Top names in the world of travel journalism, photography, radio and television broadcasting were honoured at the British Guild of Travel Writers Awards Dinner at The Savoy last night.

10 November 2003

PRESS RELEASE London, 10 October 2003

Recognising excellence in their membership the Guild presented awards to eleven significant creative pieces of work. Former managing editor of Insight Guides, Donna Dailey scooped two gongs: one for her story 'Steaming into History', which appeared in the ViaMichelin Magazine; the other for 'Lost Luggage Heaven' which appeared in Essentially America Magazine. Another well-respected member walked off with a pair of awards; Paul Gogarty, travel editor of Cosmopolitan, won with 'An Artful Mix of Culture and History'; he also collected a prize for 'Banksiders Don't See Half the Things That We See', both of which appeared in the Daily Telegraph.

'Fast Food with a Pedigree' which graced the travel pages of the Independent on Sunday, was the winning article for David Atkinson, a frequent contributor to BBC Radio 4's Excess Baggage travel programme. Sue Bryant editor of Cruise Traveller magazine also took a bow for her story 'Seeing the Light' about a Norwegian Coastal Voyage which appeared in her magazine. Writer and author Jeremy Seal was another winner for his evocative essay 'Feast and Famine in the Horn of Africa' which appeared in The Times.

Walking away with the Best Guidebook prize for the Insight Guide to Tanzania and Zanzibar, was editor and Guild Secretary Melissa Shales. For his radio piece, 'The Receiving End', broadcast on Radio 4, the winner of the Ed Lacy Memorial Award for Radio Journalism was veteran writer and founding editor of Wish You Were Here…? Peter Hughes.

In the category for excellence in photography Juliet Coombe reflected the wide-ranging influence of the Guild's work with her image of 'Thannaka Girl' which appeared in The Herald Sun, Australia. Former BBC television and radio producer, director and reporter, John Bell won outright for his programme on the Seychelles which appeared on CNN Hotspots.

Commenting on the successful winners Guild Chairman, Mary Johns said, "Once again our members have shown excellence in their respective fields of travel journalism, photography and broadcasting. The entries for this year were at record levels and the judges had an unenviable task of selecting winners from an array of quality entries. It's great to see that our members are, as ever, leaders in their field when it comes to disseminating travel stories and images around the world."

All winning members of the British Guild of Travel Writers received a cheque for £500 presented by individual sponsors of the awards. The awards were judged by a panel of independent experts. Hosts for the Awards Dinner were fellow members Judith Chalmers O.B.E. and BBC's Gate 24 presenter Peter Nunn.

10th November 2003

For further information and for images, please contact:
Mary Anne Evans
BGTW, T: 0778 6081 274
020-7242 5222
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Photographs of the Award Presentation are available from: www.simply-photography.co.uk. View Events.