Chief Operations Officer

Growing up in Brussels, in a diverse European environment, Janneke had the privilege to meet and become friends with people from many different backgrounds. So, it comes to no surprise that she decided to study European law and Language Studies at Maastricht University. While living in Aix-en Provence and Granada during and after her studies, Janneke realized she did not want to pursue a typical desk job. She wanted to travel, meet new people and explore new places.

In 2004, Janneke’s Wens adventure began after she was asked to join one of our projects in Spain. Ever since then, Janneke worked in various positions at Wens Travel until she took over the company in 2013. Running the company, raising two children and making sure our team delivers top quality tours has been her focus ever since. As a team, we feel Wens Travel would not be the company it is without Janneke. She would go through fire for her clients and is the force behind the quality tours we deliver, again and again.

Chief Financial Officer

Tijmen’s responsibilities at Wens are finance, process management and HR. During his studies in International Business in Maastricht, Tijmen founded his own employment agency, focusing on large events and logistics in the Netherlands – an agency he has now been running for over 20 years. Having lived in different parts of the world, the urge to travel and experience different cultures remains an important part of his life.

Although being a local entrepreneur has been very rewarding to Tijmen, he never distanced himself from his original desire to work in an international environment. The step towards becoming a steady team member at Wens Travel made this possible for him. Despite the fact that Tijmen has had an important background role at Wens for many years, Tijmen took on an active role in our team in 2018. As a team, we greatly value Tijmen for his consistent patience, enthusiasm and assertive nature. Tijmen’s favorite European cities are Lucca and Florence.

Quality Manager Group Travel

Almar is our Quality Manager Group Travel and has been with Wens Travel since 1999. Many groups will remember Almar because of his tour managing talents. Traveling through Europe with our groups boosts Almar with positive energy – not only because of the smiles traveling brings to people’s faces, but also because he still finds inspiration during every tour - in every country, talking to all kinds of travelers. Apart from touring itself, Almar’s knowledge and eye for detail greatly contributes to the quality of our tours. As a team, we love Almar for his sense of humor, his positive spirit and loyalty towards us and each travel group.

Almar finds it hard to select just one favorite European destination If he has to choose though, he would say Austria, Switzerland, Sweden and Norway because of their beautiful nature and picturesque towns. Rome and Prague are his favorite cities because of their layers of history, visible in every corner you look.

Back Office Manager

Lisa is our Back Office Manager. She is responsible for most of the action that takes place behind the scenes at the Wens Travel office. After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management, Lisa started working at Wens Travel in 2011. Here, she found a job that combined her two great passions: organizing and traveling. She organised and operated many group tours before moving to her current position.

In her free time, Lisa loves traveling and the outdoors. Hence, it comes to no surprise that her favorite European destinations are the UK and Ireland. Lisa is also passionate about her plants and vegetable garden which she tends to in her spare time. She occasionally delights our team members with a gifted baby plant. It is safe to say that Lisa is one of the most thorough people at the office. She is a loyal team member and with her years of experience, the person to go to with any possible problem or dilemma.

Account Manager Operations

Originally from France, Guillaume joined our team as Account Managers Operations in 2022. He started his tourism career in France as development manager and later structure manager after obtaining a Master degree in sustainable tourism development.

At Wens, he found a fulfilling international working environment, ideal to express his professional skills and to further develop his tourism knowledge. He is keen to share his native culture and enjoys trips to France and French-speaking countries. What motivates him most: contributing in creating great memories and opportunities to discover, share and enrich travel experiences for our travelers.

In his spare time, Guillaume enjoys sports and natural areas. If he's not walking up a stream with a fly-fishing rod in his hand, you'll probably find him at the rugby field, sharing the values he holds dear such as perseverance, cooperation and commitment.

Account Manager Operations

As a Tourism Management graduate, Iris has found her place here at Wens creating European travel experiences for our groups. During her Bachelor, she organised several study trips for students and lecturers at the university and here at Wens she can develop those skills in the professional world for our contacts overseas.

Music and other performing arts are all very important to Iris. She used to be on stage herself as a dancer. It is no wonder that she loves to be able to provide unique opportunities and experiences for our performance groups who are traveling through Europe.

Ever since she was young, Iris loved to travel and share her experiences with others. That is why you will find her posting about the destinations, restaurants and hotspots she visits during her trips on several social media platforms. All to inspire her followers, friends and family to travel and explore the world as she loves to do.

Account Manager Operations

With an international background, Marina knew since a young age her passion was to work in the travel industry. Originally from Brazil, she has lived in China, UAE, Portugal and now currently living in the Netherlands where she obtained her master’s degree in Tourism, Culture & Society. Here, she developed a passion for Sustainable Tourism.

As an Account Manager Operations she is creating trips in an international working environment. She enjoys making memorable experiences and loves working within Europe due to its rich culture. She always wants to learn and be surrounded by different cultures. One of her favorite ways to do that is by trying food from all over as she believes that one of the best ways to connect with people while traveling is through food.

During her spare time, Marina enjoys blogging about her trips and promoting the importance of sustainable tourism. She hopes to inspire people to be more thoughtful throughout their travel.

Project Manager

Kristel is our project manager for the non-performing groups, incentives and conferences. In 2004 Kristel started her internship at Wens and ever since she obtained her bachelor in Tourism management, she has been a part of the Wens group. She worked in all the different departments from Europe tours to ski- and business trips. In this job she finds the best of both worlds, working with other cultures and organizing.

She already has many good memories from her time working for Wens; being a Tour Manager, working at the clients office in Salt Lake City and seeing many places and happy groups perform in Europe. Last but not least she has seen the Northern lights, but she knows there is much more to come!

In her free time she loves to go out for dinners and see new places. That is why Italy is one of Kristel’s favorite countries and South Africa is on her bucket list. Furthermore she loves to read a book, spend time with family and friends and go to the gym.

Account Manager Performances

As a performances manager and big music lover, Denise’s mission at Wens is to make sure all groups have the opportunity to enjoy and grow from their performances.

Being involved in a process where you see a connection between gaining musical experience, being introduced to different cultures and personal development is one she values very much as she feels it is a unique and inspiring combination. Denise is spontaneous, has a positive mindset and will go the extra mile to reach her goals for the people around her. Literally - because she likes representing Wens during the performances as well.

In her free time, she loves creating and telling stories about real life experiences through singing, playing theatre, writing and travelling. She is also always in the mood for a (board)game, especially when it is Ticket to Ride or Mario Kart.

Project Manager

Chantal grew up in the Netherlands and France. She has always had a tremendous passion for travel, so she decided to pursue this and study a related subject. After completing her bachelor’s degree in tourism, she worked in some very eccentric locations such as Spain, Cyprus, Tunisia, Brazil, North America, and Greece.

Chantal believes that both music and discovering new places and cultures brings people together. Now, working for Wens, it is a great way for her to contribute to fostering an understanding among people from all over the world.

Chantal enjoys practicing yoga or jogging on the beach in Zeeland or near her holiday home in Morocco when she has time to spare. She loves food and healthy cooking, with delightful chocolate desserts being her favorite indulgence.