Press Releases

Friday, 23rd February 2007

Most people want to go on holiday to get away from things.

But one Cleveleys businessman is aiming for a worldwide network of friends on the internet superhighway.

Jeff Masters has set up www.friendsinplaces.com which gives holidaymakers the chance to contact others before they go on their travels anywhere in the world.

It can be used by families, activity groups, sports teams, couples and individuals to get the inside knowledge on destinations across the globe and meet like-minded people.

"I got the idea from my son who was asking why people weren’t more friendly."

The complex site has been put together by Fleetwood web design company Freebird.

Mr. Masters, of The Bramblings, Poulton, said: "It's to allow families to meet other families, couples to meet other couples and singles to meet singles. If you have a friend in another country they can arrange hotels and other bookings for you. If you go on holiday you may stay at a hotel and in the last couple of days you meet a family you make friends with – then you have to leave. This way you can make friends in advance with people with similar profiles."

Those registering on the site type in their details and the sort of people or groups they would like to meet and their profiles are matched with people with similar interests.

Mr. Masters added: "Anyone can join free of charge for a limited time. I am sure there will be interest, especially in America. They like English people and I’m sure they would love meeting us and making friends. People who come to Britain may go on coach trips and although they meet British people in the hotels they won’t learn much about what the country is really like."

Freebird co-director Nigel Burton said: "We have been working on it for about a year. It’s an exciting idea."

The new site is at www.friendsinplaces.com.