Interview with Alex Thompson, Founder & Chief Operating Officer

Tell us your story. How did Legaroo.com get started?

As lawyers, we discovered the actual need of travellers and expats to educate themselves and understand a general legal framework of the destination a person travels to. As World travellers, we can get into unpleasant situations by not knowing general rules and conducts. Therefore, a hassle-free trip, is a safe and enjoyable trip. Consequently, each trip matters…a successful trip is good for the travel industry.

What makes Legaroo.com different from your competitors?

The Internet is full of travel content websites. However, Legaroo is different. To the best of our knowledge, no travel content website addresses the legal issues in the detailed form we’ve created Legaroo. Basically, our platform was conceived with the idea of easy and direct Q&A’s answered by local legal experts to inform and benefit all travellers. We’ve yet to find a hybrid of legal/travel platform like ours.

What is your favourite success story from your organisation?

We were able to “sell” the idea to law firms and lawyer associations, even before the creation of the website itself! Such an innovative idea was so appealing to lawyers that it took us a few weeks to have the first 20 countries and jurisdictions committed to participate.

What can we expect to see from Legaroo.com in the future?

We want Legaroo to become the first RTA (Responsible Travel Assistant) of the World. Legaroo will add several features to create the right environment for a traveller to: a) plan the trip, b) be informed and in contact during the trip, and c) to be able to socialize and advise others during and after the trip. Let’s not forget the importance of the content: by the end of this year we expect to reach between 70-80 countries and jurisdictions, 600+ Q&As translated in 9 languages, and create a 378,000 Q&As platform.

Which trends do you see in educational and active youth travel?

Without any doubt: safety and contact. This means, the use of technology to be in contact, to be informed and to have aid in moments of need.  Again, it’s imperative for young people and students to have a clear understanding of rules and regulations that can impact their safe travels. Driving rules, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, even cultural and religion guidelines, among others, are quite important to understand, respect and follow. I’m sure the Youth & Student Travel Industry understands we’re not only working for the kids and their experience, but also for their parents, teachers, associations and even their countries’ peace of mind.

How do you work to ensure the health and safety of young travellers involved with Legaroo.com?

We work daily to provide accurate, trustworthy and up-to-date information provided by local experts that will ensure and guide travellers depending on the issue. As well, we make connections with legal advisors in time of need. Soon, we expect to partner with other industry participants to ensure the physical health and safety of youth and student travellers.

What was your motivation to join WYSE Travel Confederation?

Once we knew the concept of Legaroo was successful among lawyers, then, the next step was to understand the travel industry. We always thought our product would have impact and be of potential use by youth travellers and students, their parents, teachers and associations, even their countries. We visited ITB Berlin last March, and we were amazed about WYSE, its principles and goals. Without a doubt WYSE is the bridge for us to learn about the industry of youth travellers and students and make the necessary contacts and commercial alliances to expose Legaroo.

Have you attended a WYSE Travel Confederation event? If so, what was your experience with the event?

Not yet. We certainly will attend WYSTC Edinburgh. I must say, that the level of professionalism and yet familiarity and friendship showed by all at WYSE, has convinced us we’re in the right organisation and we plan to actively participate not only at the conference but in every way we can during our membership.

What is an industry challenge your organisation is facing at this time?

Be known. We need to get recognized by the travel industry. We need to show that Legaroo can positively complement travel businesses with credible, up-to-date and trustworthy information.