The largest blogging competition in history - The Big Blog Exchange is now complete, with all 16 winners having completed a ten day exchange in one another's countries.

Run by Hostelling International, following its mission, the project which was set up to enable global interaction and educate young travellers about other cultures and the world around them (as a means of promoting peace and preventing war), has attracted an amazing 4,000,000 people on social media so far.

Liesbet Maroye was chosen as one of the 16 winners, and exchanged countries and hometowns with Didintle Ntsie from Cape Town, South Africa.

Liesbet arrived in Cape Town on the 7th June and has since been on a garden route safari tour, staying in HI hostels in the city, in addition to getting involved with the local culture.

She said that the project has enabled her to have confidence in herself as a single traveller, something she never before thought was possible. As a young female, she said that there are definitely worries associated with travelling and exploring new countries alone, but through the Big Blog Exchange and staying in our hostels, she has proved to herself and her readers that it is possible. HI Hostels have assured levels of comfort, security and quality.

Liesbet stayed in several HI hostels whilst away, and in keeping with the global interaction theme, was able to meet lots of other likeminded travellers, of whom she was able to share her experience with.

Follow the adventure - www.bigblogexchange.com

Follow us on #bigblogX

Note to editors:

• Over 1100 bloggers from 72 countries entered into TBBE
• The bloggers will swap cultures, places, lives and blogs simultaneously during 10 days. 7th June till 17th June. It is the biggest contest with these characteristics in the world.
• Hostelling International (www.hihostels.com) is a charity which is committed to enabling travel for young people at an affordable price to educate and embrace new cultures and consequently promote world peace.
• To find out more about the Big Blog Exchange go to www.bigblogexchange.org.uk

For more information please contact Brianda Lopez - blopez@hihostels.com or Scarlett Dixon - sdixon@hihostels.com