Founded by Kurt Hou, Higo Local Meet Global is transforming the travel industry with its innovative approach to connection. In this article, we explore their unique journey, challenges, and future plans.
Higo aims to reshape how solo travelers find meaningful encounters across the globe. Their focus on destination-based connections and authentic experiences sets them apart from traditional dating and social apps.
Connecting Travelers and Locals: Higo at a Glance
Higo is a travel dating app designed to connect travelers with locals. Its mission is to create an emotional bridge between planning a trip and making meaningful encounters. The vision centers on serving socially curious travelers who value authentic cultural experiences and connection. Higo strives to make solo travel feel less lonely, enabling users to engage globally through spontaneous and genuine interactions. The platform stands out by focusing on personal and intuitive global experiences, aiming to change how solo travelers connect, no matter where they go.
A New Way to Connect on the Road
Higo offers a unique travel dating app that connects solo travelers with locals and fellow adventurers. Unlike traditional dating platforms, Higo matches users based on their future destinations and travel dates. This approach allows travelers to build connections before arriving in a new place. The app features voice-first communication, encouraging users to share voice notes and video introductions. This adds a layer of trust and authenticity to each interaction.
Higo stands out with its flexible relationship modes. Users can look for friendship, romance, adventure buddies, or local guides. The platform serves both travelers and locals, enhancing authenticity and cultural richness. Designed for digital nomads, backpackers, and explorers, Higo truly becomes a social companion for those always on the move. Its focus on human-first, experience-driven connections makes it a refreshing alternative to standard travel or dating apps.
Founder’s Story
Kurt Hou, the founder of Higo, saw a gap in how travelers connect abroad. His own journeys revealed that solo adventurers often craved genuine, purposeful connections. Despite existing social and dating apps, Kurt noticed travelers and locals rarely found common ground. This realization inspired him to create Higo—a platform dedicated to meaningful human encounters. Drawing insights from interviews with solo travelers, digital nomads, and local hosts, Kurt focused on authenticity and flexibility. His goal was to make travel less isolating and more connected for everyone, sparking a global sense of community.
Challenges and Achievements
Higo faced key challenges in defining its identity, balancing dating and companionship, and ensuring user safety. One major hurdle was avoiding the “empty room” problem, where early users saw few matches in new destinations. To solve this, Higo partnered with travel communities and focused its launch in major hubs like Bangkok and Bali. Building trust was also critical. The team introduced voice-first communication and robust identity features to enhance user confidence and comfort during meetups.
As a bootstrapped startup, Higo achieved strong early traction without outside funding. Since its February 2025 launch, the app went live in five major Thai cities, earned a 4.5-star average app store rating, and surpassed 10,000 downloads in 90 days. High engagement and strong retention rates reflect successful product-market fit. Higo’s focus on voice-first innovation, community trust, and inclusivity has won praise from travelers, locals, and influencers alike.
Future Plans
Higo plans to build a smarter, more inclusive travel connection platform. Upcoming features include an AI-powered match engine that considers interests, energy, and travel style. They also aim to add advanced filters for LGBTQ+ users and solo female travelers, with improved safety controls and identity options. Global expansion is next, targeting Europe and Latin America with localized content and strategic partnerships. In the long term, Higo envisions a Higo Passport membership. This premium tier will offer travel perks, exclusive events, and access to trusted local experiences, further solidifying their ecosystem for global travelers.
Redefining Travel Connections Around the Globe
Higo Local Meet Global is changing the way solo travelers and locals connect. The app stands out with its destination-based matching, voice-first communication, and flexible relationship modes. Overcoming early challenges, Higo built a strong, trusted community and achieved impressive early adoption. The future holds promises of smarter features, stronger inclusivity, and broader worldwide reach.
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Images and Visuals
Higo Local Meet Global logo
Higo Local Meet Global visuals
