Hellocity is a technology platform designed to facilitate connections between travelers and locals offering personalized services such as curated tours, tailored experiences, relocation assistance, and lessons. While we provide the space and facilitate these connections, we do not personally organize or manage the services offered. Our role is limited to maintaining a platform that enables travelers to easily find and connect with locals who can enhance their journey.

Important Notice for Service Providers:

As a service provider on Hellocity, it's important to understand that you are not an employee of our platform. Instead, you operate as an independent service provider. This means that you have the freedom to set your own rates, determine the services you offer, and manage your schedule. Hellocity simply connects you with travelers who are interested in the services you provide.

Here’s what that means for you:

• Autonomy: You are in control of how and when you provide your services. Hellocity does not dictate how you run your business.

• Independence: You are responsible for your own business operations, including pricing, availability, and customer service.

• Non-Employee Relationship: You are not an employee of Hellocity. You are working as a self-employed professional who uses our platform to connect with travelers.

• Financial Responsibility: As an independent service provider, you are responsible for managing your own taxes and business expenses.

This model allows you to operate freely while being part of a community that connects you with travelers. We're here to offer the platform, but the experience is yours to shape!

Hellocity offers a wide range of services that can be customized to make every trip memorable, with experiences that go beyond the ordinary. Whether you're a local with unique skills or a passionate guide, there are many ways you can share your knowledge and expertise through our platform. Here's a look at the types of services you can offer:

• Activity Partner: Share your love for the local culture by offering activities like hiking, biking, tennis, or any adventure you enjoy. Whether you're leading someone through a park or exploring hidden gems, you'll have the chance to foster authentic connections with travelers who share your interests.

• Tour Guide: Craft personalized and private tours tailored to your expertise. Whether you're guiding visitors through a city’s food scene, its history, or its natural wonders, you have the freedom to create one-of-a-kind experiences for those seeking in-depth local insights.

• Relocation Specialist: Help people make a seamless transition when they move to a new city or country. Offer services such as neighborhood advice, real estate insights, translation help, or even photography to capture their new journey. Your local knowledge will ensure they feel at home as quickly as possible.

• Instructor: Share your passion and skills with travelers eager to learn. Whether it’s teaching a language, music, cooking, or traditional crafts, you'll offer a valuable, hands-on experience that leaves participants with new knowledge and cherished memories.

It’s completely free to list your first service on Hellocity! We want to make it easy for you to share your skills and connect with travelers. However, if you'd like to create additional listings in nearby cities, or enhance your listing to appear on the first page of your city or even on the home page, there are small additional fees for these premium options. These enhancements can help you get more visibility and attract more bookings, but the choice is entirely yours!

Absolutely! We encourage individuals without formal experience to create a listing in one of several categories, such as Activity Partners, Tour Guides, Relocation Guides, or Instructors. Even if you’re unlicensed or don’t have specific expertise, you can still offer valuable experiences. For example, you can create an Activity Partner listing and simply be available to invite travelers to join you in fun activities you already love—whether that’s hiking, dancing, golfing, or exploring your city’s best hidden gems. What matters most is your enthusiasm, your local knowledge, and your willingness to connect with travelers and share experiences.

Ultimately, it’s up to the traveler to decide if they’d like to book with you after reviewing your listing, so make sure to showcase your personality and the unique experiences you can offer!

To register as a user on Hellocity, you must be at least 18 years old. Our platform is designed exclusively for individuals who are 18 or older.

You have the flexibility to create and personalize tailored offers for each client, including the amount you'd like to be paid for your services. Think of it as running your own business—you set your own rates and charge what you feel is fair. Hellocity does not compensate you; instead, you are paid directly by the traveler at the time of the meeting.

Pro Tip: The dollar value you set on your listing page is just an average amount you expect to be paid per hour of service. However, the final price of your booking will be based on the custom offer you send to the traveler, tailored to their unique interests and needs. We recommend setting an enticing listing price, keeping in mind that the average booking length is around 3.5 hours. This approach helps attract more guests while allowing you to adjust the price for more personalized experiences.

As a service provider, you'll receive payment directly from your guest at the time of your meetup. The traveler can choose any payment method that works for both of you, whether that's cash, a mobile app, or another preferred method.

Hellocity doesn't process payments or charge service fees, which means you keep 100% of the payment. This allows us to operate across a wide range of countries and communities, even where tech infrastructure might be limited.

When you create a listing on Hellocity, know that we're committed to supporting your success. We ensure you keep all the earnings you generate, empowering you to thrive and keep your full earnings.

Hellocity is not a party to any transactions between you and your guests, and we do not process or track payments—so we are not responsible for reporting any income you may earn through your listings.

That said, any income you receive from providing services may be subject to local taxes, depending on the laws in your country or region. Since tax regulations vary, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified accountant or tax professional in your area to understand your specific obligations.

Ultimately, you are responsible for reporting and managing your own earnings in accordance with local tax laws.

No, they’re not the same—activity partners and tour guides offer two distinct types of experiences.

Activity partners are friendly locals who enjoy exploring their city with like-minded travelers they connect with through the Hellocity platform. These experiences are more casual and spontaneous—think shared adventures like checking out local bars, shopping districts, hidden gems, or attending concerts and sporting events. They often provide personal insights, helpful tips, and authentic recommendations that make you feel like you’re seeing the city with a friend.

Tour guides, on the other hand, are licensed professionals who offer structured, informative experiences. They lead curated tours such as food tastings, historical walks, and other in-depth explorations that follow a planned route or theme. Their knowledge and expertise bring a deeper understanding of the places you visit.

You have full control over your schedule and who you choose to meet.

As an independent service provider, you decide when you're available and which guests you’d like to connect with—giving you the freedom to build meaningful experiences with people from around the world on your own terms.

Why Verification Matters on Hellocity (for Service Providers)

On Hellocity, we welcome both Verified and Unverified Members, giving everyone the opportunity to offer or explore unique local experiences. However, many travelers choose to book only with Verified service providers—and for good reason.

While verification is optional, we strongly encourage it. Getting verified builds trust by confirming your identity, adding credibility to your profile, and showing guests that you’re serious and reliable. It also increases your chances of being booked, as many travelers feel more comfortable engaging with Verified Members.

Verification also enhances community safety by ensuring essential contact details are available in case anything unexpected comes up.

Bottom line: You’re free to offer services as an Unverified Member—but to increase your bookings and stand out in the community, verification is a smart move. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it helps travelers feel confident choosing you.

Not at all. On Hellocity, you have complete autonomy over who you choose to meet and provide services to. Bookings never happen automatically—travelers will reach out first to express interest in your services. From there, you decide whether to accept or decline based on your comfort level, shared interests, or any other personal preference.

We believe your experience should feel just as enjoyable and meaningful as it is for the traveler. If something doesn’t feel right or isn’t a good fit, you’re never obligated to accept. Trust your instincts and connect with the people you feel excited to meet.

We understand that emergencies or unexpected circumstances can arise. While cancellations can disrupt confirmed plans, we encourage you to first try rescheduling with your guest whenever possible.

If rescheduling isn’t an option, you must formally cancel the booking by notifying your guest through the Hellocity messaging system as soon as possible. Prompt communication shows professionalism and respect for your guest’s time, and helps maintain a positive reputation within the community.

How to Attract More Bookings on Hellocity

To build trust and increase your chances of getting booked, here are some proven strategies to make your listing stand out and genuinely connect with the right guests:

1. Craft a detailed, welcoming listing that reflects who you are.
Your profile is your introduction to the world. It's not just about what you do, but who you are. Be honest, warm, and expressive about your personality, interests, and local knowledge. Travelers are often looking for someone they can relate to—someone who shares their love for hiking, dancing, art, history, food, or whatever lights you up. The more authentic and complete your listing, the more comfortable someone will feel reaching out.

2. Include high-quality photos that tell your story.
Don’t stop at a great profile picture. Share photos of your favorite local spots, hobbies, past adventures, and hidden gems in your city. People connect visually—show them what an experience with you might look like. A few great images can spark curiosity and trust faster than words alone.

3. Ask for testimonials from people who know you.
Even if you’re new to the platform, you can ask friends, coworkers, or past guests from other platforms to leave you a testimonial. A few kind words can go a long way in building credibility and helping travelers feel confident booking with you.

4. Respond quickly to inquiries.
Timely communication shows professionalism and enthusiasm. Prompt replies improve your chances of confirming a booking and let guests know you're genuinely interested in hosting them.

5. Provide exceptional service to earn great reviews.
The best way to grow your bookings is by creating memorable experiences. When travelers leave positive reviews, it builds a strong reputation that speaks for itself.

6. Share your listing on social media.
Don’t rely solely on the traffic from our site. Promote your personal listing page across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and even WhatsApp or community forums. A simple post can expose your page to thousands of potential guests and lead to significantly more bookings.

7. Become a Verified Member.
Many travelers prefer to book with verified locals because it adds an extra layer of trust and safety. Verifying your profile also displays a special badge that helps you stand out in search results.

8. Boost your listing for even more visibility.
Want to take it further? Boosting your listing places it on page one in your city or even the homepage. This dramatically increases traffic and can lead to more messages and confirmed bookings. Think of it as investing in your visibility.