Join us as we sit down with Mateo, the founder of Buslunteer, to explore his passion for responsible travel and community engagement. He shares how Buslunteer aims to transform travel into a meaningful and sustainable experience, combining adventure with purpose.
Hi Mateo, the first time we met online, you mentioned that you travel a lot. What was your last amazing travel experience that you would like to share?
My most recent trip took me to the beautiful beaches of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca, Mexico. I’m always drawn to places that offer unique experiences, and I prefer to avoid standard hotels —I’d rather be out in the community, experiencing the culture firsthand. In Puerto, I kept active by joining beach clean-ups, which was a great way to meet locals and make a difference.
One of the highlights was supporting Vivemar, an incredible organization that works to protect turtles. With the help of other sponsors, we contributed to their efforts to release baby turtles into the ocean, which was such a rewarding experience. And, of course, I couldn’t resist the local open mic nights! I brought my guitar along and played a few tunes, meeting fellow travelers and locals who share my passion for music. For me, it’s these kinds of experiences that make travel truly unforgettable.
“…it’s not just a trip, but an opportunity to travel consciously and make a difference.”
You started the initiative Buslunteer. Can you tell us more about the concept behind the project and what makes it unique?
Buslunteer is all about combining adventurous travel with purpose-driven community projects. The concept is straightforward: travelers can hop on our fully-equipped bus and explore amazing destinations, all while taking part in impactful volunteer work. We work closely with local communities on projects that matter, from environmental preservation to education and social development.
What sets Buslunteer apart is our focus on responsible tourism—it’s not just a trip, but an opportunity to travel consciously and make a difference. Travelers get to experience authentic cultural exchanges, form deep connections, and work alongside locals and fellow volunteers. Plus, we document our journey through engaging social media content, collaborating with influencers to raise awareness and inspire others. Our ultimate goal is to create a global network of Buslunteer journeys, transforming tourism into a force that gives back to the communities it touches.
What is the current state of the project?
Buslunteer is currently in a dynamic growth phase. We’ve laid the groundwork and established partnerships with local communities to ensure our volunteer projects are impactful and meaningful. Recently, we were selected as finalists in the 2024 Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism, which has given us a great boost in visibility and recognition.
At this stage, we’re focused on raising the funds needed to launch our first Buslunteer journey and build strategic partnerships with organizations and individuals who align with our vision. We’re also ramping up our social media efforts to share our mission, attract future travelers, and engage with supporters. The response has been incredibly encouraging, and we’re eager to get the first trips rolling and make a real difference in the communities we plan to visit.
Why is voluntourism important in your eyes? Recently, many volunteer projects have been criticized for being superficial and harming local communities more than they help. What does Buslunteer do differently?
I believe voluntourism can be a powerful way for travelers to connect with communities and make a positive impact when done thoughtfully. Unfortunately, many volunteer projects have received criticism for being superficial or even damaging to the very communities they aim to help.
At Buslunteer, we’re dedicated to doing things differently. We conduct one-on-one interviews with all our travelers to ensure they’re genuinely committed to the purpose of each project. We understand that this type of travel isn’t for everyone, and we want to make sure our volunteers are aligned with our mission. Moreover, we’re committed to long-term support—we don’t just visit a community once and move on. We build lasting relationships with our local partners, ensuring these projects continue to thrive.
We’ll also be sharing each project’s journey on social media, capturing the real impact and stories behind the scenes. This not only builds transparency but also helps to inspire others to join the movement for responsible, sustainable travel.
Using ChargeHolidays to plan Buslunteer trips and show the itineraries—how can travelers envision what their adventures will look like?
With ChargeHolidays, Buslunteer trips will come to life through beautifully crafted itineraries that reflect our mix of adventure, cultural immersion, and hands-on volunteer work. Each itinerary will highlight our unique destinations, while also detailing the community projects travelers will participate in—from beach clean-ups to local conservation efforts.
ChargeHolidays’ platform allows travelers to view a day-by-day schedule in advance, with vivid visuals, activity descriptions, and all the essential details to prepare for the journey. This way, travelers can envision how each day will unfold, balancing exploration and impactful volunteering with time to connect with locals and fellow travelers. Thanks to ChargeHolidays’ optimization as a mobile app, the volunteers can carry the itinerary with them so that they profit from the blend of structure and spontaneity getting up to date overviews of what is planned, what has changed, and what they want to add.
With our blog series Native Narratives, we provide authentic insights into the lives and realities of people from all over the world. How can travelers contribute to more sustainable travel with a local lens?
At Buslunteer, one of our core ideas is to create quality content that showcases the incredible projects we support and the communities we work with. By focusing on the stories of locals, we hope to bring travelers closer to the people and places they visit, offering a perspective on travel that’s rooted in authenticity and responsibility.
Through ChargeHolidays’ blog series Native Narratives and collaboration podcasts and social media content, we’ll feature interviews with project leaders, local community members, and everyone involved in our initiatives. This approach allows travelers to gain a genuine understanding of the impact their visit has and highlights the real needs of the community. By capturing these stories, we not only share the beauty of each destination but also emphasize the importance of sustainable travel through the eyes of those directly affected. This way, every traveler becomes part of a larger story, contributing to responsible tourism with a local perspective.
“By focusing on the stories of locals, we hope to bring travelers closer to the people and places they visit, offering a perspective on travel that’s rooted in authenticity and responsibility.”
In the development of Buslunteer over the next few months, what are you most excited about?
In the coming months, I’m especially excited about building connections with strategic partners, donors, and influencers who share our vision for Buslunteer. Establishing relationships with these like-minded collaborators is crucial, as they bring not only financial backing but also valuable expertise and reach.
Engaging with influencers and YouTubers who have a dedicated following in the travel and social impact space is another priority. By collaborating with content creators who genuinely believe in our cause, we can reach a broader audience and inspire more people to join us on this journey. These influencers bring not only visibility but a sense of authenticity that can transform Buslunteer into a movement, showing the world that travel can truly be a force for positive change.
Lilith Diringer
This interview has been conducted by Lilith. Our CEO is eager to learn everything about sustainable travel and share deep insights with you. Her vision is to make people as well as nature profit from travelling. She wishes you a great trip wherever the next booking takes you and is happy to share details and insights on request: [email protected]