THE Australian Society of Travel Writers (astw.org.au) is pleased to announce that travel company Abercrombie and Kent has once come on board as platinum level sponsor for the Photographer of the Year category in the Awards for Excellence, to be announced at the 2019 ASTW Convention in Cairns this October.

The Photographer of the Year is awarded to the member with the best portfolio of five published travel images for the judging period. It is one of the most highly coveted awards of the awards presented at the ASTW's Awards for Excellence, won by renowned photographer Dan Avila in 2018 and 2017

Helen Hayes, President of the ASTW, said that the ongoing support of such prestigious travel companies is a testament to the credibility of the awards, the success of the Association and the development of the industry as a whole.

“The continued support of such high calibre tourism operators as Abercrombie & Kent is a vital support not only to the ASTW and the awards process, but also to the continued development of travel journalism and travel photography, and the encouragement it gives to a continued drive for excellence,” she said.

The 2019 Awards for Excellence are an annual celebration of outstanding travel writing, photography, and tourism communication, and will be presented at a Gala Dinner, hosted by Tourism Tropical North Queensland. There are 21 categories, open to either writers, digital influencers or public relations members.  New this year is an award for the Best Travel Book – reintroduced after a hiatus of several years. 

For more information about sponsoring awards, lunches or events; or for membership enquiries, please visit our website for more information or contact secretariat Justine White on secretariat@astw.org.au

About the ASTW

The ASTW is a 300-strong group of travel writers, editors, radio and television broadcasters and producers, bloggers, guide book authors and photographers (as well as travel industry public relations and marketing professionals) whose work appears regularly in major newspapers, magazines, airwaves and websites across Australia and the world.

All ASTW members must satisfy strict criteria to join and are obligated to substantiate their membership annually by providing details of their published output or industry participation. They must also adhere to a Code of Ethics. By ensuring that only bona fide applicants are admitted, the ASTW maintains its integrity and the professionalism of the travel industry.