Gap Adventures' Create Your Own Adventure Contest Posts Strong First Week Results

    TORONTO, ON, February 21, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Create Your Own Adventure, (www.createyourownadventure.com), the largest and most ambitious interactive competition ever staged by Gap Adventures, has proven a resounding success in its first week.

The global online contest invites everyone from once-a-year vacationers to seasoned globetrotters to submit an itinerary for the tour of their dreams, virtually anywhere in the world, virtually any way they want. The response and enthusiasm has been tremendous so far.

Nearly 1,000 people on three continents submitted their dream itineraries in the first week of the competition, while an additional 1,800 contestants signed on for a chance to enjoy the winning entry. People have taken the time and initiative to complete some truly compelling entries that have captivated the attention of both long-time Gappers (Gap Adventures staff) and dedicated travellers from around the world.

The majority of international traffic visiting the unique Create Your Own Adventure contest site in the first week came from the United States and Canada, followed by Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The winner will be determined through public online polling and input from a panel of world-renowned judges. The itinerary will then be featured in a Gap Adventures brochure in 2011.

"We're thrilled by the tremendous response to this fun, interactive contest," said Gap Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip. "For the past 20 years, we've created life-changing trips for our passengers to enjoy, but clearly they're embracing the chance to build their dream itineraries themselves and engage with their fellow travellers. For us, this contest was about creating happiness and community around the world--so far, it's mission accomplished."

Some of the most unique entries have already begun generating buzz and debate, including Ryan Fossella's Spy Mission: European Edition (http://createyourownadventure.com/tour/tjz7LC5uj8T3/). The itinerary would visit Switzerland, Germany and Italy. As he puts it, "The goal (of the trip) will be to do all of the cool stuff spies/military operatives do, but without the danger of being killed or the discomfort of sleeping in a tree. Think of it as a cross between a James Bond movie and an episode of 24." The I Think I've Died and Gone To Africa tour (http://createyourownadventure.com/tour/PzGJX3SnWM0S/) created by Emma Bishop is sure to sway voters by offering them the chance to explore the wilds of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, while Michael Lemmon's epic 16-day Road Trip: Central Asian Style (http://createyourownadventure.com/tour/ccZafZZo5NvN/) itinerary promises a thrilling trek across Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and China.

Deadline for itinerary submissions is March 31, 2010. Everyone with a winning tour idea can log on to (www.createyourownadventure.com) and use the customized itinerary engine to select up to three countries to include as part of their trip, a name and duration for the tour and a selection of highlights and activities. They will then be asked to provide a summary of why they think theirs is an adventure like none other.

The creator of the winning tour will have the opportunity to experience their adventure along with two lucky friends, and enjoy a host of exciting prizes--provided by Sony Canada, Lonely Planet, KEEN Footwear and World Nomads--valued at up to $10,000. In addition, five other participants from around the world will be chosen through a draw to join the lucky creator on this inaugural trip. The winner will be announced May 25, 2010.

About Gap Adventures
Gap Adventures is a world leader in the adventure travel industry offering small group adventures on all seven continents and beyond to more than 100,000 global travellers annually. The award-winning trips, which focus on culture, nature and active travel, are ideal for those with a sense of adventure - people who want to leave the beaten path and authentically immerse themselves in a local culture or environment to experience the real world in a sustainable manner. Demonstrating its ongoing cultural, social and economic commitment to responsible tourism, Gap Adventures established the Planeterra Foundation, as a way the company and its passengers can give back to the communities visited. For more information, please visit (www.gapadventures.com) and (www.planeterra.org)

Media Contact:
Marie Anne MacRae
Business Development & Media Relations Manager
Gap Adventures
Direct: 416 263-4675
[email protected]

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