Oak Bay locals open doors to travel with unique host program

Oak Bay locals open doors to travel with unique host program

Published 9:45 am Monday, January 26, 2026

Travel should feel exciting, inspiring and full of possibility – and that’s exactly the spirit behind Open Doors Travel. 

Founded in 2021 by longtime friends and travel professionals Trina Medd Eisnor and Erika Korstrom, the Canadian-owned company was built on a simple belief: the best travel experiences happen when people slow down, connect deeply and explore the world together.

With more than 35 years of combined experience in travel and hospitality Eisnor and Korstrom saw an opportunity to create something truly special. Instead of fast-paced itineraries and crowded tours, they envisioned small-group journeys that prioritize learning, culture and genuine human connection. 

The result is Open Doors Travel – a welcoming, people-first approach that turns trips into shared experiences and strangers into friends.

“What we see again and again is strangers arriving nervous and leaving as lifelong friends. That sense of community is what makes these trips so powerful,” Korstrom says.

Trina Medd Eisnor and Erika Korstrom founded Open Doors Travel, creating intimate, people-first journeys where strangers become friends worldwide together.

Authentic experiences await

At the heart of the company is the Open Doors Travel Host Program, a collaborative and uplifting model that invites educators, creatives and community leaders to design and host trips inspired by their passions. 

From history and culture to food, fashion, arts and education, hosts bring the idea, and Open Doors Travel takes care of everything else – itinerary design, accommodations, transportation, safety and on-the-ground logistics.

The experience is intentionally intimate, with groups typically capped at 16 to 25 travellers. This allows for flexibility, authentic local encounters and plenty of time to connect – not just with the destination, but with one another. 

Best of all, no prior tour-leading experience is needed. Hosts are fully supported from the first conversation through to the final farewell, while professional tour managers and local experts handle the details behind the scenes.

Ope Doors Travel offers curated, small-group travel with local insights.

A perfect example is the Portugal tour this May. Hosted by Oak Bay local Rosa Stewart, a retired University of Victoria continuing education professional, and her lifelong friend Mané, a Portuguese local and Oak Bay resident, the tour promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of Portugal. 

Together, they’ve curated an itinerary filled with favourite neighbourhood cafés, soulful fado houses, hidden viewpoints and meaningful cultural moments that only locals know. With limited spaces remaining and a Feb. 8 registration deadline, it’s an exciting opportunity for eager travellers ready to experience Portugal in a truly personal way.

Open Doors Travel is especially loved by solo travellers, women and first-time explorers who appreciate a supportive, welcoming environment. Shared meals, thoughtful group experiences and 24/7 support help travellers feel confident, comfortable and free to enjoy every moment. 

Many guests return home with incredible memories and lasting friendships.

“When travellers come home feeling confident, renewed and excited to explore more of the world, that’s when we know we’ve done our job,” Eisnor says.

At its heart, Open Doors Travel is all about joy – the joy of discovery, of learning, and of connection. Whether you’re imagining joining an upcoming tour or creating your own unique journey, Open Doors Travel invites you to start the conversation and see where it leads. For Trina and Erika, this philosophy is summed up perfectly in their slogan: “You dream it. Together, we create it.”

Because when travel is done with heart, it opens doors you didn’t even know were waiting.

Explore upcoming tours, including Portugal with Rosa, and discover how you can host your own journey at opendoorstravel.ca.

Follow Open Doors Travel on Facebook and Instagram for travel inspiration, behind-the-scenes moments and updates on new host-led experiences.