Dubbed 'The Backpacker Intern,' Netherlands native Mark van der Heijden has been travelling around the world on a shoe string budget. The creative copywriter is now fully engaged in a mission to trade skills and expertise with companies in exchange for food and board.
By replacing payment with know-how, Heijden has so far been able to make his way through the doors of companies such as the Adventure Film School, Amnesty International Thailand and DDB California.
Ultimately, Heijden aims to gain experience in the 7 continents while spreading the message about his journey on social media. This encourages readers and followers to develop similar tourism programs that pair professionalism with valuable exposure to different business operations throughout the globe.
Worker Travel Exchange Projects
The Backpacker Intern Swaps Skills for Travel and Foreign Shelter
Trend Themes
1. Skills-for-services - Opportunity for individuals to exchange their skills and expertise for services or goods instead of traditional payment.
2. Global Skill Exchange - Growing trend of professionals seeking international experiences by offering their skills to companies around the world.
3. Social Media Tourism Programs - Increasing popularity of using social media to promote and share experiences in tourism programs that combine professional development and travel.
Industry Implications
1. Education - Education industry can explore skill exchange programs to provide students with practical experience in exchange for services or goods.
2. Non-profit - Non-profit organizations can benefit from the skills and expertise of travelers by offering them food and board in exchange for their assistance.
3. Tourism and Travel - The tourism and travel industry can create innovative programs that allow professionals to contribute their skills while exploring different business operations around the world.