The BSAP program is the whole reason I was able to start my career in the travel industry. I was the winner of the six-week Contiki Tours internship and couldn’t wait. The Friday before I was supposed to start, I was called and asked if I would instead like a full-time job at their sister company Trafalgar Tours, an offer I didn’t turn down. I worked as a sales representative working with American Agents and travellers for a year and won a free trip to Italy and visited England that year.  

I was able to experience a week on a guided tour through Italy and it was a great experience! I got to visit Rome, Venice and Florence. My favourite part of the trip was the unexpected ending. During a layover in London, my plane was grounded for two days due to snow (approx. half an inch, so a lot by their standard). With no baggage and nowhere to stay, I ended up having one of the best experiences I’ve ever had while travelling and exploring London on my own.  Most recently I spent two weeks in China, visiting Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

I transitioned from travel to tourism and became the Partner Communication Lead and Operations Coordinator for Regional Tourism Organization 8 (Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough and Northumberland), where I had done my internship during school. I fell in love with tourism and working with business owners to create tourism experiences. I oversaw a Buttertart Tour composed of more than 50 bakeries. The job was sweet!