AFAR Announces Its First Instagram Adventure With Aruba Tourism Authority

AFAR Media announced its newest platform created with exclusive launch partner, Aruba Tourism Authority, as a means to connect with consumers via social media. As consumers increasingly consult their social communities for vacation ideas and inspiration, the AFAR Insta-Adventure goes well beyond the traditional model of a travel magazine.

Click here to begin the Insta-Adventure, launching on August 30, which continues until September 30, with winners revealed by October 7, 2016.

Instagrammers who embark on AFAR's Insta-Adventure will "tap" their way along a nine-section Aruba map, exploring experiential content while hunting for hundreds of real-world rewards and a grand prize vacation to Aruba.

"By featuring Aruba as our first Insta-Adventure partner, we're facilitating a deeper connection between AFAR's audience – who crave authentic experiences – and the destination. We're thrilled to debut alongside Aruba Tourism Authority, whose commitment to innovation allows us to take a more creative approach to immersing travelers in a destination's local culture," said Bryan Kinkade, Publisher of AFAR Media.

AFAR's partnership with the Aruba Tourism Authority came together for this launch when the tourism bureau asked the media company to co-create a unique campaign that would go deeper than any other marketing they have done with a publication. Aruba Tourism partnered with AFAR for the first time to launch this new platform.

The AFAR Insta-Adventure was created in response to the tremendous success, engagement, and growth of AFAR's Instagram platform. Named one of CNBC's Most Mind-Blowing Instagram Accounts in 2015, this new platform will provide Instagrammers with the opportunity to immerse themselves in incredible local Aruba experiences and prizes – in the form of hundreds of curated videos and photos – on their mobile devices. AFAR will also launch an Aruba Travel Guide on AFAR.com to support the program.

"As Insta-Adventurers explore the 'Sunrise City' of San Nicolas for instance, some will un-'tap' Aruba's signature Papaya hot sauce for a flavor-rich taste of our culture, while others collect 'the world's finest Aloe,' Aruba's No. 1 export," said Ronella Tijn Asjoe-Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority. "Our island collectively strives to be the most innovative and digitally-savvy in the Caribbean, so this Insta-Adventure is as thrilling of a development for our locals as it will be for the wanderlusts of the world."