What led your path to helping found Welcome to Travel?
My own journey as a backpacker had me infatuated with travel and helping people. After working several years as an operations manager for one of the largest travel agencies in Australia, I started to realize that traveling has changed. What Adam (our other co-founder) and I wanted to create was a travel community whilst showcasing the best city in Australia - Melbourne.
The travel bug even got my parents, who now live in Thailand and it's one of my favorite places to visit.
Describe a typical day/week as the Director.
We’re very hands on. We still guide on our tours every now and then to ensure that we’re providing the best possible experience for the new travelers. Adam, looks more at the operations of the tour, whereas I’m more focused on marketing, where we have been fortunate enough to have a few viral videos on Facebook.
What do you think was the influence for some Welcome to Travel videos going viral?
Relatability. We have lived and breathed every backpacker experience you can think of, and when you talk to people who have traveled they all have their own funny stories about hostel life or traveling. For anyone who has been traveling, there would be a snippet of our videos that they can relate to and then they want to remind their friends of these experiences.
Because that’s what traveling is, a combination of unique experiences which end up being the snapshot of the best time of your life.
It’s awesome being able to run a business with your best friend
What was your vision for Welcome to Travel and how do you continue to work towards that mission?
Our mission is split into two parts. First being to enable more people to travel, whether through our educational videos or our tour, if we can get more people to travel then we have done our job right; as we’re a firm believer that traveling is the best form of education. Secondly, to create the largest travel community in the world, this is instilled in every decision that we make.
Why should individuals choose Welcome to Travel?
I know firsthand what it’s like to go traveling to the other side of the world. It’s daunting, scary, and overwhelming, but once you get over all these emotions, it is the best thing that you’ll do. On the tour we have ensured that we tick off everything on your Australia bucket list, as well as creating a travel family that will be with you not just for that week, but for life.
Have your personal travel experiences influenced your current work?
Absolutely! I started traveling in 2010 for a six month holiday, but then kept saying yes to different opportunities which fortunately allowed me to stay in Australia. However, I have heard during my travels of people’s negative experiences in Australia and it's because they weren’t informed or pointed in the right direction.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Seeing the change in people who have been on our tour. On the arrival day it is almost like people’s first day at school, compare that to the eighth day where they have grown in confidence and have created a travel family - that’s not only my favorite part, but the most rewarding part as well.
At Phillip Island just after surfing
Why is it important for individuals to travel and experience new cultures?
As I said earlier travel is the best form of education anybody can have; it changes perceptions, inspires creativity, and brings the world closer together.
What do you hope participants take away from Welcome to Travel programs?
A life changing experience which will encourage them to travel further.
Can you tell us about the experience of guiding Welcome to Travel tours?
This gives me a sense of what the customers are looking for - you can create a tour but if you see firsthand what the group is looking for then it is easier to make adjustments. It also lets me help connect with people when they first travel and put them at ease, as I have been in the same position as them and know it is overwhelming.
What qualities about Welcome to Travel are your favorite to market?
Melbourne for so many years has been overlooked as a starting destination for people wanting to travel to Australia, but it makes sense to me. If you were going to travel the UK north to south, you wouldn’t start in Manchester or if traveling the States, east to west, you would look at starting off in New York or LA.
The same goes here in Australia, Melbourne is the southernmost city of mainland Australia and the most popular route to travel is the east coast. Meaning when you leave Melbourne to head east inevitably you are going to visit Sydney, but if you start in Sydney then travel the east coast, you may miss out on the coolest city in Australia, Melbourne.
Are there any Welcome to Travel projects or developments we can expect to see in the near future?
Always, but you’ll have to keep tuned on that on our Facebook and Instagram for the insight.
