Travel Writing Award Winners Announced in Chicago at IPW 2014

Four travel journalists recently captured top honors in the 2014 IPW Travel Writing Awards competition. The winners were announced on April 7 during a media reception at the IPW trade show in Chicago. The U.S. Travel Association, which coordinates the awards, received nearly 200 contest entries from journalists representing more than 50 countries. The honors were awarded as follows:

Best IPW Host City (Las Vegas) Article — British travel writer Peter Ellegard captured top honors in this category, which focuses on articles highlighting the previous year's IPW host city. His story, Swinging on the Strip, appeared in the autumn 2013 issue of Great Golf Magazine, a U.K. luxury travel and lifestyle publication. The contest's judges noted that Ellegard had produced a “great article on an activity that is probably not top of mind for most Vegas visitors: golf. This witty, informative article proves that Las Vegas really does have it all.”

Best U.S. Travel Destination Article — Due to the high number of outstanding entries received this year, the judges selected two winners in this category. Freelance journalist and photographer Bas van Oort won for his storyGo West! From New York to Seattle by Train, which was published in the July-August 2013 issue of Reizen Magazine, the largest consumer travel magazine in the Netherlands. Van Oort's beautifully illustrated article chronicled his month-long rail trip across the United States, “effectively capturing the charm of cross-country train travel.”

Also winning in this category is Spud Hilton, travel editor of the San Francisco Chronicle. His February 2013 article, Riverboat Revival: Steamer American Queen resumes exploring past on the Mississippi current, “did a fabulous job of capturing the essence of what many consider to be true Americana: paddleboats and the Mississippi.” Hilton noted that his time aboard the genteelAmerican Queen made “it easy to see what motivated Mark Twain, John Fogerty and others who were fascinated by the river and life on it.”

Best Trade Publication Article — Carlos Pérez Galván, chief of information for Latin American Meetings, was recognized in this category for his article Houston, el recinto para reuniones y convenciones (“Houston: The venue for meetings and conventions”). The piece was published in Más Expos Congresos & Convenciones, a meeting trade resource in Mexico. Judges felt the article did a nice job of describing the amenities, facilities and distinct city personality that make Houston a terrific destination for meeting and convention groups.

During their evaluation of the entries, the judges looked for articles that featured original ideas and exceptional storytelling skills, as well as prose that would inspire readers to travel to the United States.

The IPW Travel Writing Awards competition is held annually. Each of the winning writers receives $1,000 and an award certificate. This year's competition was sponsored by CityPASS, the company that offers discounted admission booklets for the top attractions in 11 North American destinations.