Organization Offers $10,000-Trip for Worst Vacation Ever

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. DIY / ˌdi:ˌaɪ'waɪ / (adj) – describing a work that is done without the help of a professional
    Example:

    I didn’t have time to hire repair service, so I did a DIY home repair.


  2. do over / du ˈoʊ vər / (phrasal) – to do something again in order to correct it after an unsuccessful attempt
    Example:

    I would study harder if I had the chance to do over my college days.


  3. without a hitch / wɪðˈaʊt ə hɪtʃ / (idiom) – without problems
    Example:

    The party was planned well, so it went off without a hitch.


  4. distinction / dɪˈstɪŋk ʃən / (n) – the difference between two or more things or people
    Example:

    I cannot see the distinction between the original painting and the fake one.


  5. perk / pɜrk / (n) – an extra benefit that someone receives from a certain situation
    Example:

    Getting to eat delicious food is one of the perks of having a chef as a husband.


Article

Read the text below.

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) launched a contest looking for the worst DIY travel experience.


The contest, called “Vacation Do Over,” offered to reward a person and designated companions to do over an awful travel experience. Participants had to fill out a form sharing a trip that did not go as planned and submit a video to enter the contest.


The prize is a trip worth $10,000. According to ASTA, the trip is a chance for the winner to redo the ruined vacation or to go to any destination with loved ones. Even better, ASTA is also providing an expert advisor to make sure that the winner’s trip goes off without a hitch.


During the selection process, contestants were evaluated based on how unique their stories were and how difficult their struggles were during the trip. ASTA also considered how much travel advisors could have helped make the trip go more smoothly. Moreover, the quality of the contestants’ write-ups and videos was examined.


ASTA CEO Zane Kerby said that the contest aimed to show the distinction between doing DIY vacations and availing the services of a professional travel advisor.


According to ASTA’s research, more and more people are turning to travel advisors for more comfortable and more customized trips. Aside from those perks, travel advisors can also help travelers by booking unfamiliar destinations, providing information about these places, and assisting in looking for accommodations.


With the contest, ASTA hopes to persuade more people to hire travel advisors for their trips and to bring more opportunities to the consultants.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• What kind of travel story do you think could win the contest?
• Do you think the contest is effective in persuading people to hire travel advisors? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• Apart from holding a contest, what else can organizations with travel advisors do to advertise their service?
• Do you think getting a travel advisor is better than planning a trip on your own? Explain.