Discova: Every Good Journey Begins With Curiosity
01-Oct-2026
Category: News Stories
There are endless ways to live, love, work, connect and travel, and that’s what I enjoy most about discovering somewhere new. Travel introduces us to different rhythms, priorities and perspectives. It reminds us that the habits we consider normal are just one version of a whole world of variety.
For me, that sense of possibility began with a world map at the back of my classroom in Ravenna, Italy, before my first family holiday abroad to Paris, with its beautiful boulevards, delicious food, enchanting language and a new discovery around every corner. I was 10-years old and realised I had a traveller’s soul.
Years later, my University's exchange programme took me to Kerala and gave me my first real experience of Asia. It was overwhelming, fascinating and wildly unfamiliar. I arrived alone, uncertain of what I had signed up for, and suddenly found myself immersed in a community of students from India and around the world.
We studied, travelled and explored together. I spent weekends travelling across the south, followed by several weeks backpacking through the north, exploring the palaces of Rajasthan. What stayed with me was the variety of life itself: the food, faith, history, humour, hospitality and countless ways people create meaning and community.
Asia challenged my assumptions and opened my eyes to what is possible.
That feeling drew me back. What was meant to be a six-month role in Phnom Penh became several years living and working between Cambodia and Singapore. I loved the pace, energy and openness I encountered there. Every day involved meeting people with different backgrounds, ambitions, ways of living life and doing business.
Travelling and working through Southeast Asia taught me that meaningful connection begins with curiosity, an open mind and an open heart. Asking good questions, listening carefully and being willing to understand another person’s perspective.
Business Development can easily be described through pipelines, targets and account management. Those things matter, but the strongest partnerships are built on something more human. They begin with understanding what my client is trying to achieve, how their business works, what their travellers value and what their greatest frustrations and opportunities are.
As Discova's Business Development Manager for Europe, my role is to understand what clients and travellers are looking for, then work with our local teams to create something unique. Some are looking for greater cultural depth. Others need new product ideas, or innovative experiences that distinguish them in our competitive market. The right solutions come from combining our client’s knowledge of their travellers with Discova’s expertise, local relationships and partnerships with our communities.
That collaborative approach is the reason why I’m so happy here at Discova. Our purpose-driven journeys reflect the kind of travel I’ve always loved.
Nine months into my role supporting our partners across Europe, I bring more than a professional interest in travel; I can share my love for the countries, cultures, and people that have been such a meaningful part of my journey.
Every partner has a different story. Every traveller is excited by something different. Every destination has more than one way to be understood and explored. For me, discovering those differences is where the most interesting conversations and the richest journeys begin.
You can meet me at upcoming trade events, including this year's ITB Asia in Singapore in October, WTM London in November, and ITB Berlin in March 2027. Please reach out for a chat; I’m always happy to see how we can work together to bring more travellers to experience Asia.
Elena
