108,900 kilometres, dozens of travel destinations, and one Vacationer with the dream job of a lifetime…what an adventure!
It has been an incredible year for Kate McKenna from Oakville, ON who was hired to Fly, Tan, Blog, Get Paid as the Vacationer for Transat Holidays. Travelling to some of the most beautiful and extraordinary travel destinations in the world, Kate has been reporting on her adventures and sharing her experiences with a global audience via blogs, photo diaries and video up-dates at www.vacationer.transatholidays.com and Facebook.com/transatvacationer.
The leader in Canada’s holiday travel industry, Transat Holidays offered the dream job of a lifetime: a Vacationer for a Year. The company received more than 310,000 visits on its micro-site where Kate posted 100+ photo diaries and video up-dates of her incredible adventures.
Chosen from thousands of applicants from across the country, Kate was one of ten English finalists competing for the opportunity to travel for one year and visit some of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world. Pierre-Luc Cloutier, a 24 year old web consultant was chosen as the official French-speaking Vacationer.
“We want to extend our sincere thanks to Kate who embraced this job with such enthusiasm, confidence and passion for adventure,” says Denise Heffron, Vice President National Sales and Commercial, Transat Holidays. “Kate has such a charming and colourful way of presenting a place through the people she meets. Her warm personality and zest for adventure made her the perfect Vacationer! We are thrilled by the incredible success of this award-winning campaign and the overwhelming response from thousands Canadians who not only applied for the Vacationer position but continued to follow the year-long adventure!”
The adventure began on Mexico’s beautiful West Coast in January 2011 and since then, Kate has visited a variety of breathtaking destinations; met with fascinating people; indulged in delicious local cuisine; relaxed and rejuvenated at luxurious spas; and created lifelong memories. From Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece, Turkey, France, Spain and Italy, Kate visited some of the most interesting destinations where she celebrated her keen sense of adventure and passion for travel.
Click here to experience a taste of Kate’s amazing year as the Vacationer for Transat Holidays.
“This has been the ultimate, perfect job for me and it's hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that this year is almost over. To say it's been incredible would be an understatement,” says Kate McKenna, 25 year old, Vacationer for Transat Holidays. “It's been the best year of my life and I feel so privileged to have had this unique experience and met so many unforgettable people. I will never forget the year I've had and the places I've visited!”
“As for what's next, I'm looking to develop my skills as an online host while also moving into television and radio,” says Kate. “I know that I have a lot to offer given how much I've learned in terms of hosting, producing, shooting and editing and I'm really excited about what the future holds, career-wise.”
Best Meal — Linguine Carbonara in Rome
Most Embarrassing Moment — Falling out of a (parked) kayak in Marseille
Most Memorable Culinary Experience — Attempting to bake baguettes in Paris
Athletic Endeavour of the Year — Climbing La Soufriere Volcano in Guadeloupe
Unforgettable Canadian Connection — Befriending a Canadian shop owner in Istanbul
Warmest Welcome — The people from the tiny town of Maynooth, Ireland
Best Purchase — “Jackie O.” sandals from the celebrated “Poet Sandal Maker of Athens”
Tastiest Tour — Adventurous Appetites Tapas Tour in Madrid
Most Scream-Worthy Adventure — Treetop Bobsledding in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Most Awe-Inspiring Moment — Soaring through the skies on a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey
Transat Holidays provides its customers with the full range of holiday products. During the winter season, Transat Holidays focuses on sun vacations, offering a choice of more than 175 hotels, mainly in the Caribbean and Mexico; in summer, it offers an impressive array of flights, packages and tours to some 30 European destinations. Transat Holidays also offers a year-round selection of more than 150 cruises. For more information, please visit www.transatholidays.com.