The Australian Society of Travel Writers is delighted to announce the finalists for the 2016 Awards of Excellence. 

The team of judges, gathered from around the world, have praised the quality of the entries with several saying they were inspired to travel to a range of destinations after reading them.

Thank you to everyone for entering and congratulations to all the finalists.

WRITER AWARDS

Travel Writer of the Year - Sponsored by South Africa Tourism

Kerry van der Jagt
Where to Sing and Swim with Wild Dolphins – Traveller - Fairfax Media
Grin and Bear It - Traveller - Fairfax Media
Myanmar: Floating on a wave of hope for a new beginning - Traveller - Fairfax Media

Craig Tansley
Coming Up Trumps - Traveller - Fairfax Media
The Last Great Ski Town - Traveller - Fairfax Media
Maldives Luxury Adventure on a Budget - Traveller - Fairfax Media

John Borthwick 
Where the Cold War Thawed – The Weekend Australian
Burmese Daze - Traveller - Fairfax Media
In the Wake of Cape Crusaders - Traveller - Fairfax Media

Best Travel Broadcaster – Sponsored by Tourism and Events Queensland

Ben Groundwater – Beauty and the Backpacker travel web series – Traveller – Fairfax Media

Quentin Long – Mornings/Today Extra - Channel 9

Greg Grainger – Greg Grainger TV                                                    

Photographer of the Year – Sponsored by Tourism Authority of Thailand

Dan Avila - Alone in the Universe/Love on the Bosphorus/Heaven

Jocelyn Pride - Three Pillars of Travel: Protect/Respect/Reflect

Mark Daffey - Antiquity/Harmony/Destiny

Best Story about the AGM Host Destination - Sponsored by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Justine Costigan - Written in the Stars – Jetstar magazine

Marie Barbieri - The Red Beating Heart – Australia & New Zealand magazine

Angela Saurine - The Heart of the Rock – Best Weekend – News Ltd

Best Family Travel Story – Sponsored by Signature Media

Belinda Jackson - Dolphin Island Fiji: Family Experience for a chosen few- Traveller – Fairfax Media                    

Mark Daffey - Are We There Yet? – Traveller – Fairfax Media

Helen Hayes - Salzburg - A Favourite Thing – Holidays with Kids magazine

Sheriden Rhodes - Island Life Revisited      - Five Star Kids Magazine

Best Travel Blog – Sponsored by TFE Hotels

Girl Tweets World - Jayne Gorman

Together We Roam - Rene Young

Boy Eats World - Aleney de Winter       

Best Australian Story – Sponsored by Tourism Australia

Kerry van der Jagt - Where to swim and sing with dolphins - Traveller - Fairfax Media

Andrew Bain - Cape Crusaders - Traveller - Fairfax Media

Celeste Mitchell - Girls Just Wanna Have 4WD Fun - Escape - News Ltd

Best Food Story – Sponsored by Outrigger Hotels and Resorts

Sue Wallace - Summer in Aspen – Delicious

Sue Gough Henly - Dining for the Greater Good – Australian Traveller magazine

Carla Grossetti - A Taste of History – Cuisine magazine

Best Responsible Tourism story – Sponsored by Intrepid Travel

Kerry van der Jagt - Monaco's Prince Albert is on a Mission to protect the environment - Traveller - Fairfax Media

Andrew Bain - Nature's treasure trove – Traveller - Fairfax Media

Jocelyn Pride - Alaska Untouched - Wellbeing

Best Adventure Story – Sponsored by G Adventures

Andrew Bain – Back to Peak Performance – Traveller – Fairfax Media

Lee Atkinson – Driving Across the Simpson Desert – Traveller – Fairfax Media

Catherine Marshall – Drums of the Jungle God – Traveller – Fairfax Media

Roderick Eime – Southern Exposure – MINDFOOD magazine

Best Cruise Story

John Borthwick – Burmese Daze - Traveller - Fairfax Media

Craig Tansley – Maldives Luxury Adventure - Traveller - Fairfax Media

Jocelyn Pride – It's (not) all Akademik – International Traveller magazine

Best Story Over 1000 words – Sponsored by AccorHotels

Craig Tansley – Where Cross Country Skiing is a Religion – Traveller – Fairfax Media

John Borthwick – Where the Cold War Thawed – Weekend Australian

Marian McGuinness – Scents and Sensibility – Weekend Australian

Best Story Under 1000 words – Sponsored by Macau Government Tourist Office

Tim Richards - A Boy and A Coin – Traveller – Fairfax Media

Rob McFarland - Cowboy in Training – Traveller – Fairfax Media

Kerry van der Jagt - In Wake of Van Gogh – Traveller – Fairfax Media

Best Tourism and Travel Trade Story

Kristine Madden - The Wheel of Fortune – Travel Bulletin

Lee Mylne - Traversing the Long, Open Road – Travel Bulletin

Sheriden Rhodes - Well, well, well – Traveller – Fairfax Media

PR AWARDS

PR Campaign of the Year Sponsored by TravMedia

Kim McKay - Positively Wellington Tourism

Karena Noble - Launch of Field of Light Uluru

Natalie Schofield - Westin - World Sleep Day       

Communicator or Communications Team of the Year – Sponsored by TravMedia

Klick Communications

Karena Noble

AccorHotels

Best Tourism Organisation or Travel Product – Sponsored by ZOIK

Leigh Maloney – The Little Nell

Caroline Davidson – Rocky Mountain International

Karena Noble – Ayers Rock Resort Indigenous Tourism

Thank you to all the sponsors who have come on board to support the ASTW. There are still sponsorship opportunities available for a couple of final award categories. If you are interested in providing sponsorship, please contact Aleney de Winter.

The AGM in Cape Town is going to be fantastic – if you are thinking of coming it is not too late – sign up today by contacting secretariat@astw.org.au.