People are traveling boldly during the travel rebound – and they have a growing desire for authentic experiences in an increasingly globalized and connected world. Fresh destinations, curated trips for completely new experiences, and dependable trips to familiar places are all part of traveling boldly during the travel rebound.

Some travelers have sought out more adventure. “Travelers are looking for something more than just a traditional holiday. There has to be an element of adventure added to the mix and travelers are willing to take more risks to experience something unique and extraordinary,” said Jonas Ernevi, CEO & Co-Founder LeRipp Ltd Mountain Bike Escapes​.

Others are looking to follow their passion – like surfing – to new destinations. “We have in-house photographers and videographers that are there to capture those moments for our guests, enabling them to enjoy the moment and be present in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala or Barbados,” said Ashleigh Greaves, Rise Up Surf head of marketing.

To celebrate these and other travel experiences, we are inviting travelers to take part in the 2023 Global Rescue Photo and Video Contest to document the beauty and excitement of global travel. The contest is open through November 10 for you to submit photographs or videos representing this year’s theme: Travel Boldly.

Contest sponsors have contributed more than $50,000.00 in prizes for the winners of the 2023 Global Rescue Photo and Video Contest.

 

Enter the Contest

 

Here are the categories:

A skier huddles down against the surface of the snow and braces himself as a helicopter drops him off on peak during heliskiing.

 

On The Edge

The “On the Edge” category is all about getting the most out of life, especially when a trip takes a little courage…and risk. We are looking for images of yourself or a fellow traveler living life to the fullest, taking part in an activity or experience that is, perhaps, slightly outside of their comfort zone.

Thanks to sponsors like Chile Nativo Travel and others, the “On The Edge” category winner will receive a Global Rescue 14-day membership, a $500 Life Happens Outdoors Gift Certificate, a $500 Climbing the Seven Summits Gift Certificate, and a Chile Nativo Travel extravaganza for two people to hike and boat the famous W trail’s three major attractions in the Torres del Paine National Park region.

The breathtaking beauty of Patagonia typically captivates Chile Nativo travelers. “They’re eager to document their experiences through photography and videography. Some of the most sought-after subjects for their lenses include the highlights of our programs, such as the iconic and unique locations found in Torres del Paine National Park,” said Alejandra Covacevich, marketing & sustainability manager at Chile Nativo.

 

Men untangle fishing nets as primitive boats lie still on the shore during sunset.

 

Bleisure

Since the pandemic, bleisure travel – combining business and leisure in the same trip – has skyrocketed. At the same time, the rising ability for individuals to work remotely has boosted the percentage of people living, working and traveling away from the office to other cities and countries.

To mark this dramatic shift in workforce and travel dynamics, we are introducing the “Bleisure” category. We are looking for travel images that combine business and leisure which, we believe, create a more well-rounded and enjoyable travel experience by blending work and leisure seamlessly.

The “Bleisure” category winner will receive a Global Rescue 14-day membership, a $500 Life Happens Outdoors Gift Certificate, a $500 Climbing the Seven Summits Gift Certificate, and an Amazon Canoe Challenge Canoe & Culture 5-day expedition for one in 2024.

“It’s been great to see an increase in adventure travel and community led trips, focusing on travel at a slower pace that embraces the experience of ‘just being’ in a place without rushing around ticking off the sights,” said Carlos Heine, Challenge Director at Amazon Canoe Challenge. “We always see some great shots of our guests’ experiences staying with the local indigenous communities, taking part in a traditional masato ceremony, trying out archery or the wildlife you can spot along the way.”

 

Pink flowers frame the foreground of the towers of Notre Dame.

 

Urban Exploration 

Not all trips include Mount Everest summits, fly fishing in the Seychelles or motorcycling through Mongolia. Trips to urban centers are notoriously exciting for the distinct cuisines, regional museums, wondrous architecture and more. We designed the “Urban Exploration” category for travelers to highlight how they spend time in a city. We are looking for images featuring the places, food, activities or people that made your urban travel experience memorable. 

The winner of the “Urban Exploration” category will receive a Global Rescue 14-day membership, a $500 Life Happens Outdoors Gift Certificate, a $500 Climbing the Seven Summits Gift Certificate, and a Sun Safaris 4-night safari to Kruger National Park in South Africa for two people.

 

A woman and her young daughter smile as they eat ice cream inside of a motor home.

 

Family 

Family travel makes up a significant segment of leisure – which can be a traditional vacation, a heritage trip, an educational excursion or almost anything else. The “Family” category is perfect for images showing family coming together through travel and the sense of togetherness, shared memories, and the willingness to navigate new adventures as a unit. 

The winner of the “Family” category will receive a Global Rescue 14-day membership, a $500 Life Happens Outdoors Gift Certificate, a $500 Climbing the Seven Summits Gift Certificate, and an Aylmer Lake Lodge 5-day fishing trip for two people in July/August 2024.

Climbing the Seven Summits co-owner Caroline Pemberton said travelers are awed by the majesty of the mountains and are compelled to photograph or shoot videos. “The mountains are extremely moving. People naturally pick up their camera when they are in awe. We feel humbled and small in the face of such incredible nature and want to capture the places that elicit those strong feelings. When we look back on photos or videos, they elicit that same feeling again and help us share that with our loved ones and relive our most magical, transformative moments.”

 

Video 

Taking sharp, still pictures using smartphones is easier than ever. But smartphones and other portable recording devices are making video shoots quick, simple and better than ever, too. This year, we have introduced the “Video” category to unveil the spirit of Traveling Boldly in its myriad facets. We are inviting travelers to embark on a sensory journey through captivating video content that vividly portrays world exploration in all of its forms. 

The winner of the “Video” category will receive a Global Rescue 14-day membership, a $500 Life Happens Outdoors Gift Certificate, a $500 Climbing the Seven Summits Gift Certificate, and a PolarQuest Expedition Dog Sledding Expeditions for one in Lapland, Sweden. 

 

Enter the Contest

 

Judges will select a grand prize winner from all entries. The grand prize winner will receive:

 

Ashley Bay, Your Private Africa’s co-founder and director of operations, said when travelers share photos and videos of their adventures, it inspires others to step outside their routine and seek destinations they may have not considered. “On safari, many people don’t realize that truly luxurious places exist. Someone who is nervous about ‘roughing it’ may see a video of someone’s suite at a lodge and realize that the experience is for them, too,” she said.

 

Regardless of the contest outcomes, the real winners are all the people who have returned to travel boldly, making the post-pandemic travel rebound a welcome reminder of the benefits of travel. “Our polar expeditions transport our guests to destinations so raw and wild that you’ve got to pinch yourself to confirm if you’re even still on the same planet! Capturing imagery through still or motion photography is a huge part of our expeditions,” said Sophie Dingwall, Secret Atlas marketing executive.