Why we’re building Jizō
Dear traveller,
I hope you’re looking forward to your stay in Mallorca. We certainly look forward to welcoming you.
To support your trip, I’m delighted to introduce you to Jizō; a tool which I am building from a place of passion, inspired by a person experience. A few years ago, I was snowboarding in the French Alps when I had an accident and dislocated my shoulder. I was in pain, alone, and suddenly realised I had no idea what to do next.
Like many travellers would, I went to the hotel reception and asked for help. They pointed me to a local medical centre. My French wasn’t great, but somehow I managed to explain what had happened. I was examined, had X-rays taken, received a prescription and paid the bill. Afterwards, I had to find a pharmacy, navigate the language barrier, collect the medication and simply hope I was doing the right thing.
A few days later, back at home, I contacted my health insurance company expecting to be reimbursed. Instead, I was told they would not cover any of the costs because I had not contacted them on the day of the accident or within seven days.
I remember feeling completely abandoned.
After years of paying insurance premiums, I was alone, trying to work everything out while injured, abroad and in a language I didn’t fully understand.
It made me think about how useful it would be to travel with what I can only describe as a “guardian angel” in your pocket. Someone you could simply message and ask: “Where should I go?” “Who should I call?” “Can you help me with this?” Or even.. “Where is the best local restaurant nearby?” “Which beach would you recommend today?” “Where can I buy this?”
Not because the information doesn’t exist online, but because when you’re travelling, your time is precious. You don’t want to spend your holiday searching, comparing, guessing or worrying.
You want to enjoy it.
That’s how JIZŌ was born.
Initially, I imagined it as a service for health and safety situations. But after speaking with hundreds of travellers and conducting numerous surveys, I realised something important: people don’t only need help when something goes wrong. They also want help making the most of their trip.
They want trusted local recommendations, practical support, and someone who can point them in the right direction when they’re short on time or unsure what to do next.
Today, JIZŌ is both.
Part local concierge. Part guardian angel.
A service designed to help you discover more, waste less time, avoid costly mistakes and feel looked after while you’re away from home.
I often think about my daughters using JIZŌ when they start travelling on their own one day, or my mother when she’s up in the north of Sweden. That’s the test I use for everything we build: would I want the people I care about most to have this with them when they travel?
I hope JIZŌ helps make your stay in Mallorca a little easier, a little richer and a lot more enjoyable.
And if you need anything at all, we’re only a message away.
Warm regards,
Christian Coll
Currently free while in pilot phase. We’re offering it to a limited number of guests and would value your feedback after your stay.
