Contiki is thrilled to kick off 2012 by announcing a partnership with global YouTube sensation Nadine Sykora. With 28 million YouTube views, over 196,000 loyal subscribers, 14,800 Facebook fans and more 23,500 Twitter followers, Nadine has carved out her own niche as one of the web’s most popular social media mavens and has recently been recognised as such at the 2011 Digi Awards. Young, fun and enthusiastic about travel, Nadine is the ideal representative of Contiki, the original youth travel brand since ’62, and for the first time she is journeying throughout Australia sharing her travel tales with the world.

Nadine was introduced to Contiki when she joined a media famil to Peru and Argentina in September 2011. Enthusiastic fans followed as the Canadian social media sensation blogged and uploaded videos of the trip, visiting Machu Picchu, tasting delicious Peruvian food and feeding a group of furry alpacas. Her vibrant personality and ability to connect to her viewers on a personal level attracted Contiki to partner up with Nadine as a global representative for the brand.

“I’m so incredibly thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Contiki,” says Nadine. “As a young traveller myself, it’s wonderful to be supported by a company that really understands what people like me want from travel. I can’t wait to begin filming my journey and sharing my experiences with the world."
Having just touched down on Aussie shores, Nadine will embark on a 12-day tour of the Cairns Sunshine Trail where she’ll uncover the natural wonders of Australia’s East Coast snorkeling in the Whitsundays, getting close to the native animals at Australia Zoo and enjoying an overnight stay at a cattle station.

Prior to arriving in Australia, Nadine began her adventures in New Zealand in January setting off on a Contiki multi-trip starting with a 15-day Grand Explorer tour of New Zealand. Here she hit adventure hot spots enjoying a thrilling Shotover Jet ride in Queenstown as well as checking out Bay of Island’s many amazing scenic attractions.

After Australia, Nadine will finish with a 25-day Big Indochina Adventure and a 9-day Thai Island Hopper East where she’ll see all there is to see in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Nadine’s loyal following have already begun to immerse themselves in Contiki culture by watching Nadine’s vlogs which include parasailing, zorbing and 4-wheel motorbike riding around the Kiwi countryside, and can now look forward to seeing her feed the tropical fish as she snorkels along the Great Barrier Reef in the coming days.

Alastair Campbell, Global Brand Director, Contiki, said: “Contiki has long been present in the online community, and acquiring a partnership with a YouTube star like Nadine further solidifies that presence. Nadine truly exemplifies the Contiki spirit, and we think that her enthusiastic approach to travelling is the perfect way to show off the Contiki experience.”
Fiona Hunt, Managing Director, Contiki Australia, said: “With such a strong presence on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, Nadine resonates extremely well with young travellers who are also glued to social media sites regularly tapping into these networks when planning a holiday.

“Everyone at Contiki is very excited to be partnering with Nadine and we’re embracing the opportunity to show her a fantastic time in Australia.”

Head over to Contiki’s YouTube page to check out Nadine’s latest videos which includes black water rafting in New Zealand.