expression, noun
local people; natives of the area
Refers to people who are native to or long-term residents of a particular place, often contrasted with outsiders or newcomers.
土地の人に道を聞いたら、親切に教えてくれた。
When I asked a local person for directions, they kindly told me the way.
この祭りは土地の人たちが中心になって運営している。
This festival is mainly run by the local people.
現地の人 is used for people at the actual site or location, often in travel or reporting contexts, while 土地の人 emphasizes native or long-term resident status.
Compound of 土地 (tochi, 'land, locality') + の (no, possessive particle) + 人 (hito, 'person'). The phrase literally means 'person of the land' and is a straightforward descriptive expression.