In an extraordinary feat of speed and endurance, Travelport, the global travel technology company, and renowned British adventurer Jamie McDonald, popularly known as “Adventureman,” have shattered the world record for the fastest journey to the new Seven Wonders of the World, completing the remarkable feat in less than seven days.
This groundbreaking achievement, officially recognized by Guinness World Records, saw the duo conquer the seven wonders in an astounding time of 6 days, 16 hours, and 14 minutes, relying solely on public transportation. The record-breaking endeavour was orchestrated by Travelport to demonstrate the capabilities of its cutting-edge retail platform, Travelport+, proving that even the most complex travel itineraries can be effortlessly planned, booked, and managed.
Travelport’s CEO, Greg Webb, shared his enthusiasm for the milestone: “Our vision for Travelport+ was to revolutionize the travel industry, streamlining the process and making it more accessible and efficient. This epic adventure was our platform’s ultimate test, exceeding all expectations. It showcases the extraordinary capabilities of Travelport+ in simplifying travel arrangements and adapting to unforeseen challenges. This achievement also signals the travel industry’s triumphant return after adversity, proving that it is back and better than ever.”
The advanced retail technology of Travelport+ empowers global travel agents by providing them with a state-of-the-art platform to compare and select the optimal travel routes for individual travellers. Travelbag, a long-standing partner of Travelport, played a pivotal role in organizing Adventureman’s expedition through Travelport+. Leveraging the power of Smartpoint Cloud, Travelbag effortlessly managed all aspects of the trip, utilizing the platform’s search, filter, and comparison features to construct a highly detailed itinerary. Adventureman enjoyed round-the-clock support from a dedicated Travelbag Travel Specialist, who diligently tracked evolving travel restrictions, identified schedule changes, and promptly adjusted the itinerary in real time. Additionally, Adventureman utilized Travelport’s Trip Manager feature, enabling him to enhance his journey by adding supplementary services such as meals and paid seats. For individuals inspired to embark on their odyssey to the seven wonders, Travelbag offers a range of customizable packages catering to diverse preferences and budgets.
Caroline Foxwell, Sales and Service Leader at Travelbag praised the capabilities of Travelport+ and its impact on their operations, stating, “At Travelbag, we’ve handled countless travel arrangements, but Adventureman’s itinerary was truly exceptional. The retailing tools offered by Travelport+ are compelling; Smartpoint Cloud simplified the booking and servicing process to an unprecedented extent. Travelport+ consistently enables us to craft the perfect itineraries for our clients, even when they involve globetrotting adventures of record-breaking proportions!”
Adventureman’s awe-inspiring journey commenced at the majestic Great Wall of China, the most extended human-made structure on Earth, with the world-record clock ticking the moment he descended via toboggan. From there, he ventured to India to marvel at the iconic Taj Mahal, an enduring symbol of eternal love. Next, Adventureman embarked on a bus ride to the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, famed for its rose-red sandstone facades immortalized in the movie “Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.” Departing Jordan, he flew to Rome to witness the grandeur of the Colosseum, savouring a classic Italian pizza—the only non-aeroplane meal consumed during his whirlwind trip. In Brazil, Adventureman marvelled at the imposing Christ the Redeemer statue, relishing the breathtaking view from its platform. The sixth wonder on his agenda was Machu Picchu, an awe-inspiring Incan citadel perched nearly 8,000 feet above sea level—a personal favourite that left him with cherished memories, symbolized by a stuffed llama toy he purchased for his daughter. Finally, after six days, 16 hours, and 14 minutes, Adventureman reached Chichén Itzá, an archaeological marvel and revered ceremonial site in Mayan culture.
Beyond the thrill of setting a new world record, Adventureman prioritized his journey as an opportunity to raise funds for his charitable organization, the Superhero Foundation. Diagnosed with a rare spinal condition called syringomyelia during childhood, Adventureman overcame the odds and dedicated his life to supporting sick children worldwide. To kick-start the fundraising campaign, Travelport pledged a generous donation of $22,856, equivalent to a dollar for every mile Adventureman traversed during this audacious challenge. The funds will enable the Superhero Foundation to continue its noble mission, assisting families in accessing necessary treatments, therapies, and equipment that may not be readily available through conventional healthcare channels.
Reflecting on the magnitude of his adventure, Adventureman expressed his gratitude to Travelport, stating, “Throughout my previous expeditions, which included solo runs across America spanning 210 marathons and cycling 22,000 kilometers from Thailand to the United Kingdom, I encountered numerous complexities. However, this journey presented an entirely different level of intricacy. Travel encompasses countless variables—weather conditions, restrictions, delays, customs, traffic, cancellations, and more. When attempting a world record, speed and adaptability are paramount. There was no better partner than Travelport to make this extraordinary feat a reality.”
Guinness World Records set specific guidelines for Adventureman’s endeavour:
- Exclusive use of scheduled public transportation, with licensed taxi rides limited to 50 kilometres.
- Maintenance of a comprehensive logbook with supporting evidence, such as receipts and tickets for each leg of the journey.
- Collection of receipts and tickets whenever available.
- Use of proper professional equipment, including GPS tracking devices.
- Documentation of videos and photos at each visited site, clearly displaying Adventureman, the location, and the date.
- Acquisition of written or recorded statements from official personnel, local dignitaries, and police officers at each site.
- Awareness that the “clock” commences when the challenger departs from the first wonder site and continues relentlessly until the final destination.
Both Travelport and Adventureman place great emphasis on environmental preservation. To measure the carbon emissions produced during Adventureman’s remarkable journey, Travelport employed the Travel Impact Model, an industry-standard framework maintained by Google. Developed as part of Travalyst, an independent non-profit organization of which Travelport is a member, this tool calculates air travel emissions. The total CO2 emissions generated during the world record trip amounted to 2,523 kg. Travelport takes environmental responsibility seriously and will offset these emissions by utilizing premium carbon dioxide removal services provided by Climeworks.
To learn more about the Seven Wonders Challenge, book a journey to the Seven Modern Wonders, or contribute to the Superhero Foundation, please visit Travelport.com/7wonders.
Written by: Kevin Hall
