There’s no question that the travel industry is changing. With cost of travel going down, and technologies making communication, accommodation, and navigation simpler than ever before, there is a growing demand among travelers to seek adventure and cultural immersion, as opposed to guided tours or structured activities. Founded by a diverse group avid backpackers and adventurers (speaking a total of 6 languages, representing three continents), OodyMate was made with the needs of the 21st century traveler in mind, providing the opportunity to meet people, anywhere in the world, over the shared experience of a meal. The process is simple: just specify your itinerary (where and when), find someone with similar interests, and meet up for a meal. The app’s innovative matching system minimizes the effort of searching and scrolling, and lets people get straight to the social-food experience. Users agree who will pay in advance, preventing any confusion due to local customs, as well as providing the incentive of a free meal (they encourage travelers to treat locals, as thanks for their time and hospitality)! OodyMate is not an itinerary recommendation app, nor is it a dating app. It leverages the power of community, to make sure that no experience will be the same, and each one will have a person-to-person, down-to-earth touch, such as is so rarely encountered when traveling in a foreign country. Above all, OodyMate conveys the belief that food is one of the few things that can bring people together, regardless of race, culture, or creed. It breaks down barriers of meeting new people, providing that authentic local experience—all for the price of a meal!
