Meet ImpacTrip Team: Local Coordinator Barcelona
Maria João Gens is one of our local coordinators in Barcelona. Besides she assumes herself as “proudly Portuguese” Barcelona has been her home for a couple of months already. A top-quality professional, she is part of a local team that always ensures that you have the best experience abroad from the moment you arrive in Spain until your last day.
3 curiosities about you: “(1)I had Japanese classes during 3 year in college, but I hated it (but I still love sushi!) (2) My guilty pleasure is Eurovision (I went to Lisbon to watch it live in 2018!) (3) My favorite childhood memory is watching Titanic on loop on Sunday mornings”
Describe yourself in 3 words: “Curious, hard-working and organized”
What does travel means to you? “Travel… is the only thing you buy that makes you richer!”
Why did you choose to be part of ImpacTrip Team? “Actually, it was ImpacTrip that has chosen me! But I think it was a perfect match since I love the company mission and vision. I really like the work I do here, and I am more than happy to be part of this team.”
The most remarkable moment for you at ImpacTrip? “Coming to work in Barcelona and be under lockdown after the first two-weeks here!”
What is for you the biggest challenge in the tourism sector nowadays? “If you asked me this question 2 months ago, I would have a completely different answer. But since right now we’re dealing with a global pandemic that is affecting the tourism sector, I think this is our main challenge nowadays: overcoming this crisis reinventing the travel business.”
The most unforgettable experience abroad and why? “My trip to Colombia. Because I was travelling alone for the first time, with a group of 200 Spanish and Latin-American teenagers (I was the only Portuguese!). For 1,5 months I was sleeping on tents, with no technology and challenging myself day after day”
The 2 things you admire more in people: “Honesty; humility”
What’s your favorite travel time and type? “I love travelling on Easter time because usually the weather is really nice, and the flowers are blooming” Nature/City? “A city with lots of green areas.” Hot/Cold? “Hot weather (not too sweaty, however!)” Beach/Mountain? “A mix between the two.”
Three things you always take with you when you travel: “a travel diary, a customized travel booklet (I do my own “Lonely Planet” guides) and my phone (to take photos)” and three things you never take with you when you travel: “heels, jewelry and make-up (that’s why I only take landscape photos haha)”
Leave your motto: “Be the change you want to be in the world”
