Seyitoğlu, FarukAtsız, Ozan2023-01-162023-01-162022https://doi.org/10.1177/13567667221135https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85141022906&origin=SingleRecordEmailAlert&dgcid=raven_sc_affil_en_us_email&txGid=5d1268851b9c7a4419ec82e711fca13ahttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12514/3322This paper investigated travellers’ perceptions and experiences of using distant local guided tours during the COVID-19 pandemic utilising a qualitative methodology. The reviews’ content of online travellers regarding distant local-guided tours offered by a sharing economy platform – Withlocals – in different destinations was analysed. The results demonstrated that travellers’ distant local-guided tour experiences include celebration, togetherness and socialising, escape and relaxation, memorable, educational, and hedonic components. Additionally, travellers perceived distant local-guided tours as an alternative travel type, preparation for an actual visit, and inspiration for face-to-face experiences. Therefore, distant local-guided tours can be defined as engaging alternative travel types that provide multidimensional experiences and help explore a destination before the in-person visit. Apart from playing a guidance role for scholars and practitioners, this research fills the gap of research on distant local-guided tours in the literature. However, future attempts could shed more light on the subjecten10.1177/13567667221135info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessalternative travel type; COVID-19; Distant local-guided tour; online traveller; sharing economy; tour experienceArticleQ2WOS:0008766643000012-s2.0-85141022906