MANILA, Philippines - Sofitel launched an innovative marketing operation in the form of an entertaining game: “Around the World with Sofitel: 80 Magnifique Nights.” This unique initiative takes its inspiration both from the Tales of the 1001 Nights and the novel by Jules Verne. It is an invitation to emulate Phileas Fogg, the famous character, who made the amazing wager that he could go around the world in 80 days.
The website — www.sofitel80nights.com — will enable visitors to discover the brand’s 120 addresses in 40 different countries, thanks to the interactive world map. Everybody can fill out their own virtual travel diary to create their ideal world tour of eight Sofitel destinations. The entry form will be a postcard recounting the eight stopover points that are chosen.
The prizes are 80 nights at Sofitel to be shared between the eight winners who will be selected in the draw to be held on July 18. The top prize winner will get 31 nights in a double bedroom and two flights around the world, to enable him or her to make their dream journey come true, followed by seven other winners who will be able to stay for seven nights in one of the hotels they chose, with the person of their choice.
Visitors will also be able to increase their chances of winning by becoming fans of the Sofitel Facebook page, by sending their postcards of eight destinations to friends or by becoming a member of the AIClub loyalty program run by the Accor Group. In each of these cases, the user will get extra chances to win.
This special operation will be backed up by extensive international media coverage. In addition to conventional advertising space, a dedicated area on the websites of Elle magazine in France, Germany, the United States and China will include thematic content on fashion, design and gastronomy.
A number of other international websites will also be used to publicize the operation: CNN, New York Times, Travel + Leisure and Tripadvisor.
Finally, a travel diary including a selection of special events which the Sofitel hotels from around the world want to share has been drawn up, in conjunction with the French magazine L’Officiel Voyage.
Complete rules and information are available on www.sofitel80nights.com