Cassandra Sasso: The Path to Sustainable Travel with Wander
As the founder and CEO of Wander, Cassandra Sasso combines her years of design expertise with a passion for sustainability to create a travel experience like no other. Under her guidance, Wander has become synonymous with eco-conscious luxury, offering breathtaking travel experiences through its innovative WanderPods.
We will explore the inspiring background of Cassandra Sasso, her vision for Wander, and the incredible impact she is making on the travel and tourism industry.
Cassandra Sasso’s Journey to Founding Wander
The path of Cassandra Sasso to entrepreneurship was built on creativity, leadership, and a commitment to meaningful change. With over 15 years of experience in interior design, Cassandra’s background includes working as the Lead Interior Designer at Best Western Australasia and the Director of Spacecraft Design, where she created concept-driven designs for hospitality, retail, and residential projects. Her work always prioritised environmentally sensitive solutions, which deeply influenced her later ventures.
Cassandra’s academic achievements further highlight her well-rounded expertise. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from Macquarie University and completed an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design at Design Centre Enmore. Her time at Marbella Design Academy added an international flair to her creative skills, while her 2020 leadership program with Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) sharpened her business acumen. All these experiences laid the foundation for Wander’s innovative approach to sustainable travel.
But Cassandra’s motivation for founding Wander was fuelled by frustration with the traditional hospitality industry’s lack of commitment to sustainable practices. She envisioned something different—something better. That’s when Wander was born.
The Wander Vision
At the heart of Wander is Cassandra Sasso’s bold vision: to redefine how we travel. Instead of building massive hotel resorts in single locations, Wander flips the hospitality model. Her concept is simple yet impactful—create one room in 100 locations rather than 100 rooms in one.
Wander operates a network of modular, off-grid WanderPods nestled in some of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. From Queensland’s Scenic Rim to South Australia’s Kangaroo Island, these luxury pods offer travellers a chance to immerse themselves in nature without sacrificing comfort. Each pod is meticulously designed to blend into its environment and features sustainable systems like solar power, rainwater harvesting, and greywater treatment.
For Cassandra, the goal is to foster connections—to the land, to oneself, and to the local community. Wander is not just about unplugging from the world. It’s about reconnecting to what truly matters.
Revolutionising Regional Tourism with WanderPods
Wander isn’t just changing the travel industry—it’s uplifting regional communities. Cassandra and her team collaborate closely with local landowners and businesses to provide guests with curated experiences unique to each location. Food, beverages, and activities are co-designed to showcase the best that each region has to offer, creating economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Regional travel in Australia is on the rise, with the market projected to grow from $49 billion in 2024 to $68 billion by 2030. Yet, a lack of high-quality, eco-friendly accommodation options limits the sector’s potential. Wander addresses this gap beautifully. Its premium pods, which combine hotel-like quality with the privacy of an Airbnb, are meeting the growing demand for sustainable, high-end lodging.
Sustainability and Innovation in Travel
Cassandra Sasso’s commitment to sustainability is not just a branding strategy—it’s a core principle of Wander’s operations. Each WanderPod operates entirely off-grid, powered by renewable energy and designed to minimise its ecological footprint. With 74% of travellers preferring eco-friendly accommodation, Wander is perfectly positioned to cater to modern travellers’ needs while leaving a positive impact on the planet.
Cassandra’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Wander is now a B Corp Certified company, joining a global network pushing for equity, inclusivity, and environmental regeneration. This certification underscores Wander’s alignment with the values of conscious consumers.
Cassandra Sasso’s Leadership Style and Success Story
Cassandra Sasso’s leadership style is a blend of resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to learning. Despite Wander’s rapid growth, Cassandra emphasises the importance of patience. Starting and scaling a business is no easy feat, but her ability to stay grounded has been instrumental in Wander’s achievements.
Since its founding in 2019, Wander has launched pods in multiple locations, secured over $1.8 million in government grants, and raised nearly $1 million through crowdfunding. This financial backing has allowed them to expand their reach while maintaining their commitment to sustainability and premium customer experiences.
Her entrepreneurial philosophy reflects wisdom and wit. Reflecting on her early days, Cassandra remarks with a smile, “Do you realise what the fuck you’ve just done?” It’s a humorous reminder of the challenges entrepreneurs face but also of the exciting opportunities that come with starting a business.
Empowering Entrepreneurs and Advocating for Change
Beyond her work with Wander, Cassandra is a powerful advocate for personal and professional growth. She frequently engages with mentors, advisory boards, and educational resources to refine her leadership skills. Her love for learning extends to her reading list, too. She highly recommends Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara for unique business insights and anything by Brené Brown for leadership inspiration.
If there’s one piece of advice Cassandra Sasso would give you, it’s to remain open to learning and to seek guidance from others. Establishing an advisory board with diverse expertise has been one of the most valuable resources in her business’s success.
The Future of Wander and Transformative Travel
Wander’s growth shows no signs of slowing down. Inspired by the concept of transformational travel, Cassandra Sasso envisions Wander becoming a global network that offers consistent, high-quality experiences in stunning, nature-rich locations. Whether in Australia or abroad, WanderPods will continue to redefine luxury travel by emphasising sustainability, authenticity, and meaningful connections.
For Cassandra, Wander is more than a business—it’s a movement. She aims to inspire deeper conversations around how travel can transform our relationships with the planet, communities, and ourselves.
Explore the Wander Experience
Cassandra Sasso’s Wander has reimagined what luxury travel can be. It’s sustainable, it supports local communities, and it creates unforgettable experiences in some of the world’s most breathtaking locations. If you’re looking for a way to escape the everyday grind while leaving a positive impact, Wander is your answer.
To learn more about Wander or to book your stay in one of their innovative WanderPods, visit Wander’s Website today.
Source
YouTube – From Interior Designing to creating Eco-Cabins
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