Cathay Pacific Travel Media Awards 2012 open for entries

Cathay Pacific Travel Media Awards 2012
open for entries

Supreme prize: trip for two to Rome
Two new categories

Travcom (New Zealand Travel Communicators) is calling for entries to its annual Cathay Pacific Travel Media Awards. The deadline for entering is Friday, 3 February 2012.

The supreme winners of the Cathay Pacific Travel Writer of the Year and Cathay Pacific Travel Photographer of the Year awards will each receive two return tickets to Rome, Italy travelling with Cathay Pacific, $500 towards travel expenses and a Mediterranean cruise with Royal Caribbean Cruises.

“We’re delighted this year to be announcing a new, one-off award,” says Travcom president Pamela Wade. “The Rhys Brookbanks Memorial Award remembers a young Travcom member who died in the February earthquake. The best travel story published about Canterbury, or highlighting Christchurch as a gateway to the South Island, will receive $1,000. It’s a small way of acknowledging Rhys, and of supporting the rebuilding of tourism in Canterbury.

“I am also excited to welcome NZ Maori Tourism to our family of sponsors, which opens a new category to the awards with terrific prizes. The NZ Maori Tourism Award will give $2,000 to the best travel story about a Maori tourism experience, and $2,000 for the best travel image that captures the essence of Maori.

“Maori tourism is a rapidly growing segment of our travel industry. Experiences of our indigenous culture adds richness to any tourist visit, and helps set Aotearoa New Zealand apart from the rest of the world. We are delighted to be able to recognise excellence in travel writing and photography focused on this sector,” says Pamela.

All winners will be announced at a gala dinner awards evening on Tuesday, 20 March 2012 at the Heritage Auckland’s Grand Tearoom.

“This year’s grand prizes are particularly enviable and we’re gratified by the ongoing generosity of our sponsors,” adds Pamela.

“As the professional association of the travel media industry, Travcom aims to encourage high standards of travel writing and photography in both domestic and international content. Our awards are the premier forum for recognising excellence in the professions of travel writing and photography.”

Full list of categories and prizes

Writing awards:

Cathay Pacific Travel Writer of the Year Award for overall best writing

The winner receives two economy class tickets to Rome travelling with Cathay Pacific plus $500 towards travel expenses and a 10 or 11 day Mediterranean cruise (depending on date chosen), provided by Celebrity Cruises on Celebrity Equinox, departing from Rome and sailing to destinations in Italy, the Greek Islands and Turkey.

Auckland Airport Award for the Best Magazine Travel Story
The winner receives $2,000 cash.

Heritage Boutique Collection Award for the Best Newspaper Travel Story

The prize is five room night vouchers for a one bedroom deluxe suite or equivalent which can be redeemed across the stylish Heritage Boutique Collection throughout New Zealand.

Heritage Hotels Award for the Best Travel Story about New Zealand
The winner receives seven room nights with breakfast for two to stay at any one of the pre-eminent range of Heritage or CityLife hotels located throughout New Zealand.

Interislander Award for the Best Story about a Journey
The winner receives a return crossing on the Interislander for a car and two passengers (including driver), and $1,000. This is not a destination piece, but a story of a journey describing experiences and sights seen while travelling.

British High Commission and Tourism Ireland Award for the Best Travel Story about Britain and/or Ireland
The winner may choose stunning collection pieces from Waterford Wedgewood worth $1,000, plus $1,000 cash.

NZ Maori Tourism Award for the Best Travel Story about a Maori Tourism Experience

The winner receives $2,000 cash.

The Rhys Brookbanks memorial award

The winner receives $1,000 cash for the best travel story published about Canterbury, or highlighting Christchurch as a gateway to South Island travel. The aim of this one-off award is to support in the rebuilding of tourism in the region.

AA Directions New Travel Writer of the Year Award
The winner receives $1,000 cash.

Travcom Travel book of the year

The winner receives marketing rights to publicise itself as the winner of this category.

Photography awards:

Photographers should note two new rules:

Images in the best travel image category with people should feature people as the main theme of the image.

Images in the best travel image taken outside New Zealand category may feature people in the images as long as they are not the main theme.

Cathay Pacific Travel Photographer of the Year Award for overall best photography

The winner receives two economy class tickets to Rome travelling with Cathay Pacific plus $500 towards travel expenses and a 10 or 11 day Mediterranean cruise (depending on date chosen), provided by Celebrity Cruises on Celebrity Equinox, departing from Rome and sailing to destinations in Italy, the Greek Islands and Turkey.

Auckland Airport Award for the Best Travel Image taken in New Zealand
The winner receives $2,000 cash.

Fujifilm Award for the Best Travel Image taken outside New Zealand
The winner receives a choice of a FinePix HS20 or the FinePix W3 Real 3D digital camera.

Air Vanuatu and Mangoes Resort Award for the Best Series of Travel Images
The winner receives two return economy class tickets to Port Vila plus four nights’ accommodation at Mangoes resort including light breakfasts.

AA Directions Magazine Award for the Best Travel Image with People
The winner receives $1,500 cash plus the winning image will be published in AA Directions Magazine.

Epson Award for the Best Unpublished Travel Image
The winner receives $1,500 worth of Epson products.

NZ Maori Tourism Award for the Best Travel Image that captures the essence of Maori.

The winner receives $2,000 cash.

How to enter

Download entry forms for the Cathay Pacific Travel Media Awards directly from www.travelcommunicators.co.nz , or to receive entry forms by email or post contact helen.davies@clear.net.nz.

Please note that separate entry forms are required for the AA Directions Magazine new travel writer of the year award and the Travcom travel book of the year award.

Entry deadlines

3 February 2012: photography and writing entry deadline

11 February 2012: AA Directions New Travel Writer entry deadline

ENDS

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