Contiki takes 12 ‘storytellers’ to Costa Rica

MANILA, Philippines - As a continuation of the Earth Month initiatives from last year in the Galapagos Islands, Contiki Holidays has invited Filipino TV host  Mikael Daez and a selection of 11 inspiring storytellers from around the world to travel to Costa Rica for their newest Contiki Cares partnership (www.contiki.com/contikicares) with The Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC).

“I am extremely excited for the trip to Costa Rica and to be part of the Contiki Cares program. It’s great that I’m able to travel with a great purpose and share the experience with everyone else, most especially the Filipinos.  I’m also looking forward to meeting the other Contiki Storytellers along with Céline Cousteau during the Sea Turtle Conservancy project,” said Mikael Daez, the 26-year-old host of GMA Network’s Midnight Snack. 

From March 29 to April 7, the group of bloggers, filmmakers, photographers and social media experts will join Contiki’s sustainability partner Céline Cousteau on a VIP conservation trip, based on the brand’s own Costa Rica Unplugged itinerary. For two nights in Tortuguero, the storytellers will team up with Céline and the STC to track leatherback turtles and protect their nests from poachers in the area. When they’re not protecting the majestic endangered turtles, the storytellers will be experiencing all that bio diverse Costa Rica has to offer in true Contiki fashion — zip lining through the rainforest, rafting through the rapids, taking a dip in the hot springs and touring the canals in hopes of spotting some of the beautiful wildlife native to the area.


Aileen C. Clemente, chairman of Rajah Travel Corporation and Contiki’s general sales agent in the Philippines, said, “We are pleased to have Mikael and Nicky Daez on board as Contiki storytellers from the Philippines. Their journey will serve as an inspiration to the Filipino youth and engage them to experience life through travel. Contiki provides young travellers with an opportunity to explore different destinations in the company of other youth from different countries. It is, ultimately, a learning experience to be cherished and revisited long after the trip is over.”

Kevin Khor, head of sales and marketing for Contiki here in Asia, has played a pivotal role in engaging Mikael for this once-in-a-lifetime journey. “We have chosen 12 incredible storytellers from around the world to join us on our newest Contiki Cares project with the Sea Turtle Conservancy in beautiful Costa Rica this earth month and we are extremely excited to have Mikael Daez representing the Philippines! Through Mikael’s epic story of conservation, adventure and travelling with absolutely #noregrets — a mantra we live and breathe at Contiki, his storytelling will definitely has the powerful ability to inspire and share his incredible conservation efforts with his many young travellers and followers!’ he said.

Joining this diverse group of storytellers are the three winners from a recent contest hosted by Contiki and Matador Network — entrants were asked to submit a video, photo or written essay to describe where they felt closest to nature in hopes of winning a spot on this epic conservation adventure. The winners are from Canada, the US and the Netherlands.

Follow this conservation story on Instagram and Twitter using the #contikistorytellers  hashtag or visit contiki.com/storytellers for the chance to win a trip to Costa Rica.