Contiki collaborates with the Game of Thrones actress to bring a past traveller's incredible story to life for their newest creative initiative
TORONTO, Sept. 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Contiki (contiki.com) knows that their travellers are the world's best storytellers, and now the leading travel brand for 18-35's has enlisted the talent of famed British actress Natalie Dormer to bring to life one incredible real Contiki traveller's story.
Contiki, who has been showing young travellers the time of their lives in over 50 destinations since 1962, recently launched the #ContikiLegends project (contiki.com/legends), gathering real traveller stories dating back to the brand's launch 52 years ago. Incredible tales of adventure, hilarity, friendship and love rushed in, several of which were given a creative treatment by artists around the world, plus one standout story that was gifted with a celebrity treatment by Natalie Dormer.
Known for her integral roles in HBO's Game of Thrones*, The Tudors and the upcoming Hunger Games: Mockingjay film, Natalie Dormer is quickly becoming a household name amongst Contiki's 18-35 demographic. As the face of the #ContikiLegends campaign, Natalie got behind the camera once again to retell an incredible story of a young blind woman who leads her fellow travellers through the cobblestoned streets of Rome, finding their way back to the hotel simply by using her other senses. The story represents what Contiki is all about - connecting young people through shared adventures, challenging the ordinary and stepping outside of one's comfort zone to make every moment count.
"I really wanted to do this Contiki project as there's a little bit of nostalgia there," said Natalie Dormer. "I was last here in Rome when I was 18 doing the gap-year backpack thing and I really wish I had known about Contiki at the time, because I would have been straight on one of their holidays!"
Natalie also surprised a group of young travellers in Rome currently on Contiki's London to Athens trip. The TV and film star posed for photos with the group and chatted openly to them about all of the incredible legends they had made on the trip thus far.
"Natalie is a great fit for #ContikiLegends - her youthful exuberance and passion for life perfectly reflect the Contiki brand and we're thrilled to have her retell this authentic story, inspiring others to travel when they're young," said Brad Ford, President of Contiki Canada. "The looks on our travellers faces when Natalie walked into the room was incredible - this is definitely one Contiki legend they'll be telling over and over for years to come."
To see Natalie's video and get the full story, fans can head to contiki.com/legends, plus check out the other authentic traveller tales that have been shared as part of the campaign.
Also participating in Contiki Legends is homegrown Canadian YouTube sensation, Andrew "Gunnarolla" Gunadie, who is hosting an adventure-focused Contiki Legends challenge. Gunarolla asks consumers to "share a photo of a time when [they] embraced the unknown and just went for it for your chance to win [his/her] own Contiki legend." Submissions will be accepted on Twitter and Instagram until Wednesday, October 8 and must include the hashtags #contikilegends #gunnarolla. Full details available at Contiki.com/legends.
You've got one life and only one shot to make it count. Prove you've got the #NOREGRETS spirit and submit your own legend.
--ENDS--
*Natalie's endorsement of Contiki is in no way associated with HBO or the Game of Thrones brands.
About Contiki Holidays
Contiki is the world leader in youth travel experiences, a brand that is all about discovery, epic moments and making every second count. Our journeys unlock the local way of life in each and every destination we visit, and with over 300 trips in more than 50 countries, we see every day as the start of a new adventure.
Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation's family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has donated more than USD 2.5 million to sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The Foundation's guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders like Céline Cousteau and Costas Christ.
To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at: http://treadright.org
Media Contacts:
Marie Anne MacRae
Director of Public Relations
Contiki Holidays Canada
33 Kern Road
Toronto, ON, M3B 1S9
marieanne.macrae@travcorp.ca
416-915-7016
Erica Adelson
PR & Digital Media Specialist
Contiki Holidays Canada
33 Kern Road
Toronto, ON, M3B 1S9
erica.adelson@travcorp.ca
416-322-8468 ext. 7297
HUG#1855162