Australia-based OurExplorer starts life under a new regime today after being bought by online tours and attractions retailer Viator.
Viator acquired the Sydney company - its first since a change in management structure when founder Rod Cuthbert left as chairman in September 2010 - for an undisclosed fee.
OurExplorer launched in 2008 and has grown quickly to include 2,000 registered tour guides in 500 destinations around the world on its books.
The system works by allowing users to search for guides in a particular destination, view their availability, ask questions and make a reservation with deposit.
Many of the guides offer services for a range of attractions in any given location and have set rates published on the site as well as videos and copies of official tour licences.
The deal makes a fair amount of sense for Viator - and perhaps signals an intent to broaden its remit through acquisitions - as it will be able to integrate the service into the main tours and attractions platform, although officials say the OurExplorer brand will continue to run operate independently.