Building futures together at 'Welcome to Travel'
In the fast-paced world of tourism, everything revolves around adventure, connection, and growth. For Welcome to Travel, an Australian company dedicated to helping young travelers kickstart their journey Down Under, collaborating with educational institutions is a key part of their mission. Sander Blom, Head of Travel Sales and Community at Welcome to Travel, shares how the partnership with Saxion University of Applied Sciences has become a mutually rewarding experience, one that benefits both the company and the next generation of tourism professionals.
Passion for growth and opportunity
“We’re passionate about giving people a start in the industry,” Sander explains. “It’s often that first opportunity that helps unlock someone’s potential.” Welcome to Travel’s collaboration with Saxion began naturally, its co-founders had previously worked with Saxion students in another organization and were impressed by their professionalism and dedication. When the new company was founded, continuing that partnership made perfect sense. “Saxion’s diligence and commitment to students, their studies, and their overall experience in Australia really stood out to us,” he adds.
A positive and productive partnership
Over the years, Welcome to Travel’s experience with Saxion has been overwhelmingly positive. “Communication has been clear, and we’ve had a steady stream of strong applicants to choose from,” says Sander. “The students have been well-prepared, professional, and a great cultural fit within our team.”
This alignment of values has made the collaboration not only efficient but genuinely enjoyable for both sides.
The Strengths of Saxion Students
According to Sander, Saxion students consistently demonstrate a can-do attitude, adaptability, and a genuine passion for travel—qualities that are vital in the ever-evolving tourism industry. “They show a strong willingness to learn and grow, which fits perfectly within the culture of our teams.”
Saxion students shows a strong willingness to learn and grow, which fits perfectly within the culture of our teams
Real added value for the company
The collaboration brings tangible benefits to Welcome to Travel. Interns help manage workload while offering fresh perspectives that improve internal processes. “The research projects have provided practical recommendations to enhance various aspects of our business,” says Sander. “It’s also great to see how mentoring students encourages growth among our team members too.”
Driving Innovation through Fresh Perspectives
Saxion students often contribute directly to innovation within the company. “They’ve identified small but meaningful efficiency improvements in our processes,” Sander explains. “Their research on areas like marketing and sales funnels has helped refine our strategies and improve the customer journey.” One standout example was a project by two students, Mees and Gijs, whose insights into the company’s sales and marketing funnels were implemented immediately with great results.
Bridging education and the professional world
For Sander, Saxion’s strength lies in its ability to bridge higher education and the professional field—especially in an international context. “Saxion does a great job of preparing students for the transition from study to real-world work. They arrive ready to apply their knowledge while staying open to learning new skills. Their international outlook fits perfectly with the global nature of the travel industry.”
A partnership for the tuture
Looking ahead, Sander is enthusiastic about continuing the partnership. “Definitely, we’ll keep collaborating with Saxion. The students bring great energy, fresh ideas, and real support to our team. Plus, the whole process with Saxion is smooth and straightforward, which makes it a win-win for everyone.”