About Us — Wanderlust

Founded 2018, San Francisco

How It Started

Born From a Love of Real Connection

Wanderlust started as a conversation between two friends who kept asking the same question: why do most tours feel like conveyor belts? They believed travel should be transformative — a bridge between cultures, not a tick-box exercise.

In 2018, we launched with just 12 handpicked guides across 5 cities. Today, we've grown to a global community of over 120 expert guides spanning 45 countries, but the philosophy remains unchanged.

"We don't just show you places — we introduce you to the people, stories, and flavours that make those places unforgettable." — Maya Chen, Co-Founder

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What We Stand For

Our Core Values

Authenticity

Every guide is a local expert who genuinely loves their city. No scripts, no shortcuts — just real stories and hidden gems you won't find in any guidebook.

Safety First

All guides are background-verified, trained in first aid, and fully insured. Your well-being is our top priority at every step of your journey.

Sustainability

We partner with responsible businesses, offset carbon emissions, and encourage slow, mindful travel that benefits local communities for generations to come.

Community

We reinvest in the communities we operate in — funding local arts, supporting small businesses, and creating livelihoods for passionate guides worldwide.

The People Behind It

Meet the Team

A diverse group of explorers, storytellers, and builders united by a love of travel.

Maya Chen

Co-Founder & CEO

Former travel journalist turned entrepreneur. Maya has visited 78 countries and believes every destination deserves its own honest narrative.

James Okafor

Co-Founder & CTO

Software engineer with a passion for making travel more human. James built our platform from the ground up in a Lagos café in 2017.

Sofia Reyes

Head of Guide Operations

Sofia recruits, trains, and champions our global guide network. She speaks 5 languages and has personally vetted guides in over 30 countries.

Luca Bianchi

Head of Product

With a background in UX design, Luca ensures every touchpoint — from discovery to post-tour — is delightful, intuitive, and accessible.

Priya Sharma

Customer Experience Lead

Priya and her team make sure every traveller feels heard and supported, from the moment they book to long after they return home.

Anders Lindqvist

Sustainability Director

Anders oversees our environmental commitments — from carbon offset partnerships to our pledge that 1% of every booking funds local conservation.

Our Journey

How We Got Here

2018

Wanderlust Launches

We debut in San Francisco, Rome, and Tokyo with 12 hand-picked guides and a bold promise: no tourist traps, ever.

2019

10,000 Happy Travellers

We hit our first major milestone and expand to 15 cities across Europe, Asia, and South America.

2020

Virtual Tours Take Off

During the pandemic we pivot to virtual experiences, connecting over 5,000 homebound travellers with guides worldwide.

2022

Global Expansion

We cross 30 countries and launch our hotel partnership programme, giving travellers an end-to-end experience in one place.

2024

Sustainability Pledge

We launch our 1% for the Planet commitment — every booking funds local conservation and community development projects.

2026

50,000 Travellers & Growing

Today we serve over 50,000 travellers annually across 45 countries with 120+ verified guides — and we're just getting started.

Passionate About Authentic Travel