Recently, TripTuner was awarded another patent – the ultimate proof of a product’s uniqueness.  But the real test happens when people use it.  You quickly see if you’ve got something special.

I was lucky to witness some real-time reactions the other day while presenting to a local high school’s entrepreneurship class.  “Who likes to travel?” I asked.  All hands go up. “OK, think of your dream destination – but don’t tell anyone.”

Next, I asked for volunteers to take the “TripTuner Test.”  Mary jumped up to the keyboard and adjusted the sliders as we watched her matching results populate.

“Now tell us where you want to go most,” I asked.  “Bora Bora,” she replied.  (Well, I did ask them to dream).

Like a circus promoter I call out “let’s see what the first result is!”  Rangiroa was in the first slot.  They were not impressed.  Until I told them that it’s a sister island to Bora Bora in French Polynesia.  “No way!” Mary calls out.

Shout out to Dany13 for the fab Rangiroa photo!

Andrea came up next.  Her destination?  Mozambique.  (They’re an adventurous lot).  Her top result after adjusting the sliders? Benguera Island…in Mozambique.  “Whoa!” – she couldn’t believe it.

TripTuner found their favorite places without knowing anything about them.  The students hadn’t signed up.  They weren’t cookied or tracked and weren’t logged into Facebook.  There was no way to know what destination they had in mind (now THAT’s privacy-friendly personalization).

Sharing founder’s insights with the EHS entrepreneurship class.

How do we find their dream destinations?  Sure, we have proprietary algorithms blah blah blah.  But there isn’t one specific technical thing we did to make the experience special.  It’s the result of looking at the overall process from the traveler’s perspective, and keeping it simple.  I call it #outovating.  No matter how many patents we have, creating that inspiring feeling for travelers is what matters most to us.

Not buyin’ it?  Take the test yourself:

3. Adjust the sliders to your preferences.

What was your top result?

If we don’t come up with a place you like, I want to hear about it.

Stay tuned,