for a special kind of local and authentic travel experience. These local experiences are now offered in the United States to curious travelers who want to see nature, explore cities, or "do what the locals do" instead of just visiting the big tourist attractions. Whatever the interest, there is surely a local to help make the experience happen!

Airbnb is a registered trademark of Airbnb, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries.

“Taking a Trip with Locals” written for educational purposes.

Now answer the questions. Base your answers on the passages “Henry Ford and the Model T Revolution,” “Mr. Gibson’s Flivver,” and “Taking a Trip with Locals.”
summarize this essay

Answer 1

The essay contrasts impersonal mass tourism with a more personalized form of travel led by local residents. Entrepreneur Gloria Molins founded Trip4real in 2012 to link travelers with locals who offer peer-to-peer tours and activities—often cheaper than professional guides but authentic and flexible. The service quickly spread across Europe, attracting visitors who wanted hands-on cultural experiences (for example, seeing historic sites in Rome or shopping and cooking in Athens). Some locals earned enough to guide full-time, while others participated occasionally. In 2016 Airbnb bought Trip4real, adding these local experiences to its platform to promote authentic, “do-what-the-locals-do” travel alternatives to standard tourist routes.