A new database has been published for communications professionals and journalists seeking travel industry contacts.

The 2009 edition of the British travel trade’s ‘little black book’ – the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Yearbook – has been launched.

The Yearbook, available in hard copy format and searchable online database format, is the UK’s best source of information for the travel media. Packed with ideas for articles, films and programmes, it sets out the specialisms and experience of the 270 members of the Guild who are all professional travel writers, broadcasters, photographers, editors and publishers. They work in all sectors of the travel media in the UK and in the major English-speaking countries.

Commissioning Editors, subject to Guild approval, are entitled to a free Yearbook and access to the online industry database.

The Yearbook and database also contains a comprehensive directory of over 2,700 specialist PR companies, publications, broadcast media, tourist offices in the UK and worldwide, tour and transport operators and other useful companies and organisations operating in the UK travel & tourism industry. It includes an Events Calendar for planning and viewing travel industry events and a host of other useful information.

It is “the PR’s definitive guide to the UK Media and freelance contributors, an easy to use on- and offline source of reference”, says Alison Cryer, Chairman, The Tourism Society. "It's a must-have reference. The online version is fast and accurate, and the hard copy version is simply laid out and easy to use. It's an altogether essential tool," says David Prest, Co-producer, BBC Radio 4 Traveller’s Tree

Its launch was celebrated by more than 250 of the UK’s top travel writers and photographers, travel PRs, tourist boards and tour operators at a launch party hosted by the InterContinental London Park Lane on Monday 23 February.

BGTW Chairman Melissa Shales said that 2009 looked set to be a challenging year and that the strong relationship between the travel trade and the BGTW’s specialist writers and photographers was today more valuable than ever. “There is virtually nowhere in the world that has not been covered by one of our members, virtually no publication – in print, on the airwaves or online, in the UK and, increasingly, abroad as well  – in which our work is not represented on a regular basis,” she said.

The cost of the Yearbook and access to the Guild website (renewable with each yearbook edition) is £95 plus postage & packing and VAT (chargeable on web access and the p&p).

You may order online at www.bgtw.org through a secure server at WorldPay using a credit/debit card (Mastercard, Visa, Visa Electron, Delta, Switch, JCB, Solo) or, if you prefer, be invoiced for payment by cheque. Contact the secretariat at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Commissioning editors can apply for free access by clicking the yearbook tab at www.bgtw.org

"It has earned the right to be called a 'Yearbook', since it would takea year to read it. This book has no rival when it comes to content and extent!"
Howard Salinger, Editor, TravMedia.com

"The BGTW Year Book is one of the most useful 'little black books' in travel and will save you hours of time over the course of the year by giving you the means to contact most of the key people in this wide-ranging industry of ours."
Sue Ockwell, Managing Director of Travel PR and Spokesperson for the Association of Independent Tour Operators

“Over the years, it has grown into my most reliable source of information. For contacts and sources and specialists, it can't be equalled.”
John Carter, former BBC TV Holiday presenter