Thanks for the update @helene
Well, I don’t really have anywhere to publish my rant about this so I’ll post it here. Feel free to use it everyone and everywhere!
Get Your Guide Removes Audio Guides: A Setback for Local Creators and the Community
In a disheartening move, Get Your Guide (GYG) recently decided to remove all audio guides from their marketplace. This decision is a significant blow for local creators like myself, who have relied on GYG to reach a global audience. For me, 60 percent of my sales for audio guides in Ronda, Cádiz, Jerez de la Frontera, and Grazalema came through GYG.
This abrupt change is not only disappointing but also undermines the tireless efforts of companies like VoiceMap, which work relentlessly to promote and support audio guide creators worldwide.
The Role of VoiceMap in Promoting Local Tourism
VoiceMap has been a crucial partner in helping creators like me bring the rich history and culture of places like Ronda, Cádiz, Jerez de la Frontera, and Grazalema to life. These audio guides are meticulously crafted to offer travelers a deep, immersive experience that traditional tours often fail to provide. By allowing travelers to explore at their own pace, audio guides give them the freedom to connect with a location’s stories, legends, and hidden gems on their terms.
VoiceMap’s commitment to supporting creators and ensuring that diverse, authentic voices are heard is evident in the quality of their platform. The removal of these guides from GYG’s marketplace not only diminishes the travel experience for users but also disregards the hard work and dedication that goes into creating these valuable resources.
A Significant Loss for Local Creators
For small creators and local businesses, GYG’s decision is a serious setback. Platforms like GYG have been essential in connecting our audio guides with travelers who might otherwise never discover them. My guides have helped countless visitors explore the stunning city of Ronda or the historic streets of Cádiz, all while supporting a local expert with a deep passion for these regions.
This decision doesn’t just cut off a vital revenue stream—it also limits the variety of experiences available to travelers. VoiceMap and creators like myself are focused on offering something more than just generic tours. We provide unique, in-depth experiences that highlight the true essence of each location. By removing audio guides, GYG is turning its back on this diversity and the local voices that enrich the travel experience.
The Impact of Get Your Guide’s Decision
GYG’s move seems especially shortsighted in today’s travel landscape, where authenticity and personal connection are increasingly valued by travelers. Audio guides meet this demand perfectly, offering rich, flexible content that goes beyond the limitations of traditional guided tours. By eliminating these options, GYG risks alienating both creators and travelers who seek more meaningful ways to explore.
What’s most frustrating is the lack of communication or justification for this decision. As a creator, I invested considerable time and resources into developing content for GYG, trusting that they would continue to support and promote my work. The sudden removal of these guides feels like a betrayal of that trust and a significant disservice to both creators and travelers.
Moving Forward: What’s Next?
In response to this setback, I’m exploring alternative platforms and channels to continue offering my audio guides. However, the loss of GYG as a key sales channel is a stark reminder of the risks involved in relying too heavily on third-party platforms. I encourage fellow creators to diversify their sales strategies and to build a stronger, independent digital presence.
To Get Your Guide, I urge you to reconsider this decision. The value of audio guides, particularly those created with the help of VoiceMap, lies in their ability to connect travelers with the heart and soul of a destination. By removing them, you’re not just cutting off a source of income for creators—you’re also depriving travelers of the chance to experience a place in a deeply personal and meaningful way.