Hello, and welcome! Today, I’m sharing a personal story about my early travel experiences and how they shaped my path toward a Tourism Degree—not just about my travels but also about my journey into Tourism Business Management and how I found my calling. These were the first big trips I took when I was young, long before the adventures I’ve shared in this site—experiences that planted the seed for my love of travel and tourism.

As a traveler, do you share a similar story? How did you end up in the world of traveling yourself? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear your stories.

Where It All Began

Unlike families who vacation every year at luxury resorts, my parents and I didn’t have that lifestyle— I don’t think my parents were the type, even if they were able to afford it. However, we did have a few unforgettable travel experiences.

In 2004, we traveled to France for a gynecology congress my father attended. Then, in 2006, we made it to Germany for the FIFA World Cup—a dream my father worked hard to fulfill. These weren’t just vacations; they were sacrifices, with my father saving every bit to make them happen, even if it meant living frugally afterward.

There’s actually a funny family anecdote from that trip—a classic “only in our family” moment. When we were leaving Germany to return to Mexico, my dad was detained and prohibited from leaving the country due to paperwork issues. My mom, my brother, and I had no choice but to travel back home without him. Since neither my mom nor I spoke English well enough to navigate the airports, my brother became our official spokesperson, getting us through the different checkpoints and helping us communicate with the staff.

When we finally made it home, we opened the fridge to find… only the souvenir ham and wine my dad had bought in Germany and a single, sad, lonely lemon—which I, very dramatically, dubbed “the last survivor.” I can’t quite remember how long it took for my dad to return, but in the meantime, we had to make do with whatever food was left and wait for him to come back, start working again, and pick up the pieces after the financial investment of that trip.

Of course, my mom was the most stressed out during all of this—understandably so! Meanwhile, my dad was sleeping at the airport and stubbornly demanding assistance from airline and immigration staff, who had decided to ignore him and let him go on for days without resolution. At some point, a kind Mexican woman took him in, much to the frustration of her very grumpy German husband, who protested, “Er ist kein Kinder!” (something along the lines of “He’s not a child!”). My dad, picking up on the word kinder, quickly responded, “No, I’m not a kinder, so I’ll go!”—or at least, that’s how he retells the story.

Those were the biggest trips of my childhood—until I later embarked on life-changing adventures that I have shared in this blog, like interning in Bangkok, Thailand and backpacking across New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

As my brother and I grew older, things changed. The 2008-2009 economic crisis hit Mexico hard, and with increasing education expenses, travel took a backseat. But after some difficult years, we reached a point where, while we couldn’t afford extravagant trips, we could start exploring again.

That’s when we began touring different regions of Mexico, visiting Guanajuato, Chiapas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Mexico City, Puebla, and Yucatán—and that reignited my passion for travel.

Why I Studied Tourism

Even though I still have a long way to go before visiting all 32 states of Mexico, these experiences shaped me. My parents exposed me to the richness of Mexican folklore, traditions, and the visual colorful beauty of culture. I became fascinated with how different places tell unique stories through landscapes, architecture, and traditions.

Looking back, I didn’t realize it then, but those early experiences led me to one of the biggest decisions of my life: choosing my career path. By the time I was in junior high, I knew—Tourism was the way to go. No questions asked.

The Challenges of the Tourism Industry

Studying and working in tourism wasn’t always easy. Along the way, I faced:

• Industry stereotypes – The perception that tourism is just about luxury resorts, beaches, and mass consumption.
• Corporate bureaucracy – A rigid business-first mentality that often prioritizes profits over meaningful experiences.
• Inner struggles – Realizing that the industry didn’t always align with my values, leaving me constantly questioning my path.

I wanted something deeper, more meaningful—not just catering to tourists but creating enriching experiences that respected cultures, traditions, and local communities.

So, I took a step back and reevaluated my passions.

Becoming a Travel Blogger

That’s when I saw the connection between travel, tourism, and my love for art, culture, and ethnic diversity. Instead of fitting into the traditional tourism mold, I decided to carve my own path—one that aligned with my values.

I launched my personal brand, this blog, and my YouTube channel to explore travel in a way that felt more authentic, responsible, and fulfilling.

Backpacking Southeast Asia

One of the biggest milestones in my journey was my first backpacking trip through Southeast Asia. My partner, Jona, and I:

• Flew from Bangkok to Malaysia, spending a month traveling to Singapore.
• Explored Bali and traveled overland to Jakarta by bus and train.
• Flew to Brunei, then visited Sarawak and Sabah in Borneo.
• Journeyed through Laos and Northern Thailand before making our way back to Bangkok.
• Finally, we flew to New Zealand, where our next adventure began!

Final Thoughts

Looking back, every challenge, struggle, and moment of self-discovery has led me to where I am today. My passion for tourism isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about understanding cultures, connecting with people, and sharing meaningful experiences.

If you’re on the fence about your career path or wondering how to align your passion with your profession, trust the journey. Sometimes, the road isn’t straight, but it always leads you where you’re meant to be.

Have you ever had a travel experience that changed your perspective on life? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!Hello there, and welcome to this blog post. Today I’m sharing a little bit of My Travels & Tourism Degree Storytime. To make it a little bit more clear… I’m not speaking only about my travels but also about my calling & my university degree – Tourism Business Management.

Thailand

Check out my Thailand page to start planning your trip

Malaysia

Check out my Malaysia page to start planning your trip

Singapore

Check out my Singapore page to start planning your trip

Indonesia

Check out my Indonesia page to start planning your trip

Laos

Check out my Laos page to start planning your trip

Hong Kong

Check out my Hong Kong page to start planning your trip

Van Trip New Zealand

Check out my New Zealand page to start planning your trip