Winners Announced in ASTW Travel Journalism Awards for Excellence

In announcing the winners of the 2009 ASTW Awards for Excellence Travel Writer of the Year and Travel Photographer of the Year Awards, President Kris Madden said that in spite of the difficult economic climate in 2009, the response to this year’s awards had been exceptional.

“While the world economic climate has given us all cause for concern, I am very pleased to say that it did not impact on the overall quality or number of entries in this year’s broad range of ASTW Awards,” Kris said.

“Supporting the view that Australians are always and will always be interested in travel and unique destinations, even in difficult financial times, a record number of more than 330 published entries were received for the 2009 ASTW Travel Journalism Awards for Excellence held in Bangkok on Saturday 20 August.

Out of this impressive display of travel journalism and photography, Louise Southerden (pictured) was chosen by the judges as the 2009 Travel Writer of the Year and Mike Larder was voted the 2009 Travel Photographer of the Year.

The prestige and prizes associated with winning these top ASTW awards is enhanced by the invaluable support of the event key sponsor, the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

“Through travel comes knowledge. Through knowledge comes understanding. Through understanding, we all create a better world,” said Kris.

“That is what travel journalism and photography is all about, creating broader understanding and appreciation of different cultures.”


Responsible Tourism Story - Sponsored by California Tourism
Louise Southerden

Best Trade Industry Story - Sponsored by Virgin Blue Airways
Jane E Fraser

Best Portrait - Sponsored by Langham Hotels International
Mike Larder

Best Image Taken in Aus - Sponsored by Langham Hotels International
Cathy Finch

Best Image Taken Overseas - Sponsored by Langham Hotels International
Mike Larder


Best Australian Story Under 1ooo Words - Sponsored by Small Luxury Hotels
Natalee Ward

Best Travel Journey - Sponsored by Vroom Vroom Vroom Car Rental
Daniel Scott

Best International Story Under 1ooo Words - Sponsored by Small Luxury Hotels
Philip Game

Best Australian Story Over 1ooo Words - Sponsored by Preferred Hotel Group
Robert Upe

Best International Story Over 1ooo Words - Sponsored by Fraser Suites
Julie Miller

Best Shanghai Story - Sponsored By Shanghai Municipal Tourist Office
Julie McGlone

Best Regional Tourism Board - Sponsored by Virgin Blue Airways
Great Ocean Road

Best State Tourism Board - Sponsored by Vacations & Travel Magazine and Golf Vacations
Tourism Queensland

Best International Tourism Board - Sponsored by Holidays for Couples
Tourism Authority of Thailand

Communicator of the Year - Sponsored by TravMedia.com
Michelle Armstrong and Pongsak Kanittanon

Jack Butters award for Contribution to ASTW
Alison Scott