Why Travelhunter Exists
Ever planned a trip that felt more like a disaster than an escape? You’re not alone—and it’s exactly why I created Travelhunter.
Planning a trip should fill you with excitement—dreaming about new adventures and the memorable moments waiting to happen. But too often, the reality of both planning and traveling falls short. The planning process is overwhelming and time-consuming. And the trip itself? It can feel frustrating, with challenges that take away from the experience and leave you wishing for more.
Travelhunter was created to change that—to make travel easier, more personal, and truly meaningful.
The Problem with Travel Today
In July 2023, I planned a three-day trip to Barcelona. It was meant to be a short getaway to explore the city, but it quickly turned into a frustrating experience.
The problems started with fully booked attractions—tickets for most major sights were unavailable for weeks. On top of that, prices were far higher than expected, and tourist restaurants served bland, overpriced food that added to the disappointment. By the end of the trip, we were overspent on mediocre experiences and felt drained instead of inspired.
After returning home, I went online to see if others had faced similar issues. What I found was a flood of complaints from travelers who had visited Barcelona—struggling with fully booked attractions, overpriced options, and underwhelming experiences. It wasn’t just me. Do you know these challenges as well? Travelers everywhere face them.
Planning a trip today is overwhelming. You jump between Airbnb, Google, review sites, and forums. Hours are spent searching, comparing, and trying to make sense of it all. Even with all that effort, the results are often disappointing—overpriced, generic, and lacking the authenticity that makes travel meaningful.
The root of the problem is this: the tools we rely on weren’t designed for travelers. They were designed for tourists. Travelers like you and me seek authenticity, meaning, and personal connections, but these tools prioritize convenience and one-size-fits-all recommendations. They fail to deliver what we truly want.
I’m convinced you don’t have to sacrifice authenticity for convenience. You can have both.
The Idea Behind Travelhunter
After that trip to Barcelona, I couldn’t stop thinking about the frustrations I faced. I wasn’t just annoyed—I felt stuck. Why did something as exciting as planning a trip have to be so complicated and leave so much to chance? I kept replaying the same question in my head: Why isn’t there a better way?
That’s when the idea for Travelhunter started to form. Tailored trips with the push of a button. Imagine trips designed to match your preferences, where you skip the stress and focus on enjoying every moment. No endless research, no second-guessing—just authentic, meaningful travel experiences.
For 14 months, the idea kept coming back. I couldn’t let it go. But I didn’t know where to start. I struggled with self-doubt and overthinking, asking myself questions like, Is this even worth my time? Can I really make it happen? Every time I tried to move on, the idea came back stronger. Deep down, I knew this was a problem that needed solving—not just for me but for every traveler who dreams of more.
The Turning Point: Cape Verde
In November 2023, I went on a two-week vacation to Cape Verde. I needed a break from the monotony of daily life, but what I found changed everything for Travelhunter’s mission.
During my stay, I became close friends with José, the reception manager at my hotel. He was passionate about sharing the true side of his country with anyone who wanted to experience it. One day, he introduced me to Radi, a Senegalese chef running a small restaurant in Sal Rei, Boa Vista. It was in a part of town where tourists rarely go—a neighborhood locals consider their own. Her food was incredible—home-cooked meals for just €3, made with the kind of care and warmth you won’t find in tourist restaurants. For the rest of my trip, José and I ate at Radi’s place almost every day. Thanks to them, I discovered a side of Cape Verde that tourists never see.
These moments reminded me what travel should be about—connecting with people, discovering local culture, and creating meaningful memories. But they also revealed the sad reality behind tourism in places like Cape Verde. While most tourism profits go to foreign companies, locals like José and Radi struggle with low wages and poor working conditions, often living in poverty.
Seeing this firsthand made the unfairness impossible to ignore. It became clear—Travelhunter couldn’t just help with planning better trips. It had to serve a bigger purpose: connecting travelers and locals in a way that lifts communities and makes travel meaningful for everyone.
Building Travelhunter
With this new vision, I knew I had to take the first step. In September 2023, I launched Travelhunter.io—not as a finished product, but as a way to share my personal travel stories and start building something bigger.
Travelhunter has always been built with the community for the community. From naming the platform to refining its purpose, every decision has been shaped by input from travelers. Through blogs, surveys, and conversations, I’ve learned what travelers value most: simplicity, personalization, and meaningful local connections. At the same time, I’ve been speaking with locals to understand how Travelhunter can help them earn fair incomes, take charge of their role in tourism, and become their independent selves.
Travelhunter is built for travelers—not tourists—those who seek deeper connections and meaningful experiences, rather than surface-level sightseeing. It’s about creating authentic, immersive travel experiences that foster meaningful connections. At the same time, it empowers local communities to shape their future in tourism.
Our Vision for the Future of Travel
The future of travel is changing, and Travelhunter is leading the way. By bridging the gap between travelers and locals, we’re creating a new kind of travel: one that’s personal, authentic, and impactful.
Travelhunter is about simplicity, personalization, and connection. It’s about empowering local communities to thrive while helping travelers create journeys they’ll remember forever. Together, we can redefine what it means to explore the world—and make travel better for everyone.
Become a Part of Travelhunter
Travelhunter is still in its early days, but its purpose is clear: redefining travel to make it more personal, authentic, and impactful—for both travelers and locals. And this is where you come in.
You can help shape Travelhunter in three meaningful ways:
- Share Your Thoughts: We’re gathering insights through a survey to understand what travelers like you truly want. We’re aiming for 1,000 responses, and your input can make all the difference.
- Connect Us with Locals: Know someone who could benefit from sharing their culture with travelers? Help us connect with communities ready to thrive through tourism.
- Join the Community: Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn and share your ideas through the contact form on our website. Every voice matters in building Travelhunter with the community for the community.
This isn’t just a project—it’s a movement. By joining us now, you’re helping to create meaningful travel experiences that travelers will remember forever. Together, we can make travel more than just a journey—it can redefine how we connect with the world and with each other.
