The Where in the World? map allows viewers to look up concise information on different animals globally, and also find out which times seasonally they are more likely to spot them. Younger travellers will be able to find out animal facts such as appearance, eating habits, weight and size, and filter animal types by air, land and sea.
Following on from the success of First Choices Eco-traveller programme (http://www.holidaysforever.co.uk/pages/ecotraveller.html), which teaches children about the importance of sustainable tourism, the interactive map helps to educate children about where some of their favourite animals are and about the environment they live in.
The map has been developed with travel specialists Propellernet and animation company RamJam, so travellers can make suggestions of which animals theyd like to include (or even their favourite animals) and new information layers can be added and co-created.
First Choice Sustainable Product Manager Sean Owens said: In developing this interactive world map we hope to engage with our travellers even more on the world around them, especially our younger explorers. This is a fun and innovative way to achieve that.
Mark Henshall, Travel Content Director at Propellernet said: Its fantastic that First Choice is thinking so innovatively about how to connect with its audience and co-create content with them. Making this kind of project open only serves to improve it.
The new map is now live on First Choices blog with animals that can be seen in destinations from whales in Malta, Griffon Vultures in the Algarve, Loggerhead Turtles in Cyprus to Kri-Kri in Greece, and Lions, Leopards, Rhinos and Elephants in Kenya, as well as many more exciting creatures from around the world. Travellers are being encouraged to join the conversation on social platforms with the hashtag #animalspotter.