When TikTok took off during the first lockdown, it served as a reminder that when travel couldn’t bring us together, dance filled the void. Travel and music have always been bedfellows: from road trips that just wouldn’t be the same without the playlists, to evenings abroad that wouldn’t be the same without the dancefloor.
As the world opens up again, Contiki – the social travel experts for 18-35s – wants to reignite the love affair between dance and travel. As its trips are all about social experiences and connections, it’s challenging its global community to join the Contiki Movement – inviting them to share their dance skills with the #contikimovement hashtag from various travel destinations, before passing on the baton. As well as starring on Contiki’s social channels, participants have a chance to win merch and travel prizes, too.
To launch the movement, Contiki have partnered with Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland to recruit Irish dance sensations Cairde. Famed for their TikTok videos, in which they put a modern twist on traditional Irish dancing, Cairde have gone viral multiple times; an energetic dance to the song Banjo Beats has amassed over 80 million views.
To kickstart the Contiki Movement, Contiki is bringing Cairde across Ireland, challenging the group with destination-themed dances in iconic sites such as Giant’s Causeway, The Dark Hedges, Belfast Cathedral Quarter, Glenshane Farm in Derry. Temple Bar and the Guinness Storehouse. You can watch their journey HERE.
Contiki’s Content Marketing Director, Lottie Norman, said ‘We think dance and travel go together so naturally, and can’t wait to see our global community join the movement and show off their moves in travel destinations across the world. Making those connections across borders is what Contiki is all about. Cairde are a perfect example of how dance is so rooted in culture and national identity, yet can still really resonate with young audiences everywhere. They’re the perfect group to kickstart the Contiki Movement.”
David Meany, Director of Partner Marketing at the Travel Corporation said “Ireland is one of our leading destinations globally and we have a long standing relationship with both Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland. As tourism rebounds in 2022 we’re delighted to have both Contiki and our sister brand Trafalgar on location in Ireland capturing content which will be used across all marketing channels this year to drive demand for Ireland”
Alison Metcalfe, Executive Vice President Tourism Ireland, North America & Australia/NZ, “Music, dance, and self-expression are such fundamental parts of contemporary Irish culture. What better way to bring this to life and share it with the world than encouraging travellers to put on their ‘Irish’ dancing shoes at some of our epic attractions and landmarks. The island of Ireland is open and ready to welcome visitors for the experience of a lifetime and Tourism Ireland is delighted to join with The Travel Corporation, Contiki, Tourism Northern Ireland, and the fabulous Cairde, in encouraging people not only be part of the #contikimovement, but also to ‘Press the Green Button’ and book your trip to Ireland now.”
Tourism Northern Ireland’s Head of Programmes, Eimear Callaghan commented: “ The return of international visitors to Northern Ireland is crucial to the recovery of our industry here and we are delighted to partner once again with the Contiki and Trafalgar teams on such an exciting project showcasing some of Northern Ireland’s most iconic and memorable experiences”.
