GuideHop and iStopOver Team Up To Deliver Unique Possibilities for Local Exploration

PRLog (Press Release) - Jan. 26, 2012 - GuideHop.com and iStopOver.com, two companies determined to change the way people experience new and familiar places, have entered into a strategic partnership agreement. Each site will promote the other to current customers by presenting a fully integrated peer-to-peer experience, where anyone can plan an exciting expedition by finding a place to stay through iStopOver and discovering nearby activities with GuideHop.

iStopOver offers a range of unique  accommodations through its peer-to-peer marketplace for vacation home and room rentals . GuideHop allows locals to post their own guided activities for curious experience-seekers. Each service is free to post and is designed to empower hosts and guides to make some money by sharing their favorite activities or spare homes and bedrooms.

By joining forces, both companies look to unite two growing peer-to-peer markets, thereby strengthening their global footprint as customers look for alternatives to the typical options for travel or local recreation. GuideHop founder Ryan Schmitz commented, “GuideHop and iStopOver share a basic aversion to all things generic. The idea is to open up as many opportunities for discovery as we can, and go beyond your basic expectations of how you learn about and explore the world around you.”

The joint marketing campaign will initially roll out in the New York, Austin, and San Francisco markets, focusing on large sporting events or festivals such as SXSW, when hotel rooms in the city can be hard to find. “We have a lot of unique and affordable rentals in these cities that are perfect for anyone looking to get away from one size fits all accommodations,” said iStopOver CEO Anthony Lipschitz. “And it just makes sense that you would get the most out of your stay by exploring the area through GuideHop. This combo is really the best way to totally immerse yourself in the local culture.”


For more information contact Jeremy Roberts of GuideHop at jeremy@guidehop.com, (972) 591-1541, or Savannah Cookson of iStopOver at 647-476-8303 ex. 204, savannah@istopover.com

GuideHop, Inc., a Dallas, TX based company, is a peer-to-peer marketplace allowing locals to share their own unique tours and activities with an online community of experience seekers. The company strives to change the way people discover and share new adventures while empowering local experts to get paid for doing what they love.

Established in Toronto in 2009, iStopOver (www.istopover.com) offers its Guests great accommodations in 92 countries around the globe, thanks to its large variety of unique spaces for everyone, at any price point.  Acting as the clearinghouse between Host and Guest, the company matches those with excess space with people looking for short-term accommodations whether for vacation, business or any other purpose.  The company’s peer-to-peer network and security features ensure privacy and peace of mind at every step along the way.