Tripbod has redeveloped its platform ahead of its relaunch today as an experience market place.
Sally Broom, founder of the trip planning and guide site, says the aim is to empower the network further to take advantage of all the interaction taking place on the site.
Tripbod is broadening its scope to offer physical experiences on the ground following its pilot with VisitBritain a year ago offering guides to welcome tourists and provide tours.
Each tripbod will be able to create his or her own shop to offer tailor-made experiences of their destination and unlike the old site, consumers will be able to contact guides directly.
The site joins a number of online person-to-person tour guide sites operating in a similar marketplace.
The company now plans to vet every proposed trip or experience rather than vetting every Tripbod although Broom says the company is planning a relaunch of the vetting system.
On the potential risks of the open marketplace, Broom says with all travel contains an element of risk but that advice on the site and vetting the product will build up a good picture of sellers while allowing consumers to talk direct to the guides will also help them make a decision.
The commercial model is also changing with Tripbods pricing the experiences themselves and the company adding a 15% commission which is included in the price the consumer sees.
She describes the relaunched service as an 'ebay for travel but with soul' and says the company is transitioning from being the principal to more of an open marketplace.
"There's a full feedback mechanism in the same way you would rate a sale on Amazon so the community is verifying each other and we will be launching an opportunity for Tripbods to recommend other people."
Broom also says the experiences will be creative and not available elsewhere online giving tourists the chance to live like a local.
Tripbod's 100% money back guarantee remains in place.