2020-21 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition

108 Special Packages/Series ( Newspapers,Travel Magazines,Travel Coverage in General Magazines,Travel Audio-Radio,Travel Audio-Podcasts and Guides)Back

  • Place Name: First Place
    Contestant Name: The New York Times
    Entry Title: A Year Without Travel
    Entry Credit: Ceylan Yeginsu, Stephen Hiltner, Tariro Mzezewa, Lisa Foderaro, Peter Kujawinski
    Judge Comment: The New York Times mined the depths of emotion, economics and empathy to present an amazing package of travel news after more than a year of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing shutdowns. The package was stuffed with strong writing, graphics, videos, pertinent sidebars and sorrowful first-person accounts of the economic turmoil for industry workers and their families. As a Uganda safari guide, with a wife and three children, said: “I lost all my income and unfortunately, the government did not give us any help. We were on our own.” Looking ahead, the reporters found indications that travel in the future likely will have more restraints on tourists crowding into popular sites, leaving behind destruction and trash. Reporters captured the emotions throughout, yet told the same story of heartache, hard times and harder hearts.
  • Place Name: Second Place
    Contestant Name: Travel + Leisure
    Entry Title: The Black Travel Movement
    Entry Credit: Various
    Judge Comment: Strong graphics, videos, first-person essays, slide shows and highlighted quotes elevate this package. But more importantly, it’s the wealth of “real people” telling their stories of travels’ pleasures and, frankly, disappointments. Captured with grace and empathy, these articles focus on Black interests, activities and history and boost the wanderlust urge. Travel blogs written by Black writers and of travel companies attuned to Black tourism are rich with information.
  • Place Name: Third Place
    Contestant Name: Miami Herald
    Entry Title: Stranded at Sea
    Entry Credit: Taylor Dolven, Emily Michot
    Judge Comment: If you don’t tear up when you read these harrowing stories, maybe you’ve become the Grinch after a year of COVID-19. These well-documented and well-written articles tell the story of ship workers held as virtual prisoners for weeks and months and exposed to the deadly virus as they cruised the seas waiting for their home countries to open ports so that they could return to their homes and families. It’s hard to fathom how poorly these workers were treated by large and small cruise ship owners alike. These articles document the abuse and neglect of employees at sea with no pay, assigned to dingy closet-sized rooms and deep loneliness as they are isolated from others. In addition to print and online content, the package contains videos, maps and motion graphics. It’s a deep well of information.
  • Place Name: Honorable Mention
    Contestant Name: BBC Travel
    Entry Title: Untold America
    Entry Credit: Eliot Stein, Story editor, Alba Jaramillo, Video producer, Anne Banas, Editor, Laura Llewellyn, Designer
    Judge Comment: “Real people” and “real stories” abound in this superb collection of articles and videos. Each is close-up view of a piece of American history that can be learned by reading and explored and enjoyed by traveling. There are the Black cowboys of Oklahoma telling their stories of the creation of rodeos with video interviews interspersed with a historic perspective tracing slavery, freedmen and land ownership in the “dirty south.” “The Sweet Symbol of Japanese America” about a fourth generation of a candy store ownership in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, reflects an excellent portrayal of place and why. There’s more, of course, all equally emotive and revealing of little-known America, each with accompanying video and photo packages.