This result sees WYSE celebrating HI's
"Big Blog Exchange", the largest Blog contest in history, as the most innovative and inspirational Marketing Campaigns of the year.
The WYSE Marketing Innovation Award has praised the unique and creative way that Hostelling International has engaged its customers, with the innovative Big Blog Exchange shining as the only campaign of its kind.
HI's CEO, Mikael Hansson, says "We are delighted to be honoured for this campaign. The response to our Big Blog Exchange has been overwhelming, allowing us to promote our organisation to around 170 countries in such a short space of time. Sharing the experiences of the winning bloggers has also proved how global interaction can inspire young people to spread peace and understanding throughout the world, which has been part of our mission for over 80 years."
The campaign invited bloggers from around the world to put themselves forward to win an opportunity to exchange lives, traditions and blogs with another blogger. After the initial selection process, where 1,200 bloggers applied, 100 finalists were chosen to share with the online community how they would change the world using the power of their blogs if they were lucky enough to win.
Sixteen winners were then chosen to take part in the Exchange trip of a lifetime, travelling around the world immersing themselves in a life and culture of a blogger from another country. Their experience demonstrated that through education and global experience, they could make small changes to stop big conflicts. Their stories are unique and compelling and have been told to the world through their own blogs and the
Big Blog Exchange website.
Some of their experiences are shared below and on the
HI site:
Katherine from New Zealand found the Argentinian buses amazing; "I went cami suite or tutto letto class and the seats were HUGE! You also had your own tvs to watch movies, and got fed breakfast, lunch and dinner, with lots of wine and champagne! Was definitely luxury travel at its best and 20 hours flew by!"
South African blogger Didi, said of Ghent "It made me feel like I was so free and alive! I wanted to cycle all day long. It was so much fun and people in the city as well as motorists were very conscious and careful of cyclists. Cycling in these beautiful cities made me feel so alive!"
Kisty from Singapore loved the British Sunday Roast best, and food blogger Tina from Germany said of the Philippines, "If you love pork, you have to try Cebu lechon, juicy, tender and soooo amazing and tasteful." ForClaire from France her most memorable experience was snorkelling and swimming in natural falls in Bonito.
