LOWELL THOMAS TRAVEL JOURNALISM COMPETITION
28 Years of Rewarding Journalists for Outstanding Work in the Field
Category 1: Grand Award – Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year
Best collection of between five and nine entries in at least four different categories. Entries should demonstrate diversity of skills in writing and reporting. Only one set of entries allowed per author(s). Fee: $50.
Category 2: Newspaper Travel Sections
Five issues required. Two issues must have been published in one of the following months: EITHER June or November 2011. The other three issues may be anytime between April 1, 2011, and March 18, 2012. One entry per publication; newspaper magazines are not eligible. Verify your circulation for the day of the week that the Travel section is published, and specify category as noted below. Fee: $50.
A. Newspapers with 350,000 or more circulation.
B. Newspapers under 350,000 circulation.
(Please include latest verification of circulation.)
Category 3: Magazines (Newspaper magazines are not eligible.)
A. Travel Magazines
Three consecutive issues required; only one entry per publication. Websites and tablet apps may be included as supporting material. Weight is given to the print version. Fee: $50.
B. Travel Coverage in Other Magazines
(General- and special interest publications, such as regional, news, in-flight, lifestyle and activities-oriented magazines)
Three consecutive issues required; only one entry per publication. Websites and tablet apps may be included as supporting material. Weight is given to the print version. Fee: $50.
Category 4: U.S./Canada Travel Article
Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 5: Foreign Travel Article
Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 6: Photo Illustration of Travel
Newspaper and magazine article entrants may include supplementary online galleries for the piece. Online entries may be a gallery of work for one article.
Photo/photos by same photographer. Photos that alter reality are not eligible; see note in “Preparing entries — For photography categories” section. Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 7: Special Packages/Projects
In-depth or expanded coverage or a series about a travel-related topic in print, audio, video, online or other digital media, or any combination of platforms. Emphasis is on a special, coordinated package, which may include text, graphics, photos, video, audio and consumer interaction. A series in a single format is eligible. Weight is given to packages that make the most effective use of multiple platforms to present the idea in various ways. One work presented in both print and online or simply on multiple websites does not qualify; work in multimedia should complement or supplement each other. Fee: $50.
Category 8: Cruise Travel Article (experiential, news reporting, commentary, review, etc.)
Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 9: Adventure Travel Article
Focus on the experience — rafting, hiking, biking, trekking, etc.
Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 10: Travel News/Investigative Reporting
Hard-hitting coverage and/or analysis of a travel issue (consumer fraud, safety, security, health).
Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 11: Service-Oriented Consumer Work
Consumer tips, how-to’s, advice, etc. Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 12: Environmental Tourism Article
Focus on ecological or environmental aspects, including the sustainability of the ecology with respect to tourism. Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 13: Cultural Tourism Article
Focus on cultural aspects of travel. Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 14: Personal Comment
Column, essay, editorial, humorous article or similar work with personal approach. An entry should be a single article. A short series of single pieces on a specific subject is acceptable, but a collection of pieces on different subjects is not eligible. Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 15: Special-Purpose Travel
Article on travel to pursue personal interests such as noncompetitive sports, recreation, history, hobbies and self-improvement. Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 16: Short Article on Travel
Single-subject coverage in up to 800 words. Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 17: Travel Book (other than guidebook)
More essay, photoessay, experiential and/or opinion. Books must be first-edition text and/or photos published since January 2010. Fee: $50. Send one copy of book.
Category 18: Guidebook
Emphasis on providing useful information as a reference tool to readers. Books must be first editions or major revisions published since January 2010. Fee: $50. Send one copy of book.
Category 19: Online Travel Journalism Sites
Consumer-oriented online editorial site — including web-only and web version of a print medium — with special emphasis on the most effective use of multimedia. Sites may have advertising; however, sites that primarily sell travel components or promotional sites from a travel supplier are not eligible. Fee: $50.
Category 20: Travel Broadcast – Audio
Consumer-oriented program in various types of audio, including traditional and satellite radio, podcast, webcast and audio guide. Work may be a regularly occurring feature or a single topic. Work done by contract for commercial promotion is not eligible. Each entry must be submitted on a CD (in Rules & Eligibility, see Preparing entries – For audio and video entries). Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 21: Travel Broadcast – Video
Consumer-oriented, live-action program on various types of video, including network or cable TV, online videocasts, travelogs and Internet Travel Channels. Work may be a regularly occurring feature or a single topic. Work done by contract for commercial promotion is not eligible. Each entry must be submitted on a DVD (in Rules & Eligibility, see Preparing entries – For audio and video entries). Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 22: Travel Blogs
Ongoing online journal that contributes fact-filled, accurate travel information, encouraging a sense of community and/or offering useful, actionable advice. It should show a clear knowledge of the subject, have an inviting style reflecting the distinctive personality of the writer, be visually appealing and easy to read/navigate and invite interaction, with links whenever appropriate that add to the content. (In Rules & Eligibility, follow guidelines for Online/Internet entries.) Fee: $15 per entry.
Category 23: Travel Apps
Apps must be editorial in nature and focus on content about a specific location or activity. The purpose should be similar to that of a guidebook, enabling consumers to better understand and appreciate a travel experience. Content should be created specifically for the app. It cannot be repurposed from a guidebook or other existing publication; however, it may use images that have been published elsewhere. The app must be commercially available, either for free or for payment. It must be formatted for use on either a smartphone or tablet mobile device, in a multiplatform that is downloadable for judging on an iOS device. Content must be original work and cannot be written by a public relations firm or promotional office, though it may contain images or maps supplied by a PR office(s) and a PR office(s) may act as one of many sources of information. Maps may be supplied or derived from other sources. Entries will be judged on quality of information, utility, functionality, attractiveness and distinctiveness in approach, concept and content. The technical aspects are considered only as they relate to overall experience; the back-end technology may come from a format or template. For this initial year, apps published since January 1, 2010, are eligible in this category. Fee: $20 per entry. (See Eligibility & Rules section for more information.)
Note: Audio and video also can be entered as part of category 1 Grand Award and in category 7 Special Packages/Projects. Entries in categories 1 and 4-16 can be from print (including books) and online. Apps may be entered in the Grand Award and in Special Packages but must have been created within the April 1, 2011-March 18, 2012, time period in those categories.