1. Tell us your story. How did CAS Trips get started?

From humble beginnings as an international school teacher frustrated by school trips that did not captivate our students or enhance their learning outside of the classroom. After one particularly un-inspirational trip to Vienna, we decided we could do it better by creating a new methodology that immersed students into local culture, confronted global issues and allowed them to learn by doing.

2. What makes CAS Trips different from your competitors?

We have an exceptional blog article on this very topic, but in not so many words: sustainability. We know that to truly educate, we need to inspire and our Service Challenges are nothing if not inspirational. Working with grassroots NGOs we strive to curate activities in which students engage, collaborate and give back to the communities they visit in a uniquely fun, educational and meaningful way.

3. What is your favourite success story from your organisation?

Generally we work with extremely affluent students. There are too many individual stories we have witnessed on-trip to recount but when the penny of humility drops and a student is humbled by the people they are serving, it is a moving moment. Recently, while serving refugees meals at a shelter in Rome, one 16-year old boy was moved to tears by the weight of privilege he felt in that moment and vowed to use his born wealth as a continuous source of good in the world.

4. What can we expect to see from CAS Trips in the future?

Innovation in international education and sustainability.

5. Which trends do you see in educational and active youth travel?

In our sphere, the pandemic and climate change has thankfully shifted schools’ lenses to look closer to home for more sustainable travel options. I think this will only continue thanks in part to a resurgence in train travel, value and efficiency in the EU.

6. How do you work to ensure the health and safety of young travellers involved with CAS Trips?

Risk assessments are vital when dealing with minors in a position of locoparentis. This, combined with in-depth and regular Trip Leader training and communication with school leaders ensures our status as industry leaders in health and safety.

7. What was your motivation to join WYSE Travel Confederation?

Key DMC partners of ours – Discova and The Learning Adventure – both spoke highly of the value of WYSETC membership and the conference in Lisbon. As we continue our global expansion drive, finding partners who align in ethics and sustainability becomes harder and harder but WYSETC gives us a chance to be in direct contact with organizations who have already been vetted and align with our values and quality expectations.

8. Have you attended a WYSE Travel Confederation event? (WYSTC, STAY WYSE, WYSE Exchange Australia, WETM-IAC) If so, what was your experience with the event?

No

9. What is an industry challenging your organisation is facing currently?

Key DMC partners of ours – Discova and The Learning Adventure – both spoke highly of the value of WYSETC membership and the conference in Lisbon. As we continue our global expansion drive, finding partners who align in ethics and sustainability becomes harder and harder but WYSETC gives us a chance to be in direct contact with organizations who have already been vetted and align with our values and quality expectations.