Story by Rod Charles
Vacay.ca Deputy Editor
TORONTO, ONTARIO — Trippzy, a mobile game created in a partnership between travel journalists and app developers, made a stellar first impression on influential travel media during its official launch at the Thompson Hotel in Toronto.
“We played Trippzy the other night and found it addictive. I love trivia and think this is going to be a lot of fun for travellers to test their knowledge,” said Debra Corbeil runs the popular Planet D website with her husband, Dave Bouskill. Corbeil took home the first prize at the launch when she topped a competition that featured more than 20 travel influencers. “I love that Trippzy offers players the chance to earn points towards travel. The more you play, the smarter you get and the faster you earn.”
Trippzy co-founders Herman Chor and Adrian Brijbassi prepare for the media tournament at the launch of the app in Toronto. (Jim Byers photo)
So just how good is this game? Is it really worth the hype? Most important, can Trippzy make the travel experience a better one?
That question was put to the test at the launch as some of Canada’s most well-known travel and food writers were introduced to the addictive app. Trippzy, a free-to-play trivia game, gives Canadians the chance to claim discounts on airfare, hotels, restaurants, and tours when they download and play. Trippzy players can answer trivia questions about the Caribbean and accumulate TripCoins that can be used toward airfare, hotel discounts, admission to attractions, meal vouchers, and more. The most attractive reward is a package to Curaçao valued at more than $5,000, and includes roundtrip airfare for two, a luxury hotel stay, $500 in cash, and VIP experiences.
“Trippzy adds an element of fun to choosing your next travel destination. It also helps tourism markets attract younger consumers on the medium they’re most passionate about, which is mobile games,” says Adrian Brijbassi, Trippzy’s co-founder and Vacay.ca’s managing editor. “The excitement I saw at the launch is just a precursor to the thrills Canadians are going to have when they realize they can play a fun game and win prizes, including hundreds of lucrative Caribbean travel rewards.”
Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil of The Planet D ask a video question that will appear in the Trippzy trivia app. (Jim Byers photo)
Trippzy’s launch partners include six Caribbean destinations: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, and Nevis. Players collect points for answering questions about these islands, as well as other Caribbean destinations, and can use those points for travel. The media who played the game answered the same questions the public will see when they download the Trippzy app. The participants at the Thompson Hotel expressed delight at the game, with a common word being “addictive” to describe playing Trippzy.
Participants compete for travel rewards while answering trivia questions during a tournament to launch the Trippzy app in Toronto. (Rod Charles/Vacay.ca)
For Heather Greenwood Davis, a Globe and Mail columnist and owner of www.GlobetrottingMama.com, Trippzy proved to be an opportunity for people to become even more engaged in their travels.
“Fun and easy to play, Trippzy already feels like the kind of game that could lead to some competitive moments at our house,” says Greenwood Davis. “The combination of travel trivia, from people who know what they’re talking about, and the chance to win great prizes is bound to keep players engaged. It’s a great venture from trusted Canadian travel stalwarts.”
