Cassandra Jacqueline, 21, has enjoyed over $50k worth of luxury holidays this year as men have paid to fly her around the world on exotic dates. Photo / Caters News Agency
Cassandra Jacqueline, 21, has enjoyed over $50k worth of luxury holidays this year as men have paid to fly her around the world on exotic dates. Photo / Caters News Agency
A cash-strapped student has enjoyed more than $50,000 worth of luxury holidays this year, when rich men paid to fly her around the world on exotic dates.
Cassandra Jacqueline, 21, from Adelaide, South Australia, couldn't afford to travel overseas on her minimum wage as a waitress.
But after joining dating site Miss Travel, the languages student has enjoyed several all-expenses paid trips abroad to numerous destinations, including Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Bali and even a five-star trip to Japan.
After joining the dating site, Miss Travel, the languages student has enjoyed several all-expenses paid trips abroad to numerous destinations. Photo / Caters News Agency
Some people have likened the unusual form of dating with prostitution, but the young singleton thinks it's the best way to date and can't imagine enjoying conventional rendezvous again.
"I've had the best holidays because of the strangers that want to take me on far-away dates. It's honestly killed normal dating for me."
Cassandra was backpacking through China on a budget when she heard about the latest trend, destination dating.
She said: "When I first heard about travel dating, I thought it was too good to be true.
"I was making my way through China at the time, living on a budget of about $10 a day which was incredibly stressful.
"Then I met a couple who seemed completely loved up.
"The 'wife' later revealed that her 'husband' was in fact someone she'd just met a few days earlier and the trip they were enjoying was their first date.
"As soon as I heard about Miss Travel, I knew it was a dating experience I wanted to be a part of.
"After all, I was young and single. I had nothing to lose."
Back home in Adelaide, struggling student Cassandra joined the dating site, and soon she was chatting to several potential suitors.
She said: "It was nerve-racking at first. I'd listed on my profile that I was looking for someone to pay for my ticket and I didn't know how the guys would take it.
"But when I started talking to a businessman from Adelaide, who was going on a trip to Singapore for work and wanted company, I decided to take the plunge.
Cassandra Jacqueline said: In the last year Ive been to places I could never have visited alone. Photo / Caters News Agency
"We met beforehand and definitely clicked, so I was excited for our second date in a foreign location.
"We flew business class and stayed at the Marina Bay hotel, which costs $950 a night, and has a beautiful skyline infinity pool.
"Every day he'd go off to fulfil his work commitments and I'd stay at the hotel, using the breathtaking pool while enjoying cocktails.
"One afternoon he even paid for me to go to Universal Studios.
"I didn't mind that I was alone as I was getting to explore an exciting new country and didn't have to worry about the cost.
"In the evenings, we'd meet and enjoy dinner and talk about our days. It was perfect."
Sadly, love didn't blossom for Cassandra after her first paid-for date, but she wasn't deterred by the experience.
Cassandra Jacqueline,the young singleton, thinks its the best way to date and cant imagine ever enjoying conventional rendezvous again. Photo / Caters News Agency
She said: "I started talking to an American not long after who was working in Asia and we agreed to meet in Bali for a few days.
"We met at the airport, which was a bit awkward, but because of the nature of the date, it didn't take long to relax.
"We stayed in a villa together with private rooms and unfortunately there wasn't any chemistry between us.
"But we had a great time, hiking through the rice paddies and enjoying the local cuisines.
"How can you possibly have a bad date in such an amazing location?"
In October of this year, that Cassandra went on her most luxury getaway to date, a month long trip around Asia, where no expense was spared.
She said: "This guy really took his time to get to know me, and suggested taking me on my dream trip to Japan, followed by short stays in Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand.
"I'd wanted to explore Japan because my favourite book is Memoirs of a Geisha and he decided to take me to where it had been set.
Cassandra Jacqueline on one of her luxurious getaways. Photo/ Caters News
"He whisked me off on a first class flight, which was an out-of-this-world experience.
"The men I've met are all in high-powered jobs and find it hard to meet women. They just want company.
Though Cassandra raves about her year travelling the world, meeting potential partners, some of her friends and family are unconvinced by the process. Photo / Caters News Agency
"Plus, before we even meet we always know we have a shared passion - travel!
"If love was to blossom, that's a bonus.
"I've never felt under pressure to have sex with any of my dates. If something happens, it's because we feel a connection and want to explore it. Not because they've paid for my flight."
Before accompanying men on trips abroad, Cassandra says she has ground rules, such as agreeing not to drink too much and ensures she gets to know her date before meeting.
She added: "I have been offered so many amazing experiences in such a short amount of time that I can't think of a better way of dating.
