Awards & Recognitions
Independent Tour of the Year 2016
We are pleased to share with you that Free & Easy has won the 2016 Independent award from Tour Radar for our 20-day Thailand trip: 'A Dose of Paradise'. This amazing recognition, a Travellers' Choice Award based on reviews from real people, shows that our travelers love our style of travel: Live Free and Travel Easy. Thank you to everyone who took the time to review us and helped spread the word of great travel!
Traveller's Choice Platinum Badge
Free & Easy Traveler has once again been recognized as a leader in the travel industry, beating out industry heavyweights to collect a Platinum badge as a part of TourRadar’s newly launched Travellers’ Choice status badge rating system. A Traveller’s Choice badge recognizes tour operators with high star ratings, excellent reviews, high traveler engagement with TourRadar tools and overall excellent customer experience, and Free & Easy snagged one of only FIVE Platinum level badges. Book your trip now and see why everyone has been raving!
Nature & Adventure Tour of the Year 2015
For the 4th year in a row Free & Easy Traveler was awarded TourRadar's 'Tour of the Year' award, making us the most consistently well reviewed tour operator in the business according to Tour Radar! This year our epic 40-day 'The Ultimate Journey' to Laos, Thailand & Cambodia won the prize in the category 'Nature & Adventure'! With this many awards for our Asia trips under our belt, we know you need to come see it for yourself!
Festival Tour of the Year 2015
This year Free & Easy Traveler walked away with not one prize but two in TourRadar's 'Tour of the Year' award. Our crazy 10-day Nicaragua New Years party, 'The Final Fiesta,' won the prize in the 'Festivals' category. Bringing over 200 travelers down to the surf and sand of Nicaragua every New Years, there's a reason we clinched this category! So come party with us in 2016! #NoRegrets
Asia's Most Amazing Tour 2014
Three years running Free & Easy has been recognized by TourRadar as an industry leader for creating epic travel experiences and in 2014 our 20-day Thailand trip: 'A Dose of Paradise', was recognized as Asia's Most Amazing Tour! This marked the 3rd year in a row we were named as Asia's best travel experience.
N. America's Most Amazing Tour 2014
In 2014, we were proud to learn that our 10-day trip to Costa Rica & Panama: 'Caribbean Retreat', was crowned by TourRadar as the world's Most Amazing Tour in North America! Central America is often overlooked by backpackers, but we know it's packed full of hidden gems just waiting for you to discover. Our Caribbean Retreat takes you off the beaten path and straight into paradise.
Asia's Most Amazing Tour 2013
Two years running Free & Easy has been recognized for the high calibre of trips they've been offering to backpackers everywhere. In 2013 our 40-day Thailand trip: 'Experience the Land of Smiles' was awarded Asia's Most Amazing Tour! This is one trip to Thailand you don't want to miss.
World's Most Amazing Tour 2012
Out of 8,500 different tours and going toe to toe with some of the
largest travel companies in the industry, Free & Easy Traveler has proven that it runs The World's Most Amazing Tour - Our 40-Day Thailand Trip: 'Experience the Land of Smiles'!
We owe it to all you wonderful people who make Free & Easy what it is - a fun group of travelers who want nothing more than to expand your horizons, alter your perspectives, meet new people and...well...travel more!
Alberta Venture Magazine’s Fast Growth 50 - 2016
Free & Easy Traveler climbed two spots on Alberta Venture's list of fast growing companies.
For the past 16 years, the Fast Growth 50 program has been the most prominent ranking of Albertan businesses with significant growth in revenue, assets, capital expenditures and employees over a three-year period. Produced by Alberta Venture magazine with the assistance of KPMG, this program is one of the most recognized business rankings in the province.
More information here.
Alberta Venture Magazine’s Fast Growth 50 - 2015
Free & Easy Traveler has been named as one of Alberta's fastests growing companies by Alberta Venture Magazine.
For the past 15 years, the Fast Growth 50 program has been the most prominent ranking of Albertan businesses with significant growth in revenue, assets, capital expenditures and employees over a three-year period. Produced by Alberta Venture magazine with the assistance of KPMG, this program is one of the most recognized business rankings in the province.
See the rankings here.
In the News
Travelweek News: “Free & Easy serves 15,000th traveller, looks to agents next”
Travelweek chats with Rob Campbell about FnEZ’s latest milestone.
Read entire article here.
Travelweek Friday 5 blog
Our very own Rob Campbell is featured in Travelweek's Friday Five blog post.
Read the entire article here.
The Globe and Mail - 'Last trip' turns into travel business for young entrepreneur
The Globe and Mail's article on how Curtis Smith started Free & Easy Traveler.
Read the entire article here.
PAX Magazine - Up and Coming: Young Industry Leaders to Look Out For
In November, 2014, PAX Magazine featured Rob Campbell as one of the Young Industry Leaders who are making their mark in the Canadian travel industry.
In the artice, Campbell explains what brought him into the business of travel, the organic growth behind Free & Easy Traveler, as well as some advice for young entrepreneurs.
Read the entire article here.
Alberta Venture: Lunch with Brett Wilson & Rob Campbell
In July 2014, Alberta Venture featured an article on Brett Wilson, one of Alberta's best-know entrepreneurs, sitting down and having lunch with Rob Campbell, Operating Partner for Free & Easy Traveler.
In the article Campbell explains the fundamental aspects of the business model Free & Easy has in place and discusses the different directions the company could take proceeding into the future. Wilsons evaluates and gives advice based on his impressive, past experiences.
Read the entire article here.
Young Entrepreneur Spotlight: Curtis Smith
In November 2010 the Financial Post featured an article on Curtis Smith, the founder of Free & Easy Traveler, for his work as a young entreprenuer.
In the article Smith discusses the creation of Free & Easy and how the company has grown over the years into a successful travel company!
Read the entire article here.