It sounds like the perfect plotline for a 21st-century redux of Swiss Family Robinson. But seriously, Dutch navigation giant TomTom is willing to send up to five families to map out tropical islands as part of its Map Paradise Project.
The Map Paradise Project will help create five new navigable maps for Fiji, St Lucia, Mauritius, Cape Verde, and the Seychelles. To apply, applicants simply need to fill in a form.
Successful applicants can take up to four family members or friends with them to help map a paradise island. In total, five groups will be sent on all-expenses-paid mapping assignments and each group will earn €10,000.
No mapping experience is needed, but TomTom is looking for people who enjoy exploring beautiful places, don’t mind great weather and who have a decent sense of direction.
Those selected for the Map Paradise Project will simply need to drive around the island in a specially equipped mapping car.
Field work
This is the first step in TomTom’s map-making process. This mapping field work will take anything from a day to two weeks, depending on how much time is spent sunbathing, swimming or exploring.
“The very first step in creating an accurate map is proper field work, and that is where the Map Paradise Project comes in,” said Corinne Vigreux, managing director, TomTom.
“This project will not only create five new navigable maps, it will also give people a unique insight into how our maps are made. And where better to start mapping, then on a beautiful paradise island.”