In a new contest, the owner of a small fictional country is looking to send one Canadian on an all-expense paid trip to France, and he is holding a contest to see who is most deserving.
According to the country website, in 1997 William Barnaby founded Hoöstelland, a fictional country made up of four islands in the Atlantic Ocean. According to the website, Barnaby inspired by his own time spent in youth hostels and looking to rid them of their negative stereotypes, Barnaby now wants to send an ambassador from Ontario or Quebec to France for three weeks.
The contestant who wins also receives a return plane ticket, a train pass, paid accommodation in various youth hostels, a laptop, a digital camera, a travel guide, travelling equipment and $500 pocket money. The winner must review his or her experiences in youth hostels for others to read as a way of promoting this alternative mode of accommodation. Candidates qualify for competition by registering on the website and sharing a story about a past travelling adventure in written or video form for votes or “hoösts” from other people registered on the website.
“I’m ready to see the world,” said one candidate, 21-year-old Neal Sengupta from Toronto, explaining that he has always wanted to travel to Europe, but could never afford it.
Despite this, he remains generous.
“I know that there are people worse off than I am. So, upon returning to Canada, I would donate the camera and laptop to the United Way so someone who can’t afford those things could enjoy them just like I enjoyed my European treat.”
He said he is especially interested in Europe because of its architecture, and said he would love to explore France, as most of his travelling has been only on the American continent.
“I think it’s a really great contest they’ve got going,” said 22-year-old candidate Jessica Sheff from Cambridge.
She heard about the contest through a Hostelling International e-newsletter and was excited for the opportunity to act as a video blogger.
“I just graduated from university and I’m taking time off to see the world. . . . The timing could not be more perfect.”
The website explains that Barnaby is looking to share his life and values with the world. Values based on “open-mindedness, a collaborative spirit and lots of fun.” Many contestants are students under the age of 25, and several as young as 18-years-old.
The top 10 finalists will be announced Oct. 31, and the winner will be selected by a panel of judges sometime afterwards.