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TripTrotting is a service that connects compatible people together. The intent is that when these people travel to foreign places that they can meet up and perhaps host each other in their hometown. This makes the traveling experience a richer one since the traveller is able to experience things as the local do, and make new friends in the process. Additionally, it is an altruistic and fulfilling thing to host someone from a world away in one's own space. This can lead to a lifelong friendship and fantastic memories. New users can search for hosts, browse profiles and find people who they are compatible with. Users do submit a tip deposit when making arrangements with a host. This is refunded if the user doesn't have a fantastic experience but the host will receive it as a goodwill offering if the traveller did have fun. Hosts and travelers can also rate one another to improve the community and keep any potential "weirdos" out. Users are encouraged to use their best judgement when accepting a traveller or a host. They are told to trust their instinct and to reach out to TripTrotting if any issues or concerns arise.

TripTrotting was designed to make it so there are no more "clueless tourist." It originated from a 2007 vacation that the founders, Aigerim and Shana, had while vacationing in Bangkok, Thailand. If only they could have a local host and show they the sites that they should be seeing...thus TritTrotting was born! Since then, the team has grown and their offices are now in Los Angeles, California. They are backed by several rounds of investments and have been featured in The Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post and CNBC to name a few.

TripTrotting matches people based on their compatibility and it also has some mechanisms in place to verify users who are students, alumni or professionals. While this certainly shouldn't be relied upon in its entirety, users can feel a degree or two safer using the TripTrotting systems thanks to this verification process. Also, the algorithm that the company uses to match up people was developed by the same group as the one who created the one for eHarmony. Therefore, the potential matches are supposed to be more legitimate than most traditional profile mash-up services.

TripTrotter has a very professional and engaging feel to it. It makes users want to get out and see the world, and experience all of the many things there are to experience just as the locals do. TripTrotter aims to make the vacation experience less "touristy" and more real and memorable. The profiles listed on TritTrotter are interesting and users can get a fairly good idea of who the people are on there through the profile, but also through the compatibility scores that are determined using TripTrotter's special algorithm.

New users can register for a TripTrotting account by clicking on the 'New user?' link located at the top of the homepage. Users can then sign up through a standard registration process or through a "Quick" registration one using their Facebook account. The standard registration requests that a user input their name, email and city and continue on to answer more questions about themselves. Either way, new users are guided through a sort of quiz to get a feel for the kind of person they are and to match them up using the compatibility service.

TripTrotting is a free service to explore. The only fee really is the tip that is deposited for the host upon setting up travel arrangements with someone. The site is supported by investments.

TripTrotting is great for those who love to travel and experience the world or for those who would like to welcome someone new into their home and show them the town. The site does its best to match people based on their compatibility with one another and there are also verification methods in place to make sure people are who they say they are. However, the service could cause a potential mishap or safety issue so users are encouraged to use their better judgement and perhaps travel always with someone else.

• Find compatible fellow-travelers worldwide
• Host a traveller during their stay in your area
• Find a host for a destination that you're traveling to to get introduced to new friends and places

TripTrotting video

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