Gapyear.com are teaming up with Zoom Airlines and VIA Rail, Canada’s national passenger rail service to launch “Challenge Canada” - a multimedia travel competition targeted at creative students and backpackers.Challenge Canada’ is looking for talented students interested in a career in film, TV, travel or journalism to enter into this competition and put their studies to the test.

Entries are being invited from students across the country that are able to prove they are creative, entertaining and have a passion for all that Canada has to offer. You must create a profile on gapyear.com and create a sample travel blog and video diary of a UK location of your choice, to be in with a chance of winning. Three entrants will be short listed and invited down to London for the exciting grand finale which is being kept top secret until the day.

The winner, plus a friend, will be provided with flights on Zoom Airlines, flying into Halifax and returning from Vancouver, GBP2,000 worth of spending money and rail passes courtesy of VIA Rail, to travel across Canada in four weeks. A series of challenges will have to be undertaken along the way and in return, the student will produce an imaginative and entertaining travel blog and promotional short film.

Lori Burke, Marketing Manager of Zoom Airlines comments:

“This is a very exciting challenge and one which will provide outstanding work experience for budding students. Canada offers an array of stunning outdoor scenery, varied wildlife and city attractions. The challenges set will cover all of Canada’s iconic offerings and test even the most enthusiastic traveller. What better way to gain media experience and enjoy a truly fantastic trip.”

Tom Griffiths, founder of Gapyear.com says

“This is the most exciting prize and opportunity we have given any student in the past ten years. We would like to thank our friends at Zoom Airlines & VIA Rail because without them this would not have been possible. Not only is this an amazing trip, but it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase your writing, video and presenting talents to future employers. Ultimately we are looking for someone who is dedicated, creative and can be trusted to deliver a regular well-written travel blog & short promotional film.”

Lee George, Sales & Marketing Manager of VIA Rail comments:

“Challenge Canada was a superb project from day one for us. We are always looking for ways to improve the perception of rail travel amongst independent travellers and Challenge Canada enables rail travel to truly shine. We are a Great Train Journey of the World, Canada was created and developed along our tracks. We capture the essence of what it is to experience the whole country and to leave Canada feeling fulfilled that you’ve experienced the whole country and not just popped in for a visit. It has been a pleasure to take part in and develop an initiative like this with so many complementary partners”.
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