On the Eve of World Sight Day, Gap Adventures Celebrates 20th Anniversary and Announces Initiative to Build 20/20 Vision Centre in Cambodia

TORONTO, ON, October 14, 2010 (Press-News.org) Gap Adventures (www.gapadventures.com) and the non-profit Planeterra Foundation announce plans to build a permanent vision centre with the goal of restoring sight to thousands of rural Cambodians.

According to SEVA Canada--a Vancouver-based charity dedicated to preventing and curing blindness in the developing world--there are now 314 million people with serious vision impairment the world over, 45 million of whom are blind. 80% of blindness is preventable or treatable, often with a 15-minute cataract surgery costing $50 or less.

The Gap Adventures 20/20 Vision Centre will be located in Northern Cambodia's impoverished rural Battamban province. By conducting simple cataract procedures, the centre will help restore sight to some of the area's 12,000 blind residents, 90% of whom have lost their vision to preventable or curable conditions.

"When we considered how to celebrate our 20th anniversary, we came up with the idea of looking forward, not backward. One of our core values that drives the direction of our company is 'We love changing people's lives.' And we could think of no better way than to create a brighter future for the people and places who have enriched our lives and the lives of our travellers," said Bruce Poon Tip, Gap Adventures Founder.

Launching the initiative is "Ignite The Nite" being held on November 3 in Toronto, and billed as an evening of celebration and illumination. A troupe of performers will engage guests with juggling, acting, magic, fire-spinning and martial arts. An 'After Dark Dance Party' and secret silent auction will also help support the goal.

The cost per ticket is $30 for general entry or $150 for a VIP pass, and tickets and sponsorships are still available. For more information regarding sponsorship call David Campbell on 1416 260 0999 ext 1818. For tickets visit www.ignitethenite.com.

"Travel is a privilege. At Gap Adventures, we believe it comes with an obligation. There is no greater impact you can have on someone than to restore their sight. To see a mother, after a simple surgery, lay eyes on her child for the first time is truly inspiring. I have witnessed it--and it has moved me enough to concentrate our efforts to champion this cause," said Poon Tip.

For more information, visit www.ignitethenite.com or www.gapadventures.com.

About Gap Adventures
Gap Adventures is a world leader in the adventure travel industry offering small group adventures on all seven continents and beyond to more than 100,000 global travellers annually. The award-winning trips, which focus on culture, nature and active travel, are ideal for those with a sense of adventure - people who want to leave the beaten path and authentically immerse themselves in a local culture or environment to experience the real world in a sustainable manner. Demonstrating its ongoing cultural, social and economic commitment to responsible tourism, Gap Adventures established the Planeterra Foundation, as a way the company and its passengers can give back to the communities visited. For more information, please visit www.gapadventures.com and www.planeterra.org.