Staff Spotlight: Sammy Dean

Title:
Senior Group Leader
Sammy (is awesome) Dean is 25 from Midlands, UK. Traveling all her life and spending the past year living and working for INTRO Travel in Vietnam and Cambodia, she developed the travel bug bad - along with the love of Tiger balm. Not only does she guide travelers from all over the world around Vietnam and Cambodia: she is also an undefeated dance-off champion.

What is your favorite travel memory?

Normal answer - Scaling to a less popular part of the Great Wall of China for a cracking sunrise or diving with green turtles in Bali.

Fun answer - Trekking through the Borneo jungle in the hot, mosquito heavy humidity - hoping to catch a glimpse of wild Orang-utans, only to discover that a male had decided to nest above our camp toilet the entire time... Still mind blowing!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Becoming a leader has helped grow my confidence, patience and so much more. I have also become conscious of the positive impact that tourism can have on a country and community. I have gained so many friends along the journey and shared so many incredible experiences that I am constantly inspired to share the joy of travel with more people.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

When you first meet a guest straight from the airport, when they’ve never embarked on any solo travel before - seeing their growth as a person is really empowering. Knowing that you played a part in their enjoyment and learning about themselves makes my job worthwhile. What’s even more empowering is seeing that person - who previously may have been an introvert - decide to reunite with other travelers and continue making memories and growing!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I have longed to travel all the countries our company offers as the itineraries are well put together and thought out. If I had to pick one, I would love to travel and do the Sri Lanka Experience! Sri Lanka is such an up and coming destination with an incredible mix of culture, beaches, nature, and religion. Who wouldn’t want to go!?

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Not only does Intro Travel produce incredibly travel memories: it also contributes a positive message about looking after the environment and local communities. I’ve been especially proud of the Vietnam and Cambodia team for contributing to many beach clean-ups and also making donations to a local floating village school in Siem Reap to promote more children from poorer families to get a good education.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

To be a successful company, you have to work as a team! Problems, ideas, new revelations, all can be passed from leader to leader to ensure the trips are the best they can possibly be!

Intro Travel not only looks after the travelers that decide to tour with us but also looks after the leaders that want to work with us! If you love your job, it emulates through your work, especially when it’s travel-related!

At Intro Travel, I truly believe you can feel the love and passion throughout the company!