Stuart is an energetic and positive 23-year-old with a passion for travel.
He grew up in a tiny village in the UK and got his first experience of traveling when he was 18, which started an addiction that continues till today.
Stuart goes above and beyond for his customers to make sure they enjoy traveling as much as he always has.
What is your favorite travel memory?
My favourite travel memory and also my most significant experience traveling was probably my trip to Australia. This was my first encounter with backpacking culture and it started a continuing addiction for travel that continues till today.
I started with 3 months of farm work which Intro Travel organized for me. I then bought a car in Cairns and drove it all the way around to Adelaide. I met so many amazing people from all over the world and did some activities that I will remember for the rest of my life.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
During my time at Intro Travel, I have grown and changed in so many ways. Not only have I developed a supernatural ability to adapt and react to any situation that may come up, but I have also learned how to work in an alternative country with a completely different culture. I have also been able to work with people from all over the world, which has been so much fun and extremely educational.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
The best story I have heard is actually a girl who was in my group. She was 27 and had been working as a waitress for her local pub for 7 years. She booked just 12 days holiday to come on our Sri Lanka trip. It was her first-ever trip away from the UK and she didn’t know what to expect. By the end of the trip, she had a whole new perspective on life.
On the trip, she met new people from all over the world and did things she hadn’t even dream of. The trip made her realize that she was not happy at her job. Her experience in Sri Lanka gave her the courage to quit her job and chance her dream of becoming a full-time musician. She has just completed 3 months traveling Europe and funded it purely on the money she made from busking.
I love this story because it shows you what a change is mindset can do to a person's quality of life.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
If I’m honest, there is quite a few I would love to do! I would love to do the joint Vietnam and Cambodia trip as the activities you do are incredible. But if I had to choose one, it would definitely be our Japan trip! This is our newest trip and offers an amazing array of activities from sushi making to a samurai lesson. But the main reason I would love to go is the unique experiences that are only available if you do the tour such as staying a night in a 1000-year-old temple.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Intro Travel, unlike many other tour companies, is not an 18-30s drinking holiday. We want our costumes to get the most out of their time with us and experience everything these amazing countries have to offer. We go the extra mile to organise activities that are extra special and that would be impossible for anyone that was not part of the tour. An example of this is in Sri Lanka when we visit a monetary for young monks. This a unique experience only possible because of our close relationship with locals and the monetary.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
The key factor for a successful travel company is putting in the extra effort to make sure that all customers have an amazing, memorable experience. At intro travel, we go above and beyond to make all the stress out of travel and do everything in our power to make the time as easy and enjoyable as possible.
