Explore Brazil With Turismo de Experiencia

The Travel Startup features inspirational startups from across the world. This week in our travel start up series we meet André Martellotta from our São Paulo Travel Massive Chapter. André is the owner of Turismo de Experiência and helps travellers to live amazing and unforgettable experiences while in São Paulo and across Brazil.

Who is your startup for?

Turismo de Experiência is one of the first portals for tourism experience in Brazil. We believe tourism experience is the future of this industry, guided by sustaintable practices, tailor made services and better profit margins.

What inspired you to create this startup? 

We want to strengthen the way tourism is experienced through culture in Brazil. We know that there are several agencies/tour operators who specialize in this segment. However, as each operator develops individually within their niche markets, they do not always have a strong presence on the Internet. Travellers then fall into this gap where the information is out there, it is just hard to find.  Turismo de Experiência is all about solving this problem.

How did you build your startup?

After about a year in the area of tourism and travel booking, we decided to invest in leisure travels too. We wanted to focus specifically on the tourism experience as we believed there was so much room for expansion.

We then decided to launch a portal where partners could show and sell their products, with more exposure than by they may be able to gain on their own.

What makes your startup different from other similar startups out there?

Tourism today is still very focused on the masses, especially in Brazil. We know that the average traveler profile is changing rapidly, especially with the popular appearance of online travel agencies today. This allows the traveler to book their entire trip in a virtual way before the trip has even begun.

How did you get your startup off the ground and gaining traction?

We gained traction with our background in digital marketing and a lot of work seeking new partners from around the world. At the moment we work with more than 20 travel agencies, destination management companies and tour operators in Brazil and across the world. There are no limits to new associate members and in the future we hope to launch a trilingual website to reach an even wider audience. 

How is your startup changing the future of the industry or helping to make travel better?

From what once was a larger chain model (supplier – DMC – operator – agency – client), the world is now focused on an easy one stop shop, click of a button. We have joined this movement to help make booking easier for travellers and allow them to book local tours which will support local livelihood even before arriving.  Experience tourism and experience travel are very rarely explored in Google. We wanted to create a portal that brings together all segments of the tourism experience and create a well rounded reference site.

Do you have any tips for new entrepreneurs who want to create a successful startup?

Be creative and innovative. Be part of the changes. Listen to your mind first and the market after.

What is the most important thing during your travels? 

To be part of the place, not a spectator. I collect experiences, not items. I respect the environment and get involved with the community. 

Why do you travel?

I travel to live new experiences that change my way of thinking and acting.

What benefits have you seen from being a part of Travel Massive? 

To be part of the world’s largest community of travel industry insiders is very significant. It is my window to like-minded people and travel industry professionals in Brazil and abroad.

The Travel Start-Up is a monthly series that profiles unique online travel start-ups in the Travel Massive community around the world.