Meet the Tour Leaders - Oliver Luo

Oliver Luo

Oliver has been working for Explore for a couple of years now and in that time he has grown as a leader. He has done an excellent job on all of his tours and shown great enthusiasm. His manager Lucy Nicholl said: "I've been impressed with how much he has been willing to learn and take on new challenges and really wants to be the best he can be in his role. Well done Olly!"

This is what Olly himself had to say when we asked him what he liked about his life as an Explore Tour Leader

The best thing about my job is to be a bridge of different cultures and people, to introduce my country to the world. The best place in my country to visit is Yangshuo where is most beautiful place in China and also the best place to see real daily life of Chinese farmers. China is a vast country with 56 different nationalities and traditions, for most of the tourists, the first interesting thing is the way we eat with chopsticks, only two slim sticks can take the place of knives and forks.

If you were given a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

U.K. Because I’ve been working for and with British for 4 years as a tour leader, I’m really interested in U.K, life, culture, how life is in U.K. etc.

What’s the best thing about life on the road as a tour leader?

I’m proud of my country and get a chance to represent it on a small scale to my clients.

Have you got any packing tips for a travelling life?

Yes, for myself I found it’s very important to bring myself - like having sense of humour and unique character.  

What do you never leave home without?

Family picture, which motivates me working hard day by day.

On tour what has made you stop in your tracks and go “Wow!”?

No matter how well I think I know China, during every tour I’m always surprised by my own country.

What’s your top tip for travelling responsibly?

I came, I saw, I left nothing. No littering on tour is one of my main pursuits.

If you had to eat just one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chinese noodle.

If you had the chance to start a new country with your own rules, what would be your first rule?

Peace, never start a war.

What was your proudest moment as a tour leader?

When I got compliment from a loyal Explore client such as I’m the best tour leader he ever had.

What was your funniest moment as a tour leader?

Once I brought my group to a kindergarten, one of my guests volunteered to show traditional Scottish dancing, so he dressed up like a girl with a skirt and danced which made everyone laughed, LOL.