Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards Explained

Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards
Awarded For:Excellence in travel journalism, including editing (newspaper, magazine, website travel coverage); writing (magazines, online, newspapers, books); and multi-media (broadcasting, special packages podcasts, video, photography, radio).
Presenter:Society of American Travel Writers Foundation
Date:Annual
Website:http://www.satwf.org

The Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards are administered by the U.S.-based Society of American Travel Writers Foundation (SATW Foundation), a nonprofit organization founded in the early 1980s to recognize excellence in travel journalism. The first awards were given in 1985 for work done in 1984. The competition is named after Lowell Thomas, the celebrated 20th century travel journalist and broadcaster. It is open to journalists from around the world and is considered one of the premier professional awards programs for travel journalists and communicators.[1] [2] Entrants (in the early 2020s, more than 1200 annually)[3] include major media outlets, staff writers and editors, freelancers, book authors, digital communicators, and journalism fellows from such institutions as the Pulitzer Center.[4] The competition honors works in more than two dozen categories, including print, digital, audio, video and photography. Winners are announced at the SATW (Society of America Travel Writers) annual convention and receive cash prizes.

The competition attracts entries from, and is covered by, major media,[5] including the New York Times,[6] Chicago Tribune,[7] Los Angeles Times,[8] Orange County Register,[9] Washington Post,[10] Cleveland Plain Dealer,[11] Oregonian,[12] Outside magazine,[13] and Globe and Mail.[14]

Categories

The Grand Award (Travel Journalist of the Year) is given to an editor or writer whose work excels in at least five of the awards categories. In 1985 (the first year awards were given), there were 15 categories. In the intervening years, new categories, including blogging, websites, video, and multi-media, were added to reflect the changing journalism landscape. For the awards announced in 2021, a new category travel for health and safety was added, and the list had expanded to 27 categories:[15] Grand Award, Travel Health/Safety Coverage, Newspaper Travel Coverage, Travel Magazines, Travel Coverage in General Magazines, U.S./Canada Travel, Foreign Travel, Photo Illustration of Travel, Special Packages/Series, Cruise Travel, Adventure Travel, Travel News/Investigative Reporting, Service-Oriented Consumer Work, Environmental and Sustainable Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Personal Comment, Special-Purpose Travel, Short Work on Travel, Culinary-Related Travel, Travel Book, Guidebook, Travel Journalism Websites, Travel Audio, Travel Audio (Podcasts and Guides), Travel Video, Travel Blogs, Multimedia Single Work.

Judging

Entries are judged by members of the journalism faculty of an accredited U.S. university, each of which takes on the project for five or six years. Previous judges have included members of the faculties of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, and the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. In 2015, judging returned to the University of Missouri, which had judged the competition for two previous terms.

Grand Award Winners

Caption text
Year Journalist Outlet
2022[16] Stephen Hiltner The New York Times
2021[17] Katherine LaGrave Afar
2020[18] Kevin West freelance
2019[19] Elaine Glusac freelance
2018[20] Christopher Solomon freelance
2017[21] Christopher Reynolds The Los Angeles Times
2016[22] Aaron Teasdale freelance
2015[23] Todd Pitock freelance
2014John Rowefreelance
2014[24] Jill Schensul The Record (New Jersey)
2013[25] Mary Jo McConahayfreelance
2012[26] Jill Schensul The Record (North Jersey)
2011[27] Rick Steves Rick Steves Europe
2010[28] Andrew McCarthy freelance
2009[29] Joe Ray freelance
2008[30] Christopher P. Baker freelance
2007[31] Tom Haines The Boston Globe
2006[32] Jane Wooldridge The Miami Herald
2005[33] Tom Haines The Boston Globe
2004[34] Rosemary McClure The Los Angeles Times
2003[35] Tom Haines The Boston Globe
2002[36] Wayne Curtis freelance
2001[37] Harry Shattuck The Houston Chronicle
2000[38] Peter Guttman freelance
1999[39] Jill Schensul The Record (North Jersey)
1998[40] Alan Solomon The Chicago Tribune
1997[41] Christopher Reynolds The Los Angeles Times
1996[42] William Ecenbarger freelance
1995[43] Christopher Reynolds The Los Angeles Times
1994[44] Jack Schnedler The Chicago Sun-Times
1993[45] Jim Molnar The Seattle Times
1992[46] Jim Molnar The Seattle Times
1991[47] Jim Molnar The Seattle Times
1990[48] Catherine Watson The Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
1989[49] Laura Bly The Orange County Register
1988[50] Bob O’Sullivan freelance
1987[51] Carol Barrington freelance

Multiple Lowell Thomas Award Winners

The SATW Foundation maintains a list of all winners by year; the following publications and individuals have garnered the most awards as of 2021:[52]

Publications

National Geographic Traveler

122

Seattle Times

86

Minneapolis Star Tribune

62

Chicago Tribune

59

Islands magazine: 59

Los Angeles Times

52

Outside magazine: 47

San Francisco Chronicle

40 (20 as Examiner-Chronicle)

Boston Globe

39

Record (NJ)

39

Travel + Leisure

38

National Geographic Adventure

37

Oregonian

36

Frommer's

36 (varying media)

Washington Post

35

Orange County Register

35

USA Today :28

New York Times

27

Miami Herald

22

Dallas Morning News

21

Lonely Planet

19

Chicago Sun-Times

18

Afar

17 (since 2010)

New Orleans Times-Picayune

16

Southern Living magazine: 16

Individuals

Catherine Watson: Minneapolis Star Tribune 29.

Jill Schensul: (The Record/North Jersey Media Group) 29

Alan Solomon: 25 (Chicago Tribune) 25

Chris Welsch: (Minneapolis Star Tribune) 19

Gary Stoller: (Conde Nast Traveler and USA Today) 12

Christopher Reynolds: (Los Angeles Times) 11

Don George: (various media) 10

References

  1. Web site: SATW Foundation Announces 2021 Winners of Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. eTurbo News. 5 October 2021 . 2022-01-30. 2022-01-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130233523/https://eturbonews.com/3004822/satw-foundation-announces-2021-winners-of-lowell-thomas-travel-journalism-competition/. live.
  2. Web site: Travel Writing Awards Competitions. Travel Writing World. 14 June 2021 . 2022-01-31. 2022-01-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20220131162517/https://www.travelwritingworld.com/travel-writing-awards/. live.
  3. Web site: Nov 1, 2013. Missouri Journalism Alumnus Wins a Gold in the 2013 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. University of Missouri. January 31, 2022. January 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220131025409/https://journalism.missouri.edu/2013/11/missouri-journalism-alumnus-wins-a-gold-in-the-2013-lowell-thomas-travel-journalism-competition/. live.
  4. Web site: Jason Motlagh Wins Gold in 2018 Travel Journalism Competition. Pulitzer Center. 2022-01-30. 2022-01-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20220131000518/https://pulitzercenter.org/blog/jason-motlagh-wins-gold-2018-travel-journalism-competition. live.
  5. Web site: Oct 20, 2006. Miami Herald,' 'Boston Globe' Among Winners of SATW Awards. Editor & Publisher. January 31, 2022. January 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220131025409/https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/miami-herald-boston-globe-among-winners-of-satw-awards,119564. live.
  6. News: Virshup. Amy. Oct 7, 2021. The Times Wins Eight Lowell Thomas Awards for Travel Journalism. The New York Times. January 30, 2022. January 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130233514/https://www.nytco.com/press/the-times-wins-eight-lowell-thomas-awards-for-travel-journalism/. live.
  7. News: May 26, 1985. Tribune's Travel Section Wins Thomas Award. Chicago Tribune. 2022-01-30. 2022-01-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130233512/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-05-26-8502020844-story.html. live.
  8. News: L.A. Times Wins Top Lowell Thomas Award for 'Fun, Informative, and Quirky' Travel Coverage. Los Angeles Times. 2022-01-30. 2022-01-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130233512/https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-lowell-thomas-award-20180925-story.html. live.
  9. News: Register Wins Prestigious Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award. Orange County Register. 2022-01-30. 2022-01-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130233514/https://www.ocregister.com/2010/10/11/register-wins-prestigious-lowell-thomas-travel-journalism-award/. live.
  10. News: Oct 23, 2019. Washington Post Travel Section Wins the Gold Award for Best Newspaper Travel Coverage in the 2019 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. Washington Post. January 30, 2022. March 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305103817/https://www.washingtonpost.com/pr/2019/10/23/washington-post-travel-section-wins-gold-award-best-newspaper-travel-coverage-lowell-thomas-travel-journalism-competition/. live.
  11. News: Nickoloff. Anne. Oct 22, 2020. The Plain Dealer's travel section wins award in prestigious Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. Oct 22, 2020. Cleveland Plain Dealer. January 30, 2022. January 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130233512/https://www.cleveland.com/news/2020/10/the-plain-dealers-travel-section-wins-award-in-prestigious-lowell-thomas-travel-journalism-competition.html. live.
  12. News: Bottomly. Therese. Nov 10, 2011. Travel section wins silver award in Lowell Thomas competition. The Oregonian. January 30, 2022. January 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130233513/https://www.oregonlive.com/oregonianeditors/2011/11/travel_section_wins_silver_awa.html. live.
  13. Web site: Sep 13, 2012. Lowell Thomas Awards Announced for the Best Travel Journalism of the Year. Outside Online. January 30, 2022. January 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130233514/https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/books-media/lowell-thomas-awards-announced-best-travel-journalism-year/. live.
  14. News: Nov 1, 2008. Lowell Thomas Awards: Another Gold for the Globe. Globe and Mail. January 30, 2022. January 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130233512/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/lowell-thomas-awards-another-gold-for-the-globe/article662349/. live.
  15. Web site: 2020-2021 List of Winners . SATW Foundation . https://web.archive.org/web/20211215201937/http://www.satwf.com/2020-2021-satwf-lowell-thomas-travel-journalism-aw/2020-2021-list-of-winners . 15 December 2021 . dead.
  16. Web site: 2021-2022 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  17. Web site: 2020-2021 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  18. Web site: 2019-2020 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  19. Web site: 2018-2019 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  20. Web site: 2017-2018 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  21. Web site: 2016-2017 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  22. Web site: 2015-2016 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  23. Web site: 2014-2015 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  24. Web site: 2013-2014 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  25. Web site: 2012-2013 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  26. Web site: 2011-2012 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  27. Web site: 2010-2011 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  28. Web site: 2009-2010 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  29. Web site: 2008-2009 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  30. Web site: 2007-2008 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  31. Web site: 2006-2007 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  32. Web site: 2005-2006 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  33. Web site: 2004-2005 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  34. Web site: 2003-2004 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  35. Web site: 2002-2003 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  36. Web site: 2001-2002 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  37. Web site: 2000-2001 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  38. Web site: 1999-2000 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  39. Web site: 1998-1999 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  40. Web site: 1997-1998 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  41. Web site: 1996-1997 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  42. Web site: 1995-1996 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  43. Web site: 1994-1995 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  44. Web site: 1993-1994 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  45. Web site: 1992-1993 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  46. Web site: 1991-1992 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  47. Web site: 1990-1991 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  48. Web site: 1989-1990 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  49. Web site: 1988-1989 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  50. Web site: 1987-1988 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  51. Web site: 1986-1987 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition .
  52. Web site: Lowell Thomas Award Past Winners . SATW Foundation . https://web.archive.org/web/20220130233517/http://www.satwf.com/past-winners-satw-foundation-lowell-thomas-competi/more-for-past-winners . 30 January 2022 . dead.

External links

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