Like a local

The global travel industry is a juggernaut influenced by world events, hi-tech disruption, the rise of the middle class and long-term trends, one of which is the increasing desire for a genuine local experience when overseas. We meet the CEOs of two travel companies that aim to fulfil that need: Paul Christie runs Walk Japan, a pioneering tour operator that has been leading long trips across the country since the early 1990s, and Eric La Bonnardière is the co-founder of French start-up Evaneos, which connects travellers directly with local travel experts.