Why Öpproved?

65 countries later, I wanted to give something back

Travel has shaped the way I see the world — through the people I’ve met, the cultures I’ve discovered and the art I’ve encountered along the way.

The more I travelled, the more I noticed what makes places different

I started travelling seriously during my Erasmus in Korea in 2012. Since then, I’ve visited more than 65 countries. What stayed with me most wasn’t only the landscapes or monuments. It was learning how people live, what they create, the traditions they keep alive and the stories they tell through art, craft and everyday life.

But travel can also start to feel strangely familiar

Thousands of kilometres apart, you can still find the same mass-produced souvenirs, the same products and the same ideas of what visitors are supposed to take home. When that becomes the easiest thing to find, local creativity can disappear from view.

I wanted my travels to contribute too

Travel has given me a lot. At some point, simply visiting wasn’t enough anymore. I wanted to add something to the way I travel, a way to support the people and places that contribute to the cultures I’m lucky enough to experience.

That’s why I started Öpproved

Öpproved helps travellers look beyond the obvious and discover local artists, artisans, independent shops, workshops and passionate people. The goal is simple: make it easier to find the people and places that give somewhere its character — and help more of our travel spending stay with them.

Travelling and discovering local culture

I’m not a cultural expert

I’m an IT guy who has travelled a lot. I’m not here to define cultures or speak on behalf of the people I feature. I’m here to stay curious, listen, learn and share the places and people I think deserve more visibility.

65+

Countries visited