The WYSE Work & Volunteer Abroad – Outstanding Volunteer Project 2014
Winner: African Impact
African Impact runs several volunteer projects in Cape Town, South Africa which have a common goal of supporting
sustainable community driven change. Collaborating with strategic partners from disadvantaged communities, volunteers
help promoting education, sports and nutrition amongst vulnerable children.
In 2013 their volunteers number on the Cape Town projects rose by 36%.
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The STAY WYSE Green Initiative 2014
Winner: Twentytu Hi-tech Hostel
Twentytú Hi-tech Hostel in Barcelona describes itself as a friendly, eco-hostel, with plenty of design and technology initiatives which make it an innovative venue destined to promote entrepreneurship,
business and talent. The ‘hostel’ has been designed as a “low-cost” icon that includes energy efficiency and the use of new technologies as its
differentiating elements. It was the first tourist accommodation building in Barcelona to obtain the maximum score in energy efficiency,
and it is a member of UNESCO’s sustainable buildings platform called Construction 21 Green initiatives.
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The WYSE Award for Social Responsibility 2014
Winner: GoAbroad for the Hurricane Haiyan Projects.
A young woman called Elsa Thomasma, a member of the GoAbroad staff who fundraised and worked obsessively to erect a storm evacuation centre in her volunteer village of Cangumbang. It was finally completed in August of 2013. On November 7th Hurricane Haiyan landed causing colossal destruction. All surrounding villages suffered casualties, but all villagers in Elsa’s village survived and the story made the international news. Following the hurricane GoAbroad staff led the relief efforts and raised $150,000 in emergency funds.
Read more about Elsa’s story here.
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App Yap Award 2014
Winner: Touchnote
The Touchnote app takes photos and turns them into picture postcards. This allows its users to take their coolest, favourite
photos and send them as real picture postcards to their friends and family. Touchnote reached 5 millions downloads.
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WYSE Work and Volunteer Abroad “Best Work Experience” Video Contest 2014
Winner: ‘Mountain Creek’ by Diego Fuenzalida with sending organisation Universal Student Exchange
When Diego arrived at Mountain Creek Resort to work in the Rental Deoartment he found a spectacular place with amazing people who quickly became his new family.
About his experience, Diego says: “This experience has and will always have a place in my heart. I will never forget the memories I made and the friends I
made along the way”
Watch the winning video here.
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Best B2B Tech Product 2014
Winner: Illusions Online
Illusions offers one-stop travel technology solutions devoid of operational deficiencies and complications. Illusions’ system simplistically
adapts and responds effectively to the ever-changing market requirements and conditions of the travel industry, providing the
optimal level of client service, making it a one of a kind travel technology solution provider among its diverse industry base.
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The Innovation in Marketing Award 2014
Winner: YHA England and Wales
In 2013 YHA launched the excellent marketing campaign Road Trip and Live More, which included sending an unsigned band around the UK in a YHA camper van to play free impromptu gigs at five of their most iconic hostels. Their campaigns allowed YHA England and Wales to grow their Facebook community by 255% with a social media engagement just shy of 40,000 students and increased like-for-like sales by 235%.
Check the winning campaign here and here.
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Extraordinary Experience 2014
Winner: Projects Abroad and Cillian McGorman
Cillian, from Dunshaughlin, County Meath at the age of just 15, started fundraising to take not just himself, but his entire school class to volunteer farming in Ghana. After the school’s approval, Cillian and his classmates tried every possible way to raise money – bag packs, church gate collections, sponsored sponsored cycles and runs – to make the adventure possible. After landing in Ghana, Cillian and his school divided their time
between working on an agricultural project and volunteering in an orphanage.
Discover more about their experience here.
Consumer Voted Awards:
Best Airline for Youth 2014
Winner: Emirates
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Best Youth Destination 2014
Winner: U.S.A.
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Best Youth Accommodation 2014
Winner: HOAX Liverpool
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Best Youth Travel Provider 2014
Winner: STA Travel