Project Info
Client
Secret Detours
Service
UX/UI and Software development
Tools
UI/UX, Figma, Laravel
Challenge
Secret Detours approached Always49 with a clear challenge: they wanted to offer travellers a new way to discover unique and lesser-known experiences while on holiday. Their goal was to create a platform that allowed users to search for curated “detours” — hidden gems off the typical tourist trail — across various destinations worldwide.
However, they lacked a centralised system where users could browse these experiences easily, with the kind of intuitive interface modern travellers expect. They also wanted to include a sense of exclusivity by offering a membership model, giving paying users access to deals and opportunities not available to the general public.
The real problem lay in combining inspiration, discovery, and exclusivity in a way that felt seamless. Secret Detours needed a platform that could support dynamic content, handle secure memberships, and grow as their content and user base expanded — all without compromising on user experience or performance.
The Solution
To address Secret Detours’ challenge, Always49 designed and developed a streamlined online system that enables travellers to easily search for and plan holiday detours. The core idea was to create a simple, user-friendly interface where users could browse hidden travel experiences by location, interest, or duration. Once a user found the right combination of detours, they could compile them into a single itinerary directly on the platform.
A key feature of the system is its ability to generate real-time notifications to local teams. Whenever a traveller builds and confirms an itinerary, the relevant team on the ground receives an instant alert. This functionality ensures that local hosts, tour guides, or partners are prepared in advance for the arrival of each visitor, enhancing the overall customer experience while reducing logistical friction for Secret Detours.
The platform is built with scalability and flexibility in mind, ensuring that as Secret Detours expands its network of experiences and destinations, the system can grow to accommodate additional features and users. It is mobile-friendly and optimized for performance across all major devices, ensuring travellers can build or view their itineraries on the go.
Additionally, we embedded analytics and feedback tools into the system, allowing Secret Detours to learn how travellers interact with their content and which destinations or experiences are proving most popular. This will help them fine-tune offerings over time and continually evolve the platform to suit user needs and behaviour.
The website is set to launch in June, and with its intuitive experience, smart notification system, and scalable infrastructure, it’s positioned to make a strong impact from day one. Secret Detours will be better equipped to serve both their customers and partners, creating more memorable, off-the-beaten-path holidays for adventurous travellers.
Conclusion
The launch of the Secret Detours platform marks an exciting step forward for the company and its mission to offer unique travel experiences. By simplifying the way travellers discover and organise hidden holiday detours, the system not only improves customer satisfaction but also supports local teams with better communication and preparation.
With a robust infrastructure in place and the ability to adapt as the company grows, Secret Detours is now well-positioned to scale its offering and connect more people with unforgettable journeys. The June launch is just the beginning of a smarter, more connected travel experience.