We’re looking forward to introducing you to Roxana Popescu. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Roxana , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something that brings me immense joy outside of work is knowing that my loved ones are well ( health related), and the sense of fulfillment I feel after each tour I guide. As a national tour guide, I find great happiness in seeing my tourists genuinely enjoy their experiences. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work for almost ten years in the maritime corporate world in the United States, within the excursions and expeditions department, where I met countless happy travelers. After studying all trainings required in tourism industry in my home country and qualifying as a national tour guide, I returned to guiding with a new vision leading and inspiring travelers to discover new places. What brings me true happiness is seeing a perfectly organized tour come to life and witnessing my guests leave enriched, fulfilled, and smiling.
I truly find my calling in communication and people management. I consider myself a people person with extensive experience in tourism, a field that has allowed me to explore and study the most significant attractions across more than 360 cities (and counting).
Every project in tourism, and every group I lead whether on a walking tour, a local trip, or an international circuit becomes a rich experience, filled with meaningful examples, emotions, and insights gathered from my journeys around the world.
It is deeply fulfilling when everything comes together seamlessly. the information shared, the planned itinerary, and the joy reflected on my travelers’ faces. Seeing their curiosity, enthusiasm, and genuine connection with each destination is the greatest reward. At the end of the day, when everyone feels inspired and happy, that is my ultimate happiness too.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi everyone, I am Roxana Popescu, and I am a certified National Tour Guide with an enduring passion for connecting people, cultures, and destinations. Tourism has always been more than a profession for me, it is a lifelong calling rooted in curiosity, communication, and the joy of inspiring others through meaningful travel experiences.
After almost a decade working in the Excursions and Expeditions Department for a famous american maritime corporation, I returned to my home country Romania, due to medical escalated reasons in my family, so I decided to settle down and find a clear purpose in a while to continue shaping and enriching the tourism industry at home, while bringing with me the international expertise and leadership experience gained abroad. During my time in the U.S., I participated in numerous management, coordination, and leadership training programs, all of which helped me develop a global perspective on service excellence and guest experience.
upon returning home, I wanted to reconnect with the essence of authentic tourism and ensure that my name would stand as a mark of professionalism, trust, and quality. To achieve this, I pursued every formal qualification available in the field, from Local tour guide school to National Tour Guide certifications to becoming a Trainer Public Speaker for Tourism Conferences, Podcasts, as well as a Travel Agent, and Tourism Agency Director. This comprehensive foundation allows me to approach every project with both a strategic vision and a personal touch.
What makes my work unique is the way I combine these professional skills with a genuine passion for people. Whether I am leading a walking tour, designing a local or international circuit, or guiding travelers through the hidden gems of Romania, my goal is always the same: to create enriching experiences that go beyond sightseeing. I want every guest to feel inspired, connected, and part of a story that stays with them long after the journey ends.
Each tour I design is built on years of accumulated knowledge, emotional encounters, and firsthand discoveries from over 360 cities around the world. I believe that tourism is not just about visiting places, but about sharing emotions, learning from every culture, and building bridges between people. For me, the greatest reward comes at the end of a successful journey, when I see the happiness in my travelers eyes and know they leave with beautiful memories, new perspectives, and the desire to explore even more.
Looking ahead, my mission is to promote a form of tourism that is both sustainable and transformative, one that values cultural authenticity, environmental respect, and genuine human connection. I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of guides and travelers to see the world not just as a collection of destinations, but as a shared home filled with stories worth telling and preserving. My ultimate goal is to continue being a bridge between people and places, turning every journey into a meaningful experience that enriches both the traveler and the world.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My father. He is the person behind much of my success, simply because he always knew who he was raising and believed in my potential long before I did. He has been my constant source of mental strength and motivation, guiding me to make wise decisions and to stay grounded in self-belief and dignity.
His moral support and wisdom have shaped me profoundly. He has always believed in me, my greatest supporter mentally and the one constant presence through both my successes and my failures over the years.
He encouraged me every step of the way, reminding me of my strength and potential, even in moments when I doubted myself.
He has truly been the person who saw me clearly before I could see myself: believing in my dreams, guiding me with wisdom, and inspiring me to never give up. His faith in me has shaped not only my career but also the person I’ve become.
In my case, my father provided great mental and emotional support, especially during times when I failed.
In the end, no one truly needs external validation, what matters most is believing in yourself. Your values, mindset, and attitude will ultimately attract the opportunities you deserve.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I would tell her to keep that same curiosity, energy, and love for life. I was a child who loved sports, who spent every free moment outdoors, exploring parks, ice skating, rollerskating and discovering the beauty of nature. I was playful, full of imagination, a lover of reading, learning, and adventure. I would remind my younger self to never lose that sense of wonder and connection with the world, because that pure joy of exploration and curiosity would one day become the foundation of who I am a guide, a traveler, and a lifelong learner.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me. And perhaps that’s why, at times, it comes with its challenges. I’m a spontaneous and direct person by nature, and sometimes that openness can be misunderstood, because of my profession, I naturally speak a lot, share stories, and express my passion for culture and traditions yet, what I see as enthusiasm and connection can sometimes be perceived as self-promotion or exaggeration.
Not everyone resonates with that energy. From my colorful clothing style to my storytelling nature, I know I can sometimes be seen as ‘too much’ in a world that often prefers simplicity and quiet. But the truth is, I am full of life, with a child mind, child heart, colors, and stories and that’s who I genuinely am. It may be intense at times, but it’s authentic.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in my garden. I believe this love for nurturing and caring for living things comes from my family, my parents always raised something, whether it was a dog, a little turtle, a frog, or an aquarium fish or any other animal or marine animal. For me, being surrounded by nature, tending to plants, and watching them grow brings a profound sense of calm and fulfillment. My garden is my sanctuary, a place of quiet reflection and joy, where I can connect with life and creativity in its simplest, most beautiful form.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxana_excursionstogo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxana-popescu-3a4087224/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066291206163
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@excursionstogo
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