International Travel Writer Award Winners Announced

Four international travel journalists recently captured top honors in the 2012 International Pow Wow Travel Writer Awards competition. The awards were announced on April 23 during a media reception at the 2012 International Pow Wow (IPW) convention in Los Angeles. 

Best International Pow Wow Host City (San Francisco) Article — Gary Dickson, editor at large for New Zealand’s bimonthly Let’s Travel magazine, took top honours in this category. Dickson who associates every city he visits with a song, jumped at the chance to explore San Francisco via the Magic Bus Tour, a 90-minute journey focusing on the city’s musical history. His article, “Flowers in My Hair,” highlights this aspect of San Francisco’s quirky personality.

Best U.S. Travel Destination Article — For the first time, two winners were chosen for this category. Reporter Alicia Boy won for her story “Una Aventura Invernal” (A Winter Adventure), which appeared in Mexico’s Bon Voyage — Excelsior. The article focused on the experience of ice fishing in the Great Lakes of Minnesota and detailed Boy’s understanding of what fishing is all about: friendship, relaxation, and having the right equipment. 

Also honoured in the Best U.S. Travel Destination Article category was reporter Marco Berchi of Italy. His award-winning story “Dal cielo — Se gli States sono da prendere al volo” (From the sky — take flight in the States) was published by La Repubblica Viaggi newspaper. Berchi’s story detailed his experience with the emerging concept of “air cruising,” a new style of group tour that trades roads for sky.

Best Trade Publication — “USA News” was chosen to receive the award for Best Trade Publication. Reporter Milton Gonzalez authors this monthly column, which appears in the Mexican travel trade publication Publitur. Gonzalez created the column, whose sole purpose is to educate Mexican travel agents on the highlights of various U.S. destinations, allowing them to better inform their clients on these experiences and travel options.

Sponsored by the U.S. Travel Association and CityPASS, the 2012 International Pow Wow Travel Writer Awards received more than 100 entries from travel journalists and editors who attended IPW 2012. Each of the winning writers received $1,000 and an award certificate.

During their evaluation of the entries, the judges looked for articles that featured original ideas and exceptional storytelling skills, as well as prose that would inspire readers to travel to the United States.

The U.S. Travel Association is a national, nonprofit organisation representing all components of the travel industry that generates $1.8 trillion in economic output and supports 14 million jobs. U.S. Travel’s mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.

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NGT Travel Writing Competition 2012 Winners

National Geographic Traveller (UK) Travel Writing Competition 2012 Winner and runners-up announced
www.natgeotraveller.co.uk

National Geographic Traveller (UK) asked young travel writers if they had what it takes to be a travel writer in its inaugural Travel Writing 2012 Competition last September — and they proved they did, with the winner and runners-up now available to view online and in the May/June 2012 issue.

As a leader in inspiring narratives and informative travel features, National Geographic Traveller, in association with i-to-i, set out to find the next generation of talent.

Entrants were asked to submit 400-500 words about their most inspirational travel experience. We were soon inundated by submissions, most of which were of a very high standard — and all the more impressive considering our specified age range was from 18-23 years.

Jess Connett's piece, Tribal Tales, about the Iban people in Malaysian Borneo, pipped all the other contenders to become the winner.

Editor Pat Riddell said: “Jess’s entry particularly stood out for its drama, sense of place, and insight into an ancient custom. More importantly, it’s a compelling story that draws you in and is very succinctly focused. The structure is well balanced and the language remains descriptive without being over elaborate.”

As well as seeing her piece in print, Connett has also won a four-week trip-of-a-lifetime to China, courtesy of i-to-i.

Connett said: “I thought it was a practical joke when I got the email to say I’d won! To have a piece of writing published was one of my life ambitions – but I never thought it would happen aged 21, and especially not in a magazine with such prestige as National Geographic. It’s inspired me to keep writing and definitely to keep travelling! I’m extremely grateful, and really excited for the trip to China.”

Five runners up have also been selected and will receive a year's subscription to National Geographic Traveller. They are Lizzie Davey, Bryony Cotton, Sophie McGrath, Nathan Ferreira and Louise Pruce.

Pat Riddell added: “We’d like to thank everyone for their support of our inaugural National Geographic Traveller (UK) Travel Writing Competition 2012. We have been truly impressed by the incredibly high standard of submissions, especially considering the entrants’ wide range of ages, and we think Jess Connett is a very worthy winner.”

The winning piece and five runners-up can be viewed online at
http://natgeotraveller.co.uk/how/features/45194/

National Geographic Traveller (UK) app available for iPad and iPhone.
In the app store: http://bit.ly/NGTUKapp

See the 26-page digital sample of the May/June 12 issue: www.natgeotraveller.co.uk/may12
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NatGeoTraveller
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NatGeoTraveller

FACTFILE:
 Travel Writing Competition 2012 Prizes: The winner receives an amazing four-week trip to China, thanks to i-to-i Volunteering. The first two weeks will be spent at a conservation centre for endangered species such as the giant panda, followed by two weeks’ working with disadvantaged children while exploring the city of Xi’an. The prize includes shared accommodation, all activities and excursions, most meals, return flights from London, in-country orientation, a local in-country team and 24-hour emergency support. Five runners-up will receive a year's subscription to National Geographic Traveller (UK). www.i-to-i.com

National Geographic Traveller (UK) is published under license by Absolute Publishing Ltd (APL), from the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. It became the 15th local-language edition when it was launched in December 2010. The magazine is also available in China, Spain, Russia, the Netherlands, Israel, Poland, Latin America, Armenia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Indonesia, Romania and South Africa. The 180-page travel and lifestyle magazine is packed full of you-are-there photography, authentic travel experiences and inspiring narratives, all focused on the brand’s theme “All Travel, All the Time.” www.natgeotraveller.co.uk

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