See the travel industry’s take on the ice bucket challenge.
One of the most successful social media campaigns this year has certainly been the Ice Bucket challenge. Designed to raise funds and promote awareness of Motor Neurone Disease, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, The Ice Bucket Challenge was initiated in the US and is now sweeping the world.
The dumping of a bucket of ice over one’s head in the name of charity has seen Australia raise more than $(AUD) 700, 000 for the cause.
Now, the travel industry has decided to up the ante and execute their take on the ice bucket challenge in an incredible show of creative flair.
Zambonied
Taking the ice bucket challenge to a whole new level.
Air Canada General Manager Australia and New Zealand, Paul McLean allowed a fully-laden Zamboni to bury him in snow:
The ice-resurfacing machine dumped its freshly-cut cargo onto McLean at Melbourne’s Icehouse at the end of the 2014 Goodall Cup – the championship trophy of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL), won this year by the Melbourne Mustangs.
For McLean, a native of Vancouver who moved with Air Canada to Sydney in 2011, the encounter with the Zamboni brought back fond memories of home.
“I spent a lot of time around ice rinks when I was younger, so I’m no stranger to cold,” he says. “However, the plane ride home was still a little uncomfortable.”
The Air Canada Foundation has donated $5000 thus far to the ALS Society of Canada.
Atlantis buried under Ice
Strength in Numbers, Atlantic, The Palm Dubai. Image Source: Hoteliermiddleeast.com
Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, also took up the challenge after being nominated by Ski Dubai.
Their approach involved strength in numbers.
Roughly 350 staff members and guests gathered on the Royal Beach armed with buckets full of ice and water.
“Here at Atlantis we are one team and everyone wants to get involved,” said Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Atlantis, Gerard Moss said before meeting his icy fate.
Gerard has since nominated Emirates Airlines, Buckingham Palace and Football Club Bayern Munich.
Splish, splash in Ex-speedi-a timing
Image Source: Skift.
The CEO of Expedia, Dara Khosrowshahi, also copped a dunking earlier this week.
To his joy, several other Expedia employees picked up the challenge and donated $100 each to the cause.
The CEO’s icy encounter ended with a nomination of TripAdvisor CEO Steve Kaufer and Sabre CEO Tom Klein.
The Aussie way
Lastly, albeit reported earlier this week by KarryOn, is the brave efforts of Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, John O’Sullivan responded to the Canadian Tourism Commission’s call to brave the ice bucket challenge.
Filmed against a backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour, a koala and kangaroo delivered the drenching to Mr O’Sullivan who, despite chilly temperatures in Sydney of no more than 18C, said it was a “great cause” and he was only too happy to lend his support.