This is Travel Match #111.

Dating back to 2010, countries and world destinations have been battling it out on Twitter and January 31, 2013 will be the day that the final #TravelMatch vote is cast.

If you haven’t cast your vote yet, simply head over to Twitter and follow the #TravelMatch hashtag. Send a tweet to @redhunttravel voting for either the Faroe Islands or Bhutan to win! Votes must be received before February 1, 2013.

Not sure who to vote for? Here is a little recap of information from these two finalists who each won more matches than 240 other countries and destinations that participated in Travel Match.

 

About Bhutan and the Faroe Islands

Two very different countries have found themselves victors of four past matches to make it here. One country is landlocked, the other is surrounded by sea. One has a strong Buddhist culture, one is rooted in Nordic culture. Bhutan is in the heart of Asia, the Faroes are in the remote North Atlantic Ocean. Together, these two countries have a population of fewer than 800,000 people.

They’re both relatively off-the-beaten path as you might say. It wasn’t until 1992 that alcohol was legal in the Faroes, and even now anything stronger than 2.8% alcohol has controlled distribution. Hard liquor isn’t allowed to be produced in the country either. On the other hand, consumption of strong alcohol is common in Bhutan, and much cheaper too! On the fast-food front they’re both holdouts, with the Faroes only recently having a Burger King arrive, while Bhutan hasn’t caved to international fast food chains yet.

If you like nature and wildlife, they both have a lot to offer, with sea birds and sheep dominating the Faroes and more diverse, albeit elusive wildlife in Bhutan. They’re both countries that remain unique in the world, with their own set of traditions and cultural heritage.

 

Yet, both countries aren’t without their fair share of controversy either. Bhutan kicked out roughly 20% of their population – 100,000 people – in the 1990s, purely to preserve their cultural heritage. Their current conservation efforts are often questioned as they pit cultural conservation against natural conservation, resulting in frequent conflicts between wildlife and farmers.

Over in the Faroes, a tradition of hunting whales for their meat has been met with increasing scrutiny in recent years by people who claim it is neither necessary nor humane. Yet, the culture of the Faroe Islands is dependent on fishing and the sea. Their hunts are only done for personal consumption without any commercial involvement, making the annual whale hunt a key part of their food supply.

On the brighter side, the Faroes are frequently said to be among the most beautiful islands on earth, with their soaring sea cliffs and lush green hills. Hiking and outdoor adventures are plentiful in the Faroes. Bhutan may have kicked out a lot of people, but they are now bringing in a lot of tourists by claiming to be the Happiest Nation on Earth – well at least the only one that officially measures Gross National Happiness!

It’s an interesting battle to finish the Travel Match series. One thing that became evident over the course of the 111 matches was that few ‘popular’ destinations lasted long into the series. The travel voters on Twitter have had a soft spot for more obscure, remote and less-visited destinations.

We shall wait to find out later this week who will be crowned the Travel Match champions. Bhutan or the Faroe Islands?

The Travel Match challenge on Twitter (#TravelMatch) has filtered out 234 countries and destinations so far.

After 104 Matches, only seven competitions remain to choose the ultimate winner.

We’ve got some tiny little nations and islands competing against an entire continent. We’ve got plenty of communism to go around as well. Party in Rio or pray in Lhasa? If anything, the eight finalists are a diverse collection of destinations.

Europe almost joined North America and the South Pacific as an extinct Travel Match destination, but the Faroe Islands kept it alive; while Ethiopia remains Africa’s last chance at winning it all.

Only Asia and South America have more than one destination still in the running. So who is it going to be?

Let’s take a look at how each of these destinations won it’s way to the quarter-finals.

 

Antarctica

Left in it’s wake lie the defeated nations and destinations of Antigua, Azerbaijan, Greenland, South Georgia, Madagascar and Trinidad & Tobago.

Curiosity, penguins and remoteness have lured in its voters, although of all the finalists it has the largest loyal base of people who have said they’d ‘return again’ in a heartbeat.

Bhutan

This diverse country has everything from lush forests to soaring mountains and has rode the ‘Gross National Happiness’ wave of success so far. In it’s shadow lies the defeated destinations of Bolivia, Botswana, Laos, Burma, Turkey and Papua New Guinea.

Bhutan has had both easy wins and close calls in it’s quest for the best. With another Himalayan destination in the finals – Tibet – it will be interesting to see how it fares in it’s next challenge.

 

Brazil

Images of Copacabana Beach and Carnival in Rio seem to have a strong pull in the Twitter travel world as Brazil has only had one otehr destination give it any real challenge up to now. That was the Phillippines. But Brazil proved too desirable for them in the end. Along with the Philippines, Brazil defeated Vanuatu, Guyana, Ecuador, Belize and Burundi on it’s path the the final eight.

Brazil is easily the biggest country remaining in the competition, but not the biggest destination as Antarctica looms in the background. Icy penguins or cool caipirinhas?

Cuba

Get there before you can’ has been the motto and driving force behind Cuba’s Travel Match success, with plenty of US-based Travel Match voters choosing Cuba. This fiesty littel country has squared off against some heavyweights and beat them all, most notably a close match against India. In addition to India, Cuba has conquered Gabon, Cyprus, Congo, Panama and the Cook Islands.

The landscape in Cuba is changing and will continue to change, so it is not surprising that many people want to experience the old charm that Cuba holds before it’s too late.

Ethiopia

The longest-standing Travel Match destination still in the running. Ethiopia first appeared in travel Match #8 in early 2010. Seems fitting for Ehtiopia, as it has been dubbed the Cradle of Mankind. A bit of a dark horse, Ethiopia has been chaleneged in each battle so far. But Egypt, El Salvador, Cameroon, Nigeria, Curacao and Mozambique all fell short.

Why has Ethiopia won? The diverse ethnic groups and impressive rock churches like at Lalibella are part of it, but there hasn’t been any real consensus as to why Twitter travellers choose Ethiopia.

Faroe Islands

The fate of Europe remains in the hands of this little island nation half way between Iceland and mainland Europe. A cult-like following on twitter has helped the Faroes catapult themselves into a surprise spot in the final eight. Behind them are the shattered dreams of people who voted for Fiji, France, Denmark, Norway, Montenegro and Hungary.

France gave them the hardest battle, in a very narrow victory. Can this relatively unknown place continue it’s streak of luck in the next round? Time will tell.

 

Galapagos Islands

Another archipelago has built a loyal Travel Match following. The Galapagos are known as a wildlife lovers paradise and the sheer volume of votes they have received in their matches can attest to that. This wild island charm has seen the Galapagos somewhat handily defeat Ghana, Georgia, Argentina, Colombia, Uganda and Jordan in it’s past battles.

Islands have a special appeal to them, but aside from pure nature, the Galapagos wildlife may not appeal to the party people. Can they hang on and push on through to the next round?

Tibet

Controversial to many, travelling to Tibet may mean you’re supporting China more than you think. But Travel Match is about where you want to travel, without any consequences, so Tibet has had a pretty easy ride up to now. As peaceful as they are, voters had led the Tibetan people to victory, squashing the likes of Timor-Leste, Togo, Nepal, China, Kazakhstan and Switzerland along the way.

Tibet isn’t the only Himalayan destination left, and political issues may keep it from pushing on. However, they’ve defeated China in Travel Match challenges, so never underestiamte the little guy.

Quarter-Final Matches start in October

There you have the eight finalists. New matches start soon, with a small twist.

All future matches will feature only two destinations. That should make it easier to choose your favourite, or will it?

So, while you wait – who do you predict will win it all?

**Now updated with Travel Match Map 4, only 8 Destinations Remain!**

The first-ever Travel Match happened on Twitter in early 2010. Almost every week since then there has been a competition to see which country was most desirable to travel addicts on Twitter.

Here we’ll show the progression of each round as the world slowly fades to grey and only one green country will be left. Any predictions as to which destination will be the final winner?

Be sure to follow the #TravelMatch hashtag on twitter and cast your votes!

Travel Match Map 1: Open to Everywhere!

The stage was set! In a countdown that will last nearly 2.5 years and include more than 110 matches, the #TravelMatch showdowns begin with Mozambique taking on Mongolia and Morocco in Match #1.  All matches are winner takes all, moving on to the next round. You lose once, you’re gone for good.

 

Travel Match Map 2: After Round One

Every single country and many extra destinations squared off in a round of 72 Travel Matches. More than 240 destinations around the world were included in the competitions. A number of big travel destinations had surprising losses, while the small, remote islands proved they’re high on most people’s travel bucket lists.

 

The 72 destinations remaining are: Albania, Antarctica, Argentina, Armenia, Barbuda, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Burma, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, Denmark, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Greenland, Guyana, Hungary, India, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Slovakia, Soloman Islands, South Georgia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Tasmania, Tonga, Tibet, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Zanzibar.

 

Travel Match Map 3: After Round Two

There are 24 matches in Round Two, with three destinations per match. When the dust settles these 24 winners will be one step closer to winning it all!

Matches for round two will be running until April 2012, so follow me on Twitter @redhunttravel and watch the #TravelMatch hashtag for updates.

Update: The Round Two matches are over, here are the finalists moving on to Round Three!

 

The 24 destinations moving on to round three are: Antarctica, Bhutan, Brazil, Cuba, Curaçao, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Hungary, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Montenegro, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Switzerland, Tibet, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Vanuatu.

 

Travel Match Map 4: After Round Three

From June – August 2012, the 8 Travel Match finalists were chosen on Twitter. The map is below!

 

The 8 destinations moving on to round four and the quarter-finals are: Antarctica, Bhutan, Brazil, Cuba, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Galapagos Islands, Tibet.

 

Create Your Own Travel Maps

These maps are images taken from maps I created using the handy Where I’ve Been tool! You can create your own maps of places you’d like to visit, where you’ve been and where you’ve lived. You can even include cities too. Their maps can be linked up to your Facebook profile or embedded onto your website or blog.

During round one, world destinations squared off in a largely alphabetical battle. For round two, destinations from mostly similar geographical areas have been matched up. The upcoming 24 second round matches are listed below. Get ready to vote for your favourites to move on to round three and be among the finalists!

How do you vote? Follow the #TravelMatch hashtag on Twitter and send a reply to @redhunttravel using that hashtag each week to vote for your choice and help determine the most desirable travel destination on Twitter.

Travel Match 73: Voting from November 1-7, 2011

Guyana vs. Brazil vs. Ecuador

Winner: Brazil

Travel Match 74: Voting from November 8-14, 2011

Uganda vs. Rwanda vs. Kenya

Winner: Uganda

Travel Match 75: Voting from November 15-21, 2011

Slovakia vs. Belgium vs. Switzerland

Winner: Switzerland

Travel Match 76: Voting from November 22-28, 2011

Greenland vs. Antarctica vs. South Georgia

Winner: Antarctica

Travel Match 77: Voting from November 29 – December 5, 2011

China vs. Nepal vs. Tibet

Winner: Tibet

Travel Match 78: Voting from December 6-12, 2011

Tonga vs. Samoa vs. Vanuatu

Winner: Vanuatu

Travel Match 79: Voting from December 13-19, 2011

Barbuda vs. Curaçao vs. Saint Lucia

Winner: Curaçao

Travel Match 80: Voting from January  3-9, 2012

Cameroon vs. Nigeria vs. Ethiopia

Winner: Ethiopia

Travel Match 81: Voting from January  10-16, 2012

Kazakhstan vs. Pakistan vs. Iran

Winner: Kazakhstan

Travel Match 82: Voting from January  17-23, 2012

Albania vs. Hungary vs. Armenia

Winner: Hungary

Travel Match 83: Voting from January  24-30, 2012

Philippines vs. French Polynesia vs. Kiribati

Winner: Philippines

Travel Match 84: Voting from January  31 – February 6, 2012

Denmark vs. Norway vs. Faroe Islands

Winner: Faroe Islands

Travel Match 85: Voting from February 7-13, 2012

India vs. Sri Lanka vs. Maldives

Winner: India

Travel Match 86: Voting from February 14-20, 2012

Cape Verde vs. Gabon vs. Equatorial Guinea

Winner: Gabon

Travel Match 87: Voting from February 21-27, 2012

Brunei vs. Papua New Guinea vs. Soloman Islands

Winner: Papua New Guinea

Travel Match 88: Voting from February 28 – March 5, 2012

United Kingdom vs. Latvia vs. Montenegro

Winner: Montenegro

Travel Match 89: Voting from March 6-12, 2012

Madagascar vs. Mauritius vs. Seychelles

Winner: Madagascar

Travel Match 90: Voting from March 13-19, 2012

Argentina vs. Colombia vs. Galapagos

Winner: Galapagos

Travel Match 91: Voting from March 20-26, 2012

Jordan vs. Lebanon vs. Syria

Winner: Jordan

Travel Match 92: Voting from March 27 – April 2, 2012

Burma vs. Laos vs. Bhutan

Winner: Bhutan

Travel Match 93: Voting from April 3-9, 2012

Trinidad & Tobago vs. Cayman Islands vs. British Virgin Islands

Winner: Trinidad & Tobago

Travel Match 94: Voting from  April 10-16, 2012

Malawi vs. Zanzibar vs. Mozambique

Winner: Mozambique

Travel Match 95: Voting from April 17-23, 2012

Turkey vs. Oman vs. Tasmania

Winner: Turkey

Travel Match 96: Voting from  April 24-30, 2012

Cuba vs. Cook Islands vs. Panama

Winner: Cuba

 

Travel Match: Round Three

The third round of competition starts in June 2012 with the 24 Round Two winners battling it out to see who wins to move on to the quarter-finals!