Natadola Bay, Fiji: Winners of the 17 award categories in the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) 2014 Journalism Awards for Excellence were announced at a gala presentation evening yesterday.

ASTW president Kerry Heaney has lauded the event as a great success after the society's annual AGM and convention, which was held at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa.

“Our members have produced a superb array of written words, photography, digital content and public relations campaigns over the last 12 months and we congratulate all of this year's winners,” ASTW president Kerry Heaney said.

“On behalf of the members we thank both the judges, who took the time to evaluate the submissions, and also the award category sponsors and prize supporters who have ensured that our awards maintain the prestige that they have established within the travel and communications industry over the last 22 years.”

“It was quite a celebration at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, and I know each of our convention attendees were appreciative of the hospitality we have enjoyed at the resort - and within Fiji,” Ms Heaney said.

Winners of each 2014 Journalism Awards for Excellence category include:

• Travel Writer of the Year Award, sponsored by Tourism Fiji:

Ben Groundwater for Night Visions After Dark, The type of town that makes travelling great and Gone Native, no Bula 

• PR Communicator or Communications Team of the Year Award, sponsored by TravMedia:

Kim McKay, Klick Communications

• Photographer of the Year Award, sponsored by Papua New Guinea Tourism Authority:

Cameron Cope for Fist and Magic - Senegal Wrestlers

• Best Australian Story Under 1000 Words Award, sponsored by Tourism Australia:

Cameron Cope for Myths and mountains

• Best Australian Story Over 1000 Words Award, sponsored by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia:

Kerry van der Jagt for Saltwater Dreaming

• Best International Story Under 1000 Words Award, sponsored by Macau Government Tourist Office:

Daniel Scott for Bar/fly Wimbeldon Common

• Best International Story Over 1000 Words Award, sponsored by InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa:

Robert McFarland for Working on the chain gang

• Best Adventure Travel Story Award, sponsored by World Expeditions:

Roderick Eime for Spirit of Africa

•  Best Responsible Tourism Story Award, sponsored by The Travel Corporation's TreadRight Foundation:

Belinda Jackson for Sustainable Melbourne

• Outstanding Tourism Organisation or Travel Product Award, sponsored by PPR:

World Expeditions for the Larapinta Trail 

• Best Food Travel Story Award, sponsored by Intrepid Travel:

Christine Retschlag for Rough road from prison gate to plate

• Best Cruise Travel Story, with a prize provided by TravMedia:

Belinda Jackson for Search for the glow

• ·   Best Luxury Travel Story, sponsored by Inspired Luxury and Elite Havens:

Louise Southerden for Wildly indulgent 

• Best use of Digital - Writer, with a prize provided by Wotif:

Christina Pfeiffer for TRAVELTHERENEXT

• Best Travel Book, with a prize provided by TravMedia:

Danielle Lancaster for 4WD Treks Close to Brisbane

• Best Family Travel Story Award, with a prize provided  by Outrigger Resorts:

Tiana Templeman for Racing road trains in a campervan

• Best PR Campaign Award, with a prize provided by Sidekicker:

PPR for South African Tourism Australia

For more information on the ASTW and the 2014 Awards for Journalism Excellence, visit www.astw.org.au or follow #ASTW2014.

For more information, please contact:

Annike Morgan

PR Member 2014 ASTW Committee

amorgan@ppr.com.au

+61 411 425 549