Students interested in studying abroad usually seek to find the safest and most effective way to maximize their travel allowance. One Marist alumnus, who now works for a travel company shared his experience and expertise in a Q&A style interview.
Mike LaPorta graduated from Marist in 2009, and after having spent a semester abroad, his travel cravings grew. He wanted to give back to students what Bus2Alps gave to him: the most memorable semester of his life. ModernTravelTalk, a capping blog dedicated to assisting students who are traveling on a budget, had the opportunity for an exclusive interview with LaPorta. Here is part of that interview. Find the full interviewat http://moderntraveltalk.com/.
MTT: What first sparked your interest in the travel industry?
LAPORTA: I first noticed it when all of my projects for my senior advertising classes were related to travel: an ad campaign for Interlaken, a self-promotion project consisting of postcard advertisements with all the places I visited while abroad. I think my interest was actually sparked by a conglomeration of my study abroad experiences, my travels with Bus2Alps and my college week trips to Tremblant and Acapulco. Seeing other people slightly older than me making a career out of my hobby is what caused me to pursue a job in tourism.
MTT: How did you begin your career with Bus2Alps?
LAPORTA: I like to think it was the second I walked into the door and booked an Interlaken trip with them. I wanted to get everyone else on this trip with me. But, it really started on the Greece Long Weekend trip. I fell down a flight of stairs and knocked out one of my teeth. I know, an odd way to start a career. I met the owners of Bus2Alps on this trip and kept insisting, despite knocking out my tooth, I was going to work for them. One year later, I sent my resume, re-introducing myself as Chip (the nickname they gave me). I guess my enthusiasm despite having knocked out a tooth, got me the job. Three and a half years later I still haven't looked back.
MTT: What is your personal favorite trip that Bus2Alps offers?
LAPORTA: Any Fall or Spring Break because you really get to know everyone on your trip. I have done many 10 plus day trips during my personal travels, and it is these trips that are life-changing. I love the opportunity to be part of someone else's life changing experience.
MTT: Bus2Alps has increased its trips and tremendously grown since 2003. What new and exciting adventures are in store for 2012?
LAPORTA: 2012 is an exciting time for Bus2Alps. 2011 showed us just how much further we can go with expanding the Bus2Alps experience to everyone who studies abroad and even those who have not. For the upcoming spring semester we have added a slew of new Spring Break trips (Eastern Europe, Morocco, a London, Paris, Amsterdam trip), all of which can be joined from the United States and from anywhere in Europe. In addition, we have expanded our weekend trips, so that all of our trips can be joined from anywhere in Europe. These include fly-in trips to Dublin for St. Patrick's Day, Prague, Barcelona, Scotland, Portugal and more. Looking beyond spring, we are organizing Summer Break trips for those who don't have time over Spring Break, but need to get away to Europe.
MTT: This past semester, Bus2Alps had its 10,000th booker of 2011. What promotions does Bus2Alps offer its loyal travelers?
LAPORTA: We love giveaways. This past semester not only did we give away a year of free travel to our 10,000th booker of 2011, but we had raffles at local bars, an online Quiz Night, and two giant sales. For the last two sales we hid free and heavily discounted trips throughout our website. These sales drew thousands of people to try to snatch up the deals. In addition, we have bigger discounts for our loyal customers, included 5 percent and 7 percent discounts for those who book more than one trip at once, 10 percent discounts for groups and free trips for bigger groups.
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