Why it is important to have local contacts while traveling to new places?
Locals are the biggest value of the place where you travel. It is the same when you are in your own country and you know exactly what to do day by day. Where is a good spot to buy food? Which is the best restaurant in town?
In most of the cases they will add a great value to your trip. You will have the best memories thanks to local people.
One of the aspects I do like more is the hospitality and the constant interest in sharing their culture. Some of the people I meet during my trips became great friends also and I keep on visiting them when times allows.