When I look back at my travels, one thing stands out: meeting locals didn’t always guarantee the right recommendations. Sometimes I’d end up with a guide who adored art museums, while all I wanted was to explore hidden hiking trails. Both experiences were great in their own way, but they didn’t really match my style. 

That’s when the idea sparked: what if travelers could be matched with locals based not just on location, but on personality and preferences? That question stayed with me when we started building Marv. 

Blending Psychology and Travel 

I’m Ana, one of Marv’s co-founders, and I’m also a psychologist. When I began designing our personality test, I knew I didn’t want it to feel like an exam. Travel is supposed to be exciting, not exhausting, so the test had to be fun and easy while still giving us meaningful data for our matching algorithm. 

The secret was to keep the questions short and light, focusing on three areas that truly define a travel style: 

  • Activities: what you usually enjoy doing when traveling 
  • Social aspects: how you like to connect with others 
  • Cultural preferences: the kind of vibe you look for in a new place 

This way, users get a playful quiz experience, while behind the scenes, we gather the insights we need to connect Marvelers (travelers) with the right local buddies or experts. 

Why Matching Matters 

For me, travel has never been just about ticking off landmarks. It’s about the people you meet, the conversations you have, and the memories you create together. That’s why our algorithm isn’t just smart tech; it’s about building the right human connections. When travelers meet locals who truly get their style, the experience becomes more personal, more authentic, and often, the beginning of a new friendship. 

The 7 Travel Personalities 

To make the test even more engaging, I created seven travel personalities. These aren’t labels or heavy psychological categories. They’re simply a playful way to highlight your travel style, whether you’re the adventurer, the foodie, the culture seeker, or somewhere in between. 

Both Marvelers and local buddies can take the test, which means the match goes both ways. The better the fit, the better the journey. 

 

✨ So now it's your turn to take the test, discover your travel style, and let Marv match you with a local who gets you.