How it started

All good things start with a mix‑up. Ours began with a spirited confusion about the Cooks—James Cook (18th century), who sailed into blank space and turned mystery into maps; and Thomas Cook (19th century), who stitched those lines into journeys ordinary people could take. Exploration became knowledge, then product.

That sparked a question: what would a third Cook look like in the 21st century? Not another conqueror of places, but a restorer of meaning. Someone who designs routes that fit reasons rather than crowds; who moves attention sideways instead of piling forward; who favours the quiet hour over the famous angle; who right‑sizes groups and names nearby alternatives when a place needs a breather; and who measures choices with simple, open signals.

As the idea matured, it wanted a tool rather than a person. Hence Third Compass. A compass does not pronounce; it points. Ours pairs gentle curation with clear metrics—like the OCS and the Offbeat Score—so you can travel by story rather than checklist.

Why a compass

A compass doesn’t lecture; it points. Third Compass blends quiet curation with simple signals so you can move well: off‑peak when it matters, smaller where it helps, nearby when a hotspot needs a breather. The north–south needle shows the overall fit, and the east–west lean shows the “why”—is it operations or design that needs a tweak.

What we actually make

  • OCS (Overtourism Contributor Score) for tours and itineraries—plain numbers, open rubric.
  • Offbeat Score for creators and travellers—style over fame.
  • Guides and comparisons that put better options first, with clear reasons you can scan.

The tone we keep

We prefer a gentle nudge to a raised finger. When a place is under pressure, we offer a nearby path that still feels special. When timing can do the work, we suggest the hour rather than the headline.

One line we carry forward

Mapped by James. Packaged by Thomas. Re‑storied by all of us—guided by a Third Compass.