Worldly Women of Travel: Interview with Sofia Bournatzi

Our latest Worldly Women of Travel interview series features Sofia Bournatzi.  She is an incredible person and a dear friend. Sofia is the owner and General Manager of PASS PARTOUT.  She is a tourism marketing consultant and travel writer.  PASS PARTOUT specializes in various travel-related areas, specifically: Tourism and Hotel Marketing, Destination Branding and Management, and Special Interest Tourism Promotional Campaigns.  Her example shines light on the extraordinary impact and opportunity of travel.  It is an honor to share Sofia’s interview with you.

Per November 2024 Interview  

What / who first inspired you to travel?

I think that the first spark in everyone’s life is mainly the family. In my case, it was my father who introduced us all to the beauty of nature. Hiking, trekking, mountain climbing, swimming, and camping were included in the family activities. When changing the daily life routine becomes a necessity, then one is looking for new images and experiences for the rest of his life. This is the definition of traveling.

What / where was your most meaningful trip? Where was it, and why/how was it meaningful?

It is very difficult to separate, every journey is unique and brings back different memories. Apart from Greece, a meaningful trip in terms of self-educating and embracing the heart of a country and its culture is always a trip to Italy. Italy manages to keep a balance between the global and the local, the old and the new, the residents and the visitors. Meaningful to me is an extraversion destination that preserves its identity.

How have your experiences traveling impacted your perspectives?

All of us who are professionals in tourism know that first, we learn to travel, and then we travel to learn. This learning has to do with good environmental practices, new trends in culture, sustainable way of life, applications of technology, community support, and many more. We “steal” the knowledge from the places we visit and make suggestions to be applied to our regions. So, apart from the souvenirs, I bring back in my suitcase as much information as possible.

“First, we learn to travel, and then we travel to learn.”

What is next on your travel adventure list and why?

I will begin with the “why” part of the question. I am a tourism marketing consultant and a travel writer, so every journey is a mixture of business and pleasure. I have two journeys planned for the beginning of 2025: the first is in London to attend a Travel Fair and promote Northern Greece, and the second is in Krakow, Poland, where I will participate in the annual forum of Liberation Route Europe Foundation, which I represent in Greece. Both journeys will include museum visits, excursions, shopping, dining in local restaurants, and endless walks, just like a traditional tourist.

What advice would you give to others considering an international trip?

I do not have just one, but a series of advice: Don’t think about it too much, just go for it. Educate the children to travel, the younger, the better. Every country is different, respect and embrace all differences. Always trust the locals, for better or worse. Everything is memorable either as a happy thought or as a bad experience, time will make everything look funny and nostalgic.

“Every country is different, respect and embrace all differences.”

I hope you’ve enjoyed Part I of Sofia’s interview as much as I have!  In Part II, she will share her top 10 most enjoyable travel experiences.  Stay tuned!

Check out these links to learn more:

LinkedIn Profile – Sofia Bournatzi

LRE Foundation Forum (Liberation Route Europe)

E-travel Magazine: Pass2Greece