Travel Trends: Dating Apps for Travellers
Compiled by Jenny Southan
Dating apps aren't necessarily just for dates; if you're a (reluctant) solo traveller, they can be invaluable for hooking up with like-minded souls heading your way, or with in-the know locals who can show you a good time in their home town.
The allure of using dating apps to find company is undeniably appealing. 'My international apps of choice are Tinder and OK Cupid,' says entrepreneur Josie Clements (not her real name). Swiping right has brought me sex, salaciousness and an ever-extending friendship group from New York to New Zealand.''
Tinder has now made ten billion matches in 196 countries, with the US, the UK and Brazil seeing the most users. In November, Tinder reported a 400 per cent increase in downloads in India, the majority made by women.
Video and events manager Emma Clark used Tinder in New York just to discover the best places to go out. 'There were some really attractive people but I just wanted to take their advice for a great night out.'
Here are five new dating apps designed specifically for travellers, that may help you find a good travel buddy, the best insider knowledge, or the ultimate holiday romance.
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Jenny Southan is the editor and founder of Globetrender, an online magazine dedicated to the future of travel.
It can be frustrating when you want to go away but none of your friends have the money or can take the time off work. Download Ventoura to go beyond guidebook recommendations, and meet 'featured locals', who provide paid-for insider tours of their favourite places. (For security, everyone has to sign in through Facebook and, like Airbnb, you can read user reviews and profiles.) It's available in about 30 European cities, including Amsterdam and Madrid.
Best for: Finding a local to show you the sights.
Described as the 'social app for travellers', Tripr has been downloaded more than 30,000 times. Ideal for backpackers, you sign in through Facebook (as with Tinder), upload your travel plans and wait for the matches to roll in. You can chat with locals, find fellow travellers to hit the road with and get alerts about friends who are going to be in the same place at the same time.
Best for: Gap year hook-ups.
We've all fantasised about joining the mile-high club – and with this app, in-flight liaisons are easier than ever. Sync to your Facebook account, then submit your booking details to see who else will be onboard. Swipe 'hot or not' to private message with matches, and kick-start your date in the airport before taking to the skies. Feeling virtuous? MileHi can be used to make friends or business contacts too.
Best for: One flight stands.
Having launched in 2007, Skout is one of the largest networks on the planet for meeting new people. You can use the geo-location app in 180 countries, and take advantage of its 'shake to chat' feature that randomly matches you with travellers nearby. (Don't worry, it won't show other people exactly which cafe you are having a coffee in, though.)
Best for: Letting fate decide.
Launched in November 2014, global dating and companion app Tourbar has seen a 970 per cent increase in new UK members over the past year. With 430,000 worldwide users, it has found the most popular places for travel dating are the US, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the UAE. Tourbar says it 'carefully verifies its users for a much safer international dating site experience'; once you have created a profile, you can either become a guide or search for like-minded adventurers.
Best for: Solo travellers looking for love.
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