Travel Writers Historic Collaboration

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A collaboration between the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW), the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW) has been formalised at the Society of American Travel Writers’ 2018 convention in Barbados.

Representatives from all three bodies were at the Hilton Barbados Resort to formalise the exciting new initiative in an agreement that will strengthen their ties and create an international partnership to benefit all members.

The societies have agreed to start the collaborative process by appointing three representatives to oversee it: Barbara Ramsay Orr and Danielle Lancaster as the outgoing Presidents of the SATW and ASTW along with Alastair McKenzie, the soon to be outgoing Chair of the BGTW.

Ms Lancaster flew to the convention with Delta Airlines to be a part of this ground-breaking move and commented on how extremely rewarding it was to meet with her esteemed colleagues and see their idea become a reality, after months of discussion.

She added, “I was honoured to be a part of this project, which would not have been possible without the generous support of TravMedia and Delta Airlines, who enabled me to attend the event on behalf of the ASTW committee.

“The power and reach of each of the organisations can be increased exponentially through this international partnering.”

Ms Ramsay Orr said, “We have much to share and to learn but together we also can own the global space to advocate for journalists on our shared travel and journalism issues.”

Mr McKenzie has been delighted with the overwhelming support he has encountered for this initiative, which for the most part has been “why haven’t we done this before?”

He has also been encouraged by how quickly the co-operation has moved forward. SATW and ASTW members have already been made part of the judging panel for the BGTW members awards, the Presidents of each organisation have already been made honorary members of the others and members of all three organisations are already talking together and advising each other as a community on the combined Facebook group.

Signing of the official collaboration between the ASTW, SATW and BGTW in Barbados on September 24, 2018.

Pictured are Alastair McKenzie outgoing chair of the BGTW, Barbara Ramsey Orr ex-president SATW, David Swanson the new president of the SATW and Danielle Lancaster ex-president ASTW.

Australian Copyright Council announces new affiliation with ASTW

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The Australian Copyright Council (ACC) proudly announces a new partnership with the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW), bringing together two organisations who value creative Australia.

For years, the ASTW – a non-profit organisation – has been dedicated to supporting the more extensive travel media body, implementing a strict Code of Ethics to ensure a high standard of honest and unbiased travel reporting.

This alliance intends to provide travel writers and those associated with the rights to defend their creative expression, as well as delivering user-friendly and accessible legal advice.

Alongside the ACC, the ASTW stands as a backbone for integrity within Australia’s creative and media industries. The ACC looks forward to working closely with the ASTW.

For more information about the ACC, visit www.copyright.org.au

For media related enquiries contact:
Australian Copyright Council
www.copyright.org.au
Phone: +61 (02) 9101 2377
Email: communications@copyright.org.au

Travel writers choose Tropical North Queensland

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Tropical North Queensland has been selected to host the Australian Society of Travel Writers 2019 Convention.

Cairns has been selected as host city following submission of the winning bid by Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) and Tourism and Events Queensland.

TTNQ Chief Executive Officer Pip Close was in Bangkok at the Australian Society of Travel Writers 2018 Convention when the announcement of the winning bid was made last night (August 18])

The convention, to be held from 18-20 October 2019, will attract 130 delegates for a 1.5 day conference plus an educational program showcasing the region.

Ms Close said the selection of Tropical North Queensland for the convention is particularly appropriate given that the focus of the 2019 convention will be sustainability.

“Tropical North Queensland has two World Heritage areas with Ecotourism Australia-accredited operators,” Ms Close said.

“This convention will give us an outstanding opportunity to promote these natural environments and the sustainable way they are managed.

“Bringing this prestigious event to Cairns is part of TTNQ’s strategy to master our region’s story and be the gateway to the thousands of stories across the length and breadth of the destination.

“Tropical North Queensland won the bid based on the diverse travel experiences we offer and the timing is perfect with millions of dollars of tourism infrastructure just completed or under construction,

The city’s newest hotel, Riley, which opens in November 2018 will host the convention. It is the first of three new five-star hotels from the Crystalbrook Collection to open in Cairns with the next two hotels opening in 2019.

The Australian Society of Travel Writers is the peak travel writing body in Australia, with more than 300 members who provide exceptional media coverage of travel destinations and experiences.

The society’s annual convention may be held anywhere in the world, with previous destinations including South Africa, Fiji, Vietnam, South Korea, China, Malaysia and New Caledonia.

Convention host cities receive significant media exposure in leading Australian and international press, social media, websites, radio and television programs, and travel guides.

The 2017 convention was held on the Sunshine Coast, which received substantial national and international media coverage, driving greater knowledge of and increased tourism to the area.

Australian Society of Travel Writers announces Winners of 2018 Awards for Excellence

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Australia’s top travel writers and public relations professionals were honoured at the annual ASTW Awards for Excellence gala held at Anantara Riverside, Bangkok Thailand, on 19 August, 2018.

These prestigious awards are now in their 25th year and are a highlight of the annual ASTW Convention, with more than 120 guests travelling from across Australia to attend.

The top writer accolade, Travel Writer of the Year, sponsored by Visit USA Australia, was awarded to Catherine Marshall for a second consecutive year. She was judged on three stories published in Qantas magazine, The Australian and Sydney Morning Herald’s Traveller section.

Ms Marshall was also awarded Best Food Story sponsored by United Airlines and the Best International Story under 1000 words, sponsored by the Insurance Council of Australia.

“This is indeed a tremendous honour and an event to be celebrated with gusto. This accolade hinges on so many people: my editors; the operators who so kindly hosted me; the panel of judges; and the ASTW committee. A great big thank-you to Visit USA for sponsoring this award,” said Catherine Marshall.

ASTW Photographer of the Year, sponsored by Abercrombie & Kent, went to Dan Avila, “It’s an extreme honour to receive this award for a third consecutive year. The ASTW is a fantastic organisation of hard-working professionals who care deeply about the travel industry. It’s through these relationships that wonderful opportunities to take photos and write stories come about.”

In a clean sweep, Dan also won the inaugural Best Instagram Photo sponsored by the ASTW 2018 Convention destination host Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Best Travel Photo sponsored by Thai Airways International.

The top PR accolade, Communicator of the Year, sponsored by TravMedia, was awarded to Pip Macken from DC&A Worldwide – Destination Canada.

Ms Macken said she was thrilled to be recognised among such amazing talent and thanked the ASTW and its members for their loyal support and encouragement.

“Working for Destination Canada is truly the dream job and I’m so grateful to have the chance to work alongside Aussie writers and photographers who are such fantastic Canada advocates.”

Other categories included Best Family Travel Story, Best Australian Story Over and Under 1000 words and Best Food Travel Story. All categories, winners and finalists are detailed below.

“ASTW members represent the leading writers, editors, publishers, content creators and public relations professionals of the Australian travel industry. More than 490 entries – a record breaking number – were received across the 20 Award categories with an exceptional calibre of entrants. Being named a finalist is an absolute honour and I congratulate you all,” said ASTW President Danielle Lancaster.

“I would also like to thank each of the sponsors, in particular the Tourism Authority of Thailand, who were the major sponsor of this year’s convention. Finally, thank you to our esteemed judges from Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Norway, India, Sweden and the USA. Each award has three independent judges, each of whom gives their time to judge the awards. All commented on the high quality of work.”

For media information contact ASTW PR representatives:
Saskia Baker on 0407 752 813 or saskia@smbcommunications.com.au
Angela Thompson on 0481 368 018 or athompsonPR@gmail.com

For more information on the ASTW or to become a member see  How to apply

FULL LIST of WINNERS:

TRAVEL WRITER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY VISIT USA AUSTRALIA 

WINNER – CATHERINE MARSHALL

Catherine Marshall

A budding romance – Traveller/Fairfax Media

Down to earth – The Weekend Australian

A town called Marfa – Qantas magazine

OTHER FINALISTS:

Kerry van der Jagt

Day of the Dead – Vacations & Travel magazine

Memories are made of this – Traveller/Fairfax Media

Jordan history tour – Traveller/Fairfax Media

John Borthwick

Into the wilds – The Weekend Australian *no link

A sandy road to Qld beachside adventure – The West Australian

Turn and face the strain – Adventure.com

ASTW PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by ABERCROMBIE & KENT

WINNER – DAN AVILA

Cable Beach Camels – Holidays with Kids
Abu Dhabi Sunset  – Signature Luxury Travel & Style Magazine
The Road to Hana – Signature Luxury Travel & Style Magazine
Pre-dawn Patagonia – Vacations & Travel Magazine
Ningaloo Nature – Vacations & Travel Magazine

OTHER FINALISTS:

Jocelyn Pride
Walking on thin ice – Vacations & Travel
Midnight sun – Vacations & Travel
Crystal clear – Vacations & Travel
Concordia – Vacations & Travel
Bad breath – Vacations & Travel

Kara Murphy

Speckled humpback – Dockwalk
Manta parade – Southern Boating
Turtle trio – Southern Boating
Molokini crater convergence – Escape/News Ltd
Finding Nemo in the Similans –  International Traveller

COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by TRAVMEDIA

WINNER – PIP MACKEN – DC&A WORLDWIDE – DESTINATION CANADA

OTHER FINALISTS:

Peter Hook – Hook Communications
Donna Parkin – Parkin PR
Shelley Winkel – Tourism Queensland

THE JACK BUTTERS AWARD
Honorary award given to someone who has made an important contribution to the ASTW
WINNER –   PETER HOOK

BEST STORY ABOUT AGM HOST DESTINATION 2017: SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND
Sponsored by VISIT SUNSHINE COAST

WINNERS:
JULIE MILLER
Sand Dunes And Sunsets – Julie Miller – Nat Geo Australia
JOHN BORTHWICK
A Sandy Road To Qld Beachside Adventures  – The West AUSTRALIAN

OTHER FINALISTS:

Christine Retschlag – Sunshine Coasting – The Global Goddess
Celeste Mitchell – Everybody loves the Sunshine – Australian Traveller

BEST FAMILY TRAVEL STORY
Sponsored by FAMILY TRAVEL

WINNER – SHERIDEN RHODES
A million-star experience on a floating hotel – Traveller/Fairfax Media

OTHER FINALISTS:
Jac Taylor – No work and all play – International Traveller
Mark Daffey – Wet ‘n Wild – Traveller/Fairfax Media

BEST AUSTRALIAN STORY UNDER 1000 WORDS
Sponsored by TOURISM AUSTRALIA

WINNERS:
BELINDA JACKSON
Luxury to bank on – Traveller/Fairfax Media
ANDREW BAIN
Australia’s most unusual natural wonder – Traveller/Fairfax Media

OTHER FINALISTS:
Roderick Eime – Adventures in the Kimberley – Courier Mail
Jennifer Ennion – Snorkel with seals off Tasmania’s southeast shores – Weekend Australian
Catherine Best – Branching out – The Australian

BEST AUSTRALIAN STORY OVER 1000 WORDS
Sponsored by TOURISM AUSTRALIA 

WINNER – BRAD CROUCH
Only in S.A. – Escape/News Ltd

OTHER FINALISTS:
Tracey Croke – Mountain biking in Far North Qld – Rad Season
Christine Retschlag – You’ll discover a bounty of beauty – Australian Senior
Celeste Mitchell – Everybody loves the Sunshine – Australian Traveller

BEST FOOD TRAVEL STORY
Sponsored by UNITED AIRLINES

WINNER: CATHERINE MARSHALL

Wildlife on the move – The Weekend Australian

OTHER FINALISTS:
Craig Tansley – Taste of Kakadu– Traveller/Fairfax Media
Penny Watson – Taste of Victoria – DestinAsian Magazine 

BEST INSTAGRAM PHOTO
Sponsored by Tourism Authority Thailand

WINNER: DAN AVILA
My bison moment

OTHER FINALISTS:
Aleney de Winter – Cape Hillsborough
Tracey Croke – Sled Ride
Lauren Bath – Choki check up
Kara Murphy – Turtle at Lady Elliot


BEST RESPONSIBLE TOURISM STORY
Sponsored by INTREPID TRAVEL

WINNER: LOUISE SOUTHERDEN
Feynan Ecolodge, Jordan: A sustainable hotel in the Dana Biosphere Reserve –Traveller/Fairfax Media

OTHER FINALISTS:
Angela Saurine – Creatures Great and Small – MindFood
Kara Murphy – How to choose an ethical elephant encounter in Thailand – International Traveller
Krysia Bonkowski – Small but mighty – Jetstar magazine

BEST ADVENTURE STORY
Sponsored by G ADVENTURES

WINNER: RODERICK EIME
Riding the Revolution – Australian Road Rider

OTHER FINALISTS:
Jim Darby – From ski pole to South Pole – Traveller/Fairfax Media
Andrew Bain – Wild Finnish Winter – Outdoor

BEST TOURISM ORGANISATION OR TRAVEL PRODUCT
Sponsored by ASTW

WINNER: GLASGOW TOURISM – LAURA SPEIRS

OTHER FINALISTS:
Aiofe Finnegan – Tourism Ireland
Alison Roberts Brown/Leah Froelich – Visit Monaco

BEST CRUISE STORY
Sponsored By CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (CLIA)

WINNER: CRAIG TANSLEY
Tears of Joy – The Financial Review

OTHER FINALISTS:
Jocelyn Pride – Antarctic dreaming – Cruise Passenger      
Maggy Oehlbeck – Living the dream – The Australian

BEST INTERNATIONAL STORY OVER 1000 WORDS
Sponsored by ACCORHOTELS

WINNER: KERRY VAN DER JAGT
Day of the Dead – Vacations & Travel magazine

OTHER FINALISTS:
Rob McFarland – Seeing the gorillas in Africa’s safest nation – Traveller/Fairfax Media
Craig Tansley – Canada’s First and Last Great Ski Town – Traveller/Fairfax Media

BEST INTERNATIONAL STORY UNDER 1000 WORDS
Sponsored by INSURANCE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA

WINNER: CATHERINE MARSHALL
On the Fragrance trail in Oman – Financial Review

OTHER FINALISTS:
John Borthwick – A Taste of the Royal Life – The West Australian
Mark Daffey – Tracking Hunter – Traveller/Fairfax Media

PR CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR – DIGITAL OR TRADITIONAL
Sponsored by ASTW

WINNER: DC&a wORLDWIDE – DESTINATION CANADA – dONNA

CAMPBELL AND PIP MACKEN 

OTHER FINALISTS:
Voyages – Field of Light Season 2 launch – Karena Noble
Mudgee Let’s Skip Town – Klick – Kim McKay
TFE Hotels & Frank PR – Doggie Degustation by – Caitlin Georghiou                    

BEST TOURISM AND TRAVEL NEWS STORY
Sponsored by PEREGRINE ADVENTURES IN HONOUR OF KRIS MADDEN

WINNER: ALENEY DE WINTER
The Capital of Cool – Vacations & Travel magazine     

OTHER FINALISTS:
Roderick Eime – Voyages of Discovery – The Australian
Jocelyn Pride – Poles Apart – Vacations & Travel magazine

BEST TRAVEL BLOG
Sponsored by OUT AND ABOUT WITH KIDS

WINNER – THE GLOBAL GODDESS – Christine Retschlag

OTHER FINALISTS
Have Wheelchair Will Travel – Julie Jones
BoyEatsWorld – Aleney de Winter

BEST TRAVEL BLOG POST
Sponsored by FAMILY TRAVEL

WINNER: BOYEATSWORLD  – The Call of Cambodia

OTHER FINALISTS:
Together We Roam – Phuket’s only ethical elephant tour
The Global Goddess –  My Saharan Stupidity

BEST TRAVEL PHOTO
Sponsored by Thai Airways International

WINNER – DAN AVILA
Pre-dawn Patagonia – Vacations & Travel

OTHER FINALISTS
Rob Dunlop – Clouds cling to mountaintop – Vacations & Travel
Kara Murphy – Molokini Crater convergence – Escape/News Ltd

Related information

2018 Awards for Excellence
2018 Awards judges

Calling all budding travel writers

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The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) have collaborated to launch a new initiative, aimed at enticing a new era of travel writers in Australia.

In a first for the ASTW, the association will introduce the “Rising Star” award to their existing 2018 Awards for Excellence programme, designed to provide a boost for writers looking to expand their expertise into the often daunting but aspirational travel writing industry.

The award is open to writers and digital influencers who have had their first paid travel story published in the past two years.

Entries will be reviewed by three judges: HKTB Regional Director, Andrew Clark; author of the Hong Kong Precincts guidebook and ASTW committee member, Penny Watson; and award-winning freelance journalist and media industry academic, Lee Mylne. The travel editor for Australian media organisation, Fairfax Media, will review a shortlist of three finalists to select the final winner.

The winner will receive a trip to Hong Kong, including: return economy airfares; four nights’ accommodation; return Airport Express Line voucher; MTR pass with HK$200 credit; dinner at Ho Lee Fook; foodie tour of Sham Shui Po; tour of Tai Kwun – Hong Kong’s new centre for Heritage and Arts; traditional junk boat ride to view the nightly light and sound show – A Symphony of Lights. The winner’s subsequent Hong Kong story will also be published by Traveller.com.au and will be considered for Traveller’s print edition in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

The winner will also receive a one-year “Rising Star” membership to the ASTW valued at AU$400 and will be invited to attend an ASTW Christmas lunch where they will be presented with their award.

ASTW president, Danielle Lancaster said this is an exciting initiative for the ASTW that will give back to the writing community and ensure a healthy future for the society.

“The ASTW was founded in 1975 and today has more than 300 members. We want to share this wealth of knowledge and talent with those eager to also craft a career in the travel writing industry,” Ms Lancaster said.

“The committee are always looking for ways to mentor rising talent and educate the industry on the benefits of being a member, we were thrilled to be approached by HKTB with an idea to make this goal come to life.”

HKTB regional director – Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Andrew Clark said The HKTB are thrilled to be supporting grassroots development in the travel writing industry.

“It’s great to be a part of an initiative which supports up-coming talent and also the ASTW which we have long been associated with,” Mr Clark said.

“Hong Kong is also a fantastic destination to ‘cut your teeth’ as a travel writer, with so many experiences, neighbourhoods and environments to suit any style of writer. We look forward to working with the ASTW to grow this award and also the overall platform for Australian writing talent.”

Award criteria:

  • – Award entrants are writers or digital influencers who have had their first paid travel story published in the past two years and who are not existing ASTW members
  • – The award submission must be a travel related article under 1,000 words published between 31 October, 2016 – 31 October, 2018
  • – The article must have been a paid commission and judges will need to see evidence of story payment, upon request
  • – The article will have featured in a print publication with a minimum circulation of 20,000 or in an online publication with a minimum of 10,000 unique visitors per month

How to enter:

Entries are open from 1 August, 2018 to 31 October, 2018 via astw.org.au/rising-star
The winner will be announced on 30 November, 2018 on www.astw.org.au/news; www.facebook.com/australiansocietyoftravelwriters and will also be notified via phone.

For more information on the award visit www.astw.org.au or for information about Hong Kong, visit www.discoverhongkong.com/au

ASTW members collect awards

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Australian Society of Travel Writers member Aleney de Winter has won the PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Gold Award for Travel Journalism for her destination article entitled “Angkor Away”, which was published in Holidays With Kids.

Aleney de Winter, who will travel to Langkawi in September to collect the award, said she has had a decades long love affair with Cambodia and has seen first-hand how tourism has helped the country recover from its traumatic past. “To receive this award for celebrating the transformative power of travel and encouraging families to explore Cambodia’s many wonders is an incredible feeling.”

Photo: Aleney de Winter

Another accolade for the ASTW was received by member Jocelyn Pride who has been named “Best Travel Writer – Consumer” in the annual National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA), hosted by the Australian Federation of Travel Agents on Saturday, July 22.

Pride was one of five ASTW members to be named as finalists in the award category. Other nominees included Helen Hayes, Barry O’Brien, Christine Retschlag and Aleney de Winter.

The winning article “Poles apart” featured in Vacations & Travel magazine. It reviewed the nature and wildlife differences between the Arctic and Antarctic and touched on the Polar Code, which is being introduced to control tourism organisations to ensure stability in these vulnerable destinations.

“Being a part of the NTIA gala evening with the other finalists made me truly appreciate the scale and the positive vibe of the travel industry in general. I only recently joined the industry in 2014, after a long teaching career, so the award means a great deal to me because it validates my career change.” said Jocelyn Pride.

 

Photo: Jocelyn Pride-NITA winner with Tony Archbold – HAL Director of Sales, Australia

ASTW President, Danielle Lancaster said: “Congratulations to Aleney, Jocelyn and all the finalists on behalf of the ASTW community. We are thrilled at the recognition of talent within the Society and encourage members to take opportunities such as PATA and NTIA to profile their work”.

For more information about ASTW or to become a member, see How to apply or contact Secretariat, Justine White, on secretariat@astw.org.au.

About the ASTW

The ASTW is a 300-strong group of travel writers, editors, radio and television broadcasters, bloggers, guide book authors and photographers (as well as travel industry public relations and marketing professionals) whose work appears regularly in major newspapers, magazines, airwaves and websites across Australia and the world.

All ASTW members must satisfy strict criteria to join and are obligated to substantiate their membership annually by providing details of their published output or industry participation. They must also adhere to a Code of Ethics. By ensuring that only bona fide applicants are admitted, the ASTW maintains its integrity and the professionalism of the travel industry.

ASTW announces finalists for 2018 Awards for Excellence

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The Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) is proud to announce the finalists for the 2018 Awards of Excellence. We had a record breaking amount of entries this year, with some new categories introduced.

We would like to thank each and every one of our sponsors – without them, there are no awards.

The Society would also like to thank the judges. There are three independent judges for each category, all industry leaders hailing from the USA, UK, India, New Zealand, Canada, China and Australia.

The winners will be announced at the 2018 Awards for Excellence, to be held at Anantara Riverside, Bangkok, Thailand, on 19 August.

View the complete list of finalists

 

For media information, contact ASTW PR representatives:

Saskia Baker on 0407 752 813 or saskia@smbcommunications.com.au
Angela Thompson on 0481 368 018 or athompsonPR@gmail.com

For more information on the ASTW or to become a member see How to apply.

ASTW pleased to partner with Visit USA again in 2018

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The Australian Society of Travel Writers is pleased to announce that Visit USA have come on board as the sponsor for this year’s coveted Travel Writer of the Year award. Visit USA sponsored the 2017 award, won by Catherine Marshall.

Visit USA is a voluntary body that promotes travel to the United States of America. It is funded by individual members from the Australian Travel Trade as well as from associate members in the USA. The Board Members of the organisation work vigorously to promote the US as a desirable destination of choice.

The Travel Writer of the Year is Awarded to the writer member with the best portfolio of three published travel stories for the judging period. It is the most coveted of the 20 awards presented at the ASTW’s Travel Journalism Awards for Excellence, an annual celebration of outstanding travel writing, photography, and tourism communications.

Established in 1992, this is a closely contested competition among peers, focusing on the very best published work of the year. Recognition of talent, a coveted trophy and prizes are the rewards for the winners.

Visit USA will be sponsoring the award along with a prize, which will see the winner gain entry to the Brand USA visiting journalist program. The 2018 awards will be presented at the annual ASTW Convention in Thailand in August.

For more information about sponsoring awards, lunches or events; attending events as a member’s guest or for membership enquiries, please explore this website or contact secretariat Justine White on secretariat@astw.org.au

About the ASTW

The ASTW is a 300-strong group of travel writers, editors, radio and television broadcasters, bloggers, guidebook authors and photographers (as well as travel industry public relations and marketing professionals) whose work appears regularly in major newspapers, magazines, airwaves and websites across Australia and the world.

All ASTW members must satisfy strict criteria to join and are obligated to substantiate their membership annually by providing details of their published output or industry participation. They must also adhere to a Code of Ethics. By ensuring that only bona fide applicants are admitted, the ASTW maintains its integrity and the professionalism of the travel industry.

This news item originally appeared on ETB Travel News.

Entries for ASTW Awards for Excellence Closing Soon

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Calling all ASTW writer and PR members to enter the 2018 Awards for Excellence before 1 May to showcase your best story, blog, photograph, PR campaign or organisation. The 20 award categories are inclusive of members working across traditional, digital, specialist or boutique media and tourism organisations.

Award winners and finalists will be celebrated by industry peers at the gala dinner held on 18 August, 2018 in Bangkok and will receive a new logo to include on their digital and print material to highlight the calibre of their work to editors, clients and colleagues. A prize and trophy will be presented to category winners.

The awards are judged by a panel of three independent, international and national industry professionals. Seventeen awards are open to writer members and three to PR members. Nominations for the Communicator of the Year Award have now closed, with writer members to receive an email to vote on finalists.

CATEGORIES INCLUDE:

  • ASTW Travel Writer of the Year
  • ASTW Travel Photographer of the Year
  • Best Adventure Travel Story
  • Best Australian Story under 1000 words
  • Best Australian Story over 1000 words
  • Best Cruise Travel Story
  • Best Family Travel Story
  • Best Food Travel Story
  • Best Instagram Photograph NEW in 2018
  • Best International Story under 1000 words
  • Best International Story over 1000 words
  • Best Responsible Tourism Story
  • Best Trade and Tourism News Story
  • Best Travel Blog
  • Best Travel Blog Post NEW in 2018
  • Best Travel Photograph
  • Best Travel Story about the AGM host destination – Sunshine Coast
  • PR – Campaign of the Year (Digital or Traditional)
  • PR – Communicator of the Year Now nominated by writer members
  • PR – Best Tourism Organisation or Travel Product

TO ENTER: See 2018 Awards for Excellence

COST: $25 per entry

KEY DATES:

  • Entries must be received no later than 23:59 (11.59pm) on 1 May 2018
  • Finalists announced – Monday 9 July 2018
  • Winners announced at Gala Dinner – Saturday 18 August 2018

The Awards for Excellence is an annual celebration of outstanding travel writing, photography, and tourism communications. Established in 1992, this is a closely contested competition among peers, focusing on the very best published work of the year.

For more information about ASTW or to become a member, see Who can join or contact Secretariat, Justine White, on secretariat@astw.org.au.

Terms & Conditions:

The ASTW Awards for Excellence are only open to financial writer members, including full writers, associate writers, photographers and digital influencers; and PR Members of the Australian Society of Travel Writers. All entries must have been published for the first time in print or online, in Australia or overseas, between 1 May 2017 and 30 April 2018. If you have a story that is published on 30 April 2018, you can enter the story without the proof of publication. Please send the proof of publication within a week of being published. New members can only enter awards that have been published after their joining date. Please read all terms and conditions on the entry form.