Norwegian Cruise Line’s Walk for Wellness Wraps Up with a World Record
Unprecedented Number of Travel Industry Professionals Walked Around the World More than Seven Times During October
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 57-year history of breaking boundaries, has closed out its most successful Walk for Wellness initiative yet, smashing all participant and distance targets to achieve a world record, thanks to the fantastic participation and engagement of professionals from across the travel industry.
During this year’s month-long event to support the physical and mental wellbeing of the travel community, a record number of participants laced up their sneakers to walk a magnificent 292,408 kilometres, or 415,348,286 steps, – the equivalent of walking around the world more than seven times – setting an official world record for the Longest Distance Achieved by a Team of Travel Professionals in One Month.
Since its inception in 2020, Walk for Wellness has grown exponentially, with the entire travel industry invited to participate for the first time during 2023.
“I am incredibly proud of the commitment and camaraderie of our close-knit travel industry for coming together with such community spirit to support one another, raise funds for our mental health charity partner, Mood Active, obliterate our targets, and achieve a world record – what a month!” said Ben Angell, Vice President and Managing Director, NCL APAC. “Walking alongside colleagues from across the travel sector, was such a stellar example of our industry’s strength, positive energy, and unity. Congratulations to everyone who walked with us and thank you for your support.”
Held during October to coincide with National Mental Health Month in October, NCL’s fourth annual Walk for Wellness brought together travel industry professionals from Australia and New Zealand to track a combined 292,408 kilometres in 415,348,286 steps – up from 120,000km in 2022 - while following a virtual journey around a world map highlighting destinations popular with Australian and New Zealand cruisers, including Alaska, Hawaii, Asia, the Mediterranean, and Northern Europe.
I am incredibly proud of the commitment and camaraderie of our close-knit travel industry for coming together with such community spirit to support one another, raise funds for our mental health charity partner, Mood Active, obliterate our targets, and achieve a world record – what a month! Walking alongside colleagues from across the travel sector, was such a stellar example of our industry’s strength, positive energy, and unity. Congratulations to everyone who walked with us and thank you for your support.
Throughout this year’s event, walkers took part in fun, themed challenges to win weekly prizes along the way, with NCL making a $1000 donation to its mental health charity partner Mood Active every time specific distance milestones were unlocked along the way.
“We’re so grateful for the time and effort our travel partners and industry peers have invested in this year’s challenge,” said Damian Borg, Director of Sales, NCL AUNZ. “And while we are thrilled to have secured an official world record and crushed our participation and distance targets, the key measure of our success is witnessing the genuine engagement among this year’s participants and knowing that despite how busy we are all with the rebound of travel, we’ve created a simple, and hopefully long-lasting way for our colleagues to prioritise their physical and mental health.”
We’re so grateful for the time and effort our travel partners and industry peers have invested in this year’s challenge. And while we are thrilled to have secured an official world record and crushed our participation and distance targets, the key measure of our success is witnessing the genuine engagement among this year’s participants and knowing that despite how busy we are all with the rebound of travel, we’ve created a simple, and hopefully long-lasting way for our colleagues to prioritise their physical and mental health.
“It seriously has been life-changing and just the motivation I needed,” said Tracy King, home-based agent from MTA . “My husband has even started running again. I haven’t felt this good in a long time – a new routine and I feel good. I can’t thank you all enough.”
Samantha Lang, Travel Consultant at Travel Associates Gungahlin, said: “What an awesome W4W this year was, absolutely smashed it as a whole!”.
“What a great way to finish Walk for Wellness,” said Leena Bhikharidas, Travel Broker at Aspire Travel Group. “I always look forward to this challenge and the motivation to get up and get moving.”
Walkers were rewarded with weekly prizes throughout the challenge, as well as several major prizes for the Most Steps, Most Improved and Most Engaged. Every participant was entered into the draw for the Grand Prize – a 2024 European cruise with NCL - with those who achieved 12,000 steps or more on 20 days across the challenge earning an additional entry.
Winners include:
Week 1 theme ‘Think NCL’ - winners:
· 1st Prize (Kobo eReader): Samantha Lang, Travel Associates Gungahlin (NSW), Home Based Agent
· 2nd Prize (Packing Cubes): Anna Powell, Pursers Travel Group (QLD)
Week 2 theme ‘Places NCL Visits’ - winners:
· 1st Prize ($200 Experience Oz Gift Voucher): Pete Heslop from Flight Centre Travel Group, Brisbane
· 2nd Prize (4-pack Apple AirTags): Amy Ferguson from TravelManagers, Melbourne
Week 3 theme ‘Think International Cuisine’ - winners:
· 1st Prize ($200 Woolworths Gift Voucher): Angie Reilly from Flight Centre
· 2nd Prize (Sustainable Kitchen Starter Pack): Leanne Johnston from TravelManagers, WA
Week 4 theme ‘Entertainment’ - winners:
· 1st Prize (House of Marley Eco-Friendly Bluetooth Speaker): Jess Chambers from Travel Managers
· 2nd Prize (House of Marley Eco-Friendly Earbuds): Sarah Fenton from MTA Travel
Most Steps Winner:
Maree Sterling from Travel on Capri has won a Samsonite eco-friendly luggage package for her outstanding effort.
Most Improved Winner:
Teresa Reyes from TravelManagers has won a Garmin wearable as the most improved participant throughout the month.
Most Engaged Winner:
Tracy King from MTA has earned 8,000 NCL Partners First Rewards (valued at $400) as the most engaged participant during this year’s challenge.
Random Cruise Draw:
Stuart Ogilvie from Phil Hoffman Travel has won a Balcony Cabin on board a 2024 Europe Cruise as a result of being drawn from the Random Cruise Draw.
*NCL set a World Record in The Australian Book of Records to claim the title of Longest Distance Achieved by a Team of Travel Professionals in One Month
**Walking the circumference of the globe following the equator
For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line email salessupportaunz@ncl.com, visit https://www.ncl.com, contact us in Australia on 1300 255 200, or in New Zealand on 0800 969 283.
