Hyatt Resorts has debuted six online webisodes of the “Ultimate Adventure Challenge,” a unique online reality series featuring the adventures in culture, cuisine, and outdoor activities of five finalist U.S. families.The series can be viewed on www.HyattAdventureChallenge.com where “armchair adventurers” can watch the excitement unfold and experience each of the destinations from home while voting for their favorite family. The challenge culminates on Friday, September 28 when official winners are announced of the contest and sweepstakes - the family with the highest percentage of votes and one at-home viewer selected at random - each of whom will be awarded 50 free nights to use at any Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.

The filming of the “Ultimate Adventure Challenge” took place in July at three Hyatt Resorts properties including Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa; Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa; and Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. Five finalist families engaged in destination adventures including a western rodeo at Tamaya, kayaking at Lake Tahoe and surfing in Kauai. The five families were selected in June from a field of 20 semi-finalists at an in-person casting call in Chicago. Semi-finalists were chosen from a field of video submissions received from across the country in April and May.

Adventure travel is on the rise according to the Travel Industry Association’s Adventure Travel Report, which reveals 50 percent of Americans experienced an adventure trip in the past five years. Hyatt Resorts offers an array of adventurous activities. Through the challenge, five families were selected to participate in the actual trip while at-home viewers can experience the tasks vicariously through the webisodes now airing online.

“Each Hyatt Resorts property allows guests to create their own adventure travel experience,” remarks Scott Seed, director of resort marketing, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. “With the Ultimate Adventure Challenge, we aimed to engage families on vacation and encourage them to experience the unique destination-specific activities at each property whether they are the ultimate thrill-seekers or amateur adventurers.”

As diverse as the families were, they came together and bonded on this two-week trip adventure challenge road trip. Throughout the webisodes, viewers will see that each family brings a different perspective on adventure travel:

- The O’Neill Family of Boise, ID single handedly created the local YMCA “Kids Helping Kids” program. The active and enthusiastic O’Neills are just as invested in their philanthropic work as they are in their traveling, from crab catching in the San Juan Islands to hiking excursions at Gospel Hump, ID.
- The Seven Family of Birmingham, AL have snorkeled in the Red Sea, Egypt and are thrill seekers at heart, often found skiing in the Utah mountains or backpacking through the trails of Hawaii.
- The Li Family of Miami, FL are pros when it comes to Asian travel. Well traveled and tight-knit, the Lis make frequent trips to Cambodia, Japan and Taiwan to expose their 12-year-old son, Andrew, to his Asian heritage, while allowing him to absorb local American values in their current hometown of Miami.
- The Sonnad Family of Everett, WA is their town’s equivalent to The Simpsons. Not only is the humorous and inquisitive Sonnad family avid fans of the Matt Groening show, they make it a point to travel to tropical locations to fulfill their love of water sports.
Prior to the challenge, the Moore Family of Tampa, FL had traveled to 42 states within the United States. Adding two more to the roster, they have a goal to visit the remaining six states within the next two years. They are also dedicated to the karate training of their 12-year-old daughter, Sarah, a first-degree black belt holder who is a recurring title winner in the North American Sport Karate Association.
Created to inspire families and young guests to embark on new and unique adventures, the “Ultimate Adventure Challenge” launched in April targeting families with children ages 9 to 12 years old who submitted creative 90-second videos that conveyed their passions for adventure and exploration while noting why their family should be selected for the competition.
——-