Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Plain Dealer Entry Title: The Plain Dealer Entry Credit: Susan Glaser Judge Comment: While the Plain Dealer doesn’t go as far afield and perhaps doesn’t have the resources as national metros, this section catered with laser focus on its readers. The stories were about Ohio and any reader could experience them within a day's drive. The writing style was personal, like a good friend enjoyably telling you about their vacation. The stories were a delight and readers might find themselves taking notes and storing these sections away to use as their number one travel guide.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The New York Times Entry Title: The New York Times Travel section Entry Credit: Amy Virshup Judge Comment: Innovative, interesting and wide-ranging, the New York Times travel coverage was a good combination of fun and unusual reading experiences combined with solid travel advice. From the practical, like dealing with flight cancellations, restrictions and masks, to the inspirational like “52 Places to Love in 2021,” this is travel coverage that’s comprehensive and aspirational. The great photos that accompany the stories visually bring to life the excellent writing.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Boston Globe Entry Title: Boston Globe Travel Entry Credit: Chris Morris, Travel editor, Christopher Muther, Travel writer Judge Comment: For sheer volume, the Globe travel coverage is hard to beat. This is like a travel section edited by the city desk ¬— comprehensive and a full-day's read. The coverage is varied and always interesting, from how to deal with holidays during the pandemic, seeking solace in the mountains or the challenges for Black or LGBTQ travelers. What stands out above all is that this is good, solid journalism.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Star Tribune Entry Title: Star Tribune Entry Credit: Kerri Westenberg, Simon Groebner Judge Comment: The Star Tribune’s travel coverage is heavy on advice, which has been so useful in this difficult, pandemic year. Stories like how to hit the road safely, “COVID-cations” in tiny cabins and grain silos and how the pandemic will change travel trends for 2021 make this coverage eminently usable. While some pieces lack the flair of exotic, this style of coverage really helped readers plan travel despite uncertainty.
