The paper describes the development of an experimental model of a tourist thermoelectric generator (TTEG). TTEG is a compact portable thermoelectric device that provides direct conversion of thermal energy into electricity and is designed to boil water and charge mobile devices in camp conditions. This paper describes the model of the developed TTEG and provides an analysis of its design. The operational conditions of the TTEG are determined and the ways of optimizing its design are investigated. The main requirements for the developed TTEG model are identified in order to increase the efficiency of the device. The application of the electric load control unit with the function of the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is described. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.